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Epi EB-3 Quality Issues

MUSHROOMSeAcOw

MUSHROOMSeAcOw

Aug 1, 2010
416
1
Georgia
#1
Hello, everyone. Let's get right to the point: I'm a big guy, 6' 6'' with gigantic hands. Finding a playable bass with great sound is not easy, and I've had a revolving door of basses going on trying to find the right one. I currently have an Ibanez SR700 that sounds sublime, but Now i have some $$$ and I'm looking for something a bit easier on the steak mittens for gigging and band practice.
I recently tried a Gibson SG bass at my local shop, and was amazed at the power and punch it had, even on a cheap Peavey. Unfortunately, said bass had a price tag to match. What I'm wondering is if the Epiphone EB-3 has sound quality even close to the Gibson. I know the EB-0 is terrible, the sound is muddy and undefined, and Epiphone in general hasn't had the best track record for quality. The only reviews are blisterinly positive because everyone wants to justify their purchase, so it's hard to tell who's honest.
There doesn't seem to be much of a middle ground between the $900 Gibson and $300 Epi, and the only way I can afford the genuine article is selling my trusty Ibanez (which i should probably do, but desperately do not want to). It's pretty much a choice between this or the Precision I should probably already own. Opinions please.

Tl;Dr: Is the Epi EB-3 even close to the Gibby SG bass?
 
#2
I love mine, after some new strings and a proper set up I eliminated all but a slight buzz in the fifth fret of the bottom string. Bottom end is insane if just a little muddy and the blending position (2) has just enough of both pickups to give me a really sweet tone. The bridge pickup by itself is twangy but with a bit of eq tweaking I can get this fat almost guitar like tone. Great for solo stuff, IMO. I love my EB - 3.

Biggest draw back? Neck dive like hell but it's to be expected.
 
#3
The Epiphone EB3 is a significant move up from the Epiphone EB0.

The EB3 has a set neck, and another pickup... but don't give up on the SG reissue. The cheaper 'faded' basses can be had used for reasonable prices, and they sound the same, just with a less work-intensive finish.

You'll always be able to sell and get your money back with the Gibson
 
#9
Epi EB3 is decent for the money. Does not sound like Gibson too much. In some ways that is good as the mudbucker is not so overwhelmingly so. If you're big, why not go with the Epi Thunderbird pro? Yes, a decent Precision would cover all manner of gigs without the gibson-Epi eccentricities which may be why you want one.
 
#10
I had one for a short while it was nice, nothing great, not on par with the Gibson though, but better than the EPI EB-0. If you want long scale it could be a good bass for you. You could upgrade things you you decide you like it.They are neck divers though.

Epi also made a Japanese high quality Epi Elite EB-3 which was short scale. Nice but can be pricey.

epi_87.jpg
 
#11
The Precision by a damn sight, Gibson make woeful basses and have never managed to crack the bass market, there is very good reason you don't see that many Gibson basses around being played, they look the part....but unfortunately that's about all they've got.
 
#13
Thanks for the replies buys. I think if I spend my money on a cheaper bass I'm gonna go for a one of the shiny new VM Squiers. Epi basses are seriously lacking in the QC department from what I played at the GC. I might consider one if the pickups were more upgradeable, but the sound is wayyyyy too muddy for my tastes, at least on the shoddy amp I have. Thanks again guys.
 

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