I've owned and played this bass for a decade, absolutely love the little fella. Super easy and fun to play up and down the neck, easy to maintain, simple tone control, really well made, not too heavy and puts out a fat tone from the semi hollow. Buy one, well worth it.
@@OakLawnSpeedShop it's a hollow body, mahogany back and sides with a maple top. I only noticed the neck dive if I took my fretting hand off the neck. I would not call it a heavy neck dive.
The Rumblekat reminds me of the Hofner 500/2 Club Bass, both of which I have. Both are fun to play, have great build quality and tone. The Epiphone seems slightly 'beefier' and rugged. It is a great value, without question.
790bonnie Any good affordable($100 or under) bass amps that go good with this bass? I was gonna get the Fender Rumble bass amp 25 v3, but not sure if it could portray the deep low sound of this bass, seeing as how it’s a Fender amp, which is more jazz and slap oriented.
definitely looks like one you'd play with a pick.. great demo by this guy. seems like might be a good compromise fro a hofner given you wouldn't have to deal with floating bridge
I really like the D'Addario semi-rounds for the goldilocks between the smoothness of flats and the clarity of rounds. They don't grind your frets down to nothing like rounds, for example. Prolly sounds great on this bass.
I recently got their Live at the Roseland Ballroom ‘95 album and have listened to that exclusively back and forth to work these last few weeks. What a phenomenal player. He was walking bass lines under Warren’s solos get me to moving every time. That bass line on “Don’t step on the grass, sam” is groovy as hell.
Man, I've been watching bass guitar reviews for days... just found this one... I'm really impressed considering the price. For a beginner, how could you go wrong?
Thanks for the demo, very thorough. The bass sounds great. I'd like it more if the plastic laminate control plate didn't look like it was designed by a blind person. The guitar has nice curves and then that thing looking like a crooked bumper sticker. I care about looks and that's a deal killer for me.
I watched until the mid roll ads broke in mid sentence. If you're going to use mid roll ads, make sure you can insert them at a specific point that doesn't interupt the flow.
Any good affordable($100 or under) bass amps that go good with this bass? I was gonna get the Fender Rumble bass amp 25 v3, but not sure if it could portray the deep low sound of this bass, seeing as how it’s a Fender amp, which is more jazz and slap oriented. Edit: what also would be good strings for this bass?
The Fender Rumble series are really good for the money. Fine for any genre you happen to play. But be aware that a 25 Watts bass amp is nowhere near loud enough to hang with a reasonably loud drummer. For any Epiphone or Gibson bass with their traditional 3 point bridge (like this one), you need strings with a very short dead bit at the ball end. A bit of the string is double wound there. And sometimes wrapped in fabric. That bit needs to be behind the saddle. Cheap Chinese bass strings are fine. I find Caye bass strings work very well for Epi / Gibson.
@@Ty4Tiberius A bit better. But it will still be difficult to play with a full loud band. It all depends on what you're going to use it for. If it's just jamming with a guitar playing friend, the 25 is enough. If you'll be playing with a loud rock band, think 100 at least.
Ty, my favourite strings for this bass (I'm mostly a fingers player) are the Ken Smith RWM-S Short Scale. I've got a lot of different basses and tried a lot of different strings on the Rumblekat but I've found these strings last longest and give the best overall tone.
If you have short arms, a shortscale could be for you. But the sound is very different : it is more boxy you cant have a decent modern bass sound with that, mostly live. Use it for 60's music, but afterwards nobody used shortscale anymore. There is a current revivalism for shortscale though.
Having spent a lot of time playing both short and long scale basses, always quality instruments, I'd say it matters less what the scale length is and more how it feels when you play it, and how much you like the sound of it. I will say my short scale, narrow neck Höfner was hilariously easy to play and immensely enjoyable. I enjoyed my Fender P-basses but I got bored with just 1 pickup; but then my favourite bass tone is neck pickup with treble rolled on about ¾ of the way, but the neck pickup needs to be right at the neck... But that's my bizarro personal preference, for lots of low and high but little midrange. See, there are many factors. Either scale can work for whatever music you want to play. If you like a bass, if it makes you want to play it, then don't let the scale worry you.
