I mean this with the utmost respect and it’s absolutely a compliment: I love how childlike you are when you play things. You play like it’s your first time playing your dream bass every time you pick the thing up, and it’s really inspiring. You’ve definitely shown me that having fun is the important part in my own playing. I’ve only recently gotten into your videos after not paying attention to the gear world in quite some time, but I’m really glad to have found your channel.

@LowEndLobster

6 ай бұрын

Thank you :)

You know what ? I’ve been playing for years. Watch the odd review here and there and most are just people talking about themselves and their own playing. You review a budget bass right up to top of the range and do them equally without prejudice. Yours are by far the most informative and entertaining vids to watch. You actually review in a comprehensive way without being nasty or over critical. You can play also but not to the detriment of the ‘average’ player. Thanks for all your vids and keep on keeping on brother bass man. Lobsters ahoy ❤

@willthomas3122

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely agreed! Lobster's informative, entertaining and straight to the point without any waffling or showing off (looking at you, Scott's Bass Lessons). I always go to him first, and it's always a sad day when I realise he hasn't done a review on a bass I'm looking at haha.

IF only I had several bridges just laying around.....

@Caliyork

Жыл бұрын

I agree wholeheartedly. My same thought.

@scottbrower9052

Жыл бұрын

......you could start a bass-focused KZread channel 🤣

Those mods look great, I'm sure they make a world of difference to playability and ease of maintenance! We must once again, count our blessings that Hipshot exists!

@mikehertz6507

Жыл бұрын

Sperzel tuners. Made in Cleveland Ohio. The best you can buy!

Hipshot bridges give a bass a massive boost in sustain and mid-range growl. The ultralight tuners ar god tier too. The bridges usually come with two sets of mounting bolts for metric/imperial.

Great vid! I have Hipshot Ultralights on one of my basses, and the 3-Point bridge on another. Both are quality USA-made parts that improved my instruments. One additional thing that I've found dramatically improves tone and sustain is making sure that tuners, bridge (and neck with Fender-type basses) are REALLY tight, not just snug. Use quality, proper tools to not strip the screws, but I've found getting those 2 (or 3) things REALLY tight makes a VERY NOTICEABLE IMPROVEMENT. Please consider a video demonstrating that. Thanks again, Lobster!

Lollipops are actually rather complimentary with the overall esthetics of the bass.

Mine showed up yesterday.I was pleasantly surprised with the set-up.Very low action with only the slightest touch of buzz on the E string.I'm tempted to throw on a Hipshot 2 pointer which I've used on my EBO. The adjustable saddles will probably take care of the buzz which is passable as is.The existing screw holes peek out ever so slightly as you mentioned.Same as on my Embassy that I switched to a Hipshot,no biggie though.I really like this bass, it's exceeded my expectations. Easy to play and the tone is sweet.They must have listened to criticism.Thanks for another fine video Lobster!

I always wanted my Epi 60s Thunderbird with narrower (Gibson) string spacing. So thanks for the idea with the hipshot supertone!

Lobster may the Serekization of this bass begin! Love those lollipop tuners,great touch.A new mudbucker is next....will it be an Artec or a DiMarzio? Stripping off the paint job and exposing the natural finish might be the last step in the process. Voila' Serekization complete!;)

I think it looks superb especially the tuner’s 👏👏👍🏻👍🏻

Hey Butch here. Nice work! The hipshot upgrade is really an improvement over that odd piece of hardware! I think the tuners look kind of nice, gives it a vintage look. I'm still looking forward to see what kind of pickups, bridge, and tuners you install in the Sire V5 four string! Thanks!!!

I look forward to hearing with a new pickup, it looks really Kool!

Can't wait for the mudbucker mod. Purchased an Epi SG bass + modded and was very happy with the results. I've had my eye on the Newport since its release.

@treshull

Жыл бұрын

What pickup would you replace the stock one with?

I bought one of these today. I really appreciated your videos because I had an idea of what to look for. Lucky for me I bought from a local store so I could try first. I ended up with one that had quite good QC so I am very happy with the value for the money. Tuners are cheap and they will go. My nut was cut properly but its such a cheap low quality nut that it will go too. Works for now but there is room to improve. Zero complaints otherwise. These CAN be really good for the price!

I like the bridge and lollipops! Nice improvements. Almost a cheap Serek in looks.

