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Epiphone EB-3
- Thread starter jmcdan3
- Start date
It's an attractive bass for the money; I bought mine when they were going for $469 on MF. I loved it right away, but, over a short period of time, the bridge began to pull out of the body. Apparently the holes hadn't been drilled correctly. I also found the tone unchangeable and clanky-muddy. I didn't care that it was neck heavy, but it simply couldn't fill the bill as a semi-pro instrument, which is too bad. Gibson let me trade it for an Epiphone LP in suburst, which I sold profitably shortly thereafter. If you could find one of the Elite series EB3's that might be something. Then again, for $300 you might get lucky. Let us know how it goes.
I was just joking around with you. And although budget/price is always a consideration, when choosing an appropriate bass many factors are important but the thing that matters most is feel. Tone is secondary, and looks comes in after that.
Lesser factors include the electronics (how much of a pain is it to dial in your tone, how noisy is the bass, ...), hardware (do the machines work well, how hard is it to change strings, can I get to the truss rod easily, can I make intonation adjustments...). These types of things shouldn't be the basis on which you make your decision, but could be deal-breakers if you deem some aspect unacceptable (design issues are hard to overcome, but in most cases components can be replaced).
Take your time and try a lot of instruments, there will be significant differences even within the same make and model. And all joking aside, as you evolve as a bassist your tastes and requirements will almost surely evolve as well. Best of luck!
Lesser factors include the electronics (how much of a pain is it to dial in your tone, how noisy is the bass, ...), hardware (do the machines work well, how hard is it to change strings, can I get to the truss rod easily, can I make intonation adjustments...). These types of things shouldn't be the basis on which you make your decision, but could be deal-breakers if you deem some aspect unacceptable (design issues are hard to overcome, but in most cases components can be replaced).
Take your time and try a lot of instruments, there will be significant differences even within the same make and model. And all joking aside, as you evolve as a bassist your tastes and requirements will almost surely evolve as well. Best of luck!
I found the Epi EB3 To be a good bass after you make adjustments... You need to get a tech (or you can do it, i did 
) To re glue the bridge parts (the metal that is attached to the wood) in otherwise its just going to pull out, you need to put plumbers tape on the each of the bridge pins to give them extra strength so they don't wobble in the bridge parts. New strings and adjustments to the truss rod, string and pickup height and you got yourself a nice bass, when setup correctly you can get lots of different tones from it.
) To re glue the bridge parts (the metal that is attached to the wood) in otherwise its just going to pull out, you need to put plumbers tape on the each of the bridge pins to give them extra strength so they don't wobble in the bridge parts. New strings and adjustments to the truss rod, string and pickup height and you got yourself a nice bass, when setup correctly you can get lots of different tones from it.
I own the EB-0, i modified mine to a fretless, but it still has some horrible fretbuzz. Its the nut so I'm gonna have to replace it. the tone pot does nothing(like *** how could they mess up a tone pot, nice work r&d), so I'm also gonna replace it and the volume pot while I'm at it, as rewire it my self. the Flathead sides on the screws dented when i was adjusting bridge height. the machine heads hold tune pretty descent(even when i throw in some behind the nut bends). the body is a sg so it like all other sgs are neck heavy not a big deal with me, but i might change out the machine heads with lighter weight ones. the pickup i like very much but i also want to try out the dimarzio model one. depending on how i mike the model one i will put a push/pull on the new tone for coil tap. also because it is short scale i cant really put on the flatwounds i want so i might modify it to a string though so i can use some normal scale length strings(as well a i like string through a lot).
I own the EB-0, i modified mine to a fretless, but it still has some horrible fretbuzz. Its the nut so I'm gonna have to replace it. the tone pot does nothing(like how could they mess up a tone pot, nice work r&d), so I'm also gonna replace it and the volume pot while I'm at it, as rewire it my self. the Flathead sides on the screws dented when i was adjusting bridge height. the machine heads hold tune pretty descent(even when i throw in some behind the nut bends). the body is a sg so it like all other sgs are neck heavy not a big deal with me, but i might change out the machine heads with lighter weight ones. the pickup i like very much but i also want to try out the dimarzio model one. depending on how i mike the model one i will put a push/pull on the new tone for coil tap. also because it is short scale i cant really put on the flatwounds i want so i might modify it to a string though so i can use some normal scale length strings(as well a i like string through a lot).
- Feb 24, 2004
- 4,103
- 642
- 68
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Phantom Guitars, Eastwood Guitars
I used to own an Epi EB-3, sold it 'cause the neck dive was BAD. Decent tone, but sticking a full-scale neck on a short-scale body with the strap button at the bass of the neck is a real bad idea.
It has the notorious Gibson/Epi 3-point bridge. Known to pull the studs from the body. Happened to me twice.
Bought an Epi EB-O which is fun to play but has a one-demensional tone.
It has the notorious Gibson/Epi 3-point bridge. Known to pull the studs from the body. Happened to me twice.
Bought an Epi EB-O which is fun to play but has a one-demensional tone.
I got my daughter an eb0 as her first bass .. nice bass I enjoy playing it but if you said to me .. thats it mate thats your bass I'd go mental .. great for a learner great for that annoying guitarst who thinks he can play bass ..
look for something second hand something that often goes cheap .. if your in the US I have seen godins the bg series go quite cheaply well within your range .. much more professional .. I woudlnt' have a mim fender but its personal choice .. great if you don't like to stand out from teh crowd too much .. meow hahahah
look for something second hand something that often goes cheap .. if your in the US I have seen godins the bg series go quite cheaply well within your range .. much more professional .. I woudlnt' have a mim fender but its personal choice .. great if you don't like to stand out from teh crowd too much .. meow hahahah
How about "great for someone who likes that sound"? I've been playing since 1964 and I like it.
Not everyone finds the EB-O lacking. No need to insult others' choices.
i used to have one, not a bad bass, but not a true mudbucker and yes a bad neck diver, but they are not heavy basses. Fred used to convert them with dark Stars into cool basses.
My Epi EB-3
Vintage Gibson EB-0 converted to an EB-3
My Epi EB-3
Vintage Gibson EB-0 converted to an EB-3
If you could only have one bass, I would look at a MIJ or MIA Fender used. If you like smaller necks, check out the Geddy Lee Jazz or the Jaguar Bass.
If you go new, your bass will probably be of lesser quality and you will probably get the itch to upgrade it as you get better and learn more. (i.e. spend more money) The are some really nice MIM Fenders out there too but IMO, the standards need some hardware/pickup upgrades to stand up to the MIJ/MIA models.
If you go new, your bass will probably be of lesser quality and you will probably get the itch to upgrade it as you get better and learn more. (i.e. spend more money) The are some really nice MIM Fenders out there too but IMO, the standards need some hardware/pickup upgrades to stand up to the MIJ/MIA models.
I agree it would be tough having an EB-0 as your only bass, it's limited in the styles of music you can use it for.
