Epiphone ‘64 Thunderbird

[Tommygun_ted]

So now that a little time has passed, what is the verdict on these? I know @TBird1958 likes it. Anyone else? I am in line with Sweetwater for a red one but starting to think twice.

help me spend money, TB!

The first one I got in red had some issues with the neck, but as long as you're buying from somewhere with a good warranty policy you're fine. The tone and finish were incredible, I just couldn't get the relief or action to where I wanted without some pretty serious buzzing. That being said, I swapped it for the sparkle purple version (which so far has had zero issues)

 

[Miles_ONeal]

The first one I got in red had some issues with the neck, but as long as you're buying from somewhere with a good warranty policy you're fine. The tone and finish were incredible, I just couldn't get the relief or action to where I wanted without some pretty serious buzzing. That being said, I swapped it for the sparkle purple version (which so far has had zero issues) View attachment 5449643

Totally digging that TRC!

 

[Tommygun_ted]

Totally digging that TRC!

It looks even better in the sunshine.

 

[KB5]

It looks even better in the sunshine.
View attachment 5450005 View attachment 5450006 View attachment 5450007

Love it! That's a nice piece of Laurel on the fretboard too. All of the Epi 64's in have seen locally hace had an ugly blotchy mess for a fretboard.

 

[Bunky]

More pics guys cmon haha I wanna see some more green silver, red and blue.

do most epi vintage pros have rosewood? I’ve got a black one and I don’t even know which it has

Edit: also which of all the new colors do you guys like the best. I can’t decide.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

More pics guys cmon haha I wanna see some more green silver, red and blue.

do most epi vintage pros have rosewood? I’ve got a black one and I don’t even know which it has

Edit: also which of all the new colors do you guys like the best. I can’t decide.

Of the standard production colors, red. But including the special colors, purple sparkle FTW!

 

[KB5]

Of the standard production colors, red. But including the special colors, purple sparkle FTW!

I saw a blue sparkle in the wild last week and it was shockingly beautiful. The Laurel board was a gross blotchy mess but I guess you could address that with some dye/stain.

 

[TBird1958]

The Sparkle Blue is so beautiful, really a Sapphire under certain light, I have yet to manage a good photo of the finish, you just have to see it in person.

Here's the Ember Red, I've slightly customized this one by painting the raised portion of the headstock black.

Me and my first Vintage Pro.

 

[Bunky]

The Sparkle Blue is so beautiful, really a Sapphire under certain light, I have yet to manage a good photo of the finish, you just have to see it in person.

Here's the Ember Red, I've slightly customized this one by painting the raised portion of the headstock black.

Me and my first Vintage Pro.

Who did the paint job on the Betty page one

 

[TBird1958]

Who did the paint job on the Betty page one

That one's a wrap job over a white Vintage Pro.

 

[Rezdog]

Greetings,

Betty never looked better!

Rezdog

 

[BassDudeSA]

Just received my sparkly purple '64! I'm normally a Fender guy, and have to admit that I really only bought this because the purple sparkle sold me. Glad that it did because I really like this bass! A few thoughts that either I couldn't find the answer to or was just unfamiliar with.

It sounds awesome, and unlike most Fenders that have a weaker bridge pickup, the bridge pup on this one is strong. I'm not losing volume when I solo it. The pickups and minimal electronics are just great.

The finish was a big deal for me as there are some sparkle finishes that look great, and others that are crap, and it is just hard to tell which is which on photos or videos. My standard of quality on an affordable bass is with the silver sparkle finish of the Fender Mikey Way Jazz. That finish is perfection, and of the 25+ basses that I own, I get by far the most compliments regarding looks on that one. It is perfect. I was hoping for similar in purple. Well I (kind of) got it. While not quite as brilliant as the Fender, it does look great. However it looks as if it may be missing a clear coat as the finish is not completely smooth. There is a light texture to it. If the Mikey Way Jazz sparkle is a 10, I'd rate this sparkle finish as a 7 or 8. Still very good.