Well Lobster. You're well on your way to making a good bones bad instrument worth playing again. Hats off to you. 🎩✌️😎👍🎸🦞🦀🥕

Here are my observations after recently getting one in blue. The tuning machines were awful, and they were very loose. I replaced them with Gotoh GB707's but the originals holes were sloppily filled with paint, and even had irregular holes (the way they were drilled). I had to clean that up first for the Gotohs to fit (which should be a drop-in replacement). I like the bridge and tailpiece, but the G-string doesn't have enough travel to fully intonate when checked with a Strobotuner. My TB Plus pickup also was cockeyed and had to be remounted with some foam to sit properly. The strings that came with it were junk. I replaced them with Stringjoy nickel strings but I plan to try a set of Rotosound Monel flats or a set of Pyramid flats to compare. On the positive side of things, I love the tones available. The sidewinder really isn't the same as a 60's Gibson at all, but it is a nice contrast to the TB pu. I don't care for the blend knob (I'd prefer a 3-way switch), but it does work well enough. The bass balances well, it's lightweight, and it looks cool. Overall, I am very pleased with it. I think Epiphone has just abandoned the QC they used to have in place with their imports. That sticker that reads "adjusted in USA, etc." is just a sticker.

I kinda like that style of tuners on there.

Nice job, Lobster. If you ever get the chance, I would love to see you review the Fender Player Plus Precision bass. Looks like an unusual offering from them. Thanks.

I like the upgrade and the look .I think I'd go with Eastwood's version though,it seems to be better all around.It has a different headstock that may please some depending on taste however.I do love upgrading my basses though.

I love those lollipop tuners. ❤

Great mods, btw!

Good job i am waiting

Ultra-lite tuners with the small clover-buttons and plating that match the rest of the hardware would look much better! Other than that, great upgrades

Hey, Lobster. If by chance you still have this bass around, I recently picked up a set of Wilkinson 2x2 y key tuners, WJB-750, that dropped in. Good, open gear tuners that stay in tune and a lot less expensive than Hipshot. They're even chrome, so they match the bridge, which, like you, I also swapped for the 2 point Supertone. Massive improvement! Anyway, just something to consider if you're perhaps looking to salvage those Hipshots for another build.

Hipshot EBay store is Great!

Would love to hear a comparison between EB3 and the Newport and a possibly a Fender pj.

I think the original Newport used the “clover” shape tuning keys. Still can’t figure out why they used the Y shape for stock. Stew Mac sells a “thread detective” that takes guess work out of “what screw fits in this bushing?” The set includes both US and Metric, and also works in reverse “what bushing does this screw fit?”

How about a Dimarzio Relentless mudbucker? That would probably clean up a bit of the mud.

Try Sperzel tuners Lobster. Made 100% in the USA.

This will be very playable when finished. She will be sea worthy......

Just scored one for fairly cheap, in the same color and everything... Perhaps it's a tad insane given it'd cost roughly what I paid for the bass, but I would be very interested to hear a Novak EB-BSx in the place of that soulless mudbucker...

How do you like the bridge upgrade?! I may do it as well.

Low cost bass + lots of new parts to make it playable = mid/mid-high cost bass. Gee, thanks Epiphone!!

Did you ever upgrade the electronics/pickups?

Any mods for the passive tone sucking controls ?

If the Supertone-bridge fits on the Newport - it should fit on the embassy too, right? Stock bridges should be same same? I'm looking for replacement for my embassy, but hipshot is hard the get in Germany … so better ask three times before shipping things around the world :-)

I'm torn between thinking manufacturers should install the best components from the start vs cost effectiveness. I don't mind installing upgraded but paying more to purchase the best version of a particular product isn't out of the question either.

@carpediemarts705

Жыл бұрын

Do you want to spend the full price up front or buy the cheap stock rig and pay average 50 a month until you're "done" upgrading. And have it your way

@TenFalconsMusic

Жыл бұрын

Carpet Diem Arts After reading your comment, I deduced that you're an absolute genius. That being said... What is your superfluous opinion on this conundrum? I predict a Google definition search in your near future. 😁👍

@carpediemarts705

Жыл бұрын

@@TenFalconsMusic I buy cheap broken but repairable basses and turn them into enjoyable instruments. I only have a couple and don't really yearn for more. ... how to make you google... With a craigslist router and sander, any beefy neck bass can have a svelte IbanezEsque neck and a whammy. ...which dern make of whammy though...

@carpediemarts705

Жыл бұрын

And when I walk in the door holding a new one, my gf says "woo, that's pretty, can I paint on it?!?!" Sure thing baby!

@carpediemarts705

Жыл бұрын

Other idea is instead of the OEM to shave cost by installing cheap components, to sell just the body with no tuners/pickups/bridge and pass that savings to the buyer. Yes it would mean you can't play it right when you get it in the living room. No it's not the most practical idea neither.

nice bridge, take off the pick guard and maybe then its an ok looking bass lol

If you see this comment, I’d love if you checked out this Lake pickup company. Their D71 pickups look crazy And I’m curious about the sound! They work with Rama who makes beautiful fully custom basses!

