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Epiphone Zenith

#61
I've been holding out for an Amber Fretless for years and finally one appeared at the right place and time for me to pull the trigger!

I am thrilled to finally have one of these that I have been eyeballing for quite some time.

Here's the pic from the local ad... and below is the only pic I've taken myself so far, the obligatory scale shot showing a desirable (at least for this instrument) weight of 9lbs 5.6oz.

00101_5YtbdaugKnh_1200x900.jpg


IMG_6964.JPG
 
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#62
That's the one I wanted but could never find! Question : did the knobs have a sticky substance on them? Both the knobs on the Zenith I purchased and a set of replacement knobs had what appeared to be 'double faced tape' coating the surfaces on mine! Good luck with it and enjoy!
 
#63
MrBassman17 said:
That's the one I wanted but could never find! Question : did the knobs have a sticky substance on them? Both the knobs on the Zenith I purchased and a set of replacement knobs had what appeared to be 'double faced tape' coating the surfaces on mine! Good luck with it and enjoy!
Click to expand...
Yes, the rubber knobs were indeed sticky. This is common with these rubberized knobs. I used a little hand sanitizer to clean them which seemed to work for getting the sticky off but now they are kinda cloudy looking.

I think I’ll do a little more research on how you’re supposed to maintain this kind of surface.
 
#64
Double E said:
Yes, the rubber knobs were indeed sticky. This is common with these rubberized knobs. I used a little hand sanitizer to clean them which seemed to work for getting the sticky off but now they are kinda cloudy looking.

I think I’ll do a little more research on how you’re supposed to maintain this kind of surface.
Click to expand...

I tried a solvent, I think it was nail polish remover, which is why I had to replace them, don't do that! But the weird thing was that the OEM replacements had the same sticky stuff on them as well!
 
#66
Greeting all!
Just snagged a Zenith bass in Tobacco from Guitar Center. First one I had seen in 2 years of looking. Lovely to look at, fun to play! Looking for a case for this beauty. Of course, Epi no longer makes one to fit (had the same problem with my Trans-Red Les Paul Special bass). Looking for suggestions from fellow owners! Thanks in advance!
 
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#67
Glad that worked out, MarkoMontana! Is yours a fretless?

Epi did cross the finishes and fingerboards over to some extent, but it appears that most of them were either the light top fretted models, and the stained tops - what you decscribe as tobacco- were fretlesses. I have one of each of those.

Others- what are your observations?

As previously mentioned, the hard cases for Zeniths are pretty tightly contured to the body. Unless you find a hard case for another bass that the Zenith will fit in, and I don't have a recommendation- hopefully others will- your best bet is to get a good gig bag with internal neck straps. I have a Mono bag that the Zenith fits into perfectly with the neck straps. Good luck in scoring a case that will work. The Zenith was a low-production model, so there are not going to be cases out there to be found.

It's a very fun instrument.. glad you got one!
 
#68
Michael Vee said:
Glad that worked out, MarkoMontana! Is yours a fretless?

Epi did cross the finishes and fingerboards over to some extent, but it appears that most of them were either the light top fretted models, and the stained tops - what you decscribe as tobacco- were fretlesses. I have one of each of those.

Others- what are your observations?

As previously mentioned, the hard cases for Zeniths are pretty tightly contured to the body. Unless you find a hard case for another bass that the Zenith will fit in, and I don't have a recommendation- hopefully others will- your best bet is to get a good gig bag with internal neck straps. I have a Mono bag that the Zenith fits into perfectly with the neck straps. Good luck in scoring a case that will work. The Zenith was a low-production model, so there are not going to be cases out there to be found.

It's a very fun instrument.. glad you got one!
Click to expand...
Mine is fretted. Overall impression is amazing instrument! This is bass #5 in my time; cheapo EB-0 copy decades ago traded on a 75 Blonde P Bass that was stolen 6 months after purchase. Getting back into playing and have Epi Les Paul Special in Trans Red, Allen Woody in Chicago Blue, and now the Zenith. At this point can only say the quality of build for all three is excellent. Tonal qualities for all three are different and amazing. I love spending time learning the quirks of each one!
For the time being, will keep the Zenith at home until I can find a case to protect it. Am jazzed with the Zenith! Awesome instrument, imo!
 
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#78
Thought I’d join this thread, as I am looking for a fretless Zenith. I play upright mostly, learning all the time, and I (think) I just bought a wonderful instrument, a used A&G all carved. Not a well known brand, but a tremendous upgrade for me, coming from a Palatino plywood. My next purchases, once I’ve paid off that, will be a lighter amp and a Zenith fretless, though not necessarily in that order.
 
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