FS: US Masters EP54 Bass

mcontour · #1 11-16-2009, 10:10 PM

Just bought it brand new based on a recommendation from a friend. I gave it a few days in my music room and I am just not warming up to it.

Features:

3 Piece Flamed Maple Body separated with Purple Heart strips
Premium Flamed Maple Neck (see the pictures!)
Purple Heart Fingerboard
USM Pro Series Bridge (Made in the USA)
USM Pro Series Dual Soapbar Pickups
Multi-Voice Passive Electronics
Sperzel Locking Tuners
Hardshell Case
Width At Nut -1.8"
Scale Length - 35"
Bridge String Spacing - 3/4" (19.05 mm)
Body Thickness - 1-3/4"
Fingerboard Radius - Offset Conical Radius
Frets - 24
Weight - 9 Lbs, 6 oz
Multi-Voice Passive system
Dunlop strap locks

Includes all paperwork and tools
Warranty card is not filled out.

$800 Firm with $45 shipping via UPS to the upper 48 states.

bottomzone · #2 11-17-2009, 06:58 PM

Sound clips available?

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

B String · #3 11-17-2009, 08:22 PM

These are very nice basses. The neck profile is wonderful.

Jason P Bass · #4 11-17-2009, 08:44 PM

I've played two US Masters EP 4 strings and thought they were really awesome necks & body shapes. Definitely looking for one, but I just bought a new 5 string so I gotta let that rest for awhile. Free bump, good luck.

mcontour · #5 11-17-2009, 09:05 PM

I'm afraid a sound bite from me might have the wrong impact!! I'm just a beginner.

I'm bummed that U.S. Masters only has guitar clips on their site...

Jason P Bass · #6 11-18-2009, 07:45 AM

Some of the options you listed (like purple heart fingerboard) aren't shown on the US Master's "customize your bass" page. Did you get extra-custom options above and beyond what's listed on their website? (Was that a standard option in the past?)

mcontour · #7 11-18-2009, 12:27 PM

The serial number is B7484, which dates it as a 2007-2008 model. I just verified with the factory that the wood is called "purple heart". There was not an upcharge for it at the time of the build. The neck and body are premium flamed maple. See the photo below for today's cost for this bass.

Note: I just bought the bass NEW last week from a shop and I have the receipt.

Thanks!!

Michael

bottomzone · #8 11-18-2009, 12:50 PM

The receipt has the fretboard as Pau Ferro, but it appears to be purple heart in the photos. What is it about this bass that you don't like?

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

mcontour · #9 11-18-2009, 01:00 PM

Yes, the wood is purple heart. This is not a current option on the web site. As there was no upcharge for it, I just selected Pau Ferro on the check list, which also does not have an upcharge.

I bought the bass because of the compound radius, conical neck. This is a really nice feature, by the way. My difficulty with the bass is the 35-inch scale. I have a lot of trouble stretching my hand across 4 frets without getting buzzing.

Best wishes...

Michael

Kevin Woods · #10 11-18-2009, 01:58 PM

I have been to the US Masters facility and both Dick and Dave are great guys. The necks are truly awesome and play like a dream. These are road worthy basses with a powerful and flexible sound. It was only circumstance that prevented me from keeping the bass that I bought, and then it got damaged in shipping. Arghh!!!!

superiorpine · #11 11-18-2009, 02:45 PM

I have two US Masters 5 strings. Both are excellent instruments. I only played 34 inch scales before, and the 35 did take some getting used to. They also use true jumbo sized frets. I like them, however, if you want vintage or mandolin type frets, you won't find them here.

On another note, the pickup routes are standard EMG size. If you find that you don't like the pickups, its no big deal to find replacements. The bass would be worth it.

Jason P Bass · #12 11-18-2009, 11:37 PM

thanks for the info.

Really nice bass. I knew there were some pricey options on that one. I bought a MIA Peavey Cirrus 5 last week otherwise I'd be after this like a fat kid & cake.

Cannot stress enough how impressed I was with the neck & body on the EP bass I played. It took 5 minutes to put those basses on my G.A.S. list.

4 + 1 is lower · #13 11-19-2009, 10:47 AM

This bass was on Ebay for several months. BRG music store in IA, right?

The 4 strings are excellent. Mine is my standard bass. If you like asym necks, they're pretty much the best on market.

Their maple is hand selected. The tops are gorgeous.

B String · #14 11-19-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superiorpine

On another note, the pickup routes are standard EMG size. If you find that you don't like the pickups, its no big deal to find replacements. The bass would be worth it.

The pickups are killer on this bass. The Armstrong's sounded
similar to my Fender SCN pickups. I feel if you take out the
complicated passive harness and put in something like an
Aguilar OBP-3, you could do anything with this bass. jmho

mcontour · #15 11-20-2009, 01:58 PM

Yes I bought it from BRG. Great seller with fantastic service by the way!!

Bought it on a recommendation but I cannot handle the 35" scale.

Will include free shipping for the upper 48 states.

-Michael

squarewave · #16 11-20-2009, 03:39 PM

Is BRG Bob's Guitars in Waterloo? Cool bass.

mcontour · #17 11-20-2009, 04:24 PM

Indiana

mcontour · #18 11-27-2009, 03:14 PM

Price lowered.

-Michael

mcontour · #19 12-04-2009, 12:49 PM

Price Reduced again.

$1250.

Best wishes.

Michael

mcontour · #20 12-07-2009, 08:44 AM

Well, now I have some GAS and I need to sell this fine instrument.

Price reduced to $1050.

Updated the photos in the 1st post.

Best wishes.

-Michael