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Epi vs Gibson Thunderbird

Fletz

Fletz

Jan 16, 2009
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New Jersey
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#1
I recently played a very used Gibson Thunderbird at my local guitar store. Kinda tempted to buy it. I loved everything about it (other than the price for the condition).

I walked into Guitar Center yesterday and played a white Epiphone Thunderbird Pro IV and was hardpressed to tell the significant differences. (I am a Squier/Fender snob - only American Fenders for me ... don't judge me. :cool: ) With the neck thru (7 ply vs. 9) and American Gibson pickups, they seem very similar, no?

Can someone tell me why I wouldn't go with the $499 NEW epiphone instead of an $800 very used (but not brutalized) Gibson Thunderbird?

Thanks!
 
#2
Curious... When you said you were "hardpressed to tell the significant differences", does that mean you liked the sound and/or playability better on the Gibson? Even just a little? Was there a weight difference? The Pro IV's look nice, like a better version of the standard EPI-T's...
You also might want to consider that GC does free setups on new basses. At least mine does. It can really make a difference in playability. My GC tech has fixed up 3 of my basses real nice.
 
#3
jeff7bass said:
Curious... When you said you were "hardpressed to tell the significant differences", does that mean you liked the sound and/or playability better on the Gibson? Even just a little? Was there a weight difference?
Click to expand...

Didn't note a real weight difference. There was something a little "cooler" about the Gibson. So intangible. Was it $300 cooler? I am not sure.
 
#4
If the difference is not significant, save the money. If the instrument sounds good who cares what it says on the headstock. I'd play a chinese knockoff that said Gipson if it sounded good (the issue of course usually is that they don't).
 
#6
I have played a few of both, and as long as you are not looking at a bolt on Epiphone, it's going to vary from bass to bass like any other kind of bass. Beyond that, I couldn't tell much difference between an Epi and a Gibson. The new ones even use the same pickups, as far as I know. I would love to have a Gibson, but I'm also semi responsible about money, so I have an Ephphone.
 
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#9
Fletz said:
With the neck thru (7 ply vs. 9) and American Gibson pickups, they seem very similar, no?
Click to expand...

They're both 9 ply now, I couldn't really tell the difference between the Epi & Gibson, they both pretty much played and sounded the same.

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gibson [This invalid link has been removed]
 
#10
I have a '13 Gibson T-Bird. However, since I'm a lefty, there wasn't much of a choice for me. Personally, I didn't think it was all that expensive, but I have an Alembic, too, and a couple of Ricks. If the Epi was new, and you really were hard pressed to tell the difference, then get the Epi. :)
 
#13
I had the new Epiphone Classic Pro to review (it's somewhere on TB) about a year back, it's a great Thunderbird for the money, it's 9ply and does have U.S. pickups. The neck is very slim and fast but not quite a Gibson - not bad by any means tho. I think they're around $500.00 and totally worth it. The comment about it's resale value is valid, tho most Post '88 Gibsons aren't going up in price either - gotta be from the '70s or earlier.
Epiphone also modified the body shape every so slightly to improve upper fret access and reduced the headstock size as well, the balance very well.


Here's a side by side with my '89 Gibson.


1352513906.jpg
 
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#15
Fluid Power said:
So TB58 do the Epi pups sound close to the newer Gibson pups (or the same)? What about the weight? Thanks
Hey, by the way I love your vid's you rock!
Click to expand...


The pups are the same as current U.S. Gibson - the latest incarnation of them ( since being re issued in '88 I've documented at least four different TB Plus pickup designs) anyway. Weight is the same too, under 9lbs for either.
I really like the Epiphone - wish they'd make some other colors tho, I already have two white 'Birds. Great bass for the $$$

Thanks for the kind words about the band too - it's a lot fun! :bassist:
 
#16
I've always been a "Made In The USA" kind of guy. That said: I've owned a '60's Hofner, '70's Rics (2), and a couple other off-shore guitars and/or basses whose brand names don't immediately come to mind (that getting 'older and wiser' bit is BS). I have 2 Epi Classic T-Birds that feel, play, and sound good. I'm getting ready to have some fret finishing work done, and I'll probably install some new Hipshot tuners before hand - the jury is still out on the need of Hipshot bridges. For the initial $600 each w/case - I find these a lot of fun and good bang for the buck. IF one them is injured while I'm out and about...I'll not cry, either. I'm selling/parting out my other basses and pieces parts with the proceeds going towards my Sadowsky Metro (MIJ) Wil Lee bass fund. Thinking changes over time. It's getting to be a more level playing field out there, and alternatives should at least be considered :smug:
 

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