Epiphone Masterbilt Century De-Luxe

[casapete]

Anyone seen / played one of these yet? Certainly  look interesting.

http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Electrics/Bass/Masterbilt-De-Luxe-Classic-4-String.aspx

[Storky]

Yep, picked one up yesterday. Really good!

[Kev]

That may be the most infuriating model name ever...

[Highfox]

Just when I thgought the GAS was out!

Edit to say they are a little more expensive than I was expecting

I have had a Masterbilt Epiphone accoustic guitar for ages and been good quality, still.

Edited December 10, 2017 by Highfox

[Highfox]

Found a video but it dosen't give much away

 

[Storky]

It’s got a medium deep neck, and a modern precision nut width. I’ve played other largish necks and this is the most comfortable; it’s very nice to play. Sound un amped is quite loud, certainly enough to practice at home with. Plugged in it’s the nearest I’ve heard to a double bass; it’s very full sounding, great! I think the strings are really good, tapewound and not too rubbery! Nice touches include aged binding and the whole bass has the feel of a decent quality instrument and it’s clear that some thought has gone into it. It’s not heavy, no neck dive. Obviously it’s quite a large body, so some may find it bulky and could be prone to feedback due to fully hollow body, but no problem so far at home volumes.

[casapete]

1 hour ago, Storky said:

It’s got a medium deep neck, and a modern precision nut width. I’ve played other largish necks and this is the most comfortable; it’s very nice to play. Sound un amped is quite loud, certainly enough to practice at home with. Plugged in it’s the nearest I’ve heard to a double bass; it’s very full sounding, great! I think the strings are really good, tapewound and not too rubbery! Nice touches include aged binding and the whole bass has the feel of a decent quality instrument and it’s clear that some thought has gone into it. It’s not heavy, no neck dive. Obviously it’s quite a large body, so some may find it bulky and could be prone to feedback due to fully hollow body, but no problem so far at home volumes.

Interesting, thanks for the comments.

Can you update when you've tried it at gig kind of levels please? 

 

[Storky]

Just weighed it: 6.22lbs and no neck dive! 

[casapete]

5 hours ago, Storky said:

Just weighed it: 6.22lbs and no neck dive! 

It's got my interest now then.

[Grahambythesea]

I suppose it had to be short scale, it's kind of weird to look like a 40's guitar when basses hadn't been invented (except the upright of course)! However it does look cool but I can't think when one would play it or for what style. 

[Storky]

I played it in my acoustic band on Friday. I think it works as a double bass substitute, where a venue is too small, or it’s just too much hassle to bring in a DB. Also think it would work in a 60s band for those Beatles, or similar numbers for a violin bass type thump. And any other rock n roll numbers where a double bass was used. Country, why not? Actually there’s plenty of uses, but watch for feedback, it was ok and it was easy enough to control, but it will feedback way before a solid body I think.

[Basvarken]

Beautiful bass. Though that video does cure my gas a bit...

[kristo]

These look ace, off to Andertons at the weekend to try one as GAS levels are high!

[PaulFenderJazz]

Any news from anyone on using these in gigs? In particular how prone are they to feedback, vs a more mainstream semi hollow body? Cheers

[kristo]

43 minutes ago, PaulFenderJazz said:

Any news from anyone on using these in gigs? In particular how prone are they to feedback, vs a more mainstream semi hollow body? Cheers

When I tried one the feedback in the shop was too much and I didn’t get one. 

[RLincoln]

Toooooooo much feedback. Unstoppable . It is really a big problem. The pickup is so sensitive to every sound on stage, it’s impossible to play it with drums or even an acoustic set once you turn the volume up it starts feebacking. So disappointed. My sollution is to use an upright bass pickup, it works and sounds great.