mcnach

The Epiphone pickup does have the sidewinder design, like a mudbucker, but that's where the similarity ends and you're right, they won't work as intended initially. A little experimentation with capacitors is cheap and easy. I'm curious as to how this tone control design works on this. If I find I don't like it, a usual "Precision" style wiring will do, I just need to replace the original cap (68nF) for a higher value, and use 250K pots rather than the 500K that seem to be installed here.

Not talking about 'fancy' switching, varitone etc, but this, for example (60s wiring). It's still very simple but not your usual volume-tone passive wiring as on a Precision, for example. I'm not sure what that does to the sound but it's trivial to wire it and see. More info about EB-0 wiring over the years: https://www.flyguitars.com/gibson/bass/EB0_circuit.php

Oh, and I do like bolt-on necks. It's my preference, although never a deal breaker.

Well, too late, got an EB0 already (yeah, that was fast) Those Embassy models are interesting but they're more Thunderbird-esque, aren't they? Not going for versatility. I just want a deep thumping pickup right by the neck. The EB-0 is not bad, but these Epiphones seem to have lost a lot of the mud in an attempt to make them more 'normal'... losing their main point in the process. The plan was to try and return if it didn't meet my goals close enough... but I'm really liking it. The short scale really suits this design (unlike the long scale EB-3 I had tried before, this one doesn't drop its neck to the ground the minute you take your hands off it). Nah, I'm keeping it and will play around with it. The wiring is quite different from what the various incarnations of EB-0 have had, so I'm going to experiment with that a bit since I can get a bunch of capacitors and a couple of pots for peanuts, and see what effect the different configurations have on the sound. If I am lucky and one of them gets me close to what I'm after, then job done. If not, at least I'll get a sense for what the different wiring configurations do (they're quite unusual) and will find a pickup somewhere. At the moment the Artec at just over £30 looks like a winner.

The problem with working from home is that when the delivery van calls, it's hard to not open the box straight away. Just a quick picture, since 'no pic no bass' I'm very impressed with the build quality and finish, I have to admit. I can't fault it, which is rare! The strings were loosened, and when I tuned it up it ended up being set with low action, zero buzz, very smooth to play. The first thing I did was check the balance/dive. Very nice sitting down, and with just a slight neck-pull when on a strap. It's also quite light, so the strap/weights trick will probably work very well. Prime candidate for a set of light tuners if I end up using this bass live, but the neck-dive is very minimal: I'm not in a hurry to do anything about it, which I'm happy about. The thin neck and narrow string spacing is a little alien, and just as I remembered it. The strings seem pretty light too, probaby a 95-40 set (didn't get my digital caliper out), which adds to the 'alien' feeling. If I keep this bass it'll get a set of flat or tapewounds, and fatter too. If I keep this bass? No, I am keeping it! But it needs a bit of work to bring it to where I want it to be. Yes, it's not all fantastic: it just doesn't have that deep sound I am after. I guess Epiphone have gone for more versatile electronics than trying to get that thump these basses are famous for. Which is funny because I remember playing those EB-3 and I thought they had it! It's been years so I may not remember very well, or perhaps there was some heavy outboard EQ going on. It's a decent sound, but I'd describe it as a "EB-0 wants to sound like every other bass instead of doing its own thing". Quite bright in sound. With the tone rolled down all the way it's still far from where I'd want it to be. I opened it up and it's got a standard modern 1 vol 1 tone type of wiring, with a 68nF capacitor. I will experiment with some higher value capacitors (I think I have some 100nF caps already in my drawer). No idea what the pot values are, the value is not stamped so I'll have to measure them myself. I may be able to get closer to the sound I'm after if I use 250 K pots and experimenting with other capacitors... Very cheap, caps cost pennies and pots not a lot more. But it looks like I'll be looking at a new pickup too if I want to get that sound. Fortunately the Artec replacements seem to be decent and cheap. But first I'll try to see what I can do with the original. I's a shame the DiMarzio DP120 (Model One) doesn't go for the 'mudbucker' sound either, as it looks really good... but I just can see I'd end up replacing all hardware in black next time I have too much time on my hands Anyway! Better get back to work...

You're right. Only made in 2009 according to this: https://web.archive.org/web/20140131075803/http://epiphonewiki.com/index.php/EB-Series#Elitist_EB-3

Did you have any trouble installing the Artec?

That's another confusing aspect. I understand they have the sidewinder design, but their DC resistance measures at around 12 Kohm, rather than 30 Kohm. In terms of sound, what are the implications? How would you compare both pickups? I know it's hard to describe sound... I realise I may have never heard a 'real' mudbucker up close and personal, as I have only played less than a handful of Epi EB-3 (I do like their sound). I see that Artec have some proper mudbuckers and are cheap, but I read too many stories about hum too.

Not if I get to it first! 😝 I love it! I saw one of those for sale a while ago. The only one I've ever come across. They must be pretty rare.

Well, I'll let you all know... I went and ordered an EB-0. They're cheap enough and the returns policy is easy... It should be with me on Wednesday/Thursday and it won't take me long to decide if this particular example is worth it or not. I wish that short-scale black EB-3 were nearer, I'd much prefer to try it in person but these basses are nowhere as common as Precisions... ah well.

Yes, the thinner body and larger tuning pegs on the basses definitely contribute. Not sure about the guitar tuners. The jury is out about the Epi EB-0. Some seem to think theirs balances ok, and others don't but 'fix' it with a relatively small change in weight: typically adding weights but some replacing the tuning pegs too. Seems a bit of a lottery.

