Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $296

Budget/Beginner

$500

$1201+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Dive into the retro charm and exceptional versatility of the Epiphone Wildkat Royale, a semi-hollowbody electric guitar that offers a unique blend of vintage aesthetics and modern playability. This instrument stands out with its two dog-eared P-90 pickups, delivering a rich, nuanced tone that can traverse a wide range of genres, from jazz to rock. The tremolo tailpiece adds a layer of expressiveness, allowing for subtle vibrato and pitch modulation. Whether you're on stage or in the studio, the Wildkat Royale commands attention with its distinctive look and sound, making it a prized addition to any guitarist's collection.

Key Features:

  • Semi-hollowbody design for a resonant, airy tone
  • Two dog-eared P-90 pickups for versatile, rich sound
  • Tremolo tailpiece for expressive vibrato effects
  • Unique retro aesthetic that stands out on any stage

Product specs

Brand Epiphone
Model Wildkat Royale
Finish Black Pearl, Chicago Blue Pearl, Metallic Red, Pearl White
Year 2011 - 2019
Made In China
Categories Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Semi-Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Tremolo Tailpiece
Color Family Black, Blue, Red, White
Finish Style Metallic
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Fretboard Radius 12"
Model Family Epiphone Wildkat
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany, Maple
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration SS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"
Series Epiphone Kat Series, Epiphone Royale
Top Material Maple
Wood Top Style Opaque

FAQs

What kind of sound can I expect from the Epiphone Wildkat Royale?

The Epiphone Wildkat Royale delivers a warm, full-bodied tone with a touch of brightness, thanks to its P-90 pickups and semi-hollow body design. It's versatile enough for blues, rock, and jazz genres.

Is the Epiphone Wildkat Royale suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Epiphone Wildkat Royale is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable neck profile and manageable size, while also offering features appreciated by more experienced players.

What is the neck profile of the Epiphone Wildkat Royale like?

The Epiphone Wildkat Royale features a comfortable, slim-taper neck profile that facilitates easy playability and smooth transitions across the fretboard.

Does the Epiphone Wildkat Royale come with a tremolo tailpiece?

Yes, the Epiphone Wildkat Royale is equipped with a Bigsby-style tremolo tailpiece, allowing for expressive vibrato effects.

What materials are used in the construction of the Epiphone Wildkat Royale?

The Epiphone Wildkat Royale features a mahogany body with a maple top, a rosewood fretboard, and a set-neck construction, contributing to its rich tone and sustain.

Woodwind & Brasswind is now Music & Arts

Woodwind & Brasswind is now Music & Arts

Epiphone Limited Edition Wildkat Royale Electric Guitar Pearl White

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Limited Edition Wildkat Royale Electric Guitar Pearl White by Woodwind & Brasswind is now Music & Arts

Epiphone Limited Edition Wildkat Royale Electric Guitar Pearl White

Woodwind & Brasswind is now Music & Arts

Woodwind & Brasswind is now Music & Arts

Video thumbnail for AVW tests out the Epiphone Limited Edition Wildkat Royale by Allen Van Wert

AVW tests out the Epiphone Limited Edition Wildkat Royale

Allen Van Wert

Allen Van Wert

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Wildkat Royale | If An Archtop and A Solidbody Got Together by C. A. House Music

Epiphone Wildkat Royale | If An Archtop and A Solidbody Got Together

C. A. House Music

C. A. House Music

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Wildkat Royale with Bigsby in for an overhaul / set-up... by Fret Friend Guitar Workshop and Luthiery

Epiphone Wildkat Royale with Bigsby in for an overhaul / set-up...

Fret Friend Guitar Workshop and Luthiery

Fret Friend Guitar Workshop and Luthiery

Video thumbnail for Epiphone wildkat royale by Chad Perez

Epiphone wildkat royale

Chad Perez

Chad Perez

Reviews

PROS

  • Eye-catching design with sparkly vintage white finish and gold hardware

  • Comfortable neck shape, easier to play compared to other semi-hollows

  • Versatile tonal range suitable for jazz, blues, and classic rock

  • P-90 pickups provide warm, slightly crunchy sound

  • Bigsby tremolo enhances ambient sounds and subtle tones

  • Excellent clean tone with dogear P-90 pickups

  • Suitable for both beginners and as a project guitar

  • Solid build quality, wider than a Les Paul

  • Stays in tune better than expected for some users

CONS

  • Stock pickups may be too dark for some tastes

  • Bigsby tremolo can cause tuning instability

  • Tuner posts are too short for adequate string wrapping

  • Buzzing occurs with higher gain levels

  • Sharp break angle over the bridge may affect tuning stability

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Epiphone Wildkat Royale.

Setup and maintenance

  • Replacing the bridge with a roller bridge improves tuning stability when using the Bigsby, with a direct drop-in fit.

    Source
  • A user rebuilding a Wildkat Royale mentions needing a Tusq XL nut and an Epiphone case as part of their upgrade process.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The semi-hollow body design includes a center block up to the bridge, contributing to its weight.

    Source
  • The Wildkat Royale includes individual volume knobs for each P90 pickup and a master tone knob, providing detailed control over sound mixing.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Ideal for country rock and blues, but not suitable for thrash or shredding.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Offers a unique character and tone, positioned between a Gretsch and a Gibson ES-335 in feel and size.

    Source

Build quality

  • The Bigsby tailpiece can complicate string changes and tuning stability.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Guyker locking tuners fit the Wildkat Royale without additional drilling, providing a solution for those needing to replace malfunctioning original tuners.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners have reported tuning stability issues particularly with the B string, necessitating tuner replacements.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the distinct tonal character created by the dual P90 pickups, often described as warm and versatile, suitable for various genres beyond its popular use in blues and country rock.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 6 Reviews and 24 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
ocanderson

[deleted]

jimmarchi1

replace the soapbars with some fralin hum free ones, and put some 500K CTS pots in while you are at it.... you can thank me later when you start using your wildcat more

ocanderson

I will thank you later for the advice!

hannesmusic

Good looking but doesn't stay in tune

This guitar is one of the best looking in its price class i would say. The p90 pickups give a very warm and slightly crunchy sound. The thing is, since this guitar is quite cheap the bigsby is not very good, and so the guitar went out of tne after just one song though I only used the bigsby once and also fairly soft. Maybe thicker strings are a good way to go.

cupertino

One of the best guitars you can have for the price

Got 2 of these babies, great looks and fell, but a roller bride and some Nut Sauce is absolutly necessary if you want to get twangy with it!

matthew_s_ziesel

Great guitar for its price

Surprisingly, it stays in tune the best of all my guitars. It has a great sound that helps fill the void in my electrics.

misa_patolli

great guitar

this guitar it's pretty much a pro, this sound goes from blues, until hardrock!

From Gear Setup
B

P90's Dirty guitar sound

Artist usage

Add artist
See how classic j uses Epiphone Wildkat Royale

classic j

Singer, Guitarist

glass beach

...
Verified via YouTube

j can be seen using what looks like the Epiphone Wildkat Royale while performing "abyss angel" (57:42 in the video) at Thalia Hall in Chicago during glass beach's 2024 tour.

See how Mon Laferte uses Epiphone Wildkat Royale

Mon Laferte

Guitarist, Singer

...
Verified via Google

On Lollapalooza in Chile, Mon Laferte is seen with an Ephiphone Wildkat Royale.

See how Dylan Frederick uses Epiphone Wildkat Royale

Dylan Frederick

Guitarist

...
Verified via SoundCloud

Used at a show in March 2018 in Louisiana

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Epiphone Wildkat Royale, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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misa_patolli

misa_patolli

Gear IQ 106

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