Epiphone Newport shortscale

[godofthunder59]

What are the values of the pots and a cap?

250k pots , .47 cap I changed out the knobs while I was at it.

 

[andare]

250k pots , .47 cap I changed out the knobs while I was at it. View attachment 4995791

The knobs are the best thing about these new basses for me
I'd love to find them somewhere.

 

[godofthunder59]

The knobs are the best thing about these new basses for me
I'd love to find them somewhere.

To each thier own, the original 60s Newport Deluxe had these black silver disc knobs. I may swap them back but for now I like it this way.

 

[klattman]

On the pickup height issues the foam is really a poor adjustment as it is too stiff. the solution I found was removing most of the foam and installing springs under the pickup screws.

Also on the neck pickup it routing in the wood wasn’t perfect so the pickup would catch on it if lowered. Had to carve a little inside the cavity.

Mine was an embassy instead of a Newport but all the reporting is the same regarding the multiple issues.

_so far_ my neck and bridge seems ok. I replaced the tuners and it’s ready to work now.

 

[adk teleman]

Well, I’ve had mine for about a month now ( Valentine present) from my wife. I’ve had none of the build or wiring issues I’ve seen in this thread.
Last night I took her out for her first gig. After a full 4 hour show I’m in love even more! Under the stage lights she looked amazing and the tonal variety I was able to conjure up was fantastic! The weight is super light and balance lead to no hand or shoulder fatigue. There were several bass players in the crowd and they were all knocked out by her looks and sound. I will say this, her sound really comes to life through 15” cabinets. Through my 10” cabs it’s good, through 2x15” cabinets simply amazing! Can’t wait for our next gig this coming Friday(St Patrick’s day)!

 

[andare]

Well, I’ve had mine for about a month now ( Valentine present) from my wife. I’ve had none of the build or wiring issues I’ve seen in this thread.
Last night I took her out for her first gig. After a full 4 hour show I’m in love even more! Under the stage lights she looked amazing and the tonal variety I was able to conjure up was fantastic! The weight is super light and balance lead to no hand or shoulder fatigue. There were several bass players in the crowd and they were all knocked out by her looks and sound. I will say this, her sound really comes to life through 15” cabinets. Through my 10” cabs it’s good, through 2x15” cabinets simply amazing! Can’t wait for our next gig this coming Friday(St Patrick’s day)!

The wife or the bass?

 

[YRPALJG]

Real 60s 'mudbuckers' were bound to vary a bit in alnico magnet strength but a ceramic 8 at the neck PU on these new ones seems overkill

The most cost-effective idea isn't always the best one, that is for sure.

Gibson used Alnico 5 in the original and even though the wind with the coils isn't the same in these Epi Newports, using the same grade of Alnico magnet puts the sound back in the ballpark and also solves the excessive string pull and intonation issues that many have experienced. I tried a 4 different Alnico 5 bar mags across my two favorite companies, unoriented as well as polished and roughcast types, and 2 different lengths in there as well: a certain suppliers A5 won and I'm sticking with it.

Because I actually care and because I can, I went a bit further with the mod recently and rethreaded the internal steel parts to convert them to USA Imperial because the stock pickup pole screws are metric M3 mystery steel, different than the real parts, and I didn't trust it. I swapped 5 different screw steel grades from 1008-1022 and figured that out as well. Excellent and deliciously toneful results.

Just for kicks, I ordered one of the Allparts replacements and they are exactly the same pickup. If any of you are thinking of getting one as some "upgrade", you will be wasting your money. Don't do that.

500k V/V/T, first a .022uF cap but now a .033uF for a bit more range with the darker sounds as needed.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

The most cost-effective idea isn't always the best one, that is for sure.

Gibson used Alnico 5 in the original and even though the wind with the coils isn't the same in these Epi Newports, using the same grade of Alnico magnet puts the sound back in the ballpark and also solves the excessive string pull and intonation issues that many have experienced. I tried a 4 different Alnico 5 bar mags across my two favorite companies, unoriented as well as polished and roughcast types, and 2 different lengths in there as well: a certain suppliers A5 won and I'm sticking with it.

Because I actually care and because I can, I went a bit further with the mod recently and rethreaded the internal steel parts to convert them to USA Imperial because the stock pickup pole screws are metric M3 mystery steel, different than the real parts, and I didn't trust it. I swapped 5 different screw steel grades from 1008-1022 and figured that out as well. Excellent and deliciously toneful results.

Just for kicks, I ordered one of the Allparts replacements and they are exactly the same pickup. If any of you are thinking of getting one as some "upgrade", you will be wasting your money. Don't do that.

500k V/V/T, first a .022uF cap but now a .033uF for a bit more range with the darker sounds as needed.

Magnets indeed make a big difference and the screws for the polepieces....swapping magnets is huge in the guitar world...the bass world not so much!

 

[godofthunder59]

The most cost-effective idea isn't always the best one, that is for sure.

Gibson used Alnico 5 in the original and even though the wind with the coils isn't the same in these Epi Newports, using the same grade of Alnico magnet puts the sound back in the ballpark and also solves the excessive string pull and intonation issues that many have experienced. I tried a 4 different Alnico 5 bar mags across my two favorite companies, unoriented as well as polished and roughcast types, and 2 different lengths in there as well: a certain suppliers A5 won and I'm sticking with it.

