Epiphone Newport Bass, Cherry (USED, 1961)

One of the most unique and rare offerings in the world of vintage electric basses has to be the first-issue Epiphone Newport. Built and released alongside Gibson's EB-0 model - and made quite literally with the same exact materials, the Newport features a slim contoured Mahogany body with symmetrical horns just like its guitar brethren the Coronet, Crestwood, and Wilshire.

The Newport model was first released in 1961, making this well-preserved beauty one of the original-batch examples with telltale features like the black covered Sidewinder pickup, bonnet knobs, and undeniably cool Epiphone headstock badge. Lightweight and compact, this short-scale solidbody bass has the signature Gibson EB sound - round, fat, and powerful with a big voice.

This is one of the cleanest and most complete Newports we've seen to date, as these first-run examples were shipped in very low numbers. Break-free, complete with all original hardware, plastics, and electronics, it's nothing short of special. The original Cherry finish has faded into a lighter hue with more of the reddish brown look we tend to see from Epiphones of this era. The original nickel hardware has a wonderful patina as well. There's a single small crack in the lower cutaway of the pickguard, but otherwise it's just about as clean as they come. The D tuner was missing its original gear bolt, but we sourced a vintage slot head screw that was a direct fit and worked perfectly.