Thoughts on the Modern Epiphone Embassy?

[Roger W]

The reissue of the Epiphone Embassy is inexpensive, looks like it will balance ok, and has T Bird pickups. Plus it’s a reissue of an original 60s era Epiphone design, not a cheap version of a Gibson.
Do you own one? Have you tried it and hated it? What are your thoughts/feelings?

 

[davelowell2]

I had one, really liked it. Sounded like a Thunderbird. Had a fat neck. I put in a series parallel switch and that I really liked. Those pups in series are great. I only sold it to get the Tbird VP, which I also did the series parallel mod to.

Get one! They’re cheap, like a gateway drug, lol.

 

[redstrand]

I did the same mod and the sound is great. Balances well and super easy to play

 

[MtManiac]

I bought the smoked almond one, but I returned it - I returned it only to take advantage of another deal that I *had* to have though. I also have a Tbird Vintage Pro with the same pickups, and I love them but am not a big fan of the Tbird ergonomics, especially standing up. The Embassy sounds great, feels great, and the neck feels very at home for me, much like a modern P bass neck. They did a really good job on the one I had selecting fretboard wood, it was very dark and pretty, and the gold sparkle finish was also really well done.

I may buy another before too long - likely the red one. If you’re unsure, I definitely recommend them.

 

[Lowbgalaxy777]

The New Embassy bass is great. The balance is nice, and those pro bucker bass pickups are pretty damn impressive! The price is unbelievable. With the pickup knob slightly moved towards the neck, you will not have a problem cutting through the mix. I traded my Sire M2 4 string that had an unstable neck for an embassy that had to be shipped to my local GC.
I highly recommend the T Bird Loaded Epi.

 

[JimmyM]

I played one. It was a nice bass with a really good sound, but it didn't inspire me to get it. I thought it would be 30" or 32" scale, and it's 34". Still it's a good sounding bass that has a solid tone.

 

[jeff7bass]

They sound tremendous, thick a clear, and play real easy. Well worth the 400 bucks.

 

[MtManiac]

They sound tremendous, thick a clear, and play real easy. Well worth the 400 bucks.

These pickups are very, very versatile. So much range. I’m a long time P bass player, and they can do a pretty good P sound, or at least something that’s equally as useful as a P sound. But when you really dig in with your right hand, they get really aggressive, in a really great way, something no P I’ve ever played can do, and certainly no J I’ve ever played. Very responsive pickups, responsive to how you attack the note. I love them a lot.

 

[Naviiin]

Wish it was short scale.

 

[redstrand]

Wish it was short scale.

It plays like one. It’s light and doesn’t have a big body or headstock.

 

[Roger W]

One of the reasons I'm looking at it is that I have an Epiphone Les Paul Special bass. I love the sound, but what I don't love is the unbalanced 10 pounds. I've never played a T-Bird, but have played several Ps, Js, the Gibson DC short scale, and the Epiphone Jack Casady. The LP is the first time I've really had neck dive.

 

[butterfingers1]

I just saw the Wanderlust green in the store today. It’s the only way to go.

 

[MtManiac]

It plays like one. It’s light and doesn’t have a big body or headstock.

I agree 100%. Very comfortable feel.

 

[MtManiac]

I bought the smoked almond one, but I returned it - I returned it only to take advantage of another deal that I *had* to have though. I also have a Tbird Vintage Pro with the same pickups, and I love them but am not a big fan of the Tbird ergonomics, especially standing up. The Embassy sounds great, feels great, and the neck feels very at home for me, much like a modern P bass neck. They did a really good job on the one I had selecting fretboard wood, it was very dark and pretty, and the gold sparkle finish was also really well done.

I may buy another before too long - likely the red one. If you’re unsure, I definitely recommend them.

Just for whatever it’s worth, I went back to the store where I returned it today and re-bought the exact same bass - I mean literally *the* instrument that I’d returned. Very happy it’s back home.

 

[Andy Marshman]

I purchased one, new, not long after getting a T-Bird IV (still have it). It's fun to play, the pups are good. I tried, but didn't care for the blend control. I changed the wiring to standard VVT and I'm happy. I'm curious about series/parallel tones so I may experiment with that. I chose the red sparkle finish with black pg. The bird is seriously better by comparison but I'm sure everyone would expect that.

 

[butterfingers1]

How is the Thunderbird better? I never had one but was always curious, it certainly has a cult-like following. I got the Embassy Pro as a reasonable alternative, inexpensive and ergonomic.

 

[west al]

View attachment 4238872 The New Embassy bass is great. The balance is nice, and those pro bucker bass pickups are pretty damn impressive! The price is unbelievable. With the pickup knob slightly moved towards the neck, you will not have a problem cutting through the mix. I traded my Sire M2 4 string that had an unstable neck for an embassy that had to be shipped to my local GC.
I highly recommend the T Bird Loaded Epi.

Very Nice!!!

 

[Thumper]

The series/parallel mod offers a in-your-face tone, a volume bump during leads, and rolling off the tone can get a very vintage tone (think Long Cool Woman). Also, very much prefer VVT

 

[LowEndLobster]

My review drops Sunday! Overall, really neat basses and a great entry into the 'thunderbird' family without the ergonomic downfalls. Great well rounded budget bass that will also be a great mod platform... and mods are coming soon!

 

[Andy Marshman]

How is the Thunderbird better? I never had one but was always curious, it certainly has a cult-like following. I got the Embassy Pro as a reasonable alternative, inexpensive and ergonomic.

The primary thing I notice is that the bird has the deepest, most powerful bass tones I've ever heard. When I brought it home, my wife wasn't crazy about the looks of it. I've only had traditional body style instruments up to that time. I started playing it and she said "Wow! I really like that!"
It doesn't neck dive and it feels nicely balanced, easy to play whether standing or sitting. First time I took it to band practice the guys not only loved the look, they couldn't believe how good it sounded in the overall mix. That's my observations. I totally dig the Embassy too. Its pickups are good, but don't compare to the bird.