Played one - briefly - with a strap a few years back and it was a little bit neck heavy (think Gibson SG but not quite as bad). I assume due to the hollow areas in the body, which I didn't know about at the time.
I think it's more because of this guys style of playing. Kerry keeps stabbing at the strings with an almost " James Jamerson " " hook " style . Pulling the strings up " sharp. While at the same time " hitting or slapping the fingerboard/ frets and fret wires very hard with his left hand. Very unusual/ bad habit creating a " one horse pony " sound. BAD!!!!!! Too bad cause the " Allen Woody Bass " is the closest sound , feel and versatility closer to a hofner Beatle bass/ club 40 than any other maker and he just doesn't get it. It's actually made to be played enjoyably and sound great in " MUSIC " Not to be hit , stabbed , slapped , tapped and talked to death I hear someone more full of them selves yet so unfamiliar with the instrument and so afraid of his limited abilities that he feels a need to " talk " through 90% of the so called review and play one rudimentary " guitar lick " ( is this guy one of those guitarists that thinks they know all about and can play bass ) and it all sounded the same. . No really information or sound test "AT ALL !!!!! I Guess anyone can have their " 15 " minutes of fame with the internet. And of course it must be right , and true cause you've heard it online. Omg. What I need in a review is 1. Specs and materials 2. Electronics 3. Complete sound test running the entire spectrum. Maybe even with a few different amps , flat and wound strings 4. Overall opinion/ recommendations 5. The right type of music and applications the guitar best suits. 6. Any other pertinent info. Facts , variations, ideas. How about a lot less talking to HIDE insecurities of being under informed, and ignorance of the product. Tired of people using a review format as a personal audition, talking all about them , their work. Their travels , how great they are ( some even name drop who they know and have played ? ( dought it ) Anything and everything about how great they are and 2 minutes at they end about the product. What a shame !!!!!! It's all a scam , political, advertising and PROPAGANDA!!!! I'm sickened by the state of this country , the IGNORANCE, the lies , the evil. Don't drag it into a beautiful, god given gift of peace and purity called " MUSIC "
Hey man, I own this bass and it's damn useful to have that bridge pickup a little bit higher. You still get the tighter sound of playing close to the bridge but you don't pick up any of that weird buzz or pops of articulation.
I have a Hofner club bass along with assorted others, and personally, I like being able to mix in a little sound from near the bridge. Just my own preference of course. If you like the close spacing, that's cool. If they start making these Epiphones with more of a common spacing I'll probably get one. Even early '60's Hofners offered both spacings. McCartney had one of each in the Cavern days but eventually stuck with the wider spacing.
So nice to hear a demo that gives me a clear idea of what the bass sounds like through a good amp with pick and fingers, no gimmicks.
You saying Woody was a gimmick?
I've owned and played this bass for a decade, absolutely love the little fella. Super easy and fun to play up and down the neck, easy to maintain, simple tone control, really well made, not too heavy and puts out a fat tone from the semi hollow. Buy one, well worth it.
Great review. I'm a Rumblekat owner and this is the Bass I play everyday , Recommend to anyone.
I'm looking at getting one. Are they at all neck heavy?
@@rickwellings4127 - YES they are. I dug mine, till I realized that if I'm standing up and take my hand off the neck it would do a DEEP dive.
Is it solid body?
@@OakLawnSpeedShop it's a hollow body, mahogany back and sides with a maple top. I only noticed the neck dive if I took my fretting hand off the neck. I would not call it a heavy neck dive.
The Rumblekat reminds me of the Hofner 500/2 Club Bass, both of which I have. Both are fun to play, have great build quality and tone. The Epiphone seems slightly 'beefier' and rugged. It is a great value, without question.
Rumblekat owner for two years. I love it !!
790bonnie Any good affordable($100 or under) bass amps that go good with this bass? I was gonna get the Fender Rumble bass amp 25 v3, but not sure if it could portray the deep low sound of this bass, seeing as how it’s a Fender amp, which is more jazz and slap oriented.
Have you ever played a Hofner? If so, how does it compare?
definitely looks like one you'd play with a pick.. great demo by this guy. seems like might be a good compromise fro a hofner given you wouldn't have to deal with floating bridge
Nice warm full sounding bass great for blues and roots music especially! I'd put flat wound strings on it as well!
