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Billy Corgan's 1969 Gibson EB3 bass up for auction on Reverb

IMMUSICRULZ

Well-known member
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May 25, 2021
Messages
616
Apparently a bunch of his basses are getting sold on Reverb, under name Billys Reverb Shop in Chicago, IL.


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This Gibson EB-3 Bass is from the private collection of Billy Corgan.

This bass is referred to as the Mountain Bass. It has been used on a bunch of stuff, from Mellon Collie to Adore to Machina. It was like one of those secret weapon recording basses. The front pickup can achieve a sort of super-sub sound.

There is moderate wear on this EB-3, as you'd expect, given how much it was used. There is a big spot of wear in between the pickups, a small patch of buckle rash on back, and little chips and nicks throughout. It is structurally sound, though. The fretboard binding is holding up, with only one tiny crack near the 3rd fret that has been glued. There is a small crack on back near the strap button, but it seems to be superficial. This bass feels great in your hands.

This bass plays comfortably up and down the neck. The electronics work as they should. Corgan isn't kidding when he talks about the massive sub tones of the neck pickup – this thing is groundshaking.

I believe Billy also used the Gibson Eb3 when he worked on Celebrity Skin by Hole. Darcy may have played it too. I may not be able to play Bullet With Butterfly Wings on this bass tho. It is nice looking--I love me a sunburst bass!

I just hope someone buys it on Reverb and loves it just as much as Billy did. He also played a Gibson Ripper Bass and Ampeg. If you do like this bass, please let me know. It looks exactly like the one Andy Fraser played in Free!
 
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