Epiphone ‘64 Thunderbird

[BearlyBass]

Epiphone’s just dropped custom color Thunderbirds:

Thunderbird '64 | Epiphone

I didn’t see another thread here and figured I’d get the conversation started.

Edit: Naturally, the Thunderbird Club was all over this yesterday

Looking over the specs, I’d bet it’s the same as the previous vintage offering just with new colors and a gig bag. If it plays and sounds like its predecessor, I’d be very happy.

I have one in silver coming from Sweetwater

Epiphone’s been doing guitar collaborations with the Gibson custom shop and just released similar Firebirds, but I’m glad they didn’t go that route here. My Epi Thunderbird may be my only modern instrument without modifications… Now, do I want them to release an Epi Thunderbird II in heather poly? Yes. Yes I do.

 

[J. Crawford]

That Inverness green is hot hot hot

 

[woodyng2]

Wish they offered it in the smoked almond color they have for the Embassy Pro.

 

[pyrat56host]

These look alright and a gig bag (WAY better than nothing) !! Looks like the same pickups as previous years, curious if the neck, whilst skinny, has any thickness to it...I love the "hand" the Newport has. In my opinion, Epiphone has really made some great offerings of late. I look forward to any honest reviews.

 

[Bass Blender]

I think these are overpriced, but what isn’t these days? The 2 color options are nice though.

 

[80jazz]

That Inverness green is hot hot hot

I think so too. I kinda want one.

 

[deff]

I think these are overpriced, but what isn’t these days? The 2 color options are nice though.

What? $849 with a nice gig bag... You're kidding right? I've never heard a bad word about these and it looks great and I'm sure is a more than solid instrument and comes with a bag.....

A Fender Player Plus Pbass is $1,049 and no bag at all....

 

[TBird1958]

I think these are overpriced, but what isn’t these days? The 2 color options are nice though.

Huh?

$849 for a multi laminated neck thru bass with a great set of pickups, some really nice new colors and a gig bag is too much?

 

[Bass Blender]

Yeah, I think they’re pricey, for an Epiphone. I still remember when you could get a Gibson for around 1200, so there’s that. Like I said earlier, everything is costing significantly more & I guess almost all manufacturers are raising their prices noticeably.

 

[Mastermold]

Yeah, I think they’re pricey, for an Epiphone. I still remember when you could get a Gibson for around 1200, so there’s that. Like I said earlier, everything is costing significantly more & I guess almost all manufacturers are raising their prices noticeably.

I don't know, seems to me Epiphone is making some really nice stuff these days, nicer than the other brands in their price category.

 

[Bassistcool]

I think these are overpriced, but what isn’t these days? The 2 color options are nice though.

Put a Gibson label on that bass and leave everything else as it is. I‘m pretty shure you would agree to a price tag for over two grand - don‘t you?

 

[bylar13]

For the curious:

 

[Formula73]

I gotta get one.

 

[TBird1958]

Ember Red one is calling my name like the sexy Siren she is....... I am so weak!

 

[Bass Blender]

I don't know, seems to me Epiphone is making some really nice stuff these days, nicer than the other brands in their price category.

Epiphone has stepped up their quality, no doubt. I have nothing against Epis at all. In fact, I have an Epi Les Paul bass from 2008 that I dig.

 

[Bass Blender]

Put a Gibson label on that bass and leave everything else as it is. I‘m pretty shure you would agree to a price tag for over two grand - don‘t you?

that’s a negative, sir. Gibson’s quality has suffered (in my unprofessional opinion) & I would not even consider buying a new one. I briefly looked into getting a used SG bass, but I wanted one made prior to 2014 because of quality issues.

 

[RavenousPoe]

That Inverness green is hot hot hot

Inverness green was already tempting me into the Non-Reverse Thunderbird, and now this...

 

[Mastermold]

that’s a negative, sir. Gibson’s quality has suffered (in my unprofessional opinion) & I would not even consider buying a new one. I briefly looked into getting a used SG bass, but I wanted one made prior to 2014 because of quality issues.

My last new Gibson purchase was a 2013 Midtown bass. It's still with me, still wearing the same TI flats 11 years later and I really enjoy playing it. Last year I purchased my first new Epiphone, an Embassy. The tuners are a weak link but they work well enough and I've been playing it out regularly and enjoying it.

 

[Mastermold]

Ember Red one is calling my name like the sexy Siren she is....... I am so weak!

I was at a winter NAMM show maybe 10 years ago and was telling a Gibson rep there how much I wanted to see them reissue the '64 T-bird, and what a hot a seller I knew it would be. The Gibson T-birds with the black hardware and pickups looked plain, and I was sure a return to the 60's styling would kill. He was a nice chap, didn't seem to mind my sharing my opinion. Jack Casady then showed up and that was the end of that conversation. But a few years later Epiphone introduced the Pro, and now the '64!

Am I taking credit? Maybe just a little bit. In my own mind.

 

[Bass Blender]

I was told by a local luthier that the tuners were the main “weak point” on Epiphones. I had the E string tuner start to strip out a few years ago. I went ahead & replaced all of them with Hipshots. My wife gave me the bass as a wedding present so I’ll never get rid of it. I didn’t mind putting the money into it to keep it thumping along. It’s not my main bass that I play so the Hipshots will probably outlast me!

My last new Gibson purchase was a 2013 Midtown bass. It's still with me, still wearing the same TI flats 11 years later and I really enjoy playing it. Last year I purchased my first new Epiphone, an Embassy. The tuners are a weak link but they work well enough and I've been playing it out regularly and enjoying it.