Because I actually care and because I can, I went a bit further with the mod recently and rethreaded the internal steel parts to convert them to USA Imperial because the stock pickup pole screws are metric M3 mystery steel, different than the real parts, and I didn't trust it. I swapped 5 different screw steel grades from 1008-1022 and figured that out as well. Excellent and deliciously toneful results.

Just for kicks, I ordered one of the Allparts replacements and they are exactly the same pickup. If any of you are thinking of getting one as some "upgrade", you will be wasting your money. Don't do that.

500k V/V/T, first a .022uF cap but now a .033uF for a bit more range with the darker sounds as needed.

Are the pots linear or audio taper?

 

[godofthunder59]

Well, I’ve had mine for about a month now ( Valentine present) from my wife. I’ve had none of the build or wiring issues I’ve seen in this thread.
Last night I took her out for her first gig. After a full 4 hour show I’m in love even more! Under the stage lights she looked amazing and the tonal variety I was able to conjure up was fantastic! The weight is super light and balance lead to no hand or shoulder fatigue. There were several bass players in the crowd and they were all knocked out by her looks and sound. I will say this, her sound really comes to life through 15” cabinets. Through my 10” cabs it’s good, through 2x15” cabinets simply amazing! Can’t wait for our next gig this coming Friday(St Patrick’s day)!

My son took his to his last show and is completely hooked! Glorious beefy tone full of character through his Orange Terror Bass

 

[YRPALJG]

Magnets indeed make a big difference and the screws for the polepieces....swapping magnets is huge in the guitar world...the bass world not so much!

You're right! 95% of the time with bass pickups, there's not much than can be done other than just a rewind and even then that's 50/50 especially with soapbar types that are popular, due to the epoxy encapsulation. With this pickup though, mag swapping is easy and because it's my line of work - and especially with my bass player mind toward it: good, good stuff for me. And hopefully all of Us!

I'm glad to assist however I can.

Are the pots linear or audio taper?

Audio. Either the Mojotone/CTS 500k Vintage Taper or the Allparts CTS 295 Series would be the best choice. I know Alphas are cheaper but I like to use the best stuff. I'm using the 295s because they sound and perform better. Buy once, cry once yeah?

 

[ampegbass]

YRPALJG, is the man. An expert on pickups and a stone pro killer bassist with a serious resume.

 

[YRPALJG]

Cool thing about these pickups is that the mag swap is so easy. Same with the rethreading and proper USA steel pole screws. Rewinding the coils to some optimal spec costs more and believe me, I am so happy to help the collective Us here! If you're smart, have some basic skills, are careful, it's a mod anyone can do on the cheap. Holler at me privately and I'll walk you through it.

 

[Drucocu]

Tuner swap, not as easy drop in as expected, some sanding required, but even the screw holes were lining up perfectly!

 

[Pyrat]

Tuner swap, not as easy drop in as expected, some sanding required, but even the screw holes were lining up perfectly!

View attachment 5009320

Thanks for the detailed looks at what you're doing...very helpful and interesting. I know there have been some that have had issues with these basses...again, perhaps I just got lucky. I have taken to mine unlike any other bass I have ever owned in 45+ years of playing. It's not the fanciest (although as I have said, it may well be the coolest!) but it fits ME. The neck shape, the scale, the lay-out...and biggest of all, that SOUND. I still say, if a person is willing to set one of these up TO THEIR LIKING, they are a wonderful tool for rock, blues and yes, even jazz. Even if this thread dies today, I am ecstatic that I found mine...the GAS-killer!!

 

[Drucocu]

Thanks for the detailed looks at what you're doing...very helpful and interesting. I know there have been some that have had issues with these basses...again, perhaps I just got lucky. I have taken to mine unlike any other bass I have ever owned in 45+ years of playing. It's not the fanciest (although as I have said, it may well be the coolest!) but it fits ME. The neck shape, the scale, the lay-out...and biggest of all, that SOUND. I still say, if a person is willing to set one of these up TO THEIR LIKING, they are a wonderful tool for rock, blues and yes, even jazz. Even if this thread dies today, I am ecstatic that I found mine...the GAS-killer!!

Totally! I played my Serek Midwestern nonstop for 5 years, and this one is REALLY a strong contender, even if I sink 1000 bucks in it, still absolutely worth it for me. Here I'm with my Serek from my last gig this thursday.

 

[godofthunder59]

I really like these Ernie Ball medium scale 105-45 Slinkys on my cherry Newport and they really sound great especially the E and G string. My Pacific Blue Newport has the EB short scale Slinkys 95-45 and I much prefer the medium scale 105-45. With the short scale strings the windings just make it over the nut the medium scale are a much better fit. I'm still really loving these basses.

 

[klattman]

I’m now noticing the neck on my embassy has to be adjusted every few weeks. I think that was mentioned earlier in the thread.
All my other basses get neck adjusted maybe 2x a year. something to note on these.

 

[godofthunder59]

While I have adjusted both basses necks during the set up process both have remained very stable.

 

[Pyrat]

While I have adjusted both basses necks during the set up processes both have remained very stable.

Same for me...solid as can be after set-up!