To EB-0 or not to EB-0

[tigercasual]

Okay, here's my dilemma. I love the Gibson EB-0, but I think that the Gibson reissue is way overpriced. What I love about it is it's shape, short scale and sound. So, I picked up a Epiphone EB-0. (Great bass for $200) However, I really do not like the way it sounds. So, I'm thinking of doing some serious modding. As in, adding a better pickup in the neck position, adding a pickup in the bridge position, changing the bridge and the machine tuners. I’ve always believed that with a little modding, the EB-0 could be a really unique sounding bass.

All of that being said, here's my question...

Is the EpihoneEB-0 worth sinking a lot of money into, or, is there a bassmaker out there- that I don't know of- who makes his own/better made version of the EB-0 that isn't as overpriced as the Gibson?

Cheers,
TC

 

[sublime0bass]

i want a SG so freaking bad

im considering making my own from warmoth, but they donthave short scale

 

[superbassman2000]

i say go for it--i suggest a darkstar in the neck

 

[Earwigger]

The Epi EB0 is considered one of the worst basses ever made. If you replace pretty much everything on it you might have something worth keeping, but make sure the neck is decent before doing that.

A Darkstar in the neck and maybe a Seymour Duncan Jazz at the bridge (or a SBP-3 P-bass pickup if you want to be really wild) would make it a lot better sounding.

 

[The Hammer]

I've got one of the new "SG" basses from Gibson. I love it. Plays and sounds better than any other Gibson I seen. Definitley not a "mudbucker" bass. I bought my nephew an epi EB0 for Christmas. That bass totally sucked tone wise, nothing at all like my Gibson.

 

[Moving Pictures]

I played the Epi last week and was completely underwhelmed by it. I would go for the Gibson.

 

[BobWestbrook]

I was in your situation, and replaced the stock pickup with a Dimarzio Model One. It was a slight improvement, from really, really bad to really bad.

Don't do it - ditch it.

 

[Panda Licker]

My dream is to one day make an Eb-3 on warmoth

full scale with darkstars in both positions

 

[jrfrond]

Sounds like you should have scoped-out a used Epi EB-3 instead, which is set-neck and already has the bridge pickup.

Having said that, EB-0's are cool, but the sound is an acquired taste. I LIKE that neck mudbucker tone for some things, but not everyone does. You also need an amp capable of reproducing it properly, preferably with 15's. Smaller speakers roll off that fat low-end,which is the EB-0 trademark.

 

[CrimsonGhost]

i would of bought a new SG reissue, but shortscale? what were they thinking!? that narrows the market down even more.