Author Topic: An Epic which was de-horned by poachers! (Read 765 times)

effclef · « **on:** May 16, 2005, 05:06:52 AM »

Surely this can't be a stock upper horn!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4713&item=7323294669&rd=1

EffClef

eastcoastepic · « **Reply #1 on:** May 16, 2005, 12:48:03 PM »

Must be the new Telecaster Epic everyone has been talking about.
But seriously, looks like the factory customized it; nothing looks butchered & the finish looks normal in the area. I wonder if it has balance problems with that short horn.....

David Houck · « **Reply #2 on:** May 16, 2005, 02:34:04 PM »

The Rosewood top is nice.

exploiterplayer · « **Reply #3 on:** May 16, 2005, 03:05:30 PM »

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought that was a deformed upper horn.

mica · « **Reply #4 on:** May 16, 2005, 03:39:59 PM »

Poachers! I'm glad I wasn't drinking coffee when I read that, it would surely be dotted all over my screen.

I checked the file on this little guy, and it started out life as a totally normal Epic sent to Guitar Center in Texas. It's not Rosewood, but rather Vermilion, and the neck is a standard Maple Walnut mix.

There is no record of the bass getting modified here, though the seller seems very careful to not quite show the detail of the upper horn in the many pictures listed. I think I can just make out a finish or patch seam in the closeup of the neck pocket (image 4).

Balance probably isn't as good as an unmodified Epic, but this one still almost stretches to the 17th fret, but a stock Epic makes it a little past the 14th fret. At least it's a 4-string.

I wonder what happened to this little guy.

David Houck · « **Reply #5 on:** May 16, 2005, 04:34:29 PM »

Well, if the top isn't Rosewood, then the listing is misleading to say the least. I kinda figured the neck veneers weren't Rosewood. I would think that if the seller knows about the body repair, then it could also be considered misleading not to mention it. But then it is possible that the seller is unaware of any of this. And probable that the bidders are unaware.

keith_h · « **Reply #6 on:** May 16, 2005, 05:23:12 PM »

Good eye Mica. After you mention it I also see the a seam. Looks like a repair or some other modification to me.

Keith

phys49 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 16, 2005, 07:37:43 PM »

I emailed the seller asking about the modification. Here's the reply:

You asked:
Do you know when or how the body was modified? thanks, Perry

To my knowlege, the body has not been modified, and there is no indication any modifications were ever made.
Perhaps he thinks this is a custom body shape?

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 17, 2005, 04:03:08 AM »

this puppy resembles Gumby

exploiterplayer · « **Reply #9 on:** May 17, 2005, 08:19:46 AM »

The only time I have ever seen a modification of this sort was one that involved a strap button screw that had busted out of the horn sideways.

stoney · « **Reply #10 on:** May 18, 2005, 05:58:40 AM »

I kind of like the shape of it. It's smooth and subtle. My 2cents for the day....

David Houck · « **Reply #11 on:** May 18, 2005, 06:11:21 AM »

Stoney, the modified shape does work well with the top wood.

effclef · « **Reply #12 on:** May 18, 2005, 06:29:21 AM »

I'm guessing it was a straplock catastrophe also.

EffClef

PS Mica, this reminds me of the Rickenbacker Hall of Shame pics, especially the 479 1/2 here:

http://www.the-music-connection.com/rhos.htm

bassman10096 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 18, 2005, 10:42:01 AM »

I'll vote for the shape, too. New model? An Unbalanced E?

effclef · « **Reply #14 on:** May 18, 2005, 10:45:09 AM »

Actually it does have sort of a Telecaster vibe!

I agree with Mica, he has not shown that area too well in the photos, but you can tell from the back shot that the rounding of that area does not match the lower horn as far as care in sanding and shaping.

Nothing against the seller - he may indeed be ignorant of the fine points of Alembic shapes.

ALL of eBay is buyer beware more or less.

EffClef