Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
epiphone thunder bird pro
- Thread starter sodacan
- Start date
As far as I know, it's a pretty versatile bass, although you might see it more in the ''heavier'' music, such as rock / metal. But it's great for other styles too. Slapping sounds great on it. And if it's a good bang for the buck is up to you 
Its a great bass overall, best suited to rock but you can use it for anything. I put a couple hundred into mine for a full fret dressing and a tusk nut, it sounds and plays awesome. Be advised, its heavy, 8 plus pounds!
I have the 5 string and it is fairly versatile. It has bass and treble boost/cut and a pickup blend which can get you a fairly wide range of tones. I find it lacks a bit in the mids but it can get lots of low and high end with the eq boost. I was looking for a lot of mid-punch and found it lacking for that but it really depends on what kind of sound you are going for. It's great for rock and metal but is not limited to those genres.
It seems most people around here who have them like them but I haven't had as much of a good experience. I've had a few problems with the factory build quality (strap button came loose, preamp was noisy which the shop replaced) and just find in general that Epiphones aren't that great for quality (guitars included).
With that said, I DO love the feel of the neck and it plays great. I love the look of it and it has a BEAUTIFUL sunburst finish.
So if you are shopping around for one, definitely try it out at a store if you can and experiment with what sounds you can get out of it.
It seems most people around here who have them like them but I haven't had as much of a good experience. I've had a few problems with the factory build quality (strap button came loose, preamp was noisy which the shop replaced) and just find in general that Epiphones aren't that great for quality (guitars included).
With that said, I DO love the feel of the neck and it plays great. I love the look of it and it has a BEAUTIFUL sunburst finish.
So if you are shopping around for one, