[ballent]

I have an EB-2DC, serial number 966956 (orange label), with "MADE IN U.S.A." stamped on the back of the headstock under the serial number. The bass has Gotoh style Gibson tuners. Anybody care to take a shot at suggesting when this bass was made? Any help will be greatfully appreciated!

Tim

[ballent]

Just an update for anyone who might be interested . . . I have now found EB2s from 1970 and 1971 for sale on a couple of different sites and they both have the Gotoh-style tuners. All the other EB2s I've found have the Schaller-style tuners. My best guess is that what I have is from either 1970 or 1971.

[jules]

Hey Tim

Yes, definately post-1970 (Made in USA stamp confirms this)

Shipping figures don't mention the EB2 in the 70s, but this is an error.

I know they were still shipping the EB2 in the very early 70s.... Gibson sent 150 to Long Binh military base, Vietnam in 1970 (Something i'm very keen to find out about - anybody know anything about this story?)

'71s come up on ebay from time to time, never seen one as confirmed as a 72, but I am think they could exist in small numbers.

Have you ever taken the pots out and looked at codes?

How about some photos?

[ballent]

Thanks Jules. And since you asked, here are a few pix.

[jules]

Hey, very nice indeed, and in a very nice state too. This one has clearly been looked after! Thanks for sharing.

[eb2]

I would love to hear the story of (and the fate of) the 150 South Vietnam EB2s. The number makes me think this was a warehouse area, so any military band could get stuff, or it was for the region. Or corruption and graft too. I know in the early 80s there were a bunch of vintage hounds running around and finding old Fender tweed amps at military bases that were rigged up as PA speakers, and contacting the military surplus sites to get stuff.

That is a very nice looking later example. I would swear I have seen 1972 stuff indicating EB2s were floating around still. I also think I have seen one like this with the later tuners and "Gibson" stamped in the mudbucker cover.

[ballent]

Thanks for the kind words gentlemen. I actually have two EB-2DCs, this one and a 1966 that has a significant amount of wear. However, the 66 plays so well that I use it all the time for practice and for gigs. The one in the pix is in such nice shape, I'm almost afraid to take it out of the case for fear I'll ding it up or something.

Tim

[jules]

Originally Posted by eb2

I would love to hear the story of (and the fate of) the 150 South Vietnam EB2s. The number makes me think this was a warehouse area, so any military band could get stuff, or it was for the region.

I don't know much about this story - all that I do know is here EB-2s in Long Binh - but I have posted a few questions on Viet Nam and general War Vets sites, so hopefully some info will be forthcoming.

According to wikipedia Long Binh had 50,000 troops and was a staging area, as you say.... It was used by performers entertaining the troops too. I wonder whether these basses were part of a backline for visiting entertainers?

One key question is whether these were a gift from Gibson, or an aquisition by the US army.

If they were a gift, you'd have to wonder why they gave expensive and fragile basses (The cynic in me says because they just weren't selling - '69 had been a big year for EB-0 and EB-3 basses, and a relative flop for the EB-2).

[lavern23]

It is good to see that bass once again. I am also glad to know that your happy with it! It almost made me want to learn how to play bass.