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EB-3 or Thunderbird??

Reindeer

Reindeer

I'm just a user
Jun 21, 2008
47
1
#1
Looking for something to compliment my MIM Jazz bass. I want something "non-Fender" sounding. I'm leaning toward the EB-3 simply cause I love the way it looks and the thinner neck...

Anybody had/played both?
 
#2
Some will say T-Bird--I would not consider a T-Bird just cuz I hate neck dive period. EB-3's have fans and definite non-fans cuz of frequently discussed quality and tone issues. Why have you settled on those 2 when there are so many others? Secretly?....I'd be intrigued to get the best made EB3 I could find and change out the electronics. That'd be cool. Just my 2 pfennigs mind you.
 
#4
The EB-3 is long scale--right???


And I'm interested in the EB-3 or the T-bird simply because I want something affordable (<$300), not a P or J bass, and a traditional style/brand that's been around forever.
 
#7
The EB has a ton of bass in there, but the stock pickups suck IMO. Plus, I think most are short scale. The thunderbird, on the other hand, is kinda darker, and I found it less bassy, but you can make do with the stock pickups easily. I noticed neck dive on both, but the t-bird seemed to have a bigger problem with that. Anyway, if I were you, I'd go for the thunderbird. Of course the EB has the great plus that you can wield it and go all Jack Bruce on everyone! :)
 
#8
What kind of music do you play?

If it includes blues/rock with a 60's vibe the EB might be better. If your just doing rock or metal a bird would be better.


I might warn you that short scales are a gas to play.
 
#10
Reindeer said:
The EB-3 is long scale--right???


And I'm interested in the EB-3 or the T-bird simply because I want something affordable (<$300), not a P or J bass, and a traditional style/brand that's been around forever.
Click to expand...

neckdive is fixed by relocating the strap pin to the back plate.

I have both, for some material I would ONLY play my EpiTbird, and it excels 100% at that. So if you are looking for a completely different sound...TBIRD!! I changed the bridge on mine, and it was the best change for the thing for sustain and tone..crappy OEM pickups, yes but that is what gives it the unique sound my P/J basses wont do.


p.s. the Tbird also has been around forever :D
 
#13
at least I've never seen or heard about a short scale EB-3.
Click to expand...

They were all short scale till about 69. The slot heads offered a long scale option, the EB-3L. In the 70's they offered both as well. The reissue SG is short scale.

All the info here-
http://www.flyguitars.com/gibson/bass/

My converted EB-0 Ex slot head
reclining.gif

EB-3
b216_3.JPG.jpg

Famous EB-3 user
punkinhedwatt081031.jpg
 
#15
you are gonna get quite a few TBIRD owners posting in the thread voting for the birds ;)


here's my 1999 with a real nice mahogany lam. A lot of pictures I have seen, or looked at live in the stores seem to have different woodgrain, but all still very nice, and the best part is there's a ton of used ones out there for under 200.00

as far as modding, I put an allparts bridge someone traded me for the OEM black one, and it sounds much better for tone and especially sustain!!!
P1010100-1.gif
 

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