• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Classic Thunderbird Pro IV Review

#61
bassvi said:
Mine arrived today. I am very happy (in the honeymoon phase, of course) however this is not a bass like my LE Epi Thunderbird, Epi ProV or even a Gibson T Bird I had for a short time. I think I like it better than all of them. The Gibson pickups and the neck through design make a huge difference. ISustains forever. It has the tone of the Gibson. There are minor flaws in the paint job but the fret job is excellent. I can't get over the tone, really. The pickups are awesome and the neck feels great. I was even able to adjust the bridge to my liking. I'm not going to write a review because TBird's is pretty much spot on. I am extremely happy with this purchase. Will post pics as soon as I can, per TB forum expectations :) It's the basic Alpine White, beautiful, just like the pics already posted. Damn, I like this bass alot...
Click to expand...

I'm with you about these.
TBirds review helped me decide to purchase one.
Sweetwater set it up pretty well, no issues.
For the price, it needs no upgrades imo.
 
#64
I haven't seen one of these in my local music store, though they do have a new Gibson NR T Bird in blue finish.

My question is, why pay $1500 for a Gibson T Bird when this can be had for about $500?

I know, labor costs in the USA are more expensive, but still. This seems to be ALMOST the same bass.
 
#68
Really liking my pro4! The fit and finish on mine is top notched! I need some opinions on strings. I curious if anyone has tried flats on their Tbirds. If so how did you like the results? The other strings i'm considering are Elixir or circle k. I play finger style 99% of the time. Also considering a gig bag instead of the hard case. Any ideas? Thanks!
 
#73
I played a TBird at GC a while back and thoroughly liked it. When I asked them about the Classic IV Pro version and whether it was worth the extra $$, the salesman knew nothing about it.

Thanks, Tbird1958, for the review. it swung my GAS back over to the Thunderbird. I was thinking about a Carvin 4 string kit and going with white, black hardware and white headstock, but for the same price, I can get a bass I know I'll like and will be ready to go, out of the box.

Now, if I can only stop spending money on the amps and cabs, I can move up in the important part: the instrument. :)

'Bolt
 
#74
takeout said:
Now I'm REALLY excited.

Do the pickup covers come off/can I replace them with nickel? Does anyone make a cloverleaf-style tuner that fits the smaller headstock?
Click to expand...

I installed Hipshot Cloverleaf tuners on mine, as well as a Hipshot bridge (I posted pics awhile back). The 3/8" shaft tuners fit (shop around... I found the best price on ebay). These are the ones I used (black):
http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=105

The tuners will work with no modification (even original screw holes work), though they will have to slightly "fanned out" so that cloverleafs will not touch each other; it is possible, but they will be very, very close to each other.

I decided to plug the original tuner holes (& screw holes) & redrilled them; I didn't take notes when I did this (I just wanted to get it done so I could play it! :hyper:), but basically I laid the tuners out on my bench with the proper spacing & measured the distance between the center of the two outer tuners shafts. I then laid out the measurements on the headstock, marking equal distances between the tuners & redilled the 9/16" holes. I ended up with about 1/16" at the most between the cloverleafs.

I will be the first to admit what I did was overkill. I plugged the holes because it made it easy to center the drill bit. If you're comfortable using hand tools, you could (carefully) use a rattail file or a dremel & widen the tuner tuner holes so that the tuners fit better. It doesn't take much, just do a little at a time (still take time to take measurments... you can use blue painters tape to lay over the face of the headstock, so that you can lightly mark it).

Or you can take it to your tech. It all depends what you are comfortable with. It is something that is fairly easy to do, but as with any project it would also be really easy to mess it up if you aren't careful.

I don't think the original tuners are all that bad, but I'm really pleased with the Hipshot tuners & bridge. I would not hesitate doing it again.

Moonshine :bassist:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back