Gallery
Description
Features
Reviews
Q&A

Videos (4)

View All
The Epiphone Wildkat

The Epiphone Wildkat

Runaround Sue (cover) - Epiphone WildKat Ltd Electric Guitar

Runaround Sue (cover) - Epiphone WildKat Ltd Electric Guitar

All Star - Smash mouth (cover) - Epiphone WildKat Ltd Electric Guitar

All Star - Smash mouth (cover) - Epiphone WildKat Ltd Electric Guitar

View Video

View Video

Epiphone

Description

The WildKat Bigsby hollowbody electric guitar is a wild guitar with a lot to catch the fancy of all kinds of players: chrome Vibratone tailpiece for vintage detail, flamed maple top for gorgeous looks, and 2 Alnico V P-90s for hot-rodded tone. It also features a maple neck, rosewood fretboard, mahogany sides and back, and body and neck binding complete. Case sold separately.

Epiphone is a leader in archtop design and has been since the 1930s. An early pioneer in archtops even before they were electrified, Epiphone was never afraid to do something out of the ordinary. With no notable changes in archtop design by anybody in decades, Epiphone took the archtop and practically married it to a solid body guitar. This Wildkat Bigsby hollowbody takes its place among their all-time great designs.
Epiphone Wildkat Bigsby Hollowbody Electric Guitar Antique Natural Chrome
Epiphone Wildkat Bigsby Hollowbody Electric Guitar Antique Natural Chrome
Epiphone Wildkat Bigsby Hollowbody Electric Guitar Antique Natural Chrome

Features

Body
  • Body shape: Single cutaway
  • Body type: Semi-hollow or chambered body
  • Body material: Laminated
  • Top wood: Maple
  • Body wood: Maple
  • Body finish: Gloss
  • Orientation: Right handed
Neck
  • Neck shape: SlimTaper D
  • Neck wood: Maple
  • Joint: Set-in
  • Scale length: 24.75"
  • Truss rod: Standard
  • Neck finish: Gloss
Fretboard
  • Material: Rosewood
  • Radius: 12"
  • Fret size: Medium jumbo
  • Number of frets: 22
  • Inlays: Dot
  • Nut width: 1.68" (42.67mm)
Pickups
  • Configuration: SS
  • Neck: P-90R
  • Middle: Not applicable
  • Bridge: P-90T
  • Brand: Epiphone
  • Active or passive pickups: Passive
  • Series or parallel: Series
  • Piezo: No
  • Active EQ: No
  • Special electronics: None
Controls
  • Control layout: Volume 1, volume 2, master volume, master tone
  • Pickup switch: 3-way
  • Coil tap or split: No
  • Kill switch: No
Hardware
  • Bridge type: Tremolo/Vibrato
  • Bridge design: Tune-o-matic
  • Tailpiece: Bigsby B70
  • Tuning machines: Grover
  • Color: Nickel
Other
  • Number of strings: 6-string
  • Special features: Body finish
  • Case: Sold separately
  • Accessories: None
  • Country of origin: China

Reviews

4.35

91 Reviews

89%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

I'm plan on buy a few different color guitars
I'm plan on buy a few different color guitars
I'm plan on buy a few different color guitars
Fantastic guitar (with a couple fixes)
Fantastic guitar (with a couple fixes)
A fantastic guitar!
If I had to chose just one guitar
Woah
Woah
I'm A Believer,
I'm A Believer,

Most Liked Positive Review

5

I'm A Believer,

I was first attracted to this guitar by its cool, retro looks but was concerned about the actual quality. After all, it's one of those second rate, Chinese made Epiphones. You know, nothing but a cheap, flimsy Gibson wanna-be, right? Well, I'm here to tell you, that after doing some research on the Gibson Qingdao factory that produces nothing but Epiphones to Gibson QA specs and then actually handling this guitar at the store, I decided on the Antique Natural and bought it on the spot because It's absolutely gorgeous! The fit and finish is second to none. The color of the maple top is a rich, honey blonde. The back is a light, almost orange mahogany. The binding tying them together is perfect in every way and the clear finish IS perfectly clear and flawless. The neck has a great feel. Again, the neck binding is perfect and there are no sharp fret edges. The rosewood fretboard has a consistent, dark, rich color and the D shape neck profile is very comfortable. The hardware appears to be good quality as well. The licensed Bigsby has no casting flaws and the chrome is bright and smooth. It has a smooth, solid feel with no clicks or rattles. The Grover tuners turn nicely and hold tight. The pickup switch is crisp and the pots have a nice resisted feel to them. I replaced the strings with Ernie Ball Super Slinky 9's, oiled the fret board and performed a quick setup, making very minor adjustments to the action and neck relief. I stretched the strings, tuned her up and found the intonation to be dead on! Once plugged in, there is no hum and I experienced no annoying feedback whatsoever. The Epiphone "designed in USA" P90's sound great and are more than adequate, however if I considered any mod's it might be upgraded pup's but that's only because I'm a tinkerer by nature and honestly, I'm in no hurry. All in all, this is a great guitar and if it had Gibson USA stamped into the headstock I would have paid twice as much and still thought I got a super deal. Bottom line is if you want a great looking, nice playing, affordable guitar, RUN OUT AND BUY A WILDKAT!

