Impulse purchase - Epi Rumblekat

gearHed289 · July 21, 2022, 08:22:20 AM

I had a little gear money burning a hole in my pocket when I saw this pretty blue Epiphone on eBay. Between the color, and the fact that it had a nice case, I couldn't resist. $450 delivered to my office. Winning bid was $305, but shipping has gotten pricey! $120 plus $25 tax. Anyway, it's a cool little short scale bass. Smaller than the body shape might suggest. According to Epi, it's a chambered mahogany body with "laminated maple" top, maho neck and rosewood board. It's obviously Hofner-inspired. Kind of like a Club bass with Cavern pickup positioning. They actually do sound noticeably different from each other, even that close together. So far, both pickups on full is best, but I've barely played it. The previous owner saved me the trouble of putting flats on it.

Chris P. · July 21, 2022, 09:39:15 AM

Congrats! Great little basses! I have a 500/1 and a 500/1 (Club) with Cavern spacing and I like them better than normal ones, for a variety of reasons.

morrow · July 21, 2022, 01:14:05 PM

I've had a Rumblekat for several years now . Fun bass but I don't put that much time on it . Too much other stuff , but it plays real nice , has a nice thump with LaBella flats . Slightly heavy with a strap , but I'm more accustomed to lightweight basses .

Pilgrim · July 21, 2022, 01:34:34 PM

Flats ought to be great on that. Love the color, too.

westen44 · July 21, 2022, 02:58:23 PM

I actually prefer the blue ones, too. But I haven't seen one of those in quite a long time. Several weeks ago, I bought a wine red one from Sweetwater. It was the last one. They got some new ones in, but those sold out quickly. Mine was only the second Epi I've ever bought.

morrow · July 21, 2022, 03:23:14 PM

Mine is from the Unsung factory in Korea . No complaints about the build quality whatsoever . My V is from there too .

gearHed289 · July 22, 2022, 08:02:01 AM

Cool, I'm surprised to see more owners here! I'm also surprised morrow's is heavy. This one is a lightweight. The seller told me the flats are LaBella. It was "hand crafted in China".

morrow · July 22, 2022, 08:55:47 AM

I'm used to playing lightweight basses so my concept of heavy is skewed . It's heavier than my LP DC Jr , and the Danos I often use . It's similar in weight to my SG bass .

Pilgrim · July 22, 2022, 10:14:18 AM

From all the reports I have ever read, any impulse to buy a Rumblekat is 100% justified.

uwe · July 23, 2022, 07:12:01 AM

An unsung little hero bass indeed.

Dave W · July 23, 2022, 01:59:48 PM

Pretty bass, good price. Hope it works for you.

uwe · July 23, 2022, 07:17:37 PM

Damning with faint praise!

Dave W · July 25, 2022, 01:35:20 AM

Quote from: uwe on July 23, 2022, 07:17:37 PM
Damning with faint praise!

Are you talking to me? I have nothing against it except the three point bridge. Never seen one in person.

uwe · July 25, 2022, 06:20:44 AM

Personally, I find it a little on the over-adorned side - I'm more a fan of somber-looking basses, Rics are pretty much the one and only exception, I'm not a Gretsch guy at all. But it is well-made and transmits a credible feeling of value, much like a JC Signature does.

I have one, but can't really say how it sounds in its original state as mine is the one Dr Bassman/Bill customized with TV Jones pups which has led to some cancelling out with both pups full on (he told me of that issue before I bought it, it was in the early days of his customizing practice, he initially wanted to fix it himself, but never got around to it and in the end decided to let the bass go - I still have the original Epi pups as well, but I wouldn't want to change any of his previous work).

Thank God, the bass is not hampered by a tiltomatic-monstrosity-bridge - Westheimer, you're terrible!

gearHed289 · July 25, 2022, 08:33:59 AM

Quote from: Dave W on July 23, 2022, 01:59:48 PM
Pretty bass, good price. Hope it works for you.

I was very happily playing Lucy in the Sky and ...........Me and My Monkey the other night. It's working!