I really like the D'Addario semi-rounds for the goldilocks between the smoothness of flats and the clarity of rounds. They don't grind your frets down to nothing like rounds, for example. Prolly sounds great on this bass.
@@charliepin4501 Good to know, those are new to me..
Got nothing but love for the Rumblekat
Would love to hear this with flatwounds.
Woody was one hell of a player. I first saw him in 95 with Gov't Mule and saw several shows before his death. He was the balls of Gov't Mule.
Preach brother
Bass players are the balls of every band.
I recently got their Live at the Roseland Ballroom ‘95 album and have listened to that exclusively back and forth to work these last few weeks. What a phenomenal player. He was walking bass lines under Warren’s solos get me to moving every time. That bass line on “Don’t step on the grass, sam” is groovy as hell.
Never saw him live sadly but this statement is spot on " He was the balls of Gov't Mule." !!!
Beautiful bass. Epiphone did great job!
Man, I've been watching bass guitar reviews for days... just found this one... I'm really impressed considering the price. For a beginner, how could you go wrong?
Thanks for the demo, very thorough. The bass sounds great. I'd like it more if the plastic laminate control plate didn't look like it was designed by a blind person. The guitar has nice curves and then that thing looking like a crooked bumper sticker. I care about looks and that's a deal killer for me.
I watched until the mid roll ads broke in mid sentence. If you're going to use mid roll ads, make sure you can insert them at a specific point that doesn't interupt the flow.
Look into ad blockers 👍🏼
RUclips Premium...
Any good affordable($100 or under) bass amps that go good with this bass? I was gonna get the Fender Rumble bass amp 25 v3, but not sure if it could portray the deep low sound of this bass, seeing as how it’s a Fender amp, which is more jazz and slap oriented.
Edit: what also would be good strings for this bass?
The Fender Rumble series are really good for the money. Fine for any genre you happen to play. But be aware that a 25 Watts bass amp is nowhere near loud enough to hang with a reasonably loud drummer. For any Epiphone or Gibson bass with their traditional 3 point bridge (like this one), you need strings with a very short dead bit at the ball end. A bit of the string is double wound there. And sometimes wrapped in fabric. That bit needs to be behind the saddle. Cheap Chinese bass strings are fine. I find Caye bass strings work very well for Epi / Gibson.
Mike SG what about the fender rumble 40 W?
@@Ty4Tiberius A bit better. But it will still be difficult to play with a full loud band. It all depends on what you're going to use it for. If it's just jamming with a guitar playing friend, the 25 is enough. If you'll be playing with a loud rock band, think 100 at least.
Ty, my favourite strings for this bass (I'm mostly a fingers player) are the Ken Smith RWM-S Short Scale.
I've got a lot of different basses and tried a lot of different strings on the Rumblekat but I've found these strings last longest and give the best overall tone.
I'm not a bass player, tbh i am learning the guitar, but i'd like a bass player's opinion: is a long s scale better than a short scale?
Short scale is more comfortable to play. But I don't think it depends on scale.
If you have short arms, a shortscale could be for you. But the sound is very different : it is more boxy you cant have a decent modern bass sound with that, mostly live. Use it for 60's music, but afterwards nobody used shortscale anymore. There is a current revivalism for shortscale though.
Short scale is great for basist & lead singer like Jack Bruce, McCartney..
Having spent a lot of time playing both short and long scale basses, always quality instruments, I'd say it matters less what the scale length is and more how it feels when you play it, and how much you like the sound of it.
I will say my short scale, narrow neck Höfner was hilariously easy to play and immensely enjoyable. I enjoyed my Fender P-basses but I got bored with just 1 pickup; but then my favourite bass tone is neck pickup with treble rolled on about ¾ of the way, but the neck pickup needs to be right at the neck... But that's my bizarro personal preference, for lots of low and high but little midrange. See, there are many factors. Either scale can work for whatever music you want to play. If you like a bass, if it makes you want to play it, then don't let the scale worry you.
Any neck dive I wonder? Great review!
Only a little, not worse than a Fender Mustang, which actually surprised me. Also, they're light enough, mine is about 3.3 kg.
