It has no power though. The youtube demo has the amp set on half power, we'll say 5, and it is dirty. You'll never be able to play something not overdriven.

vulture, sorry only now I see you're in australia - i understand that crap, Im in europe. Id expect it would be reasonable to get something from Japan though? I got my jag through ebay from japan, for around 450 usd, practically new. consider shipping, import though and be careful for dodgy sellers.

Jake, funny about the power block!

fwiw, 5watts should put out between 80 and 85% of the percieved volume of a 50watts bassman (which is too loud for me at pratcice). if you hook it up to a modern efficient (over 100dB SPL) speaker as opposed to the around 94 dB speakers of days gone by, it should (theoretically at least) be louder then the bassman with 60's speakers.

hell dude, they used to power cinema installations with 5 watt single ended EL84 amps, which is what the epi is.

all I can say is I got that little epi combo thing, I've used it for rehearsal and had enough (not plenty) volume, even with the small speaker. rhythm guitar could use it without a problem. Im actually considering buying two more as mini backline, since we might have to do a gig in while involving a long drive with just one car....

Ive used it with gigs with a jazz drummer (admittedly, lighter touch) to full satisfatcion. actually, didn't they use the skylark (which this is a copy of) in bigbands?
my only beef with that epi amp is that it's WAY to f'ing loud for what I bought it for, i.e. home recording and practicing. I used it to record in a well isolated closed box and it was still woke up the kids.

and if you add that here most places actually have a PA, force you to use it and then keep telling you to turn down on the amp, it makes a whole lot of sense to use a smaller amp that you can actually use at the sweet spot. though Id much rather ditch the PA and turn BIG AMPS all the way UP! plus it doesn't really sound much like a blackface fender. obviously, but the sound is growing on me.

it also depends on what you want it for of course. but I agree with you Jake, that a powerblock is a much better choice as a first amp, cause it's closer to a blackface sound (yes it is), has more options all around and a larger range of useable volumes, plus can be used with 4 and 8 ohm cabs, and a shitload of other options.

just some thoughts.

WR

Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."

https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/

JakeDobner
The Hi-Flyer I've played is one of the worst guitars of all-time. I've never played the Sidejack though. I really hate the carve on the top of the guitar though. Its repulsive.

None of these are Mosrites. They are just cheap copies that don't look right.

As for the Wilson Brothers. Why do we consider these Mosrite copies? Even if flipped upside down they don't look right. Reminds me more of a strat copy save for the hardware.

The best looking copy is the Excellent which everybody considers a Mosrite. The next best in my opinion is the Dillion. Which still isn't a Mosrite no matter how much you want it to be.

The Hi-Flyer is a copy of the Univox Hi-Flyer, not a Mosrite. You can say that the Univox is a Mosrite knockoff but there are several differences that lend itself to being a totally different guitar. I have a Wilson Bros and they are EXCELLENT guitars. The body shape is more symmetrical and the necks aren't like pencils, so it also isn't meant to be a direct copy of the Mosrites. Considering that Don Wilson and Nokie Edwards didn't care for Mosrites, you shouldn't expect them to be exact copies.

Shawn Martin
http://www.drummerman.net
http://www.youtube.com/GKacedrummerman
http://www.facebook.com/drumuitar

Too bad 'Hallmark' doesnt make something similar to a Mosrite body; those swept wings are apparently really nice (according to you guys who bought them and reviewed them) I just don't dig the Swept wing body.

FlowmasterG_
If you really want a Mosrite, a brand new Excellent can be had for under $1,300, which is not bad nor too expensive for a class A guitar. Zammic sell's 'em on ebay all the time.

Not anymore since Mosrite of Japan has discontinued their production. I got one of the last this summer from Zamminc. I think Japanese manufacturer Fillmore is still doing Mosrites though.

T H E ✠ S U R F I T E S

vulture
they sell here at mostly $1200

webprice new in europe is over two grand... go figure.

im better off just buying a epi VJ and add a few extra tubes

evaluate your needs and chose form that. not sure what the extra tubes would do, the stock ones in mine sound decent enough.

WR

Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."

https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/

FlowmasterG_
I insist though: why is it so..so rare to see any surf band playing Mosrites on stage? Here in LA where we have more surf bands than anywhere else (duh), I have not seen ONE Mosrite (new or vintage) on stage.

I'm sure one reason is that the Mosrite isn't really a surf guitar. I very much like my Excellent but rather use it for Ventures/eleki type of stuff. As for reliability, I wouldn't hesitate to play it at a show.

T H E ✠ S U R F I T E S

I insist though: why is it so..so rare to see any surf band playing Mosrites on stage? Here in LA where we have more surf bands than anywhere else (duh), I have not seen ONE Mosrite (new or vintage) on stage.

LA also has the most surf bands not playing trad gear. Dave Wronski can be seen with a Mosrite on the Live at the Whiskey LP. Of course Starcrunch used them to great effect, although I contest it is a 6120 on at least Destroy All Astromen. Of course Nebulas, Lava Rats, Satan's Pilgrims. And I'm sure a couple more.

We also know Marty Tippens is one of the Mosrite authorities for SoCal, and I'll also mention that Rory from The Infrareds/CHUM just bought an excellent at the beginning of the summer and has been using it primarily throughout much of the year.

~B~

Brian
And Andy from the (apparently defunct?) Hypnotic IV was even endorsed by Fillmore.

Brian,
Sadly, it's not apparently - the H4 called it quits a few years back, essentially right after Andy had his baby.

Not only he, but all the guitar slingers in the Hypnotic IV benefitted from the Fillmore endorsement. Andy's in particular was a beauty -- it was a bound sunburst sidejack. I got to play it once, and MAN, that thing was a work of art.

~B~