I have been GAS'in for a Thunderbird bass recently, I would like to get a Gibson, however I have heard the Epiphone's are not to bad either and at a fraction of the price. I also heard somewhere that the Thunderbird's with chrome hardware such as the chrome pickups are better? Is this true and how so? I have found a guy selling a limited edition chrome hardware Epiphone Thunderbird. Sound like a good thing to pull the trigger on or should I wait for a actual Gibson? How do the Epiphone's stack up against the Gibson's anyways? Kind like MIA Fender's and MIM?
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Chrome Thunderbird hardware
- Thread starter klejst
- Start date
There are 4 epiphone tbirds to choose from. The pro being far superior to the others! I think the epiphone pro 4 (active) is superior to the gibson as well! Not sure about the chrome hardware deal?
i believe the chrome epi tbird you are talking about is the same as the regular epi tbird iv it just has chrome pup covers and a chrome burst paint job.i think it was like a special run model, but as far as materials and such i dont think there is anything "better".
as far as how they stack up, i would more compare the base epi tbird to squiers, the epi tbird pros to decent MIM, and the gibsons to the MIA. thats just me tho. i have a "goth" model epi tbird and i love it. i changed out a few things on it but overall its a good bass. this is argued however on TB. alot of people dont like them, alot of people love them, its just how you feel playing it.
anyway, would you rather wait and spend the money on a gibby or do you just want something to mess around with that isnt so expensive? your talking a huge difference in guitars. go play both of them at GC and see which one you like more and which one is more practicle/most effective. ex. i would love a gibson tbird but im not going to beat on a gibson them same way i do with my band as i would with the epi, so no need for the gibson. i modded a couple things so its more comfortable and sounds a little better and its good now.
unless you just have the money to burn, then its up to you.
as far as how they stack up, i would more compare the base epi tbird to squiers, the epi tbird pros to decent MIM, and the gibsons to the MIA. thats just me tho. i have a "goth" model epi tbird and i love it. i changed out a few things on it but overall its a good bass. this is argued however on TB. alot of people dont like them, alot of people love them, its just how you feel playing it.
anyway, would you rather wait and spend the money on a gibby or do you just want something to mess around with that isnt so expensive? your talking a huge difference in guitars. go play both of them at GC and see which one you like more and which one is more practicle/most effective. ex. i would love a gibson tbird but im not going to beat on a gibson them same way i do with my band as i would with the epi, so no need for the gibson. i modded a couple things so its more comfortable and sounds a little better and its good now.
unless you just have the money to burn, then its up to you.
are you talking about this one?
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I own it and i vey enjoy this bass, sound and play awesome with the active but i can't compare to the gibson one because i never try one ..
Yes that is a pro 4. Im a big fan as well, the pro 4 is my primary bass these days!
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,893
- 142,187
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Since '63 there have been at least 7 distinct variations of pickups used in Gibson Thunderbirds, from the original large thin single coil to the current ceramic magnet type, they all produce different tones, is one better than another? That would be a subjective judgement, The older types do produce a warmer, growly tone while post '88 variants (Black plastic coated) tend to be a bit clearer and more modern in tone.
Standard Epi 'Bird pickups are completly different from Gibson and as I found out from another forum the chrome covered Epi pickups are actually guitar pickups!
Standard Epi 'Bird pickups are completly different from Gibson and as I found out from another forum the chrome covered Epi pickups are actually guitar pickups!
Thanks for the replies everyone, the one I was looking at was on the Bay, however I believe I will just stick with my Fender right now until something else comes up. I went and played one at GC, a Epi, and to be honest I love the look and the sound was ok, but it would take some getting used to playing wise because it is different from Fender P's which I have been playing my whole bass career.
Here's mine:
It's just a standard Epi T-bird in sunburst but with the chrome hardware and pickups from the silverburst run they released last year. It has the "Epiphone Custom Shop" sticker on the back of the headstock, but I've never confirmed whether it was an intended special run or just a factory mistake. I bought it used from a music store on ebay last year just for the 60's look, but it sounds and plays great too so I felt pretty lucky. FYI -- I was considering swapping out the pickups (talked about it with TBird1958 our TB T-bird expert) but after I got the bass I liked the tone as is. Whether or not they're guitar pickups I couldn't say but they sounded good so I kept them. I've never compared them with the standard Epi T-bird to see whether they sound different, but if you can find a Silverburst one still in the stores it's the same pickups so I'd assume they'd sound the same. These Epi T-birds are nice basses for the price. You may want to just try it and see if you like it.
It's just a standard Epi T-bird in sunburst but with the chrome hardware and pickups from the silverburst run they released last year. It has the "Epiphone Custom Shop" sticker on the back of the headstock, but I've never confirmed whether it was an intended special run or just a factory mistake. I bought it used from a music store on ebay last year just for the 60's look, but it sounds and plays great too so I felt pretty lucky. FYI -- I was considering swapping out the pickups (talked about it with TBird1958 our TB T-bird expert) but after I got the bass I liked the tone as is. Whether or not they're guitar pickups I couldn't say but they sounded good so I kept them. I've never compared them with the standard Epi T-bird to see whether they sound different, but if you can find a Silverburst one still in the stores it's the same pickups so I'd assume they'd sound the same. These Epi T-birds are nice basses for the price. You may want to just try it and see if you like it.
This is an Epi that I pimped out with chrome goodies - most from Ebay - and a Lull pickup in the bridge. The QC on this bird was really good, but it is a different animal than my Gibsons. I actually like the Epi/Lull pups better than my Gibson IV, but not better than my Gibson 5'er or Blackbird pups.
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So there is not too much difference between the chrome pups and the what I call "standard black" pups on the Epi's. I was looking at a 1991 Gibson Thunderbird a while back that another member on TB ended up buying before me (no hard feelings 
), how would a Epi possibly stack against that bass? Thanks for all the insight and comments so far everyone!
), how would a Epi possibly stack against that bass? Thanks for all the insight and comments so far everyone!
ha the one i bought thats going to take forever to get here.
The thing is a epip is bolt on where as a gibson is neck through. Thats a huge difference.
Honestly that white one i linked above is a great deal for one of those , I like the look of it more then that gibson i bought. Tone wise it may not sound as good, or it may just sound different not meaning bad , just different.
The thing is a epip is bolt on where as a gibson is neck through. Thats a huge difference.
Honestly that white one i linked above is a great deal for one of those , I like the look of it more then that gibson i bought. Tone wise it may not sound as good, or it may just sound different not meaning bad , just different.
I gotcha. I just like to put all cards on the table before I buy something. An old habit because I have taken some risks in my life (still do, who has not right or who doesn't) in the past and it has backfired.
Ha ha I seen that one earlier today, but funny thing is as soon as you posted that link to the white one, very soon after it sold or someone "bought it now."
Ha ha I seen that one earlier today, but funny thing is as soon as you posted that link to the white one, very soon after it sold or someone "bought it now."
I think that first one (the sunburst) is the same ebay seller I bought mine from. He's got a buy it now or best offer option -- fyi I think I paid $275 for mine so if it is the same guy he may go likewise with you.
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So there is not too much difference between the chrome pups and the what I call "standard black" pups on the Epi's. I was looking at a 1991 Gibson Thunderbird a while back that another member on TB ended up buying before me (no hard feelings
Go to guitar center & play the epiphone (pro) & the gibson through the same amp. See for yourself!
