gibson eb-3 vs. eb-0

[Cool Dude]

I am looking to buy a gibson eb bass I found a 1970 eb-3L for $1500 and I found a 1969 eb-0 for $1200 which should I buy?

thanks

Edited December 20, 2020 by Cool Dude

[Lozz196]

It has to be whichever you enjoy playing the most- if you can try them both that is. If not do a YouTube search on each and try and make the judgement on the sound that each makes. I’m not particularly up on Gibson basses but I think the 3 is more versatile due to having two pickups so that might be a factor.

[Shaggy]

Definitely the 3 - more versatile as Lozz says, and worth very much more - $1500 for a ‘70 model is a hell of a bargain if it’s mainly original and in a playable state

Edit - The 3 is the long scale version whereas the 0 is standard short scale, which obviously is also a major factor depending on your preferred scale length

Edited December 20, 2020 by Shaggy

[Paul S]

1 hour ago, Shaggy said:

Edit - The 3 is the long scale version whereas the 0 is standard short scale, which obviously is also a major factor depending on your preferred scale length

Not necessarily, there are short scale EB-3s, too.  I did a bit of reading when in the market for one recently.  Plus of the course the depthless knowledge on here was invaluable.

But, yes, the extra pickup at the bridge extends the tone palette.  If you don't need or want that then there is less to 'go wrong' with an EB-0  

Only you know that.

[BigRedX]

Most Gibson EB3s and EB0s are short scale. There are long scale versions which are fairly rare and therefore might be worth more if you decide to move it on. The Epiphone EB3 is long scale.

[Jus Lukin]

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Edited March 11, 2022 by Jus Lukin

[Paul S]

1 hour ago, Jus Lukin said:

We are talking about an EB-3L, so this particular one is definitely long scale.

So we are!  Didn't spot that  

[Mickeyboro]

It’s down to scale preference really. I had an EB-3L and don’t feel it gave me more options than a single pickup EB-0 would. For blues-rock it was great though!

[BigRedX]

If you have a look at this page for the EB3 and this page for the EB0 you will see that the design of both changes other the years, and while knowing which year your basses you are considering were built helps, you really need to play the actual ones (or ones with exactly the same spec) in order to know which one is going to suit you.

In theory the EB3-L should be more versatile, but in practice the EB0 might turn out to be exactly what you are looking for.

[Cool Dude]

Thanks so much.