There were some sharp fret edges that I can feel running my hand up and down the neck, but when actually playing it is not noticeable. I may still file it a bit. Otherwise the workmanship was very good for this price range.

The tuners are great. The bridge and anchor seem a bit cheap, but it is adjustable and does the job fine. The knobs are secure and smooth. Some people have complained about the Laurel fretboard, but mine looks beautiful. The weight is good. I haven't weighed it but it feels average. There is neck dive, but not an issue while I'm playing, but if I let it go sometimes it will drop. Funny, but when carrying in the gigbag you gotta' be careful or you'll be dragging the headstock on the ground. I had heard that Thunderbirds feel a bit shifted to the left while you play, and I did find that to be true. My left arm does need to be further extended to get all the way to that first fret.

Anyway, just some thoughts from a guy whose been playing over 45 years and still going strong! Sorry, no pics, but it looks just like all the others who have posted already. By the way, as I write this they are currently back in stock at zZounds.

 

[JumboJett35]

Just received my sparkly purple '64! I'm normally a Fender guy, and have to admit that I really only bought this because the purple sparkle sold me. Glad that it did because I really like this bass! A few thoughts that either I couldn't find the answer to or was just unfamiliar with.

It sounds awesome, and unlike most Fenders that have a weaker bridge pickup, the bridge pup on this one is strong. I'm not losing volume when I solo it. The pickups and minimal electronics are just great.

The finish was a big deal for me as there are some sparkle finishes that look great, and others that are crap, and it is just hard to tell which is which on photos or videos. My standard of quality on an affordable bass is with the silver sparkle finish of the Fender Mikey Way Jazz. That finish is perfection, and of the 25+ basses that I own, I get by far the most compliments regarding looks on that one. It is perfect. I was hoping for similar in purple. Well I (kind of) got it. While not quite as brilliant as the Fender, it does look great. However it looks as if it may be missing a clear coat as the finish is not completely smooth. There is a light texture to it. If the Mikey Way Jazz sparkle is a 10, I'd rate this sparkle finish as a 7 or 8. Still very good.

There were some sharp fret edges that I can feel running my hand up and down the neck, but when actually playing it is not noticeable. I may still file it a bit. Otherwise the workmanship was very good for this price range.

The tuners are great. The bridge and anchor seem a bit cheap, but it is adjustable and does the job fine. The knobs are secure and smooth. Some people have complained about the Laurel fretboard, but mine looks beautiful. The weight is good. I haven't weighed it but it feels average. There is neck dive, but not an issue while I'm playing, but if I let it go sometimes it will drop. Funny, but when carrying in the gigbag you gotta' be careful or you'll be dragging the headstock on the ground. I had heard that Thunderbirds feel a bit shifted to the left while you play, and I did find that to be true. My left arm does need to be further extended to get all the way to that first fret.

Anyway, just some thoughts from a guy whose been playing over 45 years and still going strong! Sorry, no pics, but it looks just like all the others who have posted already. By the way, as I write this they are currently back in stock at zZounds.

If you plan on keeping the bass, I highly recommend one of the hardshell cases epiphone sells. I believe they're currently selling for $140. Protect you headstock, protect your investment. Otherwise congrats and welcome to the club.

P.S. One of the reasons I love the bird is for its piano like tone. For me, my sound is as pictured for that sound in mind. 10-3-5.

 

[MtManiac]

Just received my sparkly purple '64! I'm normally a Fender guy, and have to admit that I really only bought this because the purple sparkle sold me. Glad that it did because I really like this bass! A few thoughts that either I couldn't find the answer to or was just unfamiliar with.

It sounds awesome, and unlike most Fenders that have a weaker bridge pickup, the bridge pup on this one is strong. I'm not losing volume when I solo it. The pickups and minimal electronics are just great.

