Just saw this on Epiphone news page.
http://www.epiphone.com/news.asp?NewsID=1624
(http://www.epiphone.com/images/N_1624a.jpg)
It looks really nice. And it's nice to see that Epiphone is trying out new concepts.
That's a pretty interesting look/concept. I'd like to hear what it sounds like. Thanks for pointing it out!
Oh wow, that is cute. And calling it Triumph II is a nice nod to the past though it doesn't have much to do with a Triumph except for the LP based look and - on a philosophical level - that there are more than just two magnetic pups you can stick in a bass.
I've ordered one just now - the toothless and slippery one.
Epi to Gibson is like the slightly less good-looking, but more willing sister of the girl you adore. Dating her might not be the real thing, but stabilizes your hormonal balance. You might get at least one base further with her and - returning to the core of this thread - the high E of those Triumph IIs makes for a rejoicing prospect! I wanna hear that high note, babe ...
Depending on the natural acoustic volume, The Natural one might be my first venture into the ABG category since I sold my Sunburst Kramer Ferrington (and my mullet) back in 1990 :)
Quote from: Blackbird on August 20, 2009, 06:01:59 AM
Depending on the natural acoustic volume, The Natural one might be my first venture into the ABG category since I sold my Sunburst Kramer Ferrington (and my mullet) back in 1990 :)
Hey, I still have one of those!
A sunburst Ferrington, not a mullet.
Wow! I expected a shortscale solid body Les Paul bass.
But I must say this looks just beautiful.
It puzzles me why Gibson isn't capable of coming up with such tasteful designs.
Once again a fine example how Epiphone isn't just a second rate Gibson.
pretty adventurous. a piezo type p/u can sound wonderful. i like it.
Very cool bass, would look great in blue!
This could become the second Epi I buy this year after reading about the electronics. The neck pickup sounds delicious, with blending possibilities. Mmmmm...and a fretless version.
I'll look forward to hearing some user reports on those. They play to my weakness for hollowbodies.
Looks nice. They say the under-saddle unit senses string vibration but it's not a piezo. ??? Whatever, I'll judge it based on the tone, not how they get it.
It's nice to see some Epis that aren't just copies of Gibsons. I guess Gibson just doesn't think there would be a market for this at the price they would have to charge if it were made in Nashville.
Quote from: Blackbird on August 20, 2009, 06:01:59 AM
Depending on the natural acoustic volume, The Natural one might be my first venture into the ABG category since I sold my Sunburst Kramer Ferrington (and my mullet) back in 1990 :)
How much did you get for the mullet? ;D
Interesting bass. Anyone know where they are built? And why on Earth do they call it a Triumph? Weird.
Triumph was an old Epi model name, it was their most popular archtop guitar for years, from the 30s until the original factory closed down in the early 50s. No doubt most of the potential buyers won't know this, but it at least explains where the name came from.
Are they making Epis in Korea anymore? All the ones I've seen recently are Chinese.
Didn't know there was an Epi model of the name, you live and learn. Did it at least look faintly like it?
It was just a regular looking archtop, no cutaway. The ones I've seen did have that odd split Epi tailpiece that came almost up to the bridge for the three high strings and was down near the end of the guitar for the low strings.
http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/epiphone62p17.php (http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/epiphone62p17.php)
That one has a cutaway, so at least there's precedent.
Frequensator! I knew there was a specific name for that tailpiece.
Here's an old one: http://www.gbase.com/gear/epiphone-triumph-1942-blonde
Quote from: uwe on August 20, 2009, 09:56:59 AM
Didn't know there was an Epi model of the name, you live and learn. Did it at least look faintly like it?
I think the idea behind the name is just so to make sure this is a Epiphone developed and designed model, and not a budget Gibson counterpart, so they went back to the time before Gibson bought Epiphone and picked up a name that was associated with a Epiphone original model.
Quote from: Dave W on August 20, 2009, 09:54:10 AM
Are they making Epis in Korea anymore? All the ones I've seen recently are Chinese.
At least here in Brazil, the local Epiphone dealer told me that all the semi-hollow line available to us here (dot, joe pass emperor, sheraton, cassino and the viola bass) are korean made. All the rest of the line is chinese.
From the legal end (rear), here in the US, to keep a copywriten/regersterd name you must have a product or publication on the public market every so many years or you loose the rights to the name-like Ford did with the Ford GT 500.
Quote from: Barklessdog on August 20, 2009, 11:25:34 AM
From the legal end (rear), here in the US, to keep a copywriten/regersterd name you must have a product or publication on the public market every so many years or you loose the rights to the name-like Ford did with the Ford GT 500.
You're thinking of trademark law, use it (in commerce) or lose it. But I think Daniel's point is that they took a name associated with Epi but not with Gibson, to distinguish it from being a copy of a Gibson product. Just like they have reused the Embassy name on some basses that are definitely not Gibson influenced.
Quote from: Daniel_J on August 20, 2009, 10:36:29 AM
At least here in Brazil, the local Epiphone dealer told me that all the semi-hollow line available to us here (dot, joe pass emperor, sheraton, cassino and the viola bass) are korean made. All the rest of the line is chinese.
