[lxmetal]

I just picked this 67(?) EB2 with a headstock repair... The repair is nicely done, and half of the neck is refinished. I don't know what to do with it... I could definitely use it as a gig worthy player, or strip it of its parts for a project?
Also, can anyone tell me if the mute looks correct from the picture? The lever won't slide at all. How should it function?

I might be interested in trading someone for a repair/project EB1 (2nd gen) or similar.

Ser # 870462 .... I think it's a '67.

[eb2]

Mute is fine, but the felt slide slot is messed with. On every one that I had (and always removed) the piece under the springs was a channel shaped piece that felt weather stripping was wedged into. Pulling the lever toward the strap button raised it up against the strings to dampen them, and pushing it forward to the bridge itself would allow the piece to lower - via the tension of the two springs - away from the strings. Yours looks like a flat piece with some felt or something attached - not like any I have had. I would imagine it would work with some weather stripping on it, but again it looks unlike what I am used to.

I would say early 67 if a 67, but a 65-67 variant. Looks nice - I would play it as is if the neck repair is stable. The black V paint is a sign of an old school repair typically, and if so I would gather it was repaired well by someone who gave half a crap. And if old, then it has held up well, and that is another good sign. I have certainly seen a lot worse! With a case? Way to go.

[chromium]

Nice lookin bass!

Looks like someone may have fabricated that mute-pad. Maybe the original went missing. The rest of the mute assembly looks original.

Without that u-channel shape that eb2 described, it would be prone to tilting when its engaged. Here are a couple shots that depict the stock mute-pad:

[jules]

Wow, good score!

Definately a very nice bass indeed. I wish I had an EB1 project to trade with you.

Yes, it is funny about those old headstock repairs, and the way people painted that black V shape. They used to be on ebay all the time, but perhaps people don't worry about concealing a repair these days, as they are so common in general.

Another thing that can stop the mute moving is if the wrong screws have been used to hold it down. The screws sit under the slidy bit on the bass plate. If the don't fit into the recess perfectly, or have a domed top, they basically get in the way of the sliding.

May or may not be the case, but something to check maybe.

Great bass.

[lxmetal]

Thanks for the help guys... I think I figured it out. The mute is flipped upside down with furniture felt pads applied to the backside.
Man, that baritone switch is unreal! You seriously need to have a limiter or something to prevent a total speaker blowout! And vice versa, if you are playing with it on and switch it off, it sounds like it went into another room, down the hall!
-But I love it anyway!

[lxmetal]

So I have had this bass for a couple months now. I have been listening to classic rock recordings that feature EB-2 bass, and also newer rock from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. (that is some far-out overdriven tone!) I strung mine up with Rotosound flatwounds, and after playing it at one gig, I don't think I will be holding on to it. I just really enjoy playing Thunderbirds the most. I guess that's a good thing. I like the growl and feel of long scale more than the muffled dub of a single Mudbucker. And while the EB-2 looks nice in my collection, I'd rather sell or trade it for something I know I will use... like another Thunderbird, RD or a Marshall amp. Anyone?

So what should I do? Ebay the bass? It sure seems like a tough sell with a headstock repair. Do you think it would be worth parting out case, body, parts? Seems like a lot of work, and kind of sad to cannibalize something so complete. Will the sum of the parts be greater than the whole? I was in San Francisco last month and saw another EB-2(d) with the same repair selling for $1500. The repair was done by the shop selling it, so they were probably offsetting a lot of labor.

Well, just looking for your thoughts and advice... Thanks!

[eb2]

I am becoming a bigger fan of "no fuss, no muss." Just put it on Craigs List and let someone do all the driving and hauling away for you. The only problem there is that I feel everyone wants something for nothing, and that used to be the domain of used guitar dealers. But I guess I am not sure of how much you want for it. A headstock break does take the value down, but this is not a hack repair job. It is safe to say it was a pro repair and the age of it, indicated by the vintage V paint, has held up for quite some time. Times are tough, so that will tend to have an impact on its value, and EB2s being secondary in the vintage market, you can expect it with this. Parting out is maybe not the best avenue now, as for the last couple of months virtually every odd Gibson part and case has been popping up in greater numbers. I advise to just get rid of it and move on.

I suggest putting it on CL with your price, and putting in the ad that you are open to trades for a TBird, etc. Just to test the waters, anyway.

Good luck!

[lxmetal]

That makes sense. You're right about parts... there are numerous humbuckers and machine heads, etc. all over eBay. (my favorite is the "3 point bridge: Fits Epi and Gibson" Uhh, make sure you check your stud spacing first!)
I might try Craigslist before eBay. I was just thinking that overseas has more interest in obtaining vintage instruments than recession stricken Michigan. We'll see...

[bassdroid]

I'd play it! That would be a sweet workhorse for someone who collects EB2's.

FWIW, I recently sold a '78 Grabber on the Detroit CL. I put it out there with my price and made it clear that I was not interested in bartering or discounts and that I was not in a hurry to sell. Someone bit the first week. I sold a Ripper on CL the same way this year, but that one took a bit longer. The buyers are out there, though it may take some time to find one.

[anyfour]

Originally Posted by lxmetal

I don't think I will be holding on to it. I just really enjoy playing Thunderbirds the most. I guess that's a good thing. I like the growl and feel of long scale

Have I got a growler for you. I have an RD project that I have been working on for the last few months, loaded with RD standard pups and guard off ebay. Well, I did some creative wiring, and have a growler to match any T'Bird! I have pretty much doubled the output of the RD standard pups. With a lil kick iin the tail, those things are pretty fierce, still a bit bright, but great clarity, with a nice edge to it. I am still "testing" the wiring, but it seems stable enough, I dont think it will have any adverse reactions. What I did was wire the 2 pups in series.. literally take the black from the front and put it to the red from the back, and run through 1 vol and 1 tone. This basically doubled the resistance of the pup (which I think were stacked humbuckers anyway) and make a nice 4 coil pickup spread across the playable surface of the strings. My compressor kicks in at 3 now instead of 6 (out of a possible 10), and the heavy output puts a nice overdrive on the preamp circuit. But its not fuzzy or anything, just a nice T'Bird style growl.