Epiphone quality?

I played a EB3 and a Viola bass that the local GC. Both of them were fulled of problems. The bridge pins on the EB3 were already lifting. The Viola bass was a real disappointment, even for $299. The used Douglas bass they had was $120 and played 10 times better. It is a shame that the good name of Epiphone is now associated with poor workmanship.

G

 

the korean epiphones are ok, some are even great.

the newer ones made in china are very low quality. this kind of puzzles me because it seems that the epiphone guitars coming out of china are very nice... but the basses are another story, a real crap shoot.

 

I actually own a '07 Epiphone Thunderbird IV Bass. It is one of the highest quality instruments I have seen, other than neck dive.

There is nothing cheap made about mine and the finish is flawless.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=63779&d=1184720111

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=63778&d=1184720111

 

Always a Jack Bruce fan I decided to try an Epi EB-3

No disappointment for me ... actually used it live the other nite for our third set and it was great and a lot of fun to play.
It really nailed the old school blues vibe, and on the tune "Give some Loving" it just killed when used with a 60s style fuzz tone.

View attachment 75448

... Hard to beat for the $$$ if your looking for old school vibe.

 

Epi's when you buy them usually need a good setup and a string change. After that you have got your self a fine bass! I have and EB-3 in black with Red Devil DR Strings and it can suit any kind of music.

Also what GM60466 said about the bridge pins is true but when you first get the bass you have to set the bridge so the nose points away from the bass a little (its a design flaw) I contacted some dealers cause I went through 2 basses before I found a post on the internet describing how to fix it but I doubt they did anything about it So as I said, good setup and you got a good bass!

 

all of my experiences with epiphone have been embarassing. I would advice against purchasing one of their basses OR guitars

 

As an EB-3 owner, i agree with pretty much all thats said above... once you get it set up=wicked 60s tone. untill then, major problems

i do love humbucker tone though haha

 

http://www.lysator.liu.se/~wizkid/music/thunderbird_mod/

If this helps anyone.

 

I had a epi alan woody sig rumblekat for several years, MIK I believe--no problems and excellant fit/finish--a good looker too!

 

my thunderbird came with a great setup.. i tried all kinds of different strings to find a good tone and the best sounding ones???

a 10 dollar set of ghs regulars from wal-mart!! aha put the bridge pick up on 10 and the neck on 5 or 6 and man it sings!!!

but yeah there cheap, but thats how i likes my womans thats hows i likes my bass

 

Just check out the whole bass &find a Good 'un. I was looking at the Jack Casady Epi, but here in Aus they're expensive. So aint got one .......yet! I played the Thunderbirds that were in store while I was looking & I really couldn't tell THAT much difference between the Gibson TB & the Epi TB!!

 

i guess you could point out inconsistancy with epiphone... not a good thing. If you can find one you like then congratulations.

 

I use to play a epi les paul guitar. Quality was ok for the price I payed, but of course it isn't a gib.

Now I play bass, a epi jack casady signature. Now thats a killer bass! Just great!

 

i had a real gibson les paul standard bass, a 93' model,
I then owned a epiphone les paul standard bass.
I really did not notice to much difference in tone between them becuase the woods are different.

the epiphone was a great bass, I couldnt see spending the extra money on the
usa gibson, unless you could find a great deal on one,. they are just way overpriced.

the epi's pickups are pretty crappy however, throw a set of rio grande pitbulls or real gibson tb-pluss's and your all set.

 

Or this version(s):

 

I just purchased an Epiphone EB-0 and played it for a few hours in practice last night. I was very impressed (given all the slagging Epiphones get in this forum) at the sound. Granted I had low expectations, but at $200 it's defintiely a solid buy.

I haven't even put on new strings yet - thinking about some nickelwound/hybrid strings, but even the cheapo stock strings didn't sound awful on it, although I could have used a bit more low end on the E string.

Overall, I don't know of a much better buy for a $200 short scale bass. I'm happy with my purchase.

 

Here's a rather positive endorsement (used by permission from the author):

 

I have an Epi Viola bass... "Beatlebass", made in Korea. I don;t have a lot of experience, but it is comfortable, looks good, and sounds great.