[jacopastorius]

I have a gibson Eb bass w/ serial # 890066. Any idea what year this is? This bass dosen't have a pick guard & there is no evidence that it ever did. It has two pick-ups w/ switchs for both. I've looked @ alot of vintage bass pics and none of them look similar. The tuning pegs say gibson on them, but don't resemble any of the pegs from the sixties.

[jules]

Hi Jaco and welcome.

well, a picture is essential to give you any help, because the 6-digit serial numbers were an indecipherable mess. Actually not completely true, you can usually narrow it to 2 or 3 years (not always consecutive) with a serial number, but you need other physical features to help pin it down more accurately.

Plus we all like looking at pictures.

As for the tuners, have you checked the Gibson bass tuning keys page? They are all there

[Dave W]

No pickguard, two pickup switches? Sounds like an SB-300 or SB-400, depending on the scale length. Is that it? As Jules said, that serial number could be from several years, but if this is what you have, it would fit with 1973.

[jacopastorius]

thanks for your help. Its a 71-72 sb-350. I'd send pictures, but the finish is in pretty bad shape. It plays awesome though. Nothing like vintage equipment. Last question, should I leave it in current state( clear coat is cracking & pealing away on the body) or re-finish it? will this ruin the value? It's a budget bass when it was in production. Thanks for all your help?

J

[jules]

Originally Posted by jacopastorius

should I leave it in current state( clear coat is cracking & pealing away on the body) or re-finish it? will this ruin the value? It's a budget bass when it was in production.

Well, as Gibsons go it was budget, but, Gibson doesn't really do budget, only more fancy or less fancy. These were cheaper by virtue of their fittings rather than build quality. It's a well-built instrument with a set neck and nice finish.

A refin will affect value, but if you don't intend to sell, that shouldn't worry you too much. I personally prefer originality, but if you just want a shiny bass, go for it.