Epiphone EB-0

I traded a "very used" Marshall Valvestate head for this EBO in 2001. A son was heading back to prep school and wanted a Bass to carry along with the two guitars he was taking back to school. Christmas break came and the Bass came home. He was playing a Mexican P-Bass in the school's jazz band and didn't need the short scale EBO. Ok, so I played with it a bit. This one is a Korean product. The finish is red...not quite the heritage cherry of my old 1960's Gibson EBO, but still it looks nice. Lots of grain shows through the red finish. The volume and tone pots are rather weak. If it was a real bass I would change them. EBO's all have the one oversized hummbucker at the neck and the Epi version does a good copy job. Factory strings were...well, factory strings. A good set of flatwounds made a world of difference in the tonal quality. (it wasn't "bad" from the box, but now it's much better.

I was a founding member of a nationally known rock band in the mid 60's and I really haven't out grown the music of my youth. "Classic Rock?" Hey, I was there when we were making it "new." This little Epi EBO sounds great on some of Jack Bruce's bass lines and most of what I play. No noise. Warm sound with the flatwounds, brighter when using roundwound. It is not as clear as my 1960's Gibson EBO, but it is close. The only effect I use on Bass is a compressor, and we've played this EBO through Crate Thunderbass stacks (4x10 & 1x15), a Peavy TNT100, a Fender Bassman head & Peavy 2x15 cab, straight through the PA, and through a little Crate BX100 practice amp. I wish I still had my old Vox Foundation rig or my stadium set of Sunns (I used three 300watt tube Sunn heads through six 2x15 cabs---now I say, "what did you say?" really often --- wear hearing protectors !!!!!)

No flaws, set up well by either the factory or the music shop (Lancaster Music, in Lancaster, Texas)

Only complaint is the loose pots.

This bass has survived a semester in a prep school dorm, "bass lessons" for three younger sons, several son's garage bands including letting the drummer bang on it (I guess so he could feel like a musician too?), and several kids garage band gigs at schools and community activities. Have never had to adjust anything except to set it up when changing string gauges. Finish has held up very well (but it is stored in a very good hard shell case.) The stap buttons were nice sized, but EBOs are head heavy and the position of the neck button caused the body to roll away from you and the head to dip drastically. Fixed that easily. I never really trust strap buttons. This EBO is a bolt on (not like the Gibson's set neck) and they used the top screw closet to the neck to attach the strap button. When installing strap locks, I just removed the factory screw and button from that position and replaced the screw without a button (it is a really long screw, but it fit back without the button with no problem.) Then I drilled into the center of the plate on the back of the EBO and installed the strap lock in the center of that plate. No more roll, not as head heavy with the new balance point. It's a Korean Epiphone -- go ahead and gig with it, it will hold up.

I used to buy American made Epiphones straight from the Gibson factory (when I was "Fab.") I really haven't had too much contact with Epiphone since the split. I trust the product and Gibson still puts it's name and status on the truss rod cover of a lot of Epiphones, so I have no worry's.

I've been playing stringed instruments since 1956 or 57. I played Bass "professionally" for about three years....until folks stopped buying the records (oh, you fickle fans...) I have or do own at least one of everything Gibson makes or ever made. Owned and played many Rickenbackers, Gretch, Fender, and even a Mosrite, Vox, or Guild Thunderbird or two. Now I'm mostly a Martin fan. Trying to collect old D series ones (I have a mid 70's D-45, a 60's D-18, a '1970 D-35, a 70's D35-12, and a 50's 00018)

I'd replace this bass if damaged, lost, or stolen. It made a great student bass for the kids to transfer guitar techniques to bass. I play it often instead of the Gibson. Wish it was a set neck...but what do you get for $200 these days?

This is a 2003 model from Indonesia. Short scale mahogany neck, solid mahogany body, passive humbucker, cherry finish. I chose the EB-0 because I am a guitar player who needed a bass for recording.