Put flats on this one, Lobster. haha

This video has inspired me to upgrade my new embassy with hipshot usa ultralites! Any idea whether I'd need 3/8" or 1/2" tuning machines?

@erstwhilerambler

7 ай бұрын

I’m not Lobster, but my understanding from this and other sources is that the tuners are the same between this Newport and the Embassy (which I just bought yesterday, actually), so you’ll want the 3/8”

@AudioInstruments

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the info. I picked up a set of USA 3/8" a couple of months ago. Dropped right in and there's no looking back!@@erstwhilerambler

Are you are going to sell this on your Reverb after you upgrade it?

I bought the Hipshot 2 pointer and find the screws fit awkwardly. I'd use the stock screws but I bought black hardware because it looks killer on my yellow Newport.I may have to paint the stock screws black.

@LowEndLobster

4 ай бұрын

Did it come with two sets of screws? Yeah paint is another option. I still have the embassy and I will mod it (I did have it posted for sale but we good lol)... Soon!

@kevmac1230

4 ай бұрын

@@LowEndLobster only one set.I'll figure it out.

I just bought a Newport and the 2-point Supertone bridge, but it's no longer compatible. I took the Newport back and exchanged for another, but same issue. Posts are 85mm apart, but Hipshot bridge is 83mm. The difference is enough that that bridge can't be installed, and even the string spacing is wrong. Not sure why Epiphone changed it ... pretty disappointed.

@gregorystevens5173

5 ай бұрын

Any chance, or would there be a problem if, one uses an end mill to expand the SuperTone bridge holes by 1 mm each side? What exactly do you mean by the string spacing is wrong? How wrong? Does that mean it's not correctable or that it can't be fudged to make it function properly?

Any recommendations on where to pick up the metric screws for this mod without buying another bridge? 😗

@LowEndLobster

Жыл бұрын

Contact hipshot and they'll send you some for free. They said they started including them with the two points now, BUT if you got one off the shelf or from an online store then that could have been before the change. Hipshot has great customer service though and will take care of you!

@spauldingcinema9607

Жыл бұрын

Oh Sweet Thank You!! You're the best Lobster 🤟🦞

Me wonders why Lobster didn't perform these mods at his trusty, and traditional, work bench?

@LowEndLobster

Жыл бұрын

Bridge and tuner swaps of this easy caliber don't warrant the added effort of half-assed cleaning the table hahaha. I usually save the workbench videos for more involved mods.

@anotherrandombassguitarcha9482

Жыл бұрын

@@LowEndLobster understood, my friend.

Tuners just stick out to much. Definitely thinking about making a Lefty conversion

Making basses better one claw at a time. Think you'll be able to polish this turd into a 5-claw axe?

Do you still have the original bridge tail piece? Ive been trying to find one everywhere for a project but i cant seem to find any with the right string spacing

@LowEndLobster

3 ай бұрын

I definitely do somewhere

@jarrenvrekk8758

3 ай бұрын

@@LowEndLobster well if it turns up, and you feel like selling it, I'd love to buy it!

Putting aside the Dumbo ears look, why not just get a set that are drop in, provide the stability while also giving you the look one would want? By the way glad you can see $60 as cheap($66+ after taxes). I guess one could get used to the Dumbo look.

Interesting that underneath this vid all the Hipshot ads show up. Not the ads IN your vid mind you. Those are for crap I don't even maybe want.

@LowEndLobster

Жыл бұрын

That is very interesting! I don't have any control over those, but if my content is matching up with the appropriate products and stuff then maybe I'm doing something right? LOL

@carpediemarts705

Жыл бұрын

@@LowEndLobster the algorithm is there to make yt money. Insurance, vitamins, and car ads IN your video and they read the verbage in your vid for ads below. Like if you talk on fb to your friends about needing dental work you get ads for dental insurance.

@LowEndLobster

Жыл бұрын

@@carpediemarts705 I only see adds for adult diapers... Listen I trusted a fart ONCE!

@Mrpsblobsoflowendmung

Жыл бұрын

@@LowEndLobster 😂😂😂 haven’t we all. I got a Newport and replaced the neck pickup with an artec and it’s sounds a lot closer to my old 65 EB3 now. Going to get the 2 point hipshot and lollipops next . I actually like those big ol lollipops on there

So... You decided to milk this cow slowly :)

This video is a bit too long. I want the “abridged” version. I’ll get me coat.