Gibson Eb3 Varitone Switch

A two wire varitone is not a proper notch filter.

Gibson eb3 varitone switch.

I have spent many hours testing capacitors and you will not find another switch that sounds this good. See the picture below for the difference in frequency response. Few basses are as easily recognized as the gibson eb3. Varitone switch sounds on eb3 reply 11 on.

The eb3 is the big brother of the eb0 and again a true design classic. Gibson currently produces a model called the sg bass which is very similar to the eb 3 but with only a single tone control and no varitone switch. Each hand assembled component is wrapped in electrical tape to protect it from. Our design is vintage correct and a true notch filter.

This is an original gibson wiring harness from a 1974 eb 3 bass. Includes pots jack wiring choke 4 position switch pointers nuts and washers. This sheet produced by gibson in the late 1970s describes the operation of an eb3 with series 2 circuitry see below. If i turn either down it turns off both pickups.

Only two pot dates are legible. Eb 3 eb 2 es 345 and es 355. It has been tested and works great. In order for both pickups to work i have to have both volume controls all the way up.

This part was used on all gibson varitone circuit equipped guitars and basses manufactured during the late 1960s through the 1970s including. Jack bruce cream andy fraser free bill wyman rolling stones trevor bolder david bowie. One dates to 1973 and the other is 1974. This unit was recently salvaged from a project grade 1969 gibson eb 3 bass guitar that was in the shop for a refinish and varitone removal as per owner request.

The linked pages give further detail of controls circuitry and components of gibson eb3 bass guitars circa 1961 79. The varitone switch is wired back to front from 1960s and early. May also work for ripper. Launched in 1961 with a launch price of 285 the 1960s eb3 was very popular with the british bands of the late 1960s.

Tone price and quality. If you search the web others offer varitone switches but not at my price. June 20 2008 12 32 30 am i have a walnut slothead eb 3 it sounds good i usually use position 3 and cut the tone a little. Going through the varitone control on my 1970 gibson eb3 it seems like there s a problem in the third both pickups on position.

Eb3 controls 1978 what the varitone and four pots actually do. Big d varitone switch. We use a quality 6 position switch that features five frequency settings in addition to true bypass.