Epi vs Gibson Thunderbird

[Eatapeach1965]

Key words = "Classic Pro" This Epiphone is most like the Gibson.

I think there are at least two other Epiphone versions of the Thunderbird.

The OP should want to compare apples to apples.

Three versions
The bolt on
The Pro IV
The Classic Pro IV. This is the one with the Gibson p'ups.


I am looking to buy the Classic. In Sunburst

 

[tomshepp]

I think I may have read,(Thunderbird Club forum) that the only difference between these two, is the finish. Nitro for the Gibson, and poly for the Epiphone Classic. Construction and pickups are the same. I've not compared the two. I own a 2013 Gibson.

I could, however, be mistaken......

 

[Phalex]

The Gibson is made in the USA with exotic lumber.

The Epi is made of locally sourced lumber in an exotic location.

 

[TBird1958]

The Gibson is made in the USA with exotic lumber.

The Epi is made of locally sourced lumber in an exotic location.

As opposed to Corn from Michigan.

 

[Phalex]

As opposed to Corn from Michigan.

Oh sweetie! Corn from Michigan is one of the best things in the world to wrap your lips around!

 

[Fluid Power]

Hey, let's get back to the subject!
Are all of the Epi birds currently made in China? Even the Classic Pro? So it is the Classic Pro that has the Gibson Pups not the Pro? And the C Pro is a seven or nine ply? Is there a difference of the neck profiles between the Pro and Classic Pro or strictly the wire?

We know the base Epi Bird is a chunk of wood with a neck bolted on which is a pile of junk. Correct?

One last question, to all bird experts out there, was this last run of Non-Reverse Gibsons any good? Seen those at a lower cost, they have the heel on the base of the head and I've heard a wider neck shape??
By the way we got the best corn around!! ;-)

 

[IncX]

i had an epi bolt-on ... it was one of those LTD alpine white with silver-colored pickups.

i had a hard time getting treble out of it. it is a very muddy bass. i never got to try a gibson bird though, so i dont know ...

 

[TBird1958]

Hey, let's get back to the subject!
Are all of the Epi birds currently made in China? Even the Classic Pro? So it is the Classic Pro that has the Gibson Pups not the Pro? And the C Pro is a seven or nine ply? Is there a difference of the neck profiles between the Pro and Classic Pro or strictly the wire?

We know the base Epi Bird is a chunk of wood with a neck bolted on which is a pile of junk. Correct?

One last question, to all bird experts out there, was this last run of Non-Reverse Gibsons any good? Seen those at a lower cost, they have the heel on the base of the head and I've heard a wider neck shape??
By the way we got the best corn around!! ;-)

The "Classic Pro" is made in Indonesia with U.S. pickups, the others have been made in Korea and China, the "Classic" is a 9 ply constuction, see Pt7 of the Thunderbird club thread for some pics.
It's been some time since I played a Pro, but the neck is most certainly different than the Classic.
Again I'd check the club threads about the Gibson Non Reverse, in general tho, they're pretty well liked.

 

[Fletz]

Thanks, everyone. I opted for the Gibby at $800 with a free setup and a new set of Rotosounds ...

Thunderbird by peterdannenfelser, on Flickr

 

[jeff7bass]

Well done! Looks in pretty fine shape actually. New strings and setup was a good move.

 

[Fletz]

Well done! Looks in pretty fine shape actually. New strings and setup was a good move.

Thanks. If you check the rest of the Flickr photos you'll see a bit more wear.

 

[Fluid Power]

Fletz,
Beautiful my man, and great choice! It's just broke in from my perspective!
Enjoy! Now, post a video or some type of sound of it with the Roto Sounds! Love to hear it.

TB-58 - Thanks for the reply, helped straigten it out.