First off, this bass sounds just plain bad with a pick. The attack is way too sharp. That suits me fine, though, because I am all about becoming more cordinated with my fingers. The sound is warm and fuller than most in this price range. The EB-0 doesn't really offer much in terms of variety, so you pretty much have to really on your amp.

My local music shop, Wray's, always sets their instruments up perfectly. This is the second guitar I've bought there, and I'm very happy with both of them. The finish leaves something to be desired. The bolt on neck is a different color than the body, and the gloss finish is so thin in places that the surface actually feels rough.

8 for action

4 for finish

Well... hopefully it will last a few years. The strap buttons are terrible, and I'm afraid to change them because the one on the neck side is connected to the joint. I don't think you want to remove those screws.

never dealt with

This is my first bass, but I've been playing guitar for almost 7 years. This is a good first bass, and its especially good for guitar players whom are used to a shorter neck.

If buying an Epiphone EBO buy an earlier Korean model (country of origin is stamped on the neck plate) as production was moved to Indonesia after about a year in order to lower the price and had much poorer workmanship.
The Korean models have a lovely dark cherry finish that you can see the grain of the wood through (I think the wood is nato from the mahogany family) and are well made. The recent Indonesian models have a horrible orangey/red colour that covers any wood grain and the wood on these are unidentified and does not look like nato or mahogany.
You can make these EBOs into a top quality bass if you are willing to spend a small amount on upgrades. I bought Gibson stamped Schaller tuners for a bargain on Ebay. Installed new top quality pots, Schaller tone controls knobs, rewired it and put on some TI flatwounds. Hence I have ended up with an excellent instrument for a small cost. I just love the necks on these EBOs as I have small fingers, makes my Wal bass fingerboard feel like an aircraft carrier flight deck.

I now own two of these basses, one converted to fretless due to the incredible sustain (these sustain like no other bass I have ever owned). These basses have a huge big fat punchy tone that really fills out the soundstage with no real trebly highs to speak of but this is the sound I wanted and I am using flatwounds.
The only things derogatory I can say against them is they are neck heavy and there is not much in the way of tone variation but what tone it has is wonderful.

The bass does need a professional set up when buying new or second hand.

Original pots were not great just basic cheap pots that are now replaced with high quality American pots. Original tuners were not bad but not high end but what do you expect for the price. Now replaced with Gibson Schallers. Tuners on the Indonesian models are worse.

I also own a Wal and a Travis Bean TB2000 and have only ever played high-end basses but I find I play the EBOs much more. These are real get up and go basses, just plug in and you immediately have an excellent tone. been playing 32 years and using a vintage Acoustic bassamp and vintage Fender Bassman cabinet.

this must have been built in the late 90s or early 00s. i got it used but it was essentially like new, and that was two years ago. 4-strings, that grand fat neck pickup with a volume and tone knob, all passive. the tuners leave something to be desired, they're best described as 'slippery'. the neck is decent. miserable bridge, both for intonation and pretty much anything else. simple, straightforward setup. but between the neck (especially the truss rod) and the bridge, it's difficult to get the intonation and action right, and to keep fret buzz to a minimum.

i use a few different basses, i could never get by with this alone. it is perhaps the antithesis of versatility. that said, i love its truly singular tone, it just thumps so wonderfully. i have ghs short scale flatwounds on it, they're perfect, they really bring out the best from this bass. a very thick, deep sound (myself i don't see what the bgi screaming deal with a 'bright' sound is, it's so tacky), doesn't ring much, but if you don't mute it has this great 'aftertaste', as it were. the tone knob is more useful that you'd expect, it offers you a lot. th esound in general doesn't sound LIKE a standup, but replaces a standup quite well.

i usually play this one in a jazz setting, it's great for accompaniment in that it stays in the background, tonally, but still has enoguh of a punch that it's heard and felt. i couldn't imagine playing this picked, or slapped, for that matter.

all in all, the sound is best described as very not-versatile but very specialized. i play it through a boss parametric eq pedal, and it sounds wonderful. but if you have funk or more energetic rock in mind, this isn't the one. might work if you have jamerson in mind, or earlier james brown bass licks, though. and i would recommend flatwounds by all means.

