Epiphone El Capitan Acoustic 4

THis is a BIG AX - Great stuff - laminate top (spruce/maple) maple finish-good quility -Natural Maple- neck not too big just what I was looking for.
Body style no cut away acoustic (did I mention this is a BIG Ax).
Shadow active electronics(I can understand the sub-bass setting but a BRIGHT-?)create a full-range sound.
This bass was bought used and included a HARD Sshell case and a cable(bonus)

The puchase os this bass was to simulate a stand up bass for acoustic dou and trio's -does the trick when iI use a thumb instead of fingers -WOW- thE ONLY PROBLEM IS THE THE FEEDBACK THAT i'M WORKING ON AND THE BASS DOES NOT HAVE A STANDARD SOUND HOLE-RATHER AN OVAL.

hEY I picked up the Bass on the way to a rehersal used it at a GIG the following week - SWEET-The other players involved were suitably impressed-My other current bass is an older Fender Jazz Special bass.Although I have owned in descending order;Peavey 5 strng(passive),Rickenbacker 4001(mid 70,s mint should not have sold), Music Man SAbre(active, the nicest bass I have ever owned and sold due to stupidity(mine)), Fender Music Man.

So far no problems except for feedback in small quarters, I tend to play pubs and mostly folk/Irish music - which this bass was intended for.If playing Rock/country gig would be using my Fender

Haven't needed any

Been playing 35+ yrs,Totally happy with bass so far,did i Mention this is a big BASS. Switched strings to flat wound to get more of a stand-up feel and sound.Would recommend to others.

I got my Cap5 directly from Gibson the year they came out, and to date have owned 3 acoustic basses. One being a Guild. This one was far better all around then anything I have every played (expecially for recording). If you are considering it, get it.

Here is a sample of the El Capitan 5 sound recorded direct:
http://theaftershocks.com/Songs/covers/the%20aftershocks-enotfade.mp3

Only Drawbacks:
Oval soundhole, so you cant get a fuzz buster for it, and it tends to feedback at high volume live.

Its BIG!!!

Love it,
Adam
San Francisco

Not exactly sure of the year, but it's a newer model with the "Epi 6" actives. I really like the sound of the pickup, and the eq is good, too (although, in truth, I tend to leave the eq on the actives relatively flat, preferring to control this with a Baggs Para/acoustic DI. Mainly I peel back the "Bright" band to take some of the edge off of my D'addario Half-Rounds, and the anti-feedback works well,too.) 34" scale with frets. The top is a lami (whadaya expect in this price range?) Mine has the natural finish, which I love. I checked out another used El Capitan with the Sunburst finish, and could sense that it was gonna always look smudgy from fingerprints.

This guitar has a big, loud sound - even when it's not amplified. This is a real plus as one reason for buying an A/E was for unamplified practice. It sounds just great thru the amp, as well. A very resonant tone with harmonics galore (I actually took off the phosphor bronze strings and restrung with the aforementioned half-rounds to tame this baby's overtones a bit.)

Guess I've already mentioned the finish. Did I mention I love it? Action-wise, this is one easy to play bass. I understand that Epiphone pays special attention to set-up, using their own people to do it. Must pay off, cuz even used this one is all-around great.

Don't know yet - I've only had it two months. Let's say I'm guardedly optimistic.

N/A

I played a number of different A/E basses - even some pricey ones from Martin, etc. I can honestly say this is the one I liked the best. The price range is my price range, and this one was used and in great condition. I couldn't lose!

four string acoustic bass with quater inch jack output and also xlr output,three band e.q. with mid sweep. made in america,piezo pickups,laminated top, natural finish...available in other colours..i think!? oversize jumbo body...(the biggest one ive seen)

My initial impression of this bass in the shop was that it sounded very good....What does that mean?....Its output is very balanced tonaly speaking, that is to say that the bass mid and top frequencies are very intergrated and do not appear uneven, pronounced, nor detached. What is impressive is that the bass also has plenty of character, its electronics are very clean without being sterile. One of the things that impressed me the most is that when the e.q. is used the sound remains very natural though the actual tone changes..its not a hyped up artificial active sound. One critism of its sound is that very low bass frequencies are sometimes hard to achieve that is'nt to say that the bass sounds thin..infact it gives a very big sound e.qd in a live setting which works really well with an acoustic kik drum.,....i ve always questioned its sub bass output, im not sure whether it's slightly light weight or accurate... i strongly suspect that it has to do with the pickups which are piezo (notoriously thin) having said that this is the best piezo sound ive heard on a low/mid priced bass and is a great compromise between accuracy of tone and feedback of a dynamic pickup. Having said all that when im playing live the bass sounds "sooooo phatt" from the bass frequencies (above sub bass)through mid bass, mid range and top frequencies. It really makes you want to play because the sound is so "pokey" and simultaneously "warm" it is also clean and tight. im making this thing sound brilliant!!...i suppose for the money its not far off that.
One thing i would say is this sound is quite refined and needs a good amplifier when you play it through studio monitors you hear many nuances that many bandwidth limied amplifies conceal.
the last thing is perhaps the most important!!! i also tried many other identical basses that didnt approach mine interms of their sound quality and playability....quality control!!!? i dont know whos fault this is...manufacturs, distributors, designers?????

the action is very good mine has a high action which improves the tone but others in the shop had a very low action
the balance of the pickups is flawless
the bass had a mechanical buzz, the retailer repaired it and suspected it developed in transit. there is also a very obvious join on the back of the neck which doesnt really bother me.
the bass looks brilliant, classy, not too fussy.

i think the bass is quite durable...it now has a few marks and scrathes but performs well it seems well built....no "corner cutting"
ive giged with it quite a lot it needs a hard case...though the price of the bass is good i think the case price is excessive...#85.00!!!

to be ridiculously critical id say that the electronic output has a really clean, refined, versitile and balanced sound but it isnt as good-(natural/warm)"as the sound of its acoustic output if you try micking it up with an expensive mic you will hear what i mean!!

