NBD - Epiphone Rumblekat "Allen Woody Signature"

[Crusher47]

This is my first and so far only short scale bass. On to the unboxing....

Just arrived....

Inner box...

Purchased with the HSC...

Back of neck / headstock...

Tried taking more pics but my room is extremely bright and getting weird reflections, so here are the Sweetwater glamor shots instead....

 

[edmidlifecrisis]

Wow! I didn't know you could get a hard case for it. Who knew? Sweetwater?

 

[John Stephen]

Congrats. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I have. They are great basses.

 

[rogerbmiller]

Fun little thump machines. I enjoy mine.

 

[Wesley R]

Way cool!

 

[MynameisMe]

Nice!

 

[bassist4dalord]

Very nice, congrats!

 

[MdC64]

Congratulations. Great looking bass. I've been thinking about getting the same one.

 

[Ostie]

Wow! I didn't know you could get a hard case for it. Who knew? Sweetwater?

Mine came used with a Epiphone branded HS case, but it's an early one from 2003.

 

[scuzzy]

I have been eyeing these such beauties. epiphone is crushing it and has been for some time. they feel great, look great, and sound great.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I have coveted one of those for a long time. How's the balance? Always wanted to try one, but never seen one in a store.

 

[edmidlifecrisis]

Mine came used with a Epiphone branded HS case, but it's an early one from 2003.

I bought one two or three years ago from Sweetwater and had no case or gig bag. It doesn't fit easily in any of the ones I have, I might order one of those cases.

 

[King Harvest]

I've wanted one of these for a long time as well. I heard they're kind of heavy though.

 

[Polfuste]

Beautiful bass ! Congrats !

 

[John Stephen]

I have coveted one of those for a long time. How's the balance? Always wanted to try one, but never seen one in a store.

If you mean the physical balance, I find the Rumblekat very comfortable when playing sitting down. When standing, it has a tad of neck dive, but not much (far less than other basses I've had).

 

[Crusher47]

Thanks everyone! Yes, case (and guitar) came from Sweetwater.

I played the bass for an hour when I first received it, I thought it was going to be a single tone thump machine but the controls actually work really well and I can get a variety of tones. I'm really digging it! I also looked over every square inch of the bass and it is flawless. I am amazed at the quality of this China made bass, it's fit and finish is incredible. Out of the box setup is not bad, the neck looks fairly straight but the action is a touch higher than I like. I plan on giving it a full setup and hydrate the rosewood board as well.

As for the balance, I only played it sitting down and had no issues. I need to try it while standing and report back. The only negative is at times when trying to fret the 5th fret for example, my muscle memory would go to the 7th fret instead. Not an issue of the bass at all, just my personal technique flaws playing a short scale bass for the first time. I'm sure with practice I will get used to it. I really do hope to gig with this bass one day!

I did purchase the Hipshot Supertone bridge, Schaller straplocks and short scale GHS pressurewounds per the recommendations from this forum to start modding this little beast.

 

[John Stephen]

Sounds like you're off to a good start. Enjoy!

 

[Crusher47]

Finished the setup, installed Schaller straplocks and oiled the fretboard. I'm going to play it like this for a bit before changing the strings and replacing the bridge....