Hipshot-HB6Y-3/8
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Much better balance and more accurate tuning. For some reason my stock tuners were terrible. Don't know why.
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Epi Allen Woody Rumblekat
- Thread starter BayStateBass
- Start date
Hipshot-HB6Y-3/8
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Much better balance and more accurate tuning. For some reason my stock tuners were terrible. Don't know why.
I finally installed Gotoh GB350's on mine today! Really makes that mild neck dive go away. I'm waiting on my Hipshot bridge to arrive next. Afraid it's time for a little string shopping now. Not too sure I like the High Beams it's wearing right now. Thinking of some GHS Brite Flats... but just not too sure...
Never played one but I always thought that they looked pretty cool.
well.... except for the rectangle (escutcheon?) plate around the knobs.
It really seems like an afterthought to me.
well.... except for the rectangle (escutcheon?) plate around the knobs.
It really seems like an afterthought to me.
Here's a pic of my Rumblekat. I let it go to help finance a different amp. I had put a set of DR Legends flats on it and they gave it even more bottom end. Mine was nice and light, and the short scale neck felt super fast compared to my 34" scale jazz bass. I toyed with the idea of swapping out the gold hardware for chrome, but I traded it away before going thru with it. Imo a set of cloverleaf tuners would really look nice. I didn't like how the squared edges of the body felt against my right forearm, but that's a technique issue, not a fault of the bass. And I didn't have any issue with the stock bridge aside from the short distance between the string ends and the bridge saddles. I may get another one down the road, though. The price is great, and the construction on mine, as well as others i've seen, is excellent.
I've got a set of Hipshots arriving today to finally solve my neck dive issue. I have the Hipshot bridge and love it. My one hangup with Gibson/Epiphone basses is that stock 3-point bridge. Just not my thing. The Hipshot, however, is great.
As for strings, I've had LaBella flats and LaBella rounds on mine and I prefer the rounds. I've had GHS Brite Flats on other basses before, and IMO, they die really quickly, and not in the good way. Should I decide to go back to flats, I'm thinking it'll be D'Addario Chromes. I've had them on long scale basses and really dig them.
I wasn't happy with chromes on my Rumblekat. The low notes had very little definition IMO. I'm using pressure wounds now and after a long break-in period they sound awesome.
Of all the basses I've sold, I regret selling this one the most. It wasn't just great for $400, it was great period.
My high school has one, and ive had to use it for a few unscheduled practices, and for if I break a string, and I have to say, I truly hate it. Of course, setup and strings probably played a factor in how terrible it was. I think it was string with roto stainless rounds, the action was waaay low with tons of fret buzz, and some kid before me whacked out the intonation, probably unfamiliar with a three point bridge. But other than that, workmanship just seemed sooo sub par compared to the rest of my basses (all budget models). The tuners slipped constantly, and it had some of the sharpest fret ends ive ever felt. The finish and binding(iirc) was also very poor. Unplugged, it felt like a toy, and sounded very clinky. Amped, it retained that clinkiness, but was also really boomy, probably from incorrect pickup height, as well as their placement on the bass. Just not a pleasant experience to my hands, or ears. It was obviously a poor example, compared to the reviews by you all, but nonetheless, my opinion stands.
But at least it's an opinion based on you actually playing one. Might I suggest that you actually try to set it up properly if your school is ok with it? It won't help the fret end issue, but it may change your opinion on it's feel, sound, etc.
I wonder if Epiphone use the same PU's as in the Viola? If so there will be a couple of drop in options. If you let me know the dimensions of the PU (not the surround) i'll be able to tell you
Ah...just noticed the pole pieces in the Woody, which aren't on the Viola, unless they're the same underneath the covers
maybe someday, its not really my priority right now. you see, 'tis marching band season, and I play bari sax...
but every time the bassist in the front ensemble (percussion and stuff in the front) has to use the epi, I feel such a strange mix of pity and relief that I don't have to use it lol 
**btw, there is no such thing as a heavy bass after running around for eight minutes with that big chunk of brass strapped onto you. just throwing that out there...
'Just got the AWS back with MORE MODS.
Already swapped out the bridge with the Supertone 3-point.
'Swapped out the pups with a T.V. Jones Thunder Tron in the neck,
a T.V. Jones Thunder Mag in the middle.
Swapped out the tuners with Hipshot Ultralites.
NOW the bass'es guts match the beauty and playability...
Already swapped out the bridge with the Supertone 3-point.
'Swapped out the pups with a T.V. Jones Thunder Tron in the neck,
a T.V. Jones Thunder Mag in the middle.
Swapped out the tuners with Hipshot Ultralites.
NOW the bass'es guts match the beauty and playability...
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... but every time the bassist in the front ensemble (percussion and stuff in the front) has to use the epi, I feel such a strange mix of pity and relief that I don't have to use it lol
**btw, there is no such thing as a heavy bass after running around for eight minutes with that big chunk of brass strapped onto you. just throwing that out there...
Sad really, that you have had to experience this bass in such bad shape.
I've played MANY different basses, low budget and very high end. The Rumblekat is very much an excellent quality solid performing instrument. Same league as my Lakland? No, but not in the same category as a few others pieces of junk I've played either.
It's a very solid bass, very much at home with the Yamaha's, MIM Fenders, and other solid middle of the road instruments I've owned. No sharp fret ends for me, and no fret sprout either. Solid action, a good setup and very much an excellent player, no fret buzz or rattle, and no tuner slippage. Heck if I hadn't just wanted to mod it with the lighter tuners I wouldn't have had to.
I've seen school instruments that really get beat up. It may have been a great bass new, but harsh treatment can make the best develop some negative characteristics. How you get a chance to give it a good setup and some TLC or get to play one that has been taken care of. Honestly my experience and yours sounds like two totally different types of instruments!
Oh, and be careful when you are slinging that big chunk of brass around or you'll hurt yourself and end up like some of us that HAVE to worry about the weight of the bass just to keep playing it!
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Nice, I like the rings you have there. How's it sound with the TV Jones in it?
