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Who's got a wildkat?


nascarbean_97

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Here, let me Google that for you! \:D/

 

Smartassery aside, I own one and think it's great. There are a few other owners around here and the sentiment seems to be generally shared. A few people have reported getting "lemons", and some people who've owned one have let it go for other reasons; the guitar itself just isn't for everyone, it depends on what you want to use it for.

 

It can be lean & light, and it can get get crunchy & dirty, but it's not a real heavy-metal screamer. Blues, jazz, reggae/ska, country, rock-a-billy... it's pretty versatile, but if you're a fan of Kirk Hammet of Zakk Wylde, it's probably not the right gear for you.

 

Like most Epi's, the Kat does well with upgraded pots / switch / jack and a good setup. The pups themselves aren't all that bad, but then again, it's my first guitar with P90's and I have no other frame of reference. I hear good things about the GFS P90's, but stock seems to work well for me, and if it ain't broke, why fix it?

 

I had the nut replaced and a new bridge put in, thinking about getting some roller saddles later down the road, but the upgrades do help keep it in tune better than before.

 

Mine weighs in at 8.5 pounds, but it feels really comfortable.

 

And it looks freaking awesome!

 

100_1094.jpg

 

 

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I have googled it :P I just wanted some more opinions. I really want one of these! my dad had one that got stolen, I never played it... I played a casino (yes I know it's a full on hollowbody) and LOVED the tone, then I played a riviera and it was wayyyy to warm and muddy. Does the wildkat sound muddy like the riviera? Or in-between the casino and rivera because of how different the wildkat and casino are?

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Here, let me Google that for you! \:D/

 

Smartassery aside, I own one and think it's great.

 

And it looks freaking awesome!

 

100_1094.jpg

 

I agree with you there pennyman!! EVERY time I see one it gives me a huge

case of GAS. I went to one of my local stores, and played one a while ago. Here's my take on them.

 

1. Neck was nice and slim, very easy to play.

2. Body fit and finish was good, could not find any flaws.

3. A roller bridge would make the trem a bit smoother.

4. The P-90's were awesome. As you said, not a metal screamer, but a nice flavor to the sound.

5. If I had the money, it would be home with me right now.

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I've owned one for quite a few years now, and really like it. It sounds very different from my Casino, and as some of the other folks have mentioned, it seems to be at its best either clean or with a little dirt or breakup, not so much a full-on overdrive sorta thang.

 

I tend to think of it as a beefier, somewhat smoother, more sophisticated Telecaster type of sound.

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ive had one for a few years now. the first one i bought had one dead pickup it was a transparent black. brought it back and picked out a metalic red for 150 less. someone didnt like it. to me it feels like a gretsch. i like the feel its not heavy but i think its a bit dark sounding and plan to change the caps to 033s at some point. other than that i think its a great guitar.

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I'm too am a Wildkat owner.

 

In answer to your two questions:-

 

Q= What do I like about it:

A= Killer looks; original guitar (not just another copy); growly P90s; semi-hollow guitar in a manageable size; fast neck; good fit and finish/build quality; versatility offered by the two individual pickup and overall master volume controls - it's not just a rockabilly twanger........with some gain those p90s are punktastic......I can even dial in humbuckerish tones with a 3 neck and 10 bridge volume mix, controlling everything with the master volume. Set like this it will even do thrash metal!

 

Q= What do you not like about it?

A= I have to spend too much time telling people how good it is.

 

DSC01801.jpg

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  • 2 months later...

Bought a gorgeous orange Wildkat for my son two years ago. Between us we have 13 guitars ranging from a 1955 ES-125 to a 2008 Am. Deluxe Tele and this guitar holds its own just fine. I love that it's not a copy of some Gibson - it has its own character and sound. The fit, finish, set-up, neck, Bigsby, etc. are all great. The pick-ups are really good, not great. But all in all for a guitar in this price range it's an impressive example of what Gibson can do when they put their mind to it.

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I have googled it :P I just wanted some more opinions. I really want one of these! my dad had one that got stolen, I never played it... I played a casino (yes I know it's a full on hollowbody) and LOVED the tone, then I played a riviera and it was wayyyy to warm and muddy. Does the wildkat sound muddy like the riviera? Or in-between the casino and rivera because of how different the wildkat and casino are?

 

Man ... I'm getting tired of hearing humbuckers refered to as "muddy". I think 99% of the time these comments come from STRAT players! :rolleyes:

 

There is a middle ground, however, Nascar. If you like the feel, size and volume/distortion-ability of a semi-hollow (Sheriton or Riviera) but prefer the single-coil tone, I suggest you take a look at the Epiphone P93 Riviera. Full size semi-hollow with THREE P90's and a Bigsby trem. From what I'm hearing on the forum, they are available at some pretty outstanding prices lately.

 

Here's mine (I love it!):

 

Sany0005-1.jpg

 

Jim

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Bought a gorgeous orange Wildkat for my son two years ago. Between us we have 13 guitars ranging from a 1955 ES-125 to a 2008 Am. Deluxe Tele and this guitar holds its own just fine. I love that it's not a copy of some Gibson - it has its own character and sound. The fit, finish, set-up, neck, Bigsby, etc. are all great. The pick-ups are really good, not great. But all in all for a guitar in this price range it's an impressive example of what Gibson can do when they put their mind to it.

 

 

You feel like posting some pics? We, uh, kind of like like that sort of thing 'round here...

 

Welcome~

 

 

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Just picked one up last week. Spent hours agonizing over which hollowbody/semihollow body to get and after listening to much discussion and seeing pictures, opted for the WildKat. Do not regret it. Haven't played a Casino, but I really like the sound. Have a Gibson LP Studio and a Custom Strat. Love them all, but right now really enjoying the feel of the Kat. I am new to guitars, more a collector than a great player, but I know what I like in terms of feel and the Kat has a great neck. Great feel.

 

The natural finish never shows up well in photos. Always looks too yellow, but it is absolutely gorgeous. Thanks to Pennyman and AlanH for their suggestions.

 

100_0362.jpg

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