The finish was a big deal for me as there are some sparkle finishes that look great, and others that are crap, and it is just hard to tell which is which on photos or videos. My standard of quality on an affordable bass is with the silver sparkle finish of the Fender Mikey Way Jazz. That finish is perfection, and of the 25+ basses that I own, I get by far the most compliments regarding looks on that one. It is perfect. I was hoping for similar in purple. Well I (kind of) got it. While not quite as brilliant as the Fender, it does look great. However it looks as if it may be missing a clear coat as the finish is not completely smooth. There is a light texture to it. If the Mikey Way Jazz sparkle is a 10, I'd rate this sparkle finish as a 7 or 8. Still very good.

There were some sharp fret edges that I can feel running my hand up and down the neck, but when actually playing it is not noticeable. I may still file it a bit. Otherwise the workmanship was very good for this price range.

The tuners are great. The bridge and anchor seem a bit cheap, but it is adjustable and does the job fine. The knobs are secure and smooth. Some people have complained about the Laurel fretboard, but mine looks beautiful. The weight is good. I haven't weighed it but it feels average. There is neck dive, but not an issue while I'm playing, but if I let it go sometimes it will drop. Funny, but when carrying in the gigbag you gotta' be careful or you'll be dragging the headstock on the ground. I had heard that Thunderbirds feel a bit shifted to the left while you play, and I did find that to be true. My left arm does need to be further extended to get all the way to that first fret.

Anyway, just some thoughts from a guy whose been playing over 45 years and still going strong! Sorry, no pics, but it looks just like all the others who have posted already. By the way, as I write this they are currently back in stock at zZounds.

I have a black 1st gen of this model, but man I love those purple sparkle ones.

 

[relayer66]

I got my Inverness Green a couple of weeks ago. I thought I was going to have to send it back…

It looks great, excellent fit and finish. But it had a back-bow and buzzed terribly up and down the neck. Loosening the truss rod all the way did not solve the problem.

Somehow I decided to loosen the truss rod nut until it was spinning freely…I kept going, and then it tightened up again and bowed the neck the other way. It got to about a perfect relief (.012”) and it holds steady. Double action truss rod? I do all my own set ups with a Stew-Mac straight edge and feeler gauges. But I’ve never had to do this with a bass before.

Anyway, I’ve made it mine now. It plays like a bird and sounds like thunder. I have zero neck dive issues with this bass. It’s 5” longer than my next longest bass, and won’t seat properly in any stand that I have. But it has the look and the sound!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I got my Inverness Green a couple of weeks ago. I thought I was going to have to send it back…

It looks great, excellent fit and finish. But it had a back-bow and buzzed terribly up and down the neck. Loosening the truss rod all the way did not solve the problem.

Somehow I decided to loosen the truss rod nut until it was spinning freely…I kept going, and then it tightened up again and bowed the neck the other way. It got to about a perfect relief (.012”) and it holds steady. Double action truss rod? I do all my own set ups with a Stew-Mac straight edge and feeler gauges. But I’ve never had to do this with a bass before.

Anyway, I’ve made it mine now. It plays like a bird and sounds like thunder. I have zero neck dive issues with this bass. It’s 5” longer than my next longest bass, and won’t seat properly in any stand that I have. But it has the look and the sound!

Hercules stands (any of them) work great with Thunderbirds. I have a single, a double, and a rack (5-8?). I've used a triple as well.

 

[Formula73]

I got my Inverness Green a couple of weeks ago. I thought I was going to have to send it back…

It looks great, excellent fit and finish. But it had a back-bow and buzzed terribly up and down the neck. Loosening the truss rod all the way did not solve the problem.

Somehow I decided to loosen the truss rod nut until it was spinning freely…I kept going, and then it tightened up again and bowed the neck the other way. It got to about a perfect relief (.012”) and it holds steady. Double action truss rod? I do all my own set ups with a Stew-Mac straight edge and feeler gauges. But I’ve never had to do this with a bass before.

Anyway, I’ve made it mine now. It plays like a bird and sounds like thunder. I have zero neck dive issues with this bass. It’s 5” longer than my next longest bass, and won’t seat properly in any stand that I have. But it has the look and the sound!

Yes, double action. First DA truss rod I ever experienced was on my Classic Pro. It's slightly disconcerting the first time.