GIBSON 1965 EB-3 PELHAM BLUE ORIGINAL VINTAGE BASS, SUPER RARE! £3995

[zoonyboy]

I bought this EB-3 in the 1990s from a dealer in Florida, to use on a recording project. Since then, apart from one gig, it has stayed at home and been unfairly ignored. It is lovely and fully original and complete with cover, mute and finger rest, the finish is the original factory Pelham Blue faded to a slightly more green colour where the lacquer has aged, and has crazed slightly all over during its 54 years of being around. 

There is a small stress crack in the headstock, which is not a break, and not side to side, in fact does not go to the edge of the neck at any point. I was told that it had been glued when I bought it, but I doubt this, as there are no signs of this taking place. I was happy enough, as the headstock is solid and does not move, even under around 20 years of full tension in my care, it hasn’t budged, and it is not really noticeable. There is just a clean line in the finish, no flaking. So it needs no attention. It does affect the value a bit, but doesn’t affect the integrity or playability of the bass. It is rock solid, no bull. One side of the headstock has a scratch to it that has been painted years ago with a line of car touch up paint, see the pics, it isn't a repair as such, just cosmetic, and the blue did not fade when the original finish did.

It shows a few knocks and dings from its use, and has had no repairs. The selector switch ring shows the usual 4 positions. The switch itself appears original but has 6 positions, all great sounds, so I never looked into changing it. There is one missing screw from the neck pickup, has always been like that since I bought it. Otherwise all is 100% and is Pelham Blue! It is rare on these basses, and there were only 339 made in 1965 anyway, in mostly cherry, and I’ve seen one or two white over the years. I’ve never seen another like this, which does make it very collectible. As well as playable. It is towards the last of the full 1 11/16” nut width EB-3s, and has the lovely thick ply guard, and the painted bridge pickup surround. 

The strings are old roundwounds, which suit it but I’d put flats on if I were keeping it, and the sound is classic EB-3, you know what I mean. There is an original looking rectangular case, not the best quality, more like a budget case but I think the bass came in it.

The price is based upon the extreme rarity of the finish, but I would take a short scale Gibson SG bass in p/x if I was offered (the one with the same pickups and scale length as this). It’s a great bass, please ask any questions, I don’t mind!

[silverfoxnik]

Fabulous! 

GLWTS 

[Pelhamblue]

I just found this...is this still available?

[Roger Phillips]

Currently has a set of flat-wounds and is awesome. This and  my '66 Jazz are always close to hand along with my '62 Gibson SG Standard.

A problem I have with the Jazz is locating a couple of machine-head bolts; currently has set-screws.

Crem d Meths in case Joe Costin's looking or Roger in Kendal.

[Cobretti]

On 14/09/2021 at 15:08, Roger Phillips said:

Currently has a set of flat-wounds and is awesome. This and  my '66 Jazz are always close to hand along with my '62 Gibson SG Standard.

A problem I have with the Jazz is locating a couple of machine-head bolts; currently has set-screws.

Crem d Meths in case Joe Costin's looking or Roger in Kendal.

Wow, do you own this amazing bass now? It is just stunning!

[Roger Phillips]

Aye. This machine lives with me in the Lake District.

It has its blemishes, only exactly as described and pictured by 'zoonyboy'. He had mixed feelings about parting with it, but the ball was in my court when I was over in Tyneside.

I don't have computers; this is via a concession at my local library otherwise I'd have details of two EB-3s which I have for sale: a 1962 and a 1967 having the narrow neck.

Regards all.

R.P. 

[itsat34]

Good Lord!

Fabulous!

[Classic Axe]

Is the bass still for sale. I will pay asking price. Will you ship to the USA. I assume you are in England?

[Roger Phillips]

Howdo. This bass isn't currently for sale. And indeed it's in the UK.

Roger