That's what I've heard also, that the Casady and Allen Woody models are still made in Korea.
Can it make the tea...?
I'll be interested to hear you review, Herr Bassmeister...
Semi's... 8)
I gotta do something about this bassus-interuptus...
Very cool ! I'd like one.
Sadly it looks like another one of those wide-neck Epi bass affairs. It was the only thing I hated about the Casady bass I had: the neck was huge to my hand.
Bet this new bass would sound great for jazz. Maybe even loud enough acoustically to fill that gap too for jammin' around the house.
How much will they retail for?
Quote from: Basvarken on August 21, 2009, 04:13:20 AM
How much will they retail for?
I found a UK site selling them for Eur 643 ($920+ USD). Not cheap at all. I guess I'll have to wait for a used one.
I'm gonna have to check this one out! You know how I'm a fool fir hollow bodies!!! :P
http://www.thomann.de/gb/epiphone_triumph_ii_bass_tb.htm
Looks like they're just taking orders at this point.
Of course that price doesn't mean it will actually cost the equivalent in US dollars. From what I've seen it's usually a little less, but I would expect it to be $800-850.
Well, realistically, if it's to sound any good and not just go "plonk!", it couldn't be any cheaper.
I'm not suggesting that it's too high. The price will be in the same area as a Casady. It looks good, so if these new pickups sound good too, it should sell well enough.
Very nice! I'll be looking forward to being able to try one out in person.
My only beef with Epiphone on their bass/guitar designs is their obsession with flamed maple tops. I don't have anything against this for a top, but it is on a lot of their 'special edition' instruments; presumably in an attempt to make them seem more custom or high end (rather than just a standard paint job). I just think it might not hurt to go out on a limb and try some colors, or just a sunburst every now and then.
Rant over. Sorry about that.
My feelings exactly, flamed maple is overdone, dead and so yesterday.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/gcarlston/Temps/LesPauls.jpg)
I prefer a lemon drop plain maple top. I even sold the Gibson Deluxe, rather than the Orville Standard.
In case anyone here doesn't already know, I've never cared for figured maple tops. But I'd rather have one than have a diseased (spalted) top. Or a fake relic. Or that hideous buckeye burl that seems to be preferred by buyers of those expensive basses with mutant upper horns.
With the exception of the trans black flame on the Vinnie, I detest flamed maple finishes. The only thing I dislike more is the wider quilted maple finishes.
I don't, however, mind the burl and spalted stuff so much. It's just not my thing. My Euro Rebop5 had a plain alder finish, and it was gorgeous. I need to figure out how to get that bass back.
I really like flamed maple tops!
In fact I think I'm going to build a bass with one myself.
Quote from: Dave W on August 27, 2009, 10:11:28 PM
In case anyone here doesn't already know, I've never cared for figured maple tops. But I'd rather have one than have a diseased (spalted) top. Or a fake relic. Or that hideous buckeye burl that seems to be preferred by buyers of those expensive basses with mutant upper horns.
I'm cool with figured maple, but I'm totally with ya on the spalted, relic, and buckeye. Some of that stuff looks like someone puked on the instrument. :puke: And MANUFACTURED mojo? No thanks. I'm perfectly capable of beating the piss out of my basses all by myself.
Quote from: Dave W on August 27, 2009, 10:11:28 PM
In case anyone here doesn't already know, I've never cared for figured maple tops. But I'd rather have one than have a diseased (spalted) top. Or a fake relic. Or that hideous buckeye burl that seems to be preferred by buyers of those expensive basses with mutant upper horns.
Quote from: gearHed289 on August 28, 2009, 08:41:56 AM
And MANUFACTURED mojo? No thanks. I'm perfectly capable of beating the piss out of my basses all by myself.
I couldn't agree with the both of you more.
Quote from: OldManC on August 27, 2009, 05:49:51 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/gcarlston/Temps/LesPauls.jpg)
I prefer a lemon drop plain maple top. I even sold the Gibson Deluxe, rather than the Orville Standard.
That's a beauty!
BTW, I had the opportunity to work on some Epi LPs for a local shop and I have to say that the plain top models were much cooler than the flamed tops. The plains felt and looked more "solid". Sound wise though they were about the same.
Here in Brazil maple is very expensive compared to local woods. I don't really like to use maple on my builds unless it's what the customer wants (and pays for it!), but I always try to disuade them to use our local tonefull (and beautifull) timbers.
Any type of figured maple here is priced outrageously high.
And I really don't care much anymore about the beauty of the flame.
When I first started to build, wood figured and natural character was all that I thought about. I was always worried about the looks of the grain mostly for aesthetically reasons. I wanted to build everything more on a "Alembic" type of approach, with lots of different woods and natural colours.
Now, I'm more and more leaning towards colourfull tints and dyes and plastic pickguards and metal parts(not chrome exclusive).
Its all good to me except the cancerous lung burl buckeye spalt quilt flame tops, other than that.
There is something really nice about a simple piece of wood with just a hint of interest
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/MY%20BASSES/birdseye.jpg)
I used to hate the grainless RD look, but now I love the simple completely uniform yellow tinted tone that covers her from head to tail.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/MY%20BASSES/P1000451.jpg)