one of the bass's greatest weaknesses it's lack of balance. it's hopeless on a strap. i have yet to see how it ages, so far so good. looks jsut fine, though that doesn't matter all too much. comfy to play, but only seated. at first the pickup was uneven, the E string was relatively quiet, but the poles on the pickup are adjustable, so i fixed that.

again, the bridge is really lame. but i suppose if i had more setup experience i'd do alright with it.

i don't see why it wouldn't work well live, it's solidly built, but again, it's badly balanced, which could be a problem live. i use it predominantly for recording, but i use it quite often with the big band i'm in. if you're not going all over the place on it the balancing shoudlnt' be too much of an issue. have yet to have a dent anywhere on this thing, which is more than i can say for my other instruments. again, it's solid.

never needed to talk to them.

playability is not an issue, feel (especially balance) is, the sound, as mentioned previously, is beautiful (don't forget the flatwounds!), but rather limited. due to its tone the idea of defretting it has crossed my mind more than once, it would kick butt fretless. as it is, i use a kubicki fretless and an ibanez roadstar (p knockoff), and this is probably the bass i use the least frequently. but it really has something the others can't even touch.

i would recommend anybody interested to just save up their dough a bit longer and get a real gibson EB-0, what this was a knockoff of. you can also get the EB-0s with a second pickup (i believe that's an EB-3), long scale (EB-0L), or, my favorite, with built in fuzztone (EB-0F, in production for just a year or two in the mid-sixties). the great thing about EB-0s is, they're not such a legendary bass, unlike ricks or fenders, so they're generally more affordable. and jack bruce used one!

anyway, on the whole, i would recommend this to anybody who wants a deep, thick sounding bass that isn't especially prominent but really does the basic bass-job well (keeping the low end steady and making the insects dance), especially in a jazz setting. don't get it if you're looking for versatility, you will be frustrated.

myself, i love it. it's perfect for what i want in certain cases, it occupies a realm unto itself that my other basses (save perhaps the standup) venture into.

This is a 2003 made in Indonesia model, 4 strings solid mahogoney bass guitar. One humbucker at the neck position. Blk gloss finish. This is a short scale unit. My other guitars are Gibson Les Pauls, a 58 and 59 reissue so I am spoiled. Overall not a bad value. What do you expect for $230. I bought it for my son who is a beginer so the short scale is great. After I spent time working on it I found that even I began to like it. It is a little head heavy. I would like a more nuetral balance.

I was surprised how good it sounds with only one pick up at the neck. The wood has very good resonance so it was not as dark as I thought it would be. It can be crisp tight. Overall a good balalnce to the sound. The tone pot seems to have little influence so you better have a good amp.

The finish is very good. The set up was horrible. Strings buzzed a lot. One of the pins that hold the bridge was loose. But what do you expect for around $200. So, I filed and dressed the frets, epoxied in the bridge pin, polished the unit adjusted the action and intonated the guitar and presto what a great playing instrument. Now I really like it. So, if you have the time, or can get the retailer to do a bit of hand work, you can have a decent little bass. I had to do the same type of work on a Gibson Les Paul Special and even a Gibson Class 5. Neither Gibson or Epiphone really take the time to set a guitar up right.

Now that I have fixed it, based on the quality of the hardware and wood, this bass should stand up the the rigors of the road.

No need.

I have been playing too long, over 25 years. I would get another if it were lost. I just accept the fact that I would have to detail it. I really love the SG style and the short scale. I just wish it had better balance. My overall rating is based on the fact that this is a starter bass so I am rating it in its class.

short neck that cannot be intonated, one neck pickup (humbucker), that kind of bridge that falls off when no strings are holding it in place (sue me, ic an't remember the name). But it looks damned pretty.

I'm amazed this thing got so many good reviews and such a high rating. I bought this in 2000, ditched it in 2001. It lasted slightly under a year. Try as we might, neither I nor my friends nor the 2 guitar techs i took it to could get it intonated. I found it to sound very muddy. The neck humbucker makes it impossible to get any sound except that one, midrangy, farty sound. I suppose if one had an exraordinarly expensive amp and some great parametric EQ, you could get a god sound from it. But then,y ou could probbaly get a good sound out of any bass with enough processing. Oh, and if it was shielded, it wa sjust barely. Noisy as hell.

