Epiphone EB-3

This is the 4 string version of the Epiphone EB-3. Mine is in Alpine White finish. This is a rare finish and has an Epiphone Custom Shop Logo on it. The logo does not make it better or more collectible, it is just what Epiphone does when they only make a limited run of something and sell it at the normal price.

It is a big upgrade from the short scale EB-0 model. On the EB-3 you will notice snazzy block pearloid inlays, a bridge and neck pickup, independent volume and tone controls for each pickup and a pickup selector.

I purchased this at my local music shop for $325. I liked that fat, bassy bottom end it offered. It sounded completely different than my Fender basses, but was the same scale so I can easily switch back and forth.

I love the playability of it. The action is great and it sounds like no other bass in my collection. It has that SG bass look that Jack Bruce made famous. You can't help but play the riff to 'Sunshine of Your Love' when you pick it up.

It is very neck heavy and the strap button is on the neck like most SG styled guitars. It also did not come with a case.

It feels and plays great. I would recommend you purchase the case made by Epiphone which is sold separately.

I think if it was kept in a gig bag one swift fall and you'd have a broken headstock. A broken headstock on a set neck guitar equals an expensive repair.

Other than that, the frets seem good, the knobs and electronics are sturdy, the hardware feels strong and it isn't noisy when plugged in.

I'm glad Epiphone released this bass! The short scale EB-0 just felt too cheap for me and was hard to dial in a good tone. Epiphone turned everything around and designed a brilliant bass out of the EB-3.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

The EB-3 is manufactured in Korea, mahogany body.
It has 22 frets and two humbucker pickups and a mini sidewinder
Four knobs for adjusting the volume to 2 (by a microphone) and two for the tone. Three selector positions (in the order, pickup, bridge pickup + neck and neck pickup only).
We are dealing with a set neck (Gibson touch forces) very well made nice and easy to play.

UTILIZATION

The big thing about this bass is the neck is undeniable. Pleasant and very fine it is ideal for beginners and all players with small hands. Everything seems much easier to play. As an example, I compared with a lot of other basses and I've never found too late. Head side of the neck thickness is about that of a telecaster. This is to say!
Easy access to acute. The shape allows it easily.
Ergonomics, is something else. It is heavy and it is undeniable even if we do not the weight of an AST, we feel that it weighs in after a while. In addition it has an unfortunate tendency to dive forward and down towards the head. But you'll quickly fold. Also I heard that you could modify the attachment points, it helps.
SG shape is not suitable for everyone but personally I love ...
The sound on the bridge pickup is very easy to get the neck pickup is a little more difficult to resolve.

SOUNDS

I am a lover of punk rock and this range is what I found best at the time. Sound good slap and with some effects (overdrive, SansAmp) we arrive to get something very correct. The sound is warm and snapping at a time. Everything depends on the ropes too. Be careful though do not expect slapper as patients with this type of low, it is not expected.
I play on an amp Gallien Krueger Backline 600 with a mid-range subwoofer Harley Benton.
The sound is good for my style of music, you should use the bridge pickup alone, but the other microphone is equally good. Matter of taste! Only flaw on it, sometimes you have to calm him down a bit as it tends to saturate course, but I'm sure the metalheads would love that.

OVERALL OPINION

I use this bass every day for nearly two years, it is a low to a high standard for the price.
I love the handle and the range of sounds that can be drawn, I like the ergonomics and less weight but again nothing nasty.
Before buying this bass I had tried some models even at much higher prices but to no avail. SG shape, color, beautiful machines all pushed me to take the plunge.
Level money, there is no contest for me it's all good.
This choice I do it again without any problems but be careful you do not yet have here is a very versatile bass. It's Rock, Punk and Metal but do not think or do funk slapper like crazy.
The eight dishes for this lack of ployvalence

Made in Korea.
Easel fixing three points. It is not screwed on the body, there are three screws that they are fixed in the body. So you can remove it to clean
Set neck, 22 frets, a sidewinder side handle and mini humbucker bridge side.
Volume and tone micro + micro selector (Channel, Channel + Bridge, Bridge).

UTILIZATION

The handle is extra fine and very easy to play.
She bites the head. I solved the problem by attaching my strap behind the nut.
It is not practical, it's gypsy-jazz, but at least I do not wear the instrument with his left hand.
The sound is very round, some would say evil guitarists drooling in the bass. Sure it's not made for a low slapper.
With a fuzz mixed with the original sound it gives pretty good in the rock record.

SOUNDS

I play a little bit of everything and I like its sound as electric and acoustic. For the Korean is really not bad
I play on a power amp with speaker sound system.
My favorite setting is Channel (V8, T10) + Bridge (S10, T4) that provides a little but not too bright.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for the past 2 years.
Despite its investment in "low end" (it is a fact, despite its qualities), I paid him a cure for about € 100 settings:
- Nut
- Bend the handle
- Oiling the key to linseed oil
- Planning frets
- Action string
- Height of the bridge
- Settings of the jumpers
- Removal of a small mass defect
- Changing the volume knobs (they were not progressive enough for my taste)
- Change in the output jack which was a bit light
Since this setting is gone from the highway to that of Formula 1 circuit, I could not believe my fingers.
My architect told me that they are more or less recurring defects in the instruments from Asia.
But he also told me that the electronics are not too badly chosen (except Jack), wood and varnish are worked very well for the price is this low.
This is my first bass and I think it's a very good deal.
For group rehearsals with some effects above and / or a well-tuned EQ on the amp it's fine for rock.
If I was again starting this choice I would do so.
I do not part with it because for just € 100-120 I do not see the point because it has already eaten the loaves and an opportunity if not around 50% of the nine, is a good opportunity for me.
Moreover, its sound palette is very complementary of my G & L L-2000.

See previous comment

UTILIZATION

The greatest discovery of this bass is the neck without a doubt. end, nice, very thick. a good sofa sports. otherwise the balance of the bass was not good, we must know. access to acute impeccable. adjustable nice and easy.

SOUNDS

Very well for rock and derivative. that sounds pretty medium acute, incisive what!

OVERALL OPINION

Daily use of 4 months and then I am absolutely satisfied, for 230 euro could ask for more? it is not the perfect low, but it allows small budget like me who still are not very beginning of play on an instrument acceptable ...
if not I hope one day have to offer me in the short scale version gibson .. voila, kisses