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

3

Great Looking..but has some problems

Pros: Gorgeous to look at, Sweet Tone, Bigsby Tremolo(licensed) Cons: Look too hard at the Trem & its out of tune, feedback when its overdriven. Be prepared to have to make some adjustments to it. I have owned two..the first arrived with a crack in the finish between the F hole and the P90..the second arrived with loose connections at the input jack. Epiphone needs to step up their quality control.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Jamming34
  2. Practicing32
  3. Small Venues18
  4. Recording16
  5. Rock Concerts10
Cons
  1. Fret Buzz6
  2. Craftsmanship2
  3. Flat Sound2
  4. Impossible to intonate or keep in tune1
  5. Poor Pick Up1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced29
  2. Novice13
  3. Professional Musician2
Pros
  1. Fun To Play35
  2. Good Feel32
  3. Good Tone29
  4. Good Pick Up25
  5. Solid Electronics23

Reviewed by 91 customers

  • Terrific guitar

    5

    submitted4 years ago

    byJohn S

    fromIndianapolis

    The action is outstanding. The flame maple top and mahogany back and sides are beautiful, and the binding is perfect. I really can't believe the quality of this guitar for the price. It offers lots of tones. To me, it's a cross between a Les Paul and and ES 339. The P90 pickups are great, and it is a very acoustical semi-acoustic. As a result, it does want to feed back when you're not playing. Just move away from your amp, or turn down the conveniently located master volume control. Really fun guitar.

  • Good entry level guitar

    4

    submitted6 years ago

    byPMJ

    fromBridgewater NJ

    A nice looking guitar. A little disappointed in the effort to conceal the wires inside. It has everything you need for an entry level guitar and all the features of a more expensive model.

  • Not recommended due to intonation issues

    1

    submitted6 years ago

    byLeemanPA

    fromLake Ariel, PA

    Nice LOOKING guitar. I worked on the intonation for 3 hours, changed to heavier strings, regardless it would neither stay in tune after whammy use or achieve g string intonation, no more room on bridge to extend length. I suppose you get what you pay for.

  • Great looking guitar, great feel.

    5

    submitted6 years ago

    bySpyder

    fromClearwater, Florida

    I have a few guitars so I haven't played it much. Its a great looking guitar.

  • It will be a GREAT guitar after a few mods!

    4

    submitted6 years ago

    byMusicMaker

    fromArizona

    Was able to pick this beautiful guitar up on sale and, once I do the mods, it will be a GREAT guitar! As several others have mentioned, this guitar has issues with staying in tune if the Bigsby Vibrato is used. Two reasons for this..... #1- Because this is a smaller body size, there isn't enough area behind the bridge and the Bigsby making the "break angle" too steep. #2- The bridge is not a roller bridge and it really needs to be, IMO. There are aftermarket parts to cure both of these issues. That being said, be prepared to spend a little extra to make these Wildkats playable. Also expect that setup adjustments will be needed. Others have complained about the sound of the pickups and such. Since this is my first experience with the P-90 pickups I can't really comment, other than to say that they do have a different sound than regular humbuckers. Each musician will probably have a different opinion as to whether that sound is good or bad for them. Other than what I've already mentioned, the Wildkat I received was well-made and without any visible flaws in the finish. I would recommend these if you can get one of these on sale. Even at Musician Friend's regular price, you will be hard-pressed to find a guitar with these features at that price point.

  • Almost perfect!

    4

    submitted6 years ago

    byRob

    fromMemphis

    Upgrade Bigsby roller, install graphite nut and roller bridge and it will stay in tune.

Q&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitted4 years ago

    asked byRichard

    fromPa.

    Any suggestions for which strings sound coolest?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    That will depend on the tone and music you want to play

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked bySherry

    fromMontauk ,NY

    Hi , Anyone know if the a wildkat has any resonance unplugged?

    Open Reply - Ronald
    It has more than a solid body, but not quite as much as an acoustic.

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byLee

    fromDublin, Ohio

    How much does an epiphone wildkat weigh?

    Open Reply - Beau
    This guitar weighs 11 lbs.

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byTinMap

    fromOREGON

    Where is it made from ?

    Open Reply - Beau
    Country of origin: China

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byLuis

    fromPassaic,NJ

    How do you store this guitar in a soft case? Can you store it in a soft case? Is it bad?

    Open Reply - Ronald
    You can store it in a soft case. It works basically the same way as a hardshell case, just with not as reinforced protection.

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byIron cloud.

    fromOregon

    Is this guitar available for left handed players?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    Please contact a Sales Agent for Special Order placement

  • submitted7 years ago

    asked byMac

    fromNorman, ok

    What is the msrp on the epiphone wildkat?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    Please contact a Sales Agent for specific pricing inquiries

  • submitted7 years ago

    asked byKeshav

    fromSan Jose, CA

    Is this guitar good for jazz?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    Yes, this will be good for jazz