Limited Edition Custom Shop Epiphone Thunderbird

[John Deacon]

I had posted a thread about a week ago asking the same question, but never got a definite answer. I've seen a few thunderbirds online for sale, that have the Limited Edition Custom Shop stamp on the back of the headstock.

I have also seen thunderbirds without it. What is the difference between the two.

Thanks!

[John Deacon]

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[John Deacon]

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[TBird1958]

The Custom shop logo is on all of Epiphone's Limited Edition colors, ie Alpine White Pelham Blue and Candy Apple Red - This one is mine before I made it into a Fenderbird.

[John Deacon]

The odd thing is, is that i've seen them on black ones too. And I thought that was a normal color. Btw, I love your collection of thunderbirds! Are you selling any at this time?

[TBird1958]

Black is likely a Custom Shop color too, the only "standard" finish is S/B. Sorry but right now I'm not selling any of my babies, I'm kinda looking to add a Gibson Studio fiver

[John Deacon]

Oh, very nice! I've seen some videos of you playing live, you guys are great!

[Johnny Crab]

Basically the same except the "Custom" ones have nice paint.

They originally were issued in the "Bass of the Month" program in 2005 with white being first IIRC. Then the other colors followed(red, blue) and Japan got them first under the "JEC Custom" distributorship over there. Here's the original write up(still alive!)....scroll down a little.

http://www.epiphone.com/news.asp?NewsID=215

The first one here:


Next, a JEC one(same as USA one):


And another


Only trouble I had? Watch the rear studs as they can pull out. Careful application of Crazy Glue Gel, making SURE not to get it in the threads, fixed the white one's problem:


Finally, the so-called Neck Dive(aka folks with weak arms and skinny straps) can be cured by getting a wide strap and add a neck strap button in the heel area as seen below. It is STRONGLY suggested that you install Strap Locs and GLUE them in by putting a drop of glue in the hole and a bit on the screw thread. I did have more than one try to come out of the soft wood. I fixed them all with glue.
Locations: pick one.

From an old forum that used to be the best:


My preference:


TBird58 has one of the best collections of beautiful T-Birds.

[ggoat!!!]

Man I wish Nikki Sixx never started playing Thunderbird style basses. I know it's shallow and makes no sense...just like whenever I see a white explorer bass I think "Rick Savage" and sitting in my parents' living room in 1988 watching "Hard 60" on MTV where all they ever showed was that "Pour Some Sugar On Me" video ha ha...

[Stinsok]

Originally Posted by TBird1958

Black is likely a Custom Shop color too, the only "standard" finish is S/B. Sorry but right now I'm not selling any of my babies, I'm kinda looking to add a Gibson Studio fiver

Do you have any pictures of your T-Birds?

[John Deacon]

I know! TBird, you have the nicest collection I have ever seen of Thunderbirds. I have a few questions for you if you see my other thread.

[DRafalske]

Originally Posted by TBird1958

Black is likely a Custom Shop color too, the only "standard" finish is S/B. Sorry but right now I'm not selling any of my babies, I'm kinda looking to add a Gibson Studio fiver

Pretty sure my black Epi has the "Limited Edition" stamp too. I'll try to remember to take a look when I get home.

D

[TBird1958]

Originally Posted by John Deacon

Oh, very nice! I've seen some videos of you playing live, you guys are great!

Hey Thank you!

Here's some 'Bird pics, I need to do a new group shot before our nice summer weather goes away.



Plus a couple that didn't make that shot.

[Stinsok]

I dig the purple one. Is that a factory color?

[Blazer]

Originally Posted by TBird1958

Hey Thank you!

Here's some 'Bird pics, I need to do a new group shot before our nice summer weather goes away.



Plus a couple that didn't make that shot.

I said it before Mark, you have an awesome collection.

[J. Crawford]

I really dig the Nikki Sixx sig, and the Mike Lull.

Im not a Crue fan, but that NS sig is just cool!

[John Deacon]

Oh man, I dig the Nikki Sixx one too. How does that play?

And I always love seeing those basses you have!

[TBird1958]

Originally Posted by J. Crawford

I really dig the Nikki Sixx sig, and the Mike Lull.

Im not a Crue fan, but that NS sig is just cool!

I like the Crue, but I'm not a huge fan either - I do like that sig 'Bird a lot tho, it's wired VT killswitch, and the maple wings give it a distinctly darker tighter tone than a standard issue 'Bird. Mine is undergoing a slow retro fit of chrome parts (bridge, tuners,opti grab, truss rod cover, pickguard and pick ups) so it'll be more "my" bass and much less a "sig"
Here it is with a new laser cut stainlees guard and TRC




The Purple one is a '76 that was a complete wreck (no bridge, busted headstock) Mike Lull flawlessly repaired the break and custom painted it, I made the PG.

[NWB]

Originally Posted by TBird1958

I like the Crue, but I'm not a huge fan either - I do like that sig 'Bird a lot tho, it's wired VT killswitch, and the maple wings give it a distinctly darker tighter tone than a standard issue 'Bird. Mine is undergoing a slow retro fit of chrome parts (bridge, tuners,opti grab, truss rod cover, pickguard and pick ups) so it'll be more "my" bass and much less a "sig"
Here it is with a new laser cut stainlees guard and TRC




The Purple one is a '76 that was a complete wreck (no bridge, busted headstock) Mike Lull flawlessly repaired the break and custom painted it, I made the PG.

Criminy!

Amazing collection.

I've got to see/hear some of those birds in action.

Your band sounds pretty darn good and I'll have to go to a show soon since I'm close to Seattle.

[TBird1958]

We're at Club Motor, 1950 1st Ave. S. Seattle next Thur. 8/20/2009, we open the show from 9-10 lots of Burlesque girls are on after us.