All user reviews of 4/5 for the Epiphone Wildkat

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I confess that I have had this love/hate attitude towards Epiphones. The value of what you get for the money has always been great and the quality of woods and finishes on the guitars that I've seen has been outstanding. However, I've always been disappointed that nearly all of their models are copies of Gibsons.

I am delighted to see that Epiphone is starting to produce some new models of their own design that are not currently available as a Gibson 'equivalent'. I was attracted to the WildKat the moment I saw it in Musician's Friend Catalog! Without ever playing it, I knew it was something that was built for me. While my primary working axes include Fender Strats and Tele's, I have always been fond of the old styling of archtops with F-holes. My 'daydream' guitar would have this type of style while still being small and light. In addition, I really like the P-90 pickup design as it has so much more punch and growl than a humbucker which is usually found on guitars of this genre. If this is what you like as well, the the WildKat is IT. The body is gorgeous; the lines are balanced, smooth and flowing and the archtop is very subtle but very nice. The size is also just right: It's a little bit bigger than a Les Paul, but much smaller than most 'traditional' archtops. I also got the translucent black finish which still shows off the flame maple grain underneath it and the black compliments the plentiful chrome hardware very nicely. The binding is very pretty and shows off the f-holes very nicely. The neck is solid and straight and feels very comfortable. Lastly, the Epiphone tremolo system is very solid. I wouldn't use it for deep, diving string bombs, but it's sturdy enough for some nice vibrato effects without throwing the guitar out of balance. In addition, it also compliments the retro look of the archtop and confirms that this is no copy of another guitar. It's a delicious little guitar that is pleasant to look at, pleasant to play and will punch and growl like a good rockabilly hot rod should.

Okay, so let's be honest and blunt about Epiphones. While I confessed that I love the body and finishes, I must also confess that the components, electronics and final fit and finish is awful. Is it too obvious that Gibson doesn't want Epiphone to canibalize it's own line? (I guess they have to cut costs somewhere to keep the prices down.) With the exception of the tremolo unit, nearly all of the rest of the hardware (pickups, pots, tuners, wiring, etc.) is of low quality. To be quite fair, an equivalent Gibson or Fender with very good components would cost at least twice if not three or four times as much. However, the final assembly was also questionable. The tuning keys didn't line up quite right and one of the pots had stripped threads and was mounted at an odd angle. Tsk. Tsk. One small additional criticism: the Epiphone model sticker is large and bright orange and is mounted inside the body under the top F-hole. It looks really ugly and distracting when viewed from the front of the guitar.

I believe that you get MORE than what you pay for with the WildKat. You could strip every sub-quality component off the guitar--leaving the body, neck and tremolo unit--and you'd still have more than your money's worth with a great looking and original instrument. Drop a couple hundred bucks for some locking tuners, graphite nuts/saddles and some decent pickups and pots and you'll have a cooker that will turn heads at any gig.

Suffice it say that I have already COMPLETELY voided my warranty! I have done exactly what I am suggesting in the previous paragraph. I am currently rebuilding this guitar with Sperzel locking tuners and graphite nut/saddle components to help it stay in tune with the tremolo system. Electronically, I have yanked every component and am upgrading to top-quality switches, pots and wires as well as Seymour Duncan P-90 stack pickups to eliminate the noise. I also plan to do some 'custom' wiring to get some additional tones out of the guitar.

Just like the hot-rodders of the 50's, I'm taking this guitar and completely gutting it and re-inventing it into my own custom 'rod' with it's own growl and bite. However, it will proudly wear the Epiphone name and logos as a tribute to their inventiveness for the design of this wonderful guitar

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

Made of Core priori. MODEL Epiphone original (no equivalent Gibson ...)
A semi-hollow single cut slightly bigger than a Les Paul (some centimtres longer and wider).
Channel 60 profile, 22 frets.
Two P90 dog ear, two volumes + master volume and master tone, three-position toggle switch 3.
A Bigsby!

UTILIZATION

In terms of ergonomics and comfort, we are in the "standards" Gibson: heavy, no bevels, just right ACCS Acute ... As a Les Paul, in a little more lightweight, not surprising from what is expected APRS a first look!
The big highlight is the handle, trs cool, enjoyable to play with "thumb over"!
For a semi-hollow, the form is restricted plutt is not ngligeable in terms of comfort.
The strong electronic feel trs the Gretsch (just like the rest dailleurs!): A micro volume + one master. A little over Drout cblages "Gibson", but many opportunities to position the microphones Balanant intermdiaire + master to play on the gain. Many versatile and readily available. It's a good point.
The Bigsby gche do nothing. A roller bridge will do wonders in complment.

SOUNDS

Aesthetics is a Russianness, the guitar is "sexy" and the catchy name. So we are hopeful in taking possession!
Unfortunately, falls like a bellows:
Unplug the sound is a bit dull and not very powerful (at the same time, its use is not too prvue ...).
branch, is a trs consensus: as its name suggests (Wildkat) was oriented rock'n'roll, rockabilly assume. The clean is slammed with a little tremolo, we feel push the banana hair cream.
The microphone is my neck and got P90 for a little "dull", has a more micro m'voque jazz master a real P90. So it was relatively easy jazzy sounds on this microphone. The micro bridge is closer to my expectations, more biting and snarling.
In many yrflchir, we are in the same Epiphone when, did his job but no more. The Russianness Aesthetics should not obscure the range of instrument where you are.

OVERALL OPINION

In conclusion, the Wildkat is a guitar trs cool, comfortable in the rock / rockab ', jazz, blues and roots rock (ZZ Top, Neil Young, ...). On a slightly heavier styles like AC / DC for beginners, may do so but it takes a bit of the register.
For hard rock and metal, I'll be honest, I did not try, I am for a different team and I do not think that has to do ...
I was looking for a semi-hollow with P90, a Bigsby and not too big as "deuxime guitar" (not too CHRE). In these CRITERIA, there are not many people Wildkat and doing well!

Guitar made in Korea,
22 frets, pickups copies P90
Bigsby Bridge
Slecteur three positions, one gnral volume, treble, volume and under grve

UTILIZATION

The handle is nice trs, Access in acute, up to the 20th box easy
it is stable, not too heavy, not too lgre
it sounds a lot, now I guess with a real p90 should be the Panard,
For my part, g put a socket instead of the spring Bigsby, which leaves me in the modulation voltage in dtension but I found it lacked firmness.
And in the same mind, I put the strings Gibson pure.

SOUNDS

Trs is versatile, I use a bass amp, or direct table, I prfre with her a bit more serious, especially distortion.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had six months, I love its handling and its stability.
I think buying one of these four real p90, and I think it would be a skyscraper any evidence.
I have an Epiphone Les Paul Ace Frehley and honntement, I take more pleasure with my Wildkat.
For the price, it is trs honnte, missing just finishing at the head of the black paint and welds of microphones that s'taient dfait silent while new .
I have three Epiphone, and a board, even new, CONTRL all clamps and welds, was worth it.
Otherwise, again, I rush without hsiter