Epiphone Wildkat

I purchased this guitar from Musiciansfriend.com. I buy all of my guitars and amps from them. I own four electrics, one acoustic electric, one acoustic, and a banjo. Great company and they pric match everything. I paid $499 for this guitar. It' the most expensive piece of my current repetoire. I bought this guitar because Epiphone guitars are incredible for the price, there built like rocks, and the Wildcat just looks awesome.

This guitar is superb. The action is as low as you can go, and the fretboard plays like butter. Has a set neck, which is nice. I love the natural color. When I bought it, I thought it would be more of a solid yellow because that how it looks in every photo. Actually, though, you can really see the grain of the wood. The tailpiece and hollow body just look sharp. It sounds great, too. Dual humbuckers are powerful and LOUD. I have it hooked up to by V-AMP and a Marshall Amp. Just Sweet.

The ONLY thing I'm not crazy about is changing the strings. They're difficult to replace due to the fact of how the go in...a minor pain.

This Epiphone, like all, are as solid a guitar as you can find. I have a Special II, a G-400, the WildKat, and the PR5E (Acoustic/Electric). They are all solid and built well. They are not cheap. they are professional quality.

Bottom line? Forget any doubts you might have and buy it. You won't be disappointed. I can't give this guitar enough praise. I've owned it now for two years. I'm never satisfied reading reviews from people who have had a guitar for two weeks...being new there is still excitement and love which may cloud their true perspective. It's just sweet.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Musicians Friend 'Scratch n' Dent' special (with instant rebates applied) $303

I confess that I have had this love/hate attitude towards Epiphones. The value of what you get for the money has always been great and the quality of woods and finishes on the guitars that I've seen has been outstanding. However, I've always been disappointed that nearly all of their models are copies of Gibsons.

I am delighted to see that Epiphone is starting to produce some new models of their own design that are not currently available as a Gibson 'equivalent'. I was attracted to the WildKat the moment I saw it in Musician's Friend Catalog! Without ever playing it, I knew it was something that was built for me. While my primary working axes include Fender Strats and Tele's, I have always been fond of the old styling of archtops with F-holes. My 'daydream' guitar would have this type of style while still being small and light. In addition, I really like the P-90 pickup design as it has so much more punch and growl than a humbucker which is usually found on guitars of this genre. If this is what you like as well, the the WildKat is IT. The body is gorgeous; the lines are balanced, smooth and flowing and the archtop is very subtle but very nice. The size is also just right: It's a little bit bigger than a Les Paul, but much smaller than most 'traditional' archtops. I also got the translucent black finish which still shows off the flame maple grain underneath it and the black compliments the plentiful chrome hardware very nicely. The binding is very pretty and shows off the f-holes very nicely. The neck is solid and straight and feels very comfortable. Lastly, the Epiphone tremolo system is very solid. I wouldn't use it for deep, diving string bombs, but it's sturdy enough for some nice vibrato effects without throwing the guitar out of balance. In addition, it also compliments the retro look of the archtop and confirms that this is no copy of another guitar. It's a delicious little guitar that is pleasant to look at, pleasant to play and will punch and growl like a good rockabilly hot rod should.

Okay, so let's be honest and blunt about Epiphones. While I confessed that I love the body and finishes, I must also confess that the components, electronics and final fit and finish is awful. Is it too obvious that Gibson doesn't want Epiphone to canibalize it's own line? (I guess they have to cut costs somewhere to keep the prices down.) With the exception of the tremolo unit, nearly all of the rest of the hardware (pickups, pots, tuners, wiring, etc.) is of low quality. To be quite fair, an equivalent Gibson or Fender with very good components would cost at least twice if not three or four times as much. However, the final assembly was also questionable. The tuning keys didn't line up quite right and one of the pots had stripped threads and was mounted at an odd angle. Tsk. Tsk. One small additional criticism: the Epiphone model sticker is large and bright orange and is mounted inside the body under the top F-hole. It looks really ugly and distracting when viewed from the front of the guitar.

I believe that you get MORE than what you pay for with the WildKat. You could strip every sub-quality component off the guitar--leaving the body, neck and tremolo unit--and you'd still have more than your money's worth with a great looking and original instrument. Drop a couple hundred bucks for some locking tuners, graphite nuts/saddles and some decent pickups and pots and you'll have a cooker that will turn heads at any gig.