What cab are you playing it through?? Also.. I miss Allen woody such a cool bass
Amazing sound and review if weren't for the buzzing E
I have one..... well worth it
I'm looking at getting one. Are they at all neck heavy?
Whats the neck dive like, anyone know? Thank you.
Only a little, not worse than a Fender Mustang, which actually surprised me. Also, they're light enough, mine is about 3.3 kg.
It’s between buying this or the Gibson LP Jr for me. Hmmm…..
Great tone
You keep pulling the strings sharp
how's the standing w/ strap balance?
Played one - briefly - with a strap a few years back and it was a little bit neck heavy (think Gibson SG but not quite as bad). I assume due to the hollow areas in the body, which I didn't know about at the time.
I replaced the stock tuners with Hipshot HB-6Y 3/8 tuners, which are lighter. Zero neck dive with the Hipshot tuners.
neck heavy, but overall light
I rly want a rumblecat but it doesn't come in any other colours😢
There was a limited version in blue metallic with chrome hardware. If you're lucky, you might find one.
Why so much fret buzz on the E string?
Either fret work needed, a new nut or better setup.
I think it's more because of this guys style of playing. Kerry keeps stabbing at the strings with an almost " James Jamerson " " hook " style . Pulling the strings up " sharp. While at the same time " hitting or slapping the fingerboard/ frets and fret wires very hard with his left hand. Very unusual/ bad habit creating a " one horse pony " sound. BAD!!!!!!
Too bad cause the " Allen Woody Bass " is the closest sound , feel and versatility closer to a hofner Beatle bass/ club 40 than any other maker and he just doesn't get it. It's actually made to be played enjoyably and sound great in " MUSIC "
Not to be hit , stabbed , slapped , tapped and talked to death
I hear someone more full of them selves yet so unfamiliar with the instrument and so afraid of his limited abilities that he feels a need to " talk " through 90% of the so called review and play one rudimentary " guitar lick " ( is this guy one of those guitarists that thinks they know all about and can play bass ) and it all sounded the same. .
No really information or sound test "AT ALL !!!!!
I Guess anyone can have their " 15 " minutes of fame with the internet. And of course it must be right , and true cause you've heard it online. Omg.
What I need in a review is
1. Specs and materials
2. Electronics
3. Complete sound test running the entire spectrum. Maybe even with a few different amps , flat and wound strings
4. Overall opinion/ recommendations
5. The right type of music and applications the guitar best suits.
6. Any other pertinent info. Facts , variations, ideas.
How about a lot less talking to HIDE insecurities of being under informed, and ignorance of the product.
Tired of people using a review format as a personal audition, talking all about them , their work. Their travels , how great they are ( some even name drop who they know and have played ? ( dought it )
Anything and everything about how great they are and 2 minutes at they end about the product.
What a shame !!!!!! It's all a scam , political, advertising and PROPAGANDA!!!!
I'm sickened by the state of this country , the IGNORANCE, the lies , the evil. Don't drag it into a beautiful, god given gift of peace and purity called
" MUSIC "
@@richardhennessy2370 wtf?
@@myoriginalname 😂😂😂
It remains me the semi hollow body sound or viola basses.
Good review but the bass volume is low and your voice is louder🤣😂🤣
Is this short scale?
Yes sure it is 30" scale.
Yes
Why put both pickups up by the neck? It might as well have one pickup.
Hey man, I own this bass and it's damn useful to have that bridge pickup a little bit higher. You still get the tighter sound of playing close to the bridge but you don't pick up any of that weird buzz or pops of articulation.
I have a Hofner club bass along with assorted others, and personally, I like being able to mix in a little sound from near the bridge. Just my own preference of course. If you like the close spacing, that's cool. If they start making these Epiphones with more of a common spacing I'll probably get one. Even early '60's Hofners offered both spacings. McCartney had one of each in the Cavern days but eventually stuck with the wider spacing.
The reason why there's two neck pickups is that what we tend to call neck pickup is a mid pickup
Is it made in China?
Yes
Buzzing and ratling : /
It will be fun if you could, play som funk stil
More of a sales pitch than a review. Don’t be fooled.