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MGR/Gil, Denver, Co. « Epiphone WildKat »
Published on 10/03/01 at 15:00Musicians Friend 'Scratch n' Dent' special (with instant rebates applied) $303
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
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