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The
EB0F was an unusual creation, designed to allow a "fuzz" sound, and apparently modeled on a Fuzz pedal Gibson offered
around that time. It is generally accepted that the fuzztone was a disappointment as the fuzz efect was weaker than that obtainable
from a pedal.
Dahl A. R. Duchossoir,Gibson Electrics: The Classic Years : An
Illustrated History from the Mid-'30s to the Mid-'60s, Hal Leonard Corporation, 1998, p.91 wrote:
"In
1962 a fourth solid bass patterned after the EB-0 called the EB-0F was made available. The 'F' suffix stood for fuzztone
and meant that the model had a built-in transistorized circuitry producing the same sound effect as the FZ-1 pedal then marketed
by Gibson as an accessory. Early 60s adverts claimed that the fuzz effect was 'the newest and probably the most startling
sound for guitars since the electric guitar was invented.' Oddly enough, Gibson found it appropriate to offer the fuzz
effect as a built-in feature on a bass rather than a guitar! Anyway, the EB-0F proved short-lived and was phased out in 1965".
Click on a photo to see a larger picture
A 1963
EB0F
Note the black, bakelite covered, pick-up and the crown placed high on the head.
A 1964 EB0F
the pick-up has now changed to the nickel covered
verion used until replaced by chrome in 1965/6, and the crown now sits centrally on the head. In this bass the "fuzztone"
scratchplate has been split, which was often done to make access to the electrics to replace the battery easier.
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