Even if you could get that for $100 Id still take an Epi EB0 for the money.
By the time you upgrade the bridge, tuners and PUPs you could get a used Epi EB3 for less than $300.
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By the time you upgrade the bridge, tuners and PUPs you could get a used Epi EB3 for less than $300.
the mystery bass would have to be phenomenal and I don't know if even a Gibson is on that level.
Some are. Some aren't. A buddy at a local jam brings a Thunderbird that is amazing. But, I've played others hat did not impress.
my 1970 Sekova is a bolt-on but I think its overall punchier than most Gibsons Ive handled......I use it mainly in the studio when called for...this is a rare shot of me playing it live
The newer Epis have a pickup that's considered to be more versatile than the original pickup on the 60's EB-0 series. It's not as wooly and overdriven-sounding, and the short scale Epis balance pretty well. I've had an Epi EB-3 and to me, it was the single WORST balanced bass I've ever held. The SG-body sets the neck a bit out to the left, and combined with the 34" scale, I found that the neck dive was very unpleasant. I won't own another SG unless it's a 30" scale neck.
If you want something that fits in a modern music situation and can be modded, the Epi version of the EB-0 is a very good choice.
I have a '64 EB-0 (30") with a mudbucker in the neck position and a Dimarzio Model one near the bridge. Very nice bass, and the set neck is nothing to be scared of.
Editorial: I can't imagine how anyone navigates the world without judicious use of credit cards. If nothing else, buying a prepaid card for the purpose of making a single purchase makes absolutely perfect sense. There is no downside.
If you want something that fits in a modern music situation and can be modded, the Epi version of the EB-0 is a very good choice.
I have a '64 EB-0 (30") with a mudbucker in the neck position and a Dimarzio Model one near the bridge. Very nice bass, and the set neck is nothing to be scared of.
Editorial: I can't imagine how anyone navigates the world without judicious use of credit cards. If nothing else, buying a prepaid card for the purpose of making a single purchase makes absolutely perfect sense. There is no downside.
The value of these Japanese basses from the 70's isn't in their awesome tone or playability,
but really whether they are in original condition. Follow them on eBay and see. For those of us
who grew up with these imports they played well enough and looked right. If you are looking
for a player, move on. All your upgrades will destroy the value. New bridge and pickups on an
Epi will work much better. I have an Epi EB-0 with an added bridge pickup and Hipshot bridge,
much nicer neck than the old dog, but the Maxons sound better. If you like long scale find an EB-3.
but really whether they are in original condition. Follow them on eBay and see. For those of us
who grew up with these imports they played well enough and looked right. If you are looking
for a player, move on. All your upgrades will destroy the value. New bridge and pickups on an
Epi will work much better. I have an Epi EB-0 with an added bridge pickup and Hipshot bridge,
much nicer neck than the old dog, but the Maxons sound better. If you like long scale find an EB-3.
I WANT YOUR '64! especially if it came with the plastic covered PU. THAT is the sound I want and likely the closest to Felix Pappalardi and what he got by overdriving his Hendrix SUNNs with supposedly a ''souped up'' Gibson. I've said it so often I kinda assume readers know I'm a Felix freak and shoulda prefaced this with a disclaimer.
I luv the wooly! lol the lowly Epi EB-O seems to be the one out of them all which captures that classic muffled sound the most but it's probably miles from your '64 in tone. I've been hoping to corner the market on original mudbuckers to throw into some of my basses but so far not 1... I'm not convinced the Novacks are exact dupes cos those oldies were scattershot for consistency and unsure of what he copied.
re set necks, I hear you, but I had a traumatic experience in my yout' with a 335 which still haunts me. if I had an awesome set neck bass that would be the one bass the dogs, cats, etc. ever knocked over!
Editorial rebuttal: it's caused some headaches, but mostly regarding fun stuff which would have kept me in the poor house, happy but poor, so no biggie. not sure why I can't get ever approved for a card, even with my bank, but that's been my lot and I used to do quite well in spite of it as a guitar trader living deep in the bucolic countryside of Oahu before digital prioritization. paying a seller in your neck of the woods with cash in an envelope is still not uncommon for me ...yes, I'm different lol
Not a bad one, just not a Tokai or a Greco, or any of the other high-end imports that were
just as out of reach back in the day. The bad ones were from Kay and Silvertone, among others,
with true plywood bodies, boat oar necks and front routed pots, skinny frets with no finish work, etc.
These 70's Japanese imports were far better than their 60's forerunners and the crap that came from
Korea at that time. But they were not made for the pros. Of all the instruments I've sold over the years,
the only one I miss is an EB-2D copy from the same factory as my EB-0/3, same as the one in the OP.
p.s. eBay has a 64 for $1400.
just as out of reach back in the day. The bad ones were from Kay and Silvertone, among others,
with true plywood bodies, boat oar necks and front routed pots, skinny frets with no finish work, etc.
These 70's Japanese imports were far better than their 60's forerunners and the crap that came from
Korea at that time. But they were not made for the pros. Of all the instruments I've sold over the years,
the only one I miss is an EB-2D copy from the same factory as my EB-0/3, same as the one in the OP.
p.s. eBay has a 64 for $1400.
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fortunately, there may be alternatives to achieving that nastiness without breaking the bank, but that particular Newport is exceptional and I'd like to know it's secret.
this Epi weirdo gets near the mark, but as is often the case it's the amp a bass is paired with which makes or breaks the deal for that ultra toney dirt cos others vids of the same model don't really reach this level.
back to the basic Epi EB-0, we hear it come very close to my dream sound, proving it's such a crapshoot!
