NBD! Epiphone Thunderbird

thedudebrah · #1 12-15-2012, 05:02 PM

Cross this one off of my Gas list. Was out Xmas shopping with a friend and her boyfriend and she suggested we stop in a small music shop near my house since both her boyfriend and myself are musicians. Found this hanging on the wall and played around a little bit through a crappy 20 watt combo. Needs the string height adjusted, but the neck is straight and it plays great. A few small dings, but other wise it's in great shape! Got it for $250.

Only have one pic cause I wanna set this thing up and play.

Dredmahawkus · #2 12-15-2012, 05:22 PM

nice looking!

almost the same thing happened to me today! I was shopping online for gifts then went to GC site and bought a GK neo 2-12.

thedudebrah · #3 12-15-2012, 09:03 PM

Got it set up to my liking and played it for a few hours. Sounds great through my acoustic b200. Can't wait to play it through my SVT rig.

Is it worth upgrading the pickups or anything, or should I just leave it as-is?

T-Bird · #4 12-15-2012, 09:44 PM

Hi.

Gongrats on the NBD.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedudebrah

Is it worth upgrading the pickups or anything, or should I just leave it as-is?

Unless You're looking at Gibson PU's, or better yet Lulls, I wouldn't bother.

Everybody claims that the originals are lacking, but AFAIK there's just no substitutes that much better on the market.

I do have to admit that I do have a Model-One in mine next to the FB, but I also use the originals. And did for a long time before the mod.

Regards
Sam

stiles72 · #5 12-16-2012, 01:43 PM

The stock Epi pups work well IMO. I did a bunch of upgrades on my Epi IV and went with a Lull in the bridge position (because I wanted something chrome) but left the stock neck pup under the handrest. I think it has a great deep tone, especially with the tone knob off. Combined with the bright Lull pickup, it makes a nice balance between thump and definition.

P. Aaron · #6 12-16-2012, 01:50 PM

T-Birds look cool all day...congrats!

thedudebrah · #7 12-16-2012, 03:30 PM

Love that color Stiles!

Any way to counterbalance the massive neck dive I'm getting with this thing?

**DethByDoom** · #8 12-16-2012, 03:40 PM

You over paid.

thedudebrah · #9 12-16-2012, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DethByDoom

You over paid.

Oh well!

hdracer · #10 12-16-2012, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedudebrah

Any way to counterbalance the massive neck dive I'm getting with this thing?

A wide suede strap and learn to play with your right forearm resting on the rear bout of the bass.

hdracer · #11 12-16-2012, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedudebrah

Oh well!

You didn't get a smokin deal but with a hard case and the bass being in good shape you didn't get ripped ether.

thedudebrah · #12 12-16-2012, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdracer

You didn't get a smokin deal but with a hard case and the bass being in good shape you didn't get ripped ether.

I checked my local Craigslist while I was in store and saw them going or around 235. They also threw in a pack of new strings for me. I think I made out alright. Thanks for the tips on neck dive too!

**DethByDoom** · #13 12-16-2012, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdracer

You didn't get a smokin deal but with a hard case and the bass being in good shape you didn't get ripped ether.

They're 299 brand new now that the classic IV pro is out. Which is vastly improved. The case is 100 new. Not a ripoff but… yeah. Enjoy man, but if you can return might wanna consider the new classic pro.

Neck dive… move strap pin to use one of the neck plate bolts.

TBird1958 · #14 12-16-2012, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedudebrah

Love that color Stiles!

Any way to counterbalance the massive neck dive I'm getting with this thing?

Buy an extra set of strap pins and put one here...........

thedudebrah · #15 12-16-2012, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBird1958

Buy an extra set of strap pins and put one here...........

Never would have thought of that! Thanks!

Kopfjaeger · #16 12-16-2012, 08:51 PM

I stopped by my local Sam Ash and played the new Epi classic pro. It's a neck through made in Indonesia but has Gibson America wound pups. The sound was very good and I was amazed by its light weight. Fit and finish was OK. It was sorta like comparing Ikea furniture with Ethan Allen furniture. You can get comfortable on the stuff Ikea sells but you enjoy Ethan Allen quality more.

The set up was horrendous. I could have driven my truck under the strings above the 9th fret but the bridge appeared to be raised way up. The strings felt like crap but that is an easy fix. Priced at a bit lower than $600. without the case was a good price but I need another bass like I need another hole in my stupid head!! I've never played a Gibson made Thunderbird, I'm told they are "da bomb".

Sepp

eccles77 · #17 12-17-2012, 06:36 AM

I wouldn`t change the stock pup`s. I have the same model as yours and in the rehersal studio we use, it sounds good crancked up loud through an SVT and an 8x10. The guitarist who I was playing with couldn`t believe the sound that was coming from a cheap bass.