Which Epiphone Bass?
Discussion
So, I've been learning to play bass for just about a year now, and while my mate's old setup isn't too bad, I'm beginning to look at a new guitar and amp. I've decided amp wise it'll be the Marshall MB30, but still not decided on a bass. I know I want either the Epiphone Thunderbird or EB-3 (the SG alike) but can't decide between the two. The EB-3 is slightly cheaper, which is a bonus as I am a student and don't have an endless money pit (otherwise I'd be straight onto the Gibson) but the Thunderbird is only slightly dearer and I love the way it looks. Anyone got either of the two and can comment on them?
I wanted a thunderbird, wents shopping and hated it when I played it. It didn't hang right, body was huge, neck was fat. I got a les Paul, which I love.
Try them out, it depends what you want and need.
You need to match the amp with the bass as well. The marshal is quite a rock amp, sounds harsh and limited to me which is fine if you want that sound.
Try them out, it depends what you want and need.
You need to match the amp with the bass as well. The marshal is quite a rock amp, sounds harsh and limited to me which is fine if you want that sound.
The SG bass will be hilariously unbalanced towards the head end going by my experience with SG guitars, and as been mentioned above the Thunderbird isn't the best ergonomically.
Down at that end of the market (and we're talking around £200 to £250 I guess?) you really don't want to get the bass that looks pretty, but the one that plays well. Take a look at the Squier basses; I know they're a bit boring but they are well built. Play as many basses around that price bracket as you can to figure out which one works best for you and the music you want to play.
Down at that end of the market (and we're talking around £200 to £250 I guess?) you really don't want to get the bass that looks pretty, but the one that plays well. Take a look at the Squier basses; I know they're a bit boring but they are well built. Play as many basses around that price bracket as you can to figure out which one works best for you and the music you want to play.
Definitely try out the Epiphone basses before you buy. They really are dinosauric designs, and don't sound great for anything other than fuzz-rock. Unless of course, you've already played them and know that wooly, non-distinct tone and hilariously un-ergonomic playing characteristics are for you.
In short, if you are new to bass, even if you absolutely suck, get into some music shops and demo as many different basses as you can. I made the mistake of buying an Epiphone Les Paul guitar as my first "real" guitar after playing a Squier strat for a few months and deciding that I wanted to stick with learning guitar. Unfortunately, I had no one to guide me or help me get an instrument suited to what I wanted in terms of sound and playability, and the LP just held me back in every way.
In short, if you are new to bass, even if you absolutely suck, get into some music shops and demo as many different basses as you can. I made the mistake of buying an Epiphone Les Paul guitar as my first "real" guitar after playing a Squier strat for a few months and deciding that I wanted to stick with learning guitar. Unfortunately, I had no one to guide me or help me get an instrument suited to what I wanted in terms of sound and playability, and the LP just held me back in every way.
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