Suffice it say that I have already COMPLETELY voided my warranty! I have done exactly what I am suggesting in the previous paragraph. I am currently rebuilding this guitar with Sperzel locking tuners and graphite nut/saddle components to help it stay in tune with the tremolo system. Electronically, I have yanked every component and am upgrading to top-quality switches, pots and wires as well as Seymour Duncan P-90 stack pickups to eliminate the noise. I also plan to do some 'custom' wiring to get some additional tones out of the guitar.

Just like the hot-rodders of the 50's, I'm taking this guitar and completely gutting it and re-inventing it into my own custom 'rod' with it's own growl and bite. However, it will proudly wear the Epiphone name and logos as a tribute to their inventiveness for the design of this wonderful guitar

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

bought at Motor City Guitar $555.00 w/case.


This guitar has the sweet sound of P90 pickups.It is antique natural,and very comfortable.A small bodied semi-hollow bodywith a Bigsby style tailpiece. Alot of bang for the buck..It plays all styles of music with ease and doesn't seem to need amp settings to be changed too much. I play through a Peavey Classic 30 amp,and they seem to be a very good combination.I have also played this guitar through Marshall,and Fender amps.No problem.

It has two single coil pickups,but is very quiet. I am amazed by the quality,and tone,and most everything about it. It does tend to squeal a bit at High volumes..But it took me alot to get it there. Unless I stand RIGHT in front of the amp.Then obviously it will feedback.But that is common sense,and all guitars do given that situation. No real surprises from Epiphone on this. Just a quality instrument at an affordable price,with sweet tone,and style.




My only complaints is with the switches and pots they put on this guitar.take the time to upgrade the pots,and you will be happy. the knobs seem to be just thrown on.I.E.:they are on crooked,and wabble when turned. But for the price,and considering the rest of the assets I can't kick too bad..



Good construction. No visible glue or finish flaws. the finish is on smooth,and no runs or buildups to be seen


For the money the "Kat" series of guitar represents a great value.The AlleyKat is cool too.But I prefer the P90 sound,so this is the axe for my tastes.It has replaced my Gibson les Paul,and my tele as my working guitar.If this thing were lost or stolen I would be fast on the trail of a new one. It is so sweet to play,and to hear. The sound is so nice. Distorted or clean,it shines. A solid guitar buy. Check it out.



This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Wildkat Bigsby Transparent Black (Core)
.dropoff Window 1/2 box
.dropoff Window Body Mahogany / Maple laminated table (flamm on translucent colors) with binding
.dropoff Window Channel al maple / rosewood fingerboard with 22 frets binding
.dropoff Window 2 single coil Epiphone Alnico P-90
.dropoff Window 1 micro volume / volume Gnral 1/1 Tone / slecteur 3 positions
.dropoff Window Bigsby Vibrato Vibrotron
.dropoff Window Mcaniques oil bath
.dropoff Window Chrome hardware
.dropoff Window Color: Transparent Black
Good make pleasant look

USE

-The Handle is pleasant,
-L'accs To treble is quite similar to guitars form Lespaul
-It Is trslgere when I took it out of the box I was afraid I was like "Oh shit it's a toy!"
-For The sound is very okay I t quite surprised

SONORITS

For me it fits everything my style of music, I wanted to have a guitar sonorits approaching Nick Cave, Mark Lanegan ... A E minor a shot Bigsby and the fact .. .dropoff window
I play on a Marshall JCM 2000 TSL 100 with a Electroharmonix smallclone.
In the clear has sounded very much full of wealth (neck pickup and bridge) in crunch with the same combination then the microphones has rings ... super enjoyable to play on I get tired! In the lead is nice but I not serve too, on the other hand for the fans to play the noise, emo, post rock (pickup) I played compos watches and has made it bold enough degeulasse ... interesting!

NOTICE GLOBAL

I for 1 week, and I am very happy.
What I like most is the clean / crunch and I think it will defend very well. The price quality ratio is good. Epiphone has a good reputation but it has its detractors too ... I for one had a bad xperience with this brand, despite a I trusted them again and I regret it, so yes I would do this choice!