neepheid

NX - Premium bass strings, made in USA HX - Bass strings, made on Earth somewhere. http://www.samsontech.com/hartke/products/accessories/bass-strings/hx-strings/ http://www.samsontech.com/hartke/products/accessories/bass-strings/nx-strings/

They're different types - HX and NX, would that explain the price discrepancy?

Link please! I love Hartke strings, I used to use them all the time but haven't seen them around for ages.

I'm keeping that eBay typo, given the topic

Also, I didn't think there was any point in mentioning it as I don't think it's available retail but my 20th Anniversary JC came with a gigbag which (obviously) fits. Maybe someone might sell theirs on eBag or whatever? Long shot, which is why I was debating whether or not to mention it.

I'm using the stock strings, nickel rounds of some sort - didn't find them objectionable. If I had to change then I'd probably stick on some D'addario XLs or something. The only hard case I'd be comfortable using (beyond something custom made and therefore not cheaper) would be Epiphone's own one. As far as gigbags go, I have had good results in the past with Warwick Rockbags - they do a couple for semi hollow basses - probably intended for their own Star Bass but the JC fits in those bags well.

Boo!

I guess it kinda has to be my G&L CLF L-1000. The Epiphone Embassy is nice, but the G&L is very nice. Honourable mention for the TC Electronic MojoMojo overdrive pedal I bought to replace my Electro Harmonix Bass Soul Food after it went on the blink. I was very sceptical that an overdrive pedal intended for guitar could work as well for bass but I saw enough people online singing its praises and I'm amazed. It's a dark, thick overdrive and I think it sounds great - gives a meaty boost which can be really felt and heard, especially in a trio when the guitar needs a helping hand in a chorus or something.

Additional: I'm not that bothered about the loss of the one piece bridge. The tailpiece is nice and distinctive and at least reminiscent of the shape of the old one piece bridge baseplate. I quite like how it's spaced out. The Epiphone Jack Casady has the one piece bridge we all know and love, so having a one piece bridge isn't solely a Guild thing.

It is arched back and front according to the specs. Having said that, it doesn't appear to have a pickup according to the specs so read into that what you will Some real life (side on) pics rather than the flat lit official pics would be good (hint hint, @kristo )

Divisive. Maybe it's just the angle of the photograph but without the pickguard to guide the shape, the top "horn" looks out of proportion to me - in the too big kind of way. Can't put my finger on it, it's just tugging at a thread in my brain. The proportions of the Lull face on to the camera look right. I think it might be my mind playing tricks on me, or doing anything except the work it's supposed to be doing

That's disappointing to hear - I figured the factory/ies that Fender use for Squiers would have it down pat by now. Having said that, any factory in any country can issue a Friday afternoon special.

This what you mean? https://guitarelectronics.com/north-coil-humbucker-south-coil/

Also, one of the nylon bushes looks discoloured and broken:

These aren't one thing or another - they're closest to Schaller M4 but the mounting screw is below the tuner and offset to the left - this is neither like the Gotoh GB707 or Schaller M4 (where the mounting screw is below the tuner in line with the centre of the capstan) nor the Schaller M4 180 (where the mounting screw is at the bottom to the left of the tuner and aligned with the bottom of the tuner to all intents and purposes). I'd avoid them - I can't think of any other tuners in this form factor which has the mounting screw there. Fine if you never need to replace/upgrade them but if you do, you'll have holes to fill. Also no idea who made them so I've no idea how good (mechanically speaking) they are.

It's your signature bass - if your EB-2/Rivoli was refinished in hot pink with green glow in the dark binding and that's what you're famous for, that's what the signature model would be also. Forget the general market +1 on supplying suitable containment, especially for hollow/semi-hollow basses. I think it's bloody shocking that Epiphone don't at the very least provide a gig bag with the JC Signature when bought new - it's not a cheap instrument! They proved they can do it because they included a gigbag with the 20th Anniversary JC Signature, so also proving that all the other times they just CBA. Even roll it into the cost - I'd pay a bit extra to not have to go to the hassle of sourcing a suitable bag separately.

Dinna worry, I've had a Squier P and a Fender Cabronita P in the past. Also got a G&L L-1000 (the ultimate evolution of the P bass by the man himself, you could say) so I think I'm good. I'd be getting this just to see for myself how good (or not) a sub <£100 bass is these days.

Smiley noted, but apologies all the same - my barbed comment was meant for people who reacted with a surprising (or should that be unsurprising) amount of scepticism to your review. I wonder how many people have actually tried the instrument in question before dismissing it simply based on its price.

I'm considering buying one of these just to stir the pot or at least give a proper, objective reply. They're £86 now so they'd better be amazing! As I'm sure you all know I have no deep care or desire for P basses, so if I end up liking one, you know it's good

Also, there seems to be a limited edition 60s Classic Vibe in Sonic Blue with matching headstock. Now that's also nice.

If it is Schaller, I found them super helpful and sent me spare parts for a broken M4S tuner FOC when I was restoring a Gibson Victory bass.

Yer ma's house. Who cares? This is not an attack on you, you were just the launchpad. I'm on Guinness number 4.

Cheap shot it may have been, but it made me laugh so I guess I'm going straight to hell. I don't know how helpful your contribution was though, regardless of your intention. How helped would you feel if you went into a car dealership and you said from the off "I don't want brand X" and the salesperson goes "sure, take a look at this wonderful, low mileage brand X"? I can only speak for myself but I would find that really unhelpful at best.

But it wouldn't have been funny then

I respectfully disagree.