Well,t he action was good. As was the finish. I'l give it that. if you don't have to listen to it, it's great.

God, this thing sucked live...and was even worse in the studio. And as I've stated before, the intonation problem makes it unusable in the studio (and sometimes live). I wouldn't play this bass live as a primary OR as a backup if I could help it.

Don't know. Ihated it so much I didn't want to try to fix it....if indeed it CAN be fixed.

Been playing for 8 years, and this is the worst bass I've ever layed hands on. Sounds terrible, feels funny because of the short scale, but it does look pretty. If it were stolen, I'd pity the thief. Do yourself a favor....buy an Ibanez soundgear instead. Neck feels similar (kinda thing) but is full scale, has better EQ and pickups, etc. Don't by this thing.

All your basic features in a full-size bass are accounted for here in a compact, short-scale size. the only obvious difference, other than the size, would be the single humbucker type pickup in the neck position.

Right out of the box this thing hass a nice clean, low, warm tone that you would expect from a neck pickup. As I mentioned, the single humbucker type pickup placed in the neck position may hinder your tonal versatility but I find that easily remedied with the EQ on my bass head. I also use a number of effects and manage to get quite a huge sound out of this little bugger.

As many others have complained, this bass also came complete with the stock fret buzz that seems to plague this fine instrument. However after a few minor adjustments of the truss rod I managed to eliminate the annoying buzz and maintain excellent playability. I also play an Epiphone guitar so I naturally love the transition from my guitar to this bass, the necks are virtually identical.

So far, so good. The ebony finish on this bass is superb and seems to be hard as nails.

I have been teaching my girlfriend to play bass on my full-sized P bass and we were making minimal progress. Since she is determined to learn we decided to get her her own bass in a size more suitable for her. What a world of difference it made in her performance and enthusiasm. I also use this bass for studio work and have been very pleased with the results. Whether you're just learning or an experienced player, you can't beat the price and quality of this instrument.

This is a 2002 EB-0, purchased new in 2003 from Aire Guitars in Bradford, England. Great retailer, good deal including a practice amp, bag, lead etc. No need to describe the instrument, it's all below. This purchase had to fulfil two roles, the first being a beginer bass for an eleven year old girl switching from an acoustic, and secondly for me to play twenty years after I last touched a bass. Previous contributors have commented on the small choice of short scale bass's available, so our choice was a three-way between the Mustang re-issue, a Squier Bronco and the Epi. I would have loved the Mustang (see below), but we bought the whole Epi. package at slightly more than half the price of the Fender alone. Maybe later...

Limited use so far, but it is obvious that there is only one way to play this thing, turn the volume and tone up and barely touch the strings. Then it's lovely, deep, warm and, yes, even "muddy". That said, my daughter has had some surprisingly crisp tones on the Clash's "Crooked Beat" by turning up the treble and bass and cutting the mid on the amp (Fat Rat 30W). True, you can't slap it but it can funk a bit. Like everyone, I'm still playing with action, bridge etc. to try and eliminate the E-string fret buzz. The "one trick" humbucker is a limiting factor, and I don't think it will be too long before we are coveting an EB-3. What I really want is a 30 inch EB-3, so if anyone has any experience of adding a bridge pup and associated electrics to an EB-0 to produce an EB-0/3 short scale hybrid, please e-mail me.

I CAN'T get rid of that E-string fret buzz yet. The saddles look strange with the E lower than the A, but the intonation is fine so who cares? The only small criticism I have (more an observation at this price) is the degree of slack in the tuners when moving from loosen to tighten, but you soon get used to this and get into the habit on tuning up rather than down. I read the earlier review about the whole bridge pulling out and I have to say that the fixings don't look very secure, but nothing has moved yet. Otherwise it looks pretty bulletproof. I agree that the neck heaviness is immediately noticeable if you let go, so don't. I tend to play with my right forearm resting on the body, so it's not a problem.

