The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: ilan on June 21, 2015, 05:54:38 AM

Title: '79 Matsumoku Epi Scroll
Post by: ilan on June 21, 2015, 05:54:38 AM

Never knew they existed. Anyway there's one on eBay for $650 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Super-Rare-Gibson-Epiphone-Scroll-Bass-made-in-Japan-OHSC-SG-Thunderbird-EBO/271903164957) BIN. The German shoulders are nice. Is it any good?

(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTQ0MFg5MDA=/z/KPEAAOSwNSxVf2yV/$_57.JPG)

Title: Re: '79 Matsumoku Epi Scroll
Post by: godofthunder on June 21, 2015, 01:53:23 PM

Moderate quality. A Epi Classic Thunderbird would blow it out of the water.

Title: Re: '79 Matsumoku Epi Scroll
Post by: Basvarken on June 21, 2015, 02:26:53 PM

It's from the same era as the Epiphone Genesis bass. Which is a fine instrument. Albeit a bit heavy.

Title: Re: '79 Matsumoku Epi Scroll
Post by: uwe on June 22, 2015, 06:58:13 AM

I have one, acquired taste, sounds like its medium scale, but it isn't (it's long scale), fuzzy tone with not much authority. Basically how Epis began to sound when they turned cheap in the 70ies.

In comparison, the Epiphone Genesis sounds monumental.

Title: Re: '79 Matsumoku Epi Scroll
Post by: gearHed289 on June 22, 2015, 08:56:35 AM

Reminds me of a Ripper's fancy ass brother.

Title: Re: '79 Matsumoku Epi Scroll
Post by: uwe on June 22, 2015, 11:57:45 AM

Without the calm authority of a Ripper, the whole bass sounds a little cheap and nasty in a not good way. It looks cool, granted.

Title: Re: '79 Matsumoku Epi Scroll
Post by: 66Atlas on June 22, 2015, 05:34:37 PM

Looks like the bastard child of a Hagstrom and an Ampeg. But not the pretty parts.

Title: Re: '79 Matsumoku Epi Scroll
Post by: amptech on June 22, 2015, 11:45:32 PM

At least it must be better than the first series of Epi/Matsumoku solid body bass attempts, like the ET280 etc.
Got one of those, not a great design. The good thing is that you don´t need a string mute to make it sound muted :)

Title: Re: '79 Matsumoku Epi Scroll
Post by: uwe on June 23, 2015, 06:38:10 AM

I fear that it is closer to those old Epis than anything else!