• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Epiphone Newport shortscale

#341
Newb (to Newports) so much detail in this thread it's making my head hurt. I'm just wondering as I've pulled the trigger on one of these arriving next week, have they sorted out the phasing issue on the latest batches, or did I not see that in this large thread?
I'm gravitating more and more to short scales as they're easier on my 63 year old fingers. I already have the the rascal and I love it, I have a feeling I'm going to love my Newport as much if not more as it's more dinky than the rascal which is an inch longer than my full scale fender P :wideyed:.I also love the vintage looks and becoming the proud owner of my first ever T-bird pickup!
I'm not averse to getting out my nut files, leveling beam and crowning file, and if necessary my soldering iron (if the phase issue is still prevalent on the new batches).
I also think I'll put flats on it and still confused whether I should buy long scale or medium scale. I hear the 'E' can be sloppy on flats on long scale, just looking for some guidance on the out of phase whether they've fixed it and the strings. Thanks all in advance. 👍
 
  • Like
Reactions: GwenOnBass
#342
From what I've read across multiple forums I've come to the conclusion that it's an intermittent issue: a bad batch of pickups, for a time. Many report no issues with pickup phase but still it's something to be mindful of!

In terms of build quality, I can only speak to mine but I think most will say it too: unless you've got that super-touch and tactile feel for extra low action, you'll probably be in good shape with one straight out of the box and a good set up. I'm using LaBella 760FS-M on mine and it plays great and I don't personally feel like extra attention is needed. But, as with any sub 2k bass for sure: no guarantees there. I hope you get a good one!
 
  • Like
Reactions: TeeSee and GwenOnBass
#344
circuito said:
Buongiorno il mio basso ha problemi con il potenziometro del tono, quando il potenziometro è tutto chiuso sembra aumentare i medi mentre quando è tutto aperto il suono sembra un po' chiuso
Click to expand...
Translated to English;

Good morning my bass has problems with the tone potentiometer, when the potentiometer is all closed it seems to increase the mids while when it is all open the sound seems a bit closed
 
  • Like
Reactions: circuito
#346
1000007788.jpg
 
#347
circuito said:
View attachment 7408477
Click to expand...
This matches what I have in mine and I see no obvious faults.
There may be several reasons;
1. bad tone pot
2. faulty blend pot (try setting each pickup on max via blend pot then see if tone problem happens on each extreme or just one pickup side) leads to;
3. Pickups/wiring problem.
I know thats not very helpful to you though but if you are handy with a multimeter you can measure the tone pot resistance that it's the correct value. Do you have a local guitar shop you can demonstrate the fault to and get advice?

Also have you had the guitar long and this has just happened? It may be worth noting that when these first came out, there were a lot of complaints from people saying they thought the pickups were wired out of phase. When I bought mine I had no problem like that so it seems Epiphone righted that.
But if you have just bought the guitar it may be that you have an earlier model that is wired out of phase.
 
#349
circuito said:
The bass is new, how do i check if It's out of phase?
Click to expand...
this may help

YRPALJG

Post in thread 'Epiphone Newport shortscale'

First post and Hi! I too picked up one recently and have some helpful information regarding the phase issue complaint.

It's the bridge pickup. If you pull the pickup and look underneath, you'll see two small black wires coming out of the underside of the pickup frame: one is attached to a larger black push-back cloth wire and the other attached to an equally small black pvc-coated wire that is soldered to the braided ground connection.

See it?

They got it backward. On a typical humbucker, the North magnetic coil Start wire of the wind is what goes to the Hot connection of an output...
  • Like
 
#354
circuito said:
The solders are Epiphone factory made. I would only to know if the bass is out of phase or not.
Click to expand...
Nothing against them, they always do rushed jobs in those factories because of the price point. If it makes you feel any better, it looks a lot more professional than Squier solder jobs. And MIM shielding jobs are laughable too, at a much higher price.

I already replied to you about checking for out of phase pickups.
 
#355
With both pickups active, I don't hear a particularly bad sound, just a slight drop in volume.

The problem is that the blend is almost unusable; you can't blend the pickups smoothly.

Another problem is that the Sidewinder's metal cover vibrates while playing.
 
#356
circuito said:
With both pickups active, I don't hear a particularly bad sound, just a slight drop in volume.

The problem is that the blend is almost unusable; you can't blend the pickups smoothly.

Another problem is that the Sidewinder's metal cover vibrates while playing.
Click to expand...
Rebuilding the electronics with good quality pots like 24mm CTS is a good idea. Get a better jack too.

A tech can take apart the pickups and stop the vibration. Might be a simple case of using a piece of foam or more complex like wax potting.
 
  • Like
Reactions: circuito

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back