Finish is fine. Haven't had it long enough yet to assess long term durability. Neither of us plays gigs, but Rachael drags it to school and back without any damage so far. Truss rod? I ain't touchin' that!

No user manual or anything supplied, but Gibson answered an e-mail enquiry same day about bridge adjustment and stuff, so I guess that's OK. Warranty is one year. I bought it from a retailer some way away on e-bay but there are three Epi. agents in town. No need for warranty yet. Hey, it's simple, like a Kalashnikov!

I played at school 30 years ago, a Hofner Committee that looked like a truck had run it over, and sometimes a borrowed Fender Mustang which I loved. Should have kept and restored it, worth big bucks now. Rachael learned six-string acoustic about 18 months ago and recently switched to bass (with just a bit of encouragement). We use a Fat Rat practice amp at home, which is limited by it's modest speaker. The Mustang would have been nice and we may still buy one later if I can't do the hybrid mentioned above, because we both prefer a short scale. Overall, though, for less than 300 quid for the whole kit I'm well satisfied and would buy another for a learner and a re-learner. Anyone who rides a modern motorcycle will appreciate that all those suspension adjustments mostly allow you to screw it up, and that simple is sometimes best. That, for the moment, is the EB-0.

Just Brought It Home, so I haven't had a Chance to use it Onstage Yet. But I already like It. I have played it through a Couple of Practice Amps, ( a Fender BXR 25, and Epiphone Studio Bass 10S ), and my Hartke Kickback 10 Combo. Since I live in an Apartment, I had to keep the Volume Low, so I couldn't " Push Out The Envelope ".
Bass Made 2002 in China. Twenty Frets. Volume and Tone. One Big Fat "Sidewinder" Humbucker Pickup. Passive Electronics. Mahogany Body and Neck. Translucent Cherry Finish..Very Nice. " SG " Body Style, very distinct. 3-Point Bridge, very Hefty. Big "Leaf" Tuners. 30" Scale; Narrow, Slim, Fast Neck...just what I like !
I actually Bought the Bass as a part of a Package including a little Bass Practice Amp,( The Epiphone Studio Bass 10S ),an Epiphone Gig Bag, Straps, Cord, Tuner,and even an Instructional Bass Playing Video ! Ought to be interesting, after 34 Years, to see what I have been doing wrong !
I didn't want to wait 1-2 Weeks for a separate EB-O to come in. This Bass is intended as an Inexpensive Short-Scale Back-Up Bass to my Hagstrom 1973 Sunburst H 1 B. I also was looking for a different Sound than the H 1 B.

Well, it sure is different than a Hagstrom H 1 B ! As the Who said, it is " Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy " ! I'll be using the EB-O with my Fender BXR 25 for Home Practice, my Epiphone Studio Bass 10S when I go and Jam with Acoustic Guitars in a Living Room (or other) Quiet Setting, and my Hartke Kickback 10 120 Watt Combo for Jams, Rehearsals, Open Stages, and even the " Odd" Gig !
This is a quiet Bass due to the Humbucker. Very Fat, Warm, Rich, Dark Sound. Quite a Contrast to the Hagstrom's Bright, Snappy, Crisp, Punchy Sound.
Dislike would be lack of Versatility, but then It really has one Specific Sound, Suitable to certain Styles of Music. I knew this when I bought it.

Needs Proper Set-up to my Specifications: Low Action & No Buzz. Right now, the " E " String is Buzzing. I am sure that can be Rectified. I made a Minor adjustment to One Pickup Screw, and Lowered the Overall Height of the Bridge, but that's all I want to do.
No Flaws to Report. For a Bass Priced as Low as this, it appears to be of Substantial Quality.

Don't Know Yet....Time Will Tell.

Warranty only One Year in Canada.

