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EB-0 Upgrade

M

metallica77

Jul 20, 2009
3
1
Earth
#1
Hey... I'm new here, and a bit intimidated by all the members on this board, but here goes my first thread.

I'm a 15-year old bassist/guitarist/beginner drummer. Bass is my baby, and I've been playing since I was eleven. I would like to think I'm pretty solid on the four-string, I've won the instrumentalist on the year award at my high school two years in a row, and was recently admitted into a band reserved for the best young musical talent in Western BC in the Envision Jazz Festival. I make my living buying and selling basses; I have had many basses of different quality and age in my possession.

My latest acquisition was an Epiphone EB-0 with a passive "Select" by EMG put in the bridge position, on top of the existing sidewinder.

I must admit, I'm really enjoying this bass, but being an entry-level instrument, I was hoping to make a couple upgrades, to which I'll need some advice from some of the senior members. :help:

First, with the original sidewinder pickup in the neck position. I found this DiMarzio replacement while perusing Musician's Friend (accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/DiMarzio-DP120-Model-One-Bass-Humbucker-Pickup?sku=302261) I'm sure I can relate to some other members on this board, as I'm not made of money. I already have the 'EMG', would adding this be tonal overkill?

Second, the neck's been shaved on my 4001, and I love the feel of it. How would I be able to do this? Or should I invest in a shop to take care of it?

And lastly, and definitely the least important, I don’t want an Epiphone. Is there any way I could change the decal on the headstock? (And please note that I do NOT want to slap Gibson on this thing and try to sell it for $700) It doesn’t even have to be a Gibson decal. It doesn’t even have to be a decal at all. It may sound extremely stupid to you guys, but I feel like that name just cheapens the bass, and I don’t feel like I’m playing my best. :hmm:

Any advice would be very helpful, thanks.
 
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#2
Hi.

I have a Model One added to my Epi Thunderbird, and I think that the DiMarzio is a fine choice for a mudbucker.

You can shave the neck with a spokeshave if You want to, but I'd use caution if woodworking isn't Your strong area of expertise. A few passes with a spokeshave, followed by sandpapers of finer and finer grits will get You there.

As for the decal, I feel bad that You think it cheapens the instrument. If You want to remove the decal, just sand down as much as is needed and refinish.

Regards
Sam
 
#4
The model one with a Phase switch would give you more tonal options.

Put a piece of black electrical tape over the insiginia if you must remove epiphone. Very easy to reverse when its time to sell. I really don't see the need to do this. Epiphone has been around for ever and I don't feel there is any prejudice/stigma attached to playing one. Be proud of what you own. It ain't the wand its the wizard.
 
#6
Phase = series / parallel. Meaning, back in the early 70s when my Model 1 was installed I was told it was wired with a in and out of phase switch. When used it sounds like series parallel, series sounding closer to mudbucker, parallel a little bit P like. As close as a 30" scale set neck mahogony body will ever get anyway.
 
#7
i had an EB-0 and tried the model one mod. i found that the model one was actually set too low and i couldn't get the pole pieces high enough to get a decent volume. now that might just have been my particular instrument's problem. they have been, after all, made in like 3 different asian countries so little things like neck pocket depth, action, etc. can differ from bass to bass.
 
#9
rumblethump said:
Epiphone has been around for ever and I don't feel there is any prejudice/stigma attached to playing one. Be proud of what you own. It ain't the wand its the wizard.
Click to expand...


+1 IME, Epiphone doesn't carry with it the same stigmas as a brand like Squier (who also make some fine instruments as well).

Shoot, a friend of mine in a bigger band has been using his Epiphone Ripper over his Fender Jazz over the last few months.

On the other side of things i know quite a few very talented guitarists in notable bands rocking Epi. SGs and LPs.
 
#11
rumblethump said:
Phase = series / parallel. Meaning, back in the early 70s when my Model 1 was installed I was told it was wired with a in and out of phase switch. When used it sounds like series parallel, series sounding closer to mudbucker, parallel a little bit P like. As close as a 30" scale set neck mahogony body will ever get anyway.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, you were told wrong. Out of phase pickups are definitely not the same as series/parallel or humbucking/single coil (sometimes erroneously called coil tapping). Out of phase signals mostly cancel each other and leave a very thin sounding signal with all the bottom removed. My T40's have phase switches, sound nothing like series/parallel. My EBO is a series/parallel setup and is quite useful (as a piccolo bass :D)
 

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