Epiphone Uptown Kat ES Hollowbody Review

Very nice little semi-hollow

I've had my eye on the Kat series from Epi for several years and after a recent health issue I needed a new toy to cheer me up so I decided to get one. It plays great, looks great and feels very solid. Thanks to Sweetwater's 55 point inspection I found nothing to complain about except for one cosmetic concern. Nothing is wrong with the finish per-de but the photos of the guitar… read more show a pastel-like minty green color when in fact it's a darker lime green color. I still like it but I really fell in love with the lighter color in the photos. One very positive note: the pots & pickup selector are rock solid and noise-free. I can't say the same for most of my other Gibsons and Epi's. The mini humbuckers are brighter than other humbuckers and there's a nice crunch from the bridge pu. The bass response is a little rolled off compared to full humbuckers which I actually like. It really cuts through. I own about 5 Epi's and a couple Gibsons and this guitar holds its own.

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Nice guitar for the cost

Like that it's lighter than an Les Paul. The sustain feeling in the lower strings is amazing. You can do bends pretty easy if you want. Metallic paint is really nice. Pickups are crisp. Love the master volume control. Mine had one tiny tiny paint flaw on the edge of a F hole but I don't even notice or care anymore. Definitely recommend.

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Punches above its weight

For the price of this guitar, you really can't go wrong. The components are very generous, and the finish is nearly perfect. The only downside is that it is made in China. (Poor resale value) I might swap out the pickups and get a good setup, out of the box though, it was pretty friggin good.

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Exceeded my high expectations

With all the on-line reviews and YouTube comparison videos, one ought to have a pretty good idea what to expect. The guitar not only looks even better than the pictures, but sounds really, really great. I'm so pleased. I received a thank you note from CEO Chuck Surack, where he mentions that he started the company to deliver the kind of service he felt he deserved as a customer.… read more His mission to hire the best people, treat the customer fairly and with respect, and wanting the customer to be amazed, was demonstrated with my order. Thanks to my Sales Engineer Zack, assisted by Skylar. The playability was easy right out of the box. Even the packing for shipping was above and beyond. My wife will be buying her keyboard from Sweetwater.

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So far I don't like the neck much

The guitar just arrived yesterday so it hasn't received much of a workout, but here are my initial impressions: Right off the bat I noticed some minor finish flaws near the pickup selector switch at the color coat level, deep under the clearcoat. Hard to tell if they are very fine, short hairs embedded in the paint or puddling of the finish. Totally not a dealbreaker for me by… read more any means, and spotting this didn't even prompt me to inspect the body for more of the same. Turning the guitar over, I noticed an asymmetrical flat spot on the back of the neck in the neighborhood of the 12th fret. So somebody got a little carried away when shaping the neck - again, no big deal. What I DO take issue with is the "grabby" finish on the neck, and the chunkiness of it. Clearly the chunky factor is a matter of personal taste, as Brian from PA found his Uptown Kat neck to be less chunky than on the Epiphone Wildkat. The finish on the neck is worrisome though, and is my #1 concern that this Uptown Kat may not be a keeper. The finish on the neck is heavier/thicker than it needs to be. I will give the guitar more time, and play it under different temperature/weather conditions; yesterday the room was really hot (80°-90°F) when I was playing it. I am satisfied with the pickups. I strongly prefer single coil sparkle, but if a guitar is going to be made with humbuckers then I'll take minis over full 'buckers. As minis go, I found these to be nicely balanced and bright enough, brighter than any of my lower-end Gretsches (and especially brighter than those equipped with those dull Broad'trons). My friend Bob pointed out that with the master volume knob on the upper cutaway bout, this guitar has a Gretschy quality and he ain't wrong. If like me you are seduced by the unusual shade of the green metallic finish, I can say that I am not at all disappointed with that finish other than what I have stated above. The gold color on the sides and back is a slightly greenish gold which I associate with gilding on crafts, especially those seen around Christmas. The combination works, and bonus points to Epiphone for their uncommon choice of colors.

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Keeper

I wasn't sure about the whole green cap/gold back concept. But it does work. Exceptionally playable guitar. Neck profile is a little different than the Wildkat. Seems to be not quite as beefy. Not a bad thing, just different. I can easily go between the two and don't have to "get used" to a different neck. Maybe I lucked out, but all four of my Uptown Kat's do not have the 10th… read more fret issue that I've read about on many of the new Epiphones. Fit and finish is first class and the improved electronics are definitely appreciated. In the studio, this has been a very well behaved instrument. Nice and quiet & holds tuning very well. If you are in the market for a semi-hollowbody, I would suggest putting this on you short list.

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Blue Monster!

I think it's safe to say that Epiphone has definately upped it's game. Fit and finish on this instrument is impeccable. The blue on this guitar just "pops". It does have CTS pots and the pickups are a vast improvement over the mini humbuckers in my older Epiphones. Very comfortable guitar to play.

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Surprising good for the price

The guitar arrived yesterday, was well set up and ready to play. I used it last night recording for about two hours and it did very well. Just minor little adjustments to fit my style. Workmanship is good across the board. Sounds are in line with ES style instruments and the minibuckers are a nice change. I need to adjust them a little due to a little loss of volume on the high… read more E (to my ear) I didn't notice it on recording playback. I have been a minibucker fan for a long time. I own a 60s Firebird and Les Paul Deluxe with the minis and have always gotten along with them. For a low cost guitar this comes with a good wood fretboard, good nut and bridge. The electronics seem good on first glance but could be an easy upgrade in the future. Neck is comfortable and I found no fret problems on this guitar. Pots are smooth. No, it doesn't feel like a $2500 guitar, but I doesn't feel like a under $1000 guitar either. End of the day, plays well and has useable sounds. I think I'll have fun adding this into the family

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