Playing 34 Years. I also Own a Hagstrom Vintage 1973 Sunburst H 1 B Bass Guitar, a HOB (Yamaki) Vintage 1977 Sunburst 6-String Acoustic Guitar, a Hartke Kickback 10 Bass Combo, a Fender BXR 25 Bass Combo, an Epiphone Studio Bass 10S Bass Practice Combo, a Rolls Mini-Mix 51 Mixer & Rolls Phono Pre-Amp System.
This probably is the best Short-Scale Bass out there in this Price Range ( Best Bang for the Buck ).The Quality appears surprisingly good.
I Love the Look and Sound, also Playability of this Bass...Easy as Pie to Play. Great Finish and Color, also.
The often mentioned " Neck Heaviness " is somewhat Offset with a Good Suede Strap, that really Grips the Shoulder. My Hagstrom is easier to stand up with, that's for sure ! I will only be using the EB-O as a Back-Up, so I don't know whether the " Neck Heavy " Issue will be just that.
I was going to Purchase a Fender Mustang Reissue at first, but it was a hell of a lot more Money, and sounded somewhat similar to the Hagstrom H 1 B. I wanted a " Different " Sound, and Man, did I get that in the EB-O !
In the Inexpensive Short-Scale Bass Market, a Guy sure has " Slim Pickings " !
I figure I will use the Hagstrom 70% of the time, and the balance the EB-O.

This is a 2002 Gibson Epiphone EB-0 made just a little south of me in Nashville, Tn.

This is a short scale bass (30" neck) with 20 frets. This makes it very easy to play for beginers like my self compared to long scale basses that beginners with have a harder time making the reach from 1st to 4 fret with out moving their hand. With the EB-0 I can make that reach with out much strain at all.


Has a single volume nob and tone nob. It has one big sidewinder humbucker pickup. I was consurned about the sound quality being low becuase of the one pickup instead of two, but I have found that this bass has a very good clean tone (more on that in the next section)

The pickup is adajustable for each of the strings using a fine tipped flat head screwdriver. The bridge is also adjustable to let you set how high or low you want the action. I like mine low with a little bit of rattle off the frets to get a raspy sound, but you can raise it up to get a clean, pure sound.

I got mine with a cherry Red finish, but they also come in ebony. Both have a black pick guard that I think contrast the red very well.

This bass has an easy to handle neck size, with large banjo style tuners (one draw back with these style tuners, is that if you put the bass in a gig bag, the tuners with flatten out and your bass with go out of tune).

Note that this bass does not come with any accessories.

For a bass with one set of pickups, I think that the sound is great. I think that bass is a little more forgiving on sound quality that guitar, so your sound quality may be more dependant on your amp or effects peddal. All in all this bass has a nice warm tone.

The action on the bass from the factory was a little lower than most people might like, but it was just right for me, but with the adjustable bridge, you can set it anyway you want with a screw driver in just a few seconds.

The pickups, as I said before, are also adjustable, but I have not had any reason to change them yet.

The finish on this bass is very good... Till you get very close. Once you look at this bass very closely, you will see that the finish does have some small flaws. Nothing that I would call a deal breaker, but I would say that aside from having the single set of pickups, the finish is the only other thing that shows that this is a low end bass. Do keep in mind that you hav to look for the flaws to even see them, so don't worry about people seeing them on stage or anywere else for that matter... you know what.. just forget I even said anything about the finish.

Everything on this bass seems very solid, but I have had it for less than a year, so I can't say that I know it will last for ever (though I hope). It has withstude me swinging it like a baseball bat by the neck (FLCL), and it spends most of it's time on a stand or a gig bag (no hard case) and it hasn't died yet. I haven't had to adjust anything on the bass sense I have got it (save for the tuners, duh).

I haven't had anyproblems with it so I haven't had to call Epiphone, but I guess I am luck that they are with in driving distance of my house.

It has a lifetime warranty, but it doesn't look like I will have to us it :)

It this basses was lost or stolen, I would, with out hesitation, buy another one just like it. I love just about everything on it, and it is so easy to play compared to some other basses that I have looked at and played.

And after Atomsk first appeared and his weapon of choice was a 1961 Gibson EB-0, I knew that it was a sound choice for an instrument.