Prewar
Gibson Upright Bass
History and model information
History and model information
Updated
August 2013
2013: Through
my research on the Epiphone bass we became familiar with Gibson.
Until now we did not own a prewar Gibson bass and were hesitant to
add a page about it to our site. Now that we own a beautiful,
pristine one-owner* Gibson upright bass, I am inspired to add
information to the site for all Gibson upright bass enthusiasts.
Gibson introduced a full line of violins, violas, cellos and basses in 1939, and Epiphone fired back with five of ¾ upright bass models (Epiphone never made violins, violas or cellos). They built basses from 1939 until 1945 — or that’s what Gibson history states.
There were several models that went from all plain plywood to fancy hybrid carved tops. I am not clear on how many basses they made, but it can only be a few hundred. I have seen B125 and B135 in person. I have seen the violin shape and gamba shape; they used blonde and dark finishes. All have the distinct V-shaped tailpiece. Most all have had three-piece necks, individual Kluson nickel-finished tuners, and a paper label inside with vintage cursive writing.
What appears to be the only Gibson gold-top upright was made for Les Paul. It sold for $18,750 on 6/8/2012.
Most of this information comes from photos saved from the web, our own collected, photos and vintage print ads. We will add information as more is discovered — enjoy!
Gibson introduced a full line of violins, violas, cellos and basses in 1939, and Epiphone fired back with five of ¾ upright bass models (Epiphone never made violins, violas or cellos). They built basses from 1939 until 1945 — or that’s what Gibson history states.
There were several models that went from all plain plywood to fancy hybrid carved tops. I am not clear on how many basses they made, but it can only be a few hundred. I have seen B125 and B135 in person. I have seen the violin shape and gamba shape; they used blonde and dark finishes. All have the distinct V-shaped tailpiece. Most all have had three-piece necks, individual Kluson nickel-finished tuners, and a paper label inside with vintage cursive writing.
What appears to be the only Gibson gold-top upright was made for Les Paul. It sold for $18,750 on 6/8/2012.
Most of this information comes from photos saved from the web, our own collected, photos and vintage print ads. We will add information as more is discovered — enjoy!
Gibson
MODELS:
The
following descriptions are taken from a November 1, 1939 flyer
description.
Gibson makes
Violins
Kalamazoo,
Michigan
Kalamazoo,
MichiganNovember 1,
1939New
Prices Effective At Once
New
Prices Effective At OnceIMPORTANT!
Here are new prices on Gibson Violins, Cases and Bows – also
prices on the new Gibson Violas, Cellos and Basses
Prices subject
to change without notice
Gibson Makes-
BASSES
Bass - Regular
Finish
$300.00
$300.00Bass - Natural
Finish
$325.00
$325.00C-320
Bag $15.00
$15.00The
following descriptions are taken from a May 1941 catalog
description.
Gibson violin
makers basses: A new complete line of basses, precision built with
the graceful lines of a violin. Compare every detail inside and
out; let your eye follow the violin-like curves, the high arching,
and the beautiful hand finished scroll. Now play it- bow it- slap
it- and listen! There is but one conclusion…A real “Violin Makers
Bass” with a powerfully balanced tone.
All Gibson
Basses are full three-quarter size, and are alike in shape and
design.
B-125 BASS $125.00
$125.00Here is the
Crackproof Gibson Bass especially arched to produce a powerful,
well balanced tone. Spruce top; maple back, rim and neck; ebony
fingerboard and tailpiece; flake grain bridge; individual machine
heads; solid end pin; adjustable $1.00 extra; finished in rich
antique brown.
B-135 BASS$135.00
$135.00Same as B-125
but made of woods especially selected for their beauty and texture
to be enriched by the Gibson natural finish.
B-250 BASS$250.00
$250.00The top is
precision carved from solid blocks of fine grained spruce, choice
curly maple back, rims and neck. Finest ebony fingerboard and tail
piece; selected flake grain bridge carefully shaped and finished
by hand, individually replaceable machine heads; rosewood
adjustable end pin; rich amber brown finish.
B-300 BASS$300.00
$300.00Same as B-250
but made of woods especially selected for their beauty and texture
to be enriched by the new Gibson natural finish.
C-133 BASS BAG$9.00
$9.00Snaptite tan
waterproof covert material with snap fasteners and leatherette
binding; bow, music and string pockets.
C-320 BASS BAG$15.00
$15.00Heavy tan
waterproof covert material with full zippers; leatherette binding
and hood; bow, music and string pockets.
Gibson
INTERIOR PAPER LABELS:
The interior
paper label is still a mystery to me, more research is required.
The paper label provides a B - and then a model number. The
next three or four numbers I believe to be the month and year of
manufacture, it is NOT the serial number. The number “1141” has
come up more than once on an interior paper label. This is why I
guess it is the month (11) and year (1941) of manufacture.
On my bass
there is (at least what I think) is a serial number die stamped in
small numbers on the E side of the neck parallel to the
fingerboard where the neck meets the body. So far my 1941 Gibson
B-135 is the only bass I have observed with a die stamped number
on the neck. I will be keeping my eyes open for more observation
of serial numbers and expand this section as more is discovered.
Gibson
SCROLL & TUNERS:
Other
Stuff:
Les Paul's
upright: No serial number - Gibson custom gold finish from
the 1950s with added microphone. Added Gibson logo to the front.
This bass is featured on page 323 of Paul's autobiography.
Sold $18,750
on 6/8/2012
Kolstein's
Gibson description: Vintage and Rare GIBSON LAMINATE BASS
VIOLIN Made in Kalamazoo, Michigan circa 1940 This Bass is one a
very few Bass Violins that were produced by the Gibson Guitar
Company.
It is a sister
Bass to the instrument that the Late George Duvivier played upon
until his passing and that Jay Leonhardt presently owns and plays
upon Three quarter violin cornered round back model. Top table is
of medium spruce veneer. The back is moderately flamed maple
veneer. The ribs are of matching character flamed maple veneer to
that of the back table. The neck and scroll are original of
plainer grain maple.
The gears are
Baker style individual brass tuning gears. The color of the
varnish is deep reddish brown color. OBL 43-1/2" UB 21" CB 14-1/2"
LB 25-1/2"
*A special
thank you to Gregory Carlson for his historical Gibson
documentation. With out his devoted stewardship of his uncle
Marvin Kippur’s Gibson bass this pre-war Gibson website page
could not have been developed.
Photos
submitted by Gibson Bass owners:
