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Epiphone Club

#1,101
Hi guys! Some seriously newbie questions ahead. I was looking at swapping out the stock bridge on my epi flying v. I narrowed it down to the Hipshot 3-Point, and the Babicz 3-Point, but... Well, before I pull the trigger and drop a load of cash, I started getting cold feet about getting the correct thing. I didn't realize there would be a difference between Gibson and Epiphone 3 pointers - Babicz has a separate bridge offering for Epiphone basses, albeit in one color only, while Hipshot does not, but many people seem to use the Hipshot in their Epiphones? Will a Gibson Babicz or Hipshot not work for an Epiphone bass? I would really like to avoid any sanding downs and other major engineering works on either my guitar or the bridge. Anyone can shed some light on this?
Also, in terms of upgrading tuning machines, am I looking at 1/2" or 3/8" Hipshot Ultralites?
 
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#1,102
ChrisDom said:
Hi guys! Some seriously newbie questions ahead. I was looking at swapping out the stock bridge on my epi flying v. I narrowed it down to the Hipshot 3-Point, and the Babicz 3-Point, but... Well, before I pull the trigger and drop a load of cash, I started getting cold feet about getting the correct thing. I didn't realize there would be a difference between Gibson and Epiphone 3 pointers - Babicz has a separate bridge offering for Epiphone basses, albeit in one color only, while Hipshot does not, but many people seem to use the Hipshot in their Epiphones? Will a Gibson Babicz or Hipshot not work for an Epiphone bass? I would really like to avoid any sanding downs and other major engineering works on either my guitar or the bridge. Anyone can shed some light on this?
Also, in terms of upgrading tuning machines, am I looking at 1/2" or 3/8" Hipshot Ultralites?
Click to expand...

The Babicz differences are due to the 3 body inserts for the bridge. Gibsons are flush, Epiphone has a raised lip/edge.
I used Gibson inserts on my Epiphone, but you can also get some from Babicz (I ordered some when I got the bridge - you will have to pull the originals to use them)

20210721_165303.jpg



As for tuners....not sure. I put 14mm Schallers in mine; I only had to ream the paint out of the holes for them to fit.
 
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#1,103
KaraQ said:
The Babicz differences are due to the 3 body inserts for the bridge. Gibsons are flush, Epiphone has a raised lip/edge.
I used Gibson inserts on my Epiphone, but you can also get some from Babicz (I ordered some when I got the bridge - you will have to pull the originals to use them)

View attachment 4342060


As for tuners....not sure. I put 14mm Schallers in mine; I only had to ream the paint out of the holes for them to fit.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply KaraQ! 14mm seems to be 1/2". I'll grab a ruler and see what I can see :)
 
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#1,110
EatS1stBassist said:
Beautiful!
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Thanks, I really have an attachment to this EB-0, that I've never had in 53 years of playing bass. There were some nice looking Gibsons I had over the years, but this one has the look for me, and its not the expensive Gibson Heritage Cherry finish. The fretboard is a nice Rosewood also.

ycgwRBn.jpg
 
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#1,111
west al said:
Thanks, I really have an attachment to this EB-0, that I've never had in 53 years of playing bass. There were some nice looking Gibsons I had over the years, but this one has the look for me, and its not the expensive Gibson Heritage Cherry finish. The fretboard is a nice Rosewood also.

View attachment 4354889
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Dang gives me gas! Lol! Yours is particularly beautiful!!
 
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#1,112
EatS1stBassist said:
Dang gives me gas! Lol! Yours is particularly beautiful!!
Click to expand...

You're too kind. I have to admit, there have been some $1,500. Gibson Heritage Cherry finish SG Std.'s that I didn't think looked overall as well as this $270., Epi EB-0. QC on this Epi is right on! I've had a few people, who thought it was a Gibson, before seeing the the Epiphone tuning head. I really like the 1.5" nut also.
 
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#1,113
west al said:
You're too kind. I have to admit, there have been some $1,500. Gibson Heritage Cherry finish SG Std.'s that I didn't think looked overall as well as this $270., Epi EB-0. QC on this Epi is right on! I've had a few people, who thought it was a Gibson, before seeing the the Epiphone tuning head. I really like the 1.5" nut also.
Click to expand...
Beautiful! Had a Gibson EBO AND EB3 as well as 2 Epiphone set neck EBs. I really don’t think there were too many amps that could hang with the pickup but now days it seems everything I Throw at my amps sound very good.
 
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#1,114
EatS1stBassist said:
Beautiful! Had a Gibson EBO AND EB3 as well as 2 Epiphone set neck EBs. I really don’t think there were too many amps that could hang with the pickup but now days it seems everything I Throw at my amps sound very good.
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Bass amps really have come a long way. A great choice that wasn't there much back in the 60's. My first Gibson bass, was a 1970 EB-0 I bought new, for $349.00, with no case, in spring of 1970. My used cars I drove back then were about that much. I should've kept that EB-0. For a case, I used a cheap acoustic guitar case, and lined, and packed it with bath towels.
 
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#1,116
Aquilador said:
Here’s my EB0 with a replacement Hipshot bridge and Dimarzio pickup.
It’s got La Bella flats on at the moment but loved using the black nylon covered strings, so I shall probably go back to a set of those.
I just love the SG look…View attachment 4360434
Click to expand...

Good looking EB-0 you have there.
My Epi EB-0 strung with D'Addario ETB92S Nylons. Mine is a 2018. I see the pg's are the same, with the white breaking off, not going to the bottom of the pup. If you would like to be a member in the Epiphone Club, and or the SG & EB Bass Club, please let me know.

7J18TN9.jpg
 
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