Prewired EB-3 Bass Assembly
Processing...

Prewired EB-3 Bass Assembly

Code: RG_EB3



Product Details

-
+
Voodoo Tone Monster Solderless Strat Control Center (No Pickups)

 

Prewired Assemblies for EB Style Basses

Serious Tone for the Serious Player

Our circuit is based predominantly on the 70s EB-3 electronics, with several improvements as outlined below. While the ’70s Gibson design was an improvement over the ’60s, namely by isolating the choke to position 4, it still suffers from a notorious flaw: position 4 sounds painfully thin and nasal. This sound is contrary to how Gibson advertised position 4 as being a "midrange notch" (see 1970's advertisement from Gibson).

To fix this, we made two adjustments to the classic circuit:

  1. A True Midrange Notch (Position 4): We designed a true notch centered around 800 Hz. The result is a highly usable, musical tone and not nasal thinness. (Hear sound samples below).

  2. Optional Passive Overdrive (EB3-F): We added a variable passive overdrive for the neck pickup, engaged via a push-pull pot and specifically voiced to drive a hot Mudbucker.

  Gibson 70s Design Rothstein Design
Position 1 Neck Pickup Neck Pickup
Position 2 Bridge Pickup Bridge Pickup
Position 3 Neck and Bridge Pickups in parallel Neck and Bridge Pickups in parallel
Position 4 Neck Pickup with Choke - thin and nasal sounding Neck Pickup with Choke - true midrange notch centered around 800 hz, NOT thin and nasal
Passive Overdrive None Yes for neck pickup with our EB3-F model, engaged via push-pull pot

 

WIRING OPTIONS: EB3 vs. EB3-F


Rotary Switch Functionality

Both our standard EB3 wiring and the overdrive-equipped EB3-F share the exact same 4-position rotary selector and core control layout.

Rotary Switch Position EB3 EB3-F
Position 1 Neck Pickup Neck Pickup
Position 2 Bridge Pickup Bridge Pickup
Position 3 Neck and Bridge Pickups in parallel Neck and Bridge Pickups in parallel
Position 4 Neck Pickup with Choke Neck Pickup with Choke

Potentiometer Layout

Although the basic control layout is the same, the difference lies with the neck tone control.

Control Layout EB3 EB3-F
Pot 1 Bridge Volume Bridge Volume
Pot 2 Bridge Tone Bridge Tone
Pot 3 Neck Volume Neck Volume
Pot 4 Neck Tone Dual function: Neck Tone / Passive Overdrive

EB3-F Dual Function Neck Tone / Passive Overdrive

We experimented extensively with different diode combinations to find the best-sounding configuration voiced specifically for a mudbucker-style pickup in the 30K range. These diodes are configured antiparallel (connected in parallel but with polarities reversed) to provide symmetrical clipping.

This clipping is engaged via the push-pull pot:

  • Push-Pull Down: Functions as a standard tone pot cutting treble.
  • Push-Pull Up: Engages a pair of clipping diodes for a Jack Bruce-style overdrive. Rotate clockwise for maximum clipping. (Note: This overdrive only affects the neck pickup and is specifically voiced for an original ~30K Mudbucker or the Curtis Novak reproduction).

SOUND SAMPLES


Sound Samples - performed by Tony Senatore

Position 1 Neck Pickup

Position 1 Neck Pickup with drums/guitar

Position 4 Neck Pickup w/Choke

Position 1 Neck Pickup w/Diode Clipping

PICKUPS


You can optionally bundle your prewired assembly with a set of Curtis Novak pickups directly from the dropdown menu. Rothstein Guitars is an Authorized Dealer for Curtis Novak Pickups, meaning any pickups purchased through our shop carry the full manufacturer's warranty.

Why Curtis Novak? Curtis Novak winds some of the most meticulously vintage-accurate replacement pickups in the industry. For the EB-style bass, his Mudbucker reproduction is wound to the original ~30K spec. It delivers the authentic, floor-shaking low-end thump of a classic '60s or '70s Gibson, but retains a level of clarity and string definition that cheaper modern clones miss.

CHOKE


We offer two inductor options to drive the true midrange notch in position 4:

  • Standard Choke Our standard choke is a high-quality inductor that executes the 800 Hz true midrange notch. It is highly reliable, fits cleanly in the cavity, and provides a highly musical, usable tone that fixes the thin, nasal sound of the stock '70s circuit.

  • Curtis Novak Hand-Wound Choke For the vintage purist. Curtis Novak meticulously hand-winds these dual-bobbin chokes to the exact specifications of the original 1960s and 1970s Gibson EB and Ripper basses. If you are pairing your harness with a Novak Mudbucker, or simply want the most authentic, vintage-correct tonal footprint and construction possible, this is the premier upgrade.

WILL IT FIT?

Will It Fit? (USA vs. Import Models)

If you are installing this harness into an import EB-style model (such as an Epiphone), please note the following minor modifications required to accommodate standard USA-spec electronics:

  • Potentiometer Holes: Import models use metric pots with smaller mounting holes. Because our harnesses use full-sized 3/8" CTS pots, your existing pot holes will need to be slightly enlarged to 3/8" to fit properly.
  • Rotary Switch Hole: You may need to slightly open up your existing rotary switch hole. Always use a tapered reamer, never a power drill or Dremel, to safely expand wood and pickguard holes.
  • Knobs: As noted in the Knobs tab, import metric knobs will not fit our US 24-spline split-shaft pots. You will need to use USA-spec knobs.

(Note: If you have a genuine USA Gibson EB bass, everything is a direct drop-in fit with no modifications required).

INSTALLATION OPTIONS

Installation Options

Your assembly arrives fully prewired to a wooden template. You only need to connect your pickups and string ground.

  • Standard Pigtail Connection: The harness includes color-coded pigtail wires with terminal lugs. Each pickup wire is simply soldered to its assigned color-coded lug, and we provide detailed instructions along with heat shrink tubing to insulate the connections. You will also lay the bare string ground wire under your bridge plate. No routing is necessary.
  • Optional Pin-and-Socket Solderless Upgrades: When purchasing your assembly alongside new pickups, we can wire your harness with matching male/female color-coded pin and socket connectors (as shown below). This eliminates the need for any soldering on your end. Simply plug the matching color connectors together.

KNOBS

Our prewired assemblies feature high-quality CTS pots with standard US 24-spline coarse knurled split shafts.

  • If you have a USA Gibson EB-Series Bass: You can reuse your existing factory knobs.
  • If you have an Import Bass (Epiphone, etc.): Your stock import knobs will not fit our US-spec 24-spline pots. If your bass currently has import pots, you will need to purchase new US-spec knobs to match the split-shaft pattern. We offer matching Top Hat, Silver Cap, Gibson style volume / tone knobs as an add-on option.