Interesting approach. I've heard of people putting car wheel weights inside the control cavity as well. The idea of adding weight is not very attractive, but these basses are quite light to start with so I suppose it works. Thanks.

Oh thank you! How do you know it's a shortscale EB-3? Is it the dots instead of trapezoid fingerboard markers? Attractive! It's a bit of a treck for me 'though, a 3 hour round trip... hmmm.

It sounds a lot like an EHX Bassballs, with the drive engaged.

The sound. Those mudbucker style pickups placed right by the neck have a really cool sound that's hard to replicate with anything else. A bit 'niche', but it's an interesting sound. Quite nice for some old school reggae too. That's what I like. But I have never played one. I'm interested in how people find it balances. That design is very prone to neck dive, although the short scale should go some way to reduce it compared to the long scale EB-3 models (the only ones I've tried). Reviews seem mixed and more than a few talk about their EB-3 when people asked about the EB-0, hence my question here. Have you played an EB-0?

On and off for nearly a year now I find myself wanting that 'mudbucker' at the neck kind of sound. I would have bought an Epiphone EB-3 if it wasn't because every single one I tried suffers from terrible neck dive. I've toyed with the idea of putting a mudbucker on one of my 'experiment' basses: I'd get a bass that I already like, with hopefully the kind of sound I'm looking for. But it seems too much of a faff, so I am not sure. At this point I just want to play and not routing etc. Incredibly I just noticed that the EB-0 is actually short scale (30.5"), and not just the single pickup version of the EB-3. I think the short scale may actually alleviate enough the neck dive and I might enjoy it. I prefer long scale basses but having a little short scale bass is not a bad idea either. Not finding any used ones locally, I might just order one new and see. They're only a bit over 200 quid. Have you owned/played one? What are your thoughts about it?

I don't have experience on those units for a B string, but there was a guy on Talkbass, called himself Jauqo III-X, who used them and made a big deal of that. He had a bunch of videos too. Worth looking for his comments. I think he also used the ones with a double stop, so you can get a semitone and a tone down dialled in.

Having a d-tuner is useful if you're switching back and forth between drop-D and standard. Although I admit that with a little practice you can switch pretty accurately even without a tuner. I have a couple of basses with a d-tuner and if installed and maintained (lube it sometimes, that's all really) it's smooth and accurate time after time. I was playing a lot of RATM and it was nice to just flick the lever and get there spot-on every time. Now I probably wouldn't bother (and the prices have gone up a LOT!) but it has it's reason to be. In many cases you could play on a 5 string just fine, but on many occasions you want that open D ringing out and it's not the same if you're fretting it on a 5-string. You can get away with it but if it sounds better in drop-D why wouldn't you? As an aside, to me the point of a 5 string is not so much the additional lower notes, but having a full 2-octave range across the 5 strings within a 5-fret reach. For that reason I don't see anything odd about adding a drop-D or drop-A or whatever detuner, if what you play makes you switch regularly. It's not useful for everybody, but what is?

Multiple OLPs indeed Now all gone. I wish I hadn't sold my main one, I got peanuts for it and it was a great bass.

It looks like it would accept a standard right angle jack, so hopefully that cable can easily be replaced if it fails. This is according to someone on TalkBass who asked BackBeat the question: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/backbeat-club-for-those-who-silently-rumble.1379309/page-14#post-26041687

... and you're completely right, of course. I just checked the headstock on the Matt Freeman. Thanks for the correction!

I didn't get to try both side by side, it was at least 5 years in between and only two examples of the Squier and one of the Vintage... so how representative this is I am not sure. I have played and owned many Squiers (several of the CV series) and a few Vintage ones, both guitars and basses. I felt the CV series Squier was generally a clear step up in quality from any Vintage, in terms of finish and cosmetics: every single Vintage instrument I have had in my hands had some kind of minor cosmetic blemish. However, Vintage instruments tend to be more than decent players and in some cases truly outstanding. It's hard to make a fast rule, the Vintage V4 I tried was a Tony Butler signature (not sure how different it is from a standard V4 apart from the cosmetics) was a very nice bass, but the CV 60s Precisions I've had in my hands all felt like the better instrument. I owned a fiesta red one which had one of the nicest necks I've ever found. I still have a Matt Freeman (from when they were essentially a CV 60s, I bought it because I wanted a maple fingerboard) and again the neck on that one is superb. In general, if in doubt I'd go with the Squier CV series. But both will be decent instruments. I heard that the Chinese CV series were not as good as the original Indonesian CV series, but I can't comment on that having only ever had Indonesian ones. I wish I had both with me so that I could offer a better comparison, sorry.

That's one place I haven't checked, thanks! I only checked the UK eBay.

They are a bit gimmicky, I mean... bright colours that fluoresce brightly under UV light! But the strings are good regardless. Years ago I was using the DR Black Beauties a lot. These are very similar if not identical. They are not as bright as fresh Sunbeams out of the box, but Sunbeams mellow rapidly losing the zing and the coated ones (Neon or standard coloured ones) stay the same longer... I would compare them to 2 week old Sunbeams, which is a good sound! They are quite smooth to the touch too, which is nice. You can feel the grooves but your fingers glide over them. I think they're worth a try, but it's not cheap to experiment with strings eh? In terms of how bright they are under UV light, I have tried the red, orange and blue ones. The orange ones are very very bright. The red ones... they're almost the same: they look red under normal light but they glow bright orange, just a little darker than the orange ones. The blue ones are much dimmer, which I like: they're much less "hey look at me!" but still cool.

I think that's going to be the next step, indeed. And failing that, find someone who wants the 4-string set and get a 5-string set. Or forget about colours and just carry on as usual