Epiphone Newport Bass: An affordable ’60s classic?
Based on the 1961 model and available in some great custom colours.
4,4 / 5,0 | 
The Epiphone Newport Bass is a short-scale bass that was originally released in the early 1960s. Epiphone has relaunched the model this year and it is being offered with twin pickups and some great custom colour options as well.
Epiphone Newport Bass
The 2023 Epiphone Newport Bass is based on the original models released all the way back in 1961. It has a symmetrical mahogany body and comes with a matching mahogany medium C profile neck. This has a Laurel fretboard and is fitted with 20 frets with traditional dot fret markers.
custom colours · Source: Epiphone
This modern version has the traditional two-a-side headstock style fitted with a set of die-cast tuners. It is launching in four finishes, including the classic Cherry finish along with three custom colours California Coral, Sunset Yellow and Pacific Blue.
They come fitted with a Bass Sidewinder in the neck position and the TB PRO bridge pickup. These should offer plenty of spank, and are wired using traditional Master Volume, Blend Knob and Master Tone controls.
Hardware includes the Historic Bass Tune-O-Matic bridge ad Historic Claw tailpiece, which all look solid and should intonate well. The bass is a short-scale model at 30.5″ which offers a lot of benefits for many players, as it is easier to move around and it will have its own tone/feel.
California Coral · Source: Epiphone
Traditional?
Sure, the original 1961 instruments only had a single-neck pickup, so purists may baulk. I’d rather have the option of having two pickups though, as you potentially have more tones at your disposal.
Value for money?
Overall, these look like a great buy. They offer easy access to higher registers, as a double-cut body design, an easier-to-handle short-scale length and two pickups with a nest blend control
Price wise they are also very reasonable and that could put them into the hands of many musicians. Plus, those custom colours are very welcome.
MSRP – USD 379 / EUR 379 *
More Information
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4 responses to “Epiphone Newport Bass: An affordable ’60s classic?”
I love the idea of this, just wish they made a more premium version; lightweight tuners, Gibson pickups, satin finish on the neck.
I really wanted to love the Jack Casady basses, but it wasn’t quite right for me for similar reasons. Cool basses, though!
I agree on all points. The Serek Midwestern is probably closest in spirit to these Epiphones but with modern specs. (They’re hand made, beautiful, and much much more expensive.)
Finally!!!!! I was glad to see the recent Embassy models but thrilled to finally see a short scale version. Can’t wait to check one out!
Had ebo for years all ways needed the other pickup on and now finally got one fantastic