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$40 Epi LP bass is a rock machine

#21
amazing price! that's a great bass....

some will hate me for this, but from my personal experience using top of the line vintage USA gibson basses and cheap modern epiphone versions, in a band, they all can sound pretty similar (I mean, compared to fender style basses, ricks, and modern sounding basses).

None of them have a lot of high frequencies, the ones with two pickups can sound REALLY amazing for rock playing, particularly pick playing, and they harken right back to the days of vintage KISS gene simmons tone. I know I know, but I grew up on that stuff and think it's one of the coolest bass tones on record, back on their first 4 or 5 albums, before he more or less quit playing bass in the studio.

old double buck gibsons are one of the greatest rock tones ever, and I would bet good money that LP epi sounds very very similar to old rippers and similar basses, in a band context, doing rock, with a good amp, and sounds "like a gibson" versus the other brands out there.

I'm sure there are build quality differences, but hell, it's $40!! that's probably the best bass you could own for $40.
 
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#23
It looks like the Epiphone version of the 90's Gibson Les Paul bass I just sold. Three controls in a straight line, looks like a rosewood fingerboard instead of the ebony one on the Gibson, the pickups probably aren't Thunderbirds, but you never know. (I bought a Fender Squier Telecaster bass that had a fairly nice Fender humbucker pickup in it, so who knows.) Even the headstock looks the same (aside from the words, of course).

For 40 bucks, definitely worth taking a flyer. I'll bet it sounds as good or better than basses costing hundreds of dollars more. Good get.
 
#24
dkelley said:
amazing price! that's a great bass....

some will hate me for this, but from my personal experience using top of the line vintage USA gibson basses and cheap modern epiphone versions, in a band, they all can sound pretty similar (I mean, compared to fender style basses, ricks, and modern sounding basses).

None of them have a lot of high frequencies, the ones with two pickups can sound REALLY amazing for rock playing, particularly pick playing, and they harken right back to the days of vintage KISS gene simmons tone. I know I know, but I grew up on that stuff and think it's one of the coolest bass tones on record, back on their first 4 or 5 albums, before he more or less quit playing bass in the studio.

old double buck gibsons are one of the greatest rock tones ever, and I would bet good money that LP epi sounds very very similar to old rippers and similar basses, in a band context, doing rock, with a good amp, and sounds "like a gibson" versus the other brands out there.

I'm sure there are build quality differences, but hell, it's $40!! that's probably the best bass you could own for $40.
Click to expand...

You're right on the tone. With a pick I had zero problems copping an early KISS midrange plonk!
 
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#27
EdO. said:
Saw a band at a local pub couple of months ago, bass player was playing one through a small combo amp, absolutely killer punchy sound. People who look down on Epiphone basses in general don't have a clue as to what great basses they are especially for their price range. I gig my Epi basses regularly and proudly. My band mates like my sound and I get compliments from the audience as well, nuff said.
Click to expand...
I have a Casady and a TBird Vintage Pro. I gig them both and people love the sound and look, especially the VP.
 
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#32
Rock O said:
Always keep a few bucks around for those FB marketplace steals. I'd been watching this drop in price a few days and pounced at this price.

EVERY screw and nut was loose but most were there. The truss rod worked, I cleaned, tightened, and wiped it all down. Sprayed out the scratchy full-size pots.
I found an old set of used D'Addarios and intonated it up and I'll be damned if it isn't a real player!
Anyone have one of these? I don't think I'd hesitate to play this out!
View attachment 3616208 View attachment 3616209
Click to expand...

That looks like a Hipshot bridge, maybe licensed, but still much better than the 3 point.
 
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#35
Rock O said:
Always keep a few bucks around for those FB marketplace steals. I'd been watching this drop in price a few days and pounced at this price.

EVERY screw and nut was loose but most were there. The truss rod worked, I cleaned, tightened, and wiped it all down. Sprayed out the scratchy full-size pots.
I found an old set of used D'Addarios and intonated it up and I'll be damned if it isn't a real player!
Anyone have one of these? I don't think I'd hesitate to play this out!
View attachment 3616208 View attachment 3616209
Click to expand...
giphy.gif

giphy.gif
 
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