Product: Epiphone Ironbird V
Price Paid: US $550
Submitted
02/18/2001
at
04:47pm
by
eric
Email: syko<at>whatthefuck dot com
Features
:
8
This is a Korean made late 90's Ironbird (Not a thunderbird!) What makes this different from the thunderbird is the reverse headstock, a reverse pick guard, and a slightly fatter body. It has five strings and 21 frets. Im pretty sure that this is an ash bass. It has a laminated seafoam green top to it, which doesn't really look like seafoam green. There are 2 volumes for the two J pickups, and one tone. It has standard Epiphone pickups and passive electronics. The neck is maple with a rosewood top to it. The neck is quite fat, and ideal for playing jazz. It came with a crappy hardshell case that is already falling apart. The overall setup is what you would expect from a $550 bass.
Sound
:
7
Unplugged, this bass has a woody and dull sound. Plugged in it's much the same. I ran it through a Gallien Kruegger 400RB 115 combo. It has a mellow sound no matter how much EQ you pile on this bass. It was not really noisy. When I took this bass to a jazz band practice, it fit right in, but when we played a funk piece, I had to put it away. When effects are put on it, this bass comes alive! I used bass balls and a zoom box on it. It sounded great recorded with effects. This bass is great for studio work, instead of with a live band.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
7
When I got this bass, the setup was ideal for jazz. Tighter strings are needed for anything else. The action was low and mellow. The bass was pretty much flawless (one again, for a $550 bass). The neck joint could have been a little tighter, and I think a heavier bridge would do this bass a lot of good. Just an average budget bass setup
Reliability/Durability
:
8
This bass has been good to me since for 4 years. The hardware seems to be lasting, although I am considering changing bridges to get better response. If you bought this bass, take it into the shop yearly for a little work. Since I use tighter strings, the neck bows more often. It's a pretty solid bass, all in all.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Overall Rating
:
8
I have been playing bass for a while now, and this is a great bass in my collection. I have a fender J bass, which is a great gigging bass, but it sounds like caca in the studio compared to my Ironbird. It has been a good companion of mine, and a good addition to my collection. It's a great bass for mellow playing. The only thing i hate about this bass is the fat neck. I can't slap on it! If it only had some EMGs, a bigger bridge, and a shaved neck, this bass would be boss!