It's an American made, 4 strings, 24 frets with Solid Spruce top. It has a distinctive (active - 9V battery required) Epiphone V Equalizer with Volume, Bass, Middle, and Treble. The pickup is definitely a piezo, positioned under the bridge saddle. Natural finish, Maple back and sides, with jumbo body style and String-thru body bridge. The tuners are Grover's made with thin-easy action Rosewood neck.

It fits such unblemished picturesque finesse of my music traits (ballad - folk) because it has one the warmest acoustic low-end surround that doesn't crack or buzz even when you hit it hard with your thum (without using a pick). It also creates a tremendous "hard-rockin'" bass line, especially when you want to hammer out your "unplugged jam" with those vintage style like "Long Tally Sally" or "All My Loving" (The Beatles). As far as my music's concern, I honestly think that this Bass is noticeably for both stage and studio performance, for it has such a distinctive "Epi Sound" that I doubt others could match! Be that as it may, I've tried "Ovation" Ac/El Bass for a while and it wasn't exactly what I had in mine about getting an unblemished bass line within the boundaries of my ballads. The closest rig I found to rip off "Epi Sound" is..."Hofner 500/1" (you know,...the "beatle" bass?) which I happened to get one for free from an old friend of mine years ago as my workhorse...

The action is outstanding! Without any fusses or hassles, not even a crack or buzz (although the strings are noticeably close to the fretboard, especiall between the 1st up to 10th fret!!!) and the pickup is definitely a superb-adjusted...all strings are well-captured individually. The bass has a little flaws, however, some sort of a stain, right at its headstock (but I think that's my fault)

I'm most certain that the bass would withstand live playing, as for the hardware are undoubtedly well-constructed! The finish is good enough to last and I don't think it would wear off merely with lots of playing, although the strap buttons are easily replaced! With its distinctive easy action neck, I wouldn't have to adjust the truss rod as often as I used to when it comes with "Hofner". To put it short, yes, I'd use it on a gig without a backup!!!

I've been playing it for around 4 years, but I also have a "Hofner" (500/1 series) as my workhorse, which obviously I wouldn't put it out on gigs for a reason. If it were stolen or lost, I think I'd buy it again without even bother to look for something else! The loveliest about "Epiphone El Capitan" is its distinctive acoustic bass sound, that I doubted others could match! It sounds so pure, simple and....alive!!! I did compare this rig with "Washburn AB20" which apparently looked a lot fancy than "Epi" but it sounded stiff and I wouldn't put my ballads up with it. Enfin, "Epiphone El Capitan" is one of the nicest thing I've had since I got my "Hofner"...bravo Epi!

An electro-acoustic 4 string bass. Maple body/Neck, natural finish Rosewood fretboard, 22 frets Active preamp with Parametric eq, Treble/2 mid/bass & volume 1/4" jack socket and XLR direct output Rosewood bridge, piezo pickup under bridge, not adjustable. Plastic saddles. Dot fret markers. Mother of Pearl inlays in headstock. Fully bound. Cool fluffy soft case Cutaway style body

This bass is beautiful. I played a range of acoustic basses in the shop, & althouth the Epiphone was one of the cheapest, it was undoubtedly the best playing & sounding. Nice low action & a sweet, well defined bottom end.
It's a bit difficult to get used to playing such an angled deep-bodied instrument after my sleek stingray, & the right forearm had uncomfortable dent lines after a while. I thought the balance might be off when strapped up, as the strap button at the neck end is located at the neck joint, but no problems there.
Playing unplugged, I had to get used to playing with a pick again, as it can be difficult to hear when playing fingerstyle, especially when jammin'. Sorry, but apart from a shop demo (which sounded delicious) I've yet to try it out plugged in.
Overall, I'm very happy with it - well worth the AUS$800 it cost. It is always commented on (looks & sound) by others, & I can't think of a better travelling companion.
Cheers
CjB

Superb action. It may rattle a bit, but if tuned to normal pitch & played for a whiile, no rattle at all.
For the price, superbly finished. I noticed the bridge had a deep scratch on it after I left the shop, but I guess that's my fault.

Have yet to put it to the gig test. I've had it for several months now, it's jammed on beaches, islands, round campfires, & survived so far. The soft case is essential.
It seems solidly made, but the surface could be dinked/scratched easily.
Would definately use it for a gig without a backup - just a spare set of strings.

Lifetime warranty
No need to use it (touch wood)

I've been playing for 7 years now. Until now I've played electric basses, most recently a musicman stingray through SWR amplification.
This is totally different to listen to & to play. The sweet woody sound is much nicer to listen to, jammin round a campfire with an old friend on acoustic guitar. There is no other guitar on earth that I'd rather have at the moment. Perfect for travelling round Australia. I compared it to a Martin bass at twice the price, & it came nowhere close, in looks, playability or sound.
I'd be gutted if I lost it. I reckon it's a one off. I'd be amazed if all El Capitans were as well built as mine.
I wish it was a bit louder when unplugged, that's it.
When I gig back in Ireland, I reckon the Epiphone will fit into the more rocky style when plugged in.
Thanx for listening
CjB