Saw a really amazing EPIPHONE today... I'm as shocked as you are

pablomigraine · #1 08-25-2010, 08:00 PM

So I came across an Epiphone today that really impressed me (a lifetime first) and I haven't been able to dig up any info on it. Maybe my fellow TBers can shed some light.

Les Paul body style, carved flame maple top (not the flat top I'm the models currently available) bound body, set neck, 5 string with 2-piece bridge, what looked to be real MOP fretboard inlays, and an inlay on the headstock that looked like a martini glass. Stamp on the headstock said limited edition. Big aftermarket Delano humbuckers.

Played like a dream. Excellent fretwork and feel.

What's the deal TB? What did they sell for new?

JoshuaTSP · #2 08-25-2010, 08:05 PM

like this?

http://upload.theopenjam.net/files/E...%205%20001.jpg

sorry for the huge pic....

http://www.musiciansnews.com/bass/14/epiphonelpb5.shtml

pablomigraine · #3 08-25-2010, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshuaTSP

like this?

http://upload.theopenjam.net/files/E...%205%20001.jpg

sorry for the huge pic....

http://www.musiciansnews.com/bass/14/epiphonelpb5.shtml

That's the one. Had a 5-position rotary switch.

JoshuaTSP · #4 08-25-2010, 08:25 PM

I recently bought one here a few weeks ago.

Anything in particular you'd like to know about it?

I don't know what they sold for new?

Showdown · #5 08-25-2010, 08:31 PM

I'm not shocked at all.

While they do make some cheap crappy basses they make some good ones too. I have an Allen Woody Rumblekat that is a really well made bass. The Jack Casady is also very nice. The "Elitist" series Thunderbirds from a few years ago were excellent basses. I haven't played one of the new Thunderbird Pros, but I hear they are pretty nice too.

pablomigraine · #6 08-25-2010, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshuaTSP

I recently bought one here a few weeks ago.

Anything in particular you'd like to know about it?

I don't know what they sold for new?

What did u pay for it? Hows it sound? What's the control layout? Any complaints?

JoshuaTSP · #7 08-25-2010, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pablomigraine

What did u pay for it? Hows it sound? What's the control layout? Any complaints?

I gentleman never tells.....

Sounds really good. To me the neck pickup alone sounds very P like....together a powerful but cutting meaty jazz type tone. The bridge is a little thin alone, but it has it's place too.

The controls are a volume for each pickup, global tone, and a selector switch that allows you to have various combinations of pickup modes. From what I can tell: both single, both parallel, one parallel one series, one series one parallel, and both series.

No complaints yet. It's a little heavy, but it sounds good.....sets up well. The bass plays, sounds and feels like a more expensive bass.

pablomigraine · #8 08-25-2010, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshuaTSP

I gentleman never tells.....

Sounds really good. To me the neck pickup alone sounds very P like....together a powerful but cutting meaty jazz type tone. The bridge is a little thin alone, but it has it's place too.

The controls are a volume for each pickup, global tone, and a selector switch that allows you to have various combinations of pickup modes. From what I can tell: both single, both parallel, one parallel one series, one series one parallel, and both series.

No complaints yet. It's a little heavy, but it sounds good.....sets up well. The bass plays, sounds and feels like a more expensive bass.

Hmmm ok.... I think I may grab it. The price he's asking is only slightly more than the Delanos alone would cost.

TGLbass · #9 08-25-2010, 09:35 PM

There's one of those at the music store down the road from me right now--Cherry sunburst with flame top. It's used and in decent shape. It's 300 or maybe a little more.

pablomigraine · #10 09-02-2010, 06:58 AM

Anyone else own one of these?

rockscott · #11 09-02-2010, 12:37 PM

The new thunderbirds are the real deal. I purchased one (pro 4) in july. Its one of the finest basses i have ever owned.

darkstorm · #12 09-02-2010, 12:49 PM

I'm not surprised. Epiphones mid level and up set neck guitars and basses are very well made with excellent fretwork and very good QC. Their all mahogany body and neck stuff being my fave.

rockscott · #13 09-02-2010, 01:30 PM

The new pro line Tbirds are neck through, 7 piece walnut & maple with mahogany wings, rosewood fingerboard, active humbuckers, graphite nut! A super sleek neck with amazing action, a badass style bridge and a huge range of tone! If your looking to buy one , be advised, they are very heavy!

SMG · #14 09-03-2010, 01:30 AM

The Epi Les Paul 5 string and the Epi EB5 (5 string) were produced about 10 or 12 years ago. I had one of the Les Paul 5's when they first came out, and didn't care for it at all. Back then I couldn't get used to the wide string spacing (which I now love.) If I recall, I sold that one on ebay for more then I paid for it new, which was around $250. (musiciansfriend.com was closing them out and I think I got the very last one...I know this because the five way switch wasn't wired right, so I was going to exchange it but they told me the one I got was the end of the line...I ended up sending it to Gibson/Epi in Nashville and they fixed it under warranty and I had it back in about a week.)

Saw one about a year ago for $200 at guitarcenter.com and decided to try one out again, and now really like it...so much so then when I saw an Epi EB5 used for $150, I jumped at it. The two basses share the same wide neck, the same pickups, the same circuitry and the same bridge. On difference is that the neck pickup on the EB5 is right up against the neck, whereas on the Les Paul 5 it is in the more standard middle position. Hence, the two sound a bit different. The EB5 will get a bit more bottom...quite typical of Gibson/Epi EB instruments.

Another instrument that shares the same wide neck, as well as the same pickups and circuitry is the musicyo.com era Kramer Beretta 5 string. The Beretta has a more traditional bridge (which actually adjusts more then the limited amount of the two piece Epi bridge.) Also, the Kramer Beretta 5 is neck through while the Epi's have set neck construction. The musicyo.com Kramer Beretta's are pretty nice basses considering they are usually dirt cheap these days.

TreetarDed · #15 09-03-2010, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockscott

The new pro line Tbirds are neck through, 7 piece walnut & maple with mahogany wings, rosewood fingerboard, active humbuckers, graphite nut! A super sleek neck with amazing action, a badass style bridge and a huge range of tone! If your looking to buy one , be advised, they are very heavy!

I forgot I was going to order one soon and mistakenly threw away a 20% off musicians friend code that came in the mail. I'm now furiously digging through our 4 foot deep recycling bin a 1:30 in the morning

DRafalske · #16 09-03-2010, 07:53 AM

It's the Epi Les Paul Standard. I had one I bought in 1998 or so. 4-string, carved flame maple top, trans-red, set neck, and yes- real MOP inlays. Great bass. I sold it to a fellow TBer a few months ago.
Here's a pic of mine: