NEW! Epiphone Classic-IV PRO Thunderbirds!!

[hillerup]

Simply beautiful....

Now I also got GAS for a vintage sunburst - Thank you!

[DethByDoom]

Can't ****ing wait for mine to come in!

[JohnnyL]

I received my second Thunderbird Classic Bass a few days ago. I didn't give it a close inspection at the time because it is a gift for my daughter and I'm trying to keep it under wraps. Today I took it out for a closer look. I found the neck finish has five 'checks' stemming from the insets of the frets on the low E side of the neck from frets 2-7. The checks extend toward the middle of the neck and vary in length from 1-2 inches.

Anyone else have this issue? I know that shipping in cold weather can cause this-thats why I didn't feel bad letting it acclimate a few days.

The bass itself is set up nice and plays great. I love it. No string spacing problems with this one as was the first one I had. I regret the finish checks. I know some may think its cool but it is not the same as a lacquer finish. On a poly finish you can feel it when you scrape it with your nail. If choosing one in person I would not select one checked like this.

I love the bass-I hope that "Third time is charm" for this acquistion.

JSL-Yours and the others look great! I trust everyone will enjoy them immensely.

Take Care,

John

[JSL]

Hi John,

Im kinda happy with mine, Im going to drop it off at my local bass store and get it set up better. Its very buzzy at the moment.

Im intrigued regarding your checks, can you upload some photos?

Cheers,

J

[JohnnyL]

Here you go.

[TBird1958]

Wow, amazing.
I'd have trouble beliving that left the factory that way.......Or how it could have happened in shipping. Whom did you purchase it from?

[Immigrant]

Agreed.

To my untrained eye, checking my foot! That looks like it cracked during fretting. I'd send it back immediately.

I empathize completely. Good luck with what you opt for.

[Jwood]

That's a bummer, I'd send it back ASAP.

[wvbass]

Originally Posted by TBird1958

Wow, amazing.
I'd have trouble beliving that left the factory that way.......Or how it could have happened in shipping. Whom did you purchase it from?

Both seem unlikely to me too...but maybe it was both. Maybe it left the factory with tiny cracks that weren't really noticeable. Then, due to rapid temperature changes during shipping, the cracks expanded. This is what happens with a cracked windshield....

[Rip Topaz]

Originally Posted by JohnnyL

Here you go.

It's hard to tell for sure from the pix, but is it possible they aren't checks but gouge marks? Possibly made during fretwork? The one looks kinda curved, like maybe a file slipped.

[JohnnyL]

Originally Posted by wvbass

Both seem unlikely to me too...but maybe it was both. Maybe it left the factory with tiny cracks that weren't really noticeable. Then, due to rapid temperature changes during shipping, the cracks expanded. This is what happens with a cracked windshield....

This is what I was thinking as well.

Each of them stem from the fret. They weren't gouges at all. You could feel them with your nail at a 45-90 degree angle but felt smooth when fretting on the neck.

It is now on its way back to the seller. I hope '3rd time is charm.'

I do like this bass alot. Much better than the entry level guitars I tried prior to this one.

Thanks for the feedback.

John

[DethByDoom]

Mine came in today. The set up was great right out the box. One less than desirable finish flaw but its barely noticeable. This bass is a huge step up.

[Mark4]

Returned my sunburst for the white model. Although it's not perfect, the paint itself is nicely done, and the neck is fantastic. No buzzing, I've been able to get the action lower than that of my USA Schecter (very low), and I haven't even deepened the nut slots yet.

[Peepaleep]

Originally Posted by Mark4

I've been able to get the action lower than that of my USA Schecter (very low), and I haven't even deepened the nut slots yet.

I wonder why there is such inconsistency with these basses. I can't get the action any lower than 6/32nd on the E side because the front screw is maxed on how lot it can go.

I've sent an e-mail to my Sweetwater guy asking if they can do a little work on it for me. It seems silly to have to put an aftermarket bridge on a brand new bass just to lower the action.

[wvbass]

Originally Posted by Peepaleep

I wonder why there is such inconsistency with these basses. I can't get the action any lower than 6/32nd on the E side because the front screw is maxed on how lot it can go.

I've sent an e-mail to my Sweetwater guy asking if they can do a little work on it for me. It seems silly to have to put an aftermarket bridge on a brand new bass just to lower the action.

Because they are selling them for $499. For this bass that is ambitious pricing. I had trouble getting the action low on mine until I realized the ferrules weren't fully seated. I carefully pounded the in and it made a difference. Keep in mind, too, that this is a bass built for playing with a pick. Us finger style players may have trouble dropping the action as low as we want.

Edit: and inconsistency? C'mon! Its a Gibson brand. When they are right, they are best of the best. They just aren't always right. Remember, this is the company that made a line of basses in the 60's that couldn't be intonated properly. I think they were called "thunderbirds" or something like that.

[wilfred]

Are these guys really heavy??

[JSL]

Originally Posted by wilfred

Are these guys really heavy??

I dont think so, I thought mine was VERY light! No idea how it compares to a Gibson? Anyone?

Cheers,

J

[wvbass]

Originally Posted by wilfred

Are these guys really heavy??

Mine is 9lbs on the nose. Looking at sweetwater's site, they seem to all generally be in the 9lbs range.

[JohnnyL]

Originally Posted by JSL

I dont think so, I thought mine was VERY light! No idea how it compares to a Gibson? Anyone?

Cheers,

J

I have had two so far. The second one weighed just over 9 lbs. I could not believe the first one was 8 lbs. on my digital bathroom scale!


Regarding the action. The action on both I had were comfortably low with no buzzing. I'm not a bass player yet, but I couldn't see a reason to lower the action than how they were set.

Happy Thanksgiving!

John

John

[wilfred]

Originally Posted by wvbass

Mine is 9lbs on the nose. Looking at sweetwater's site, they seem to all generally be in the 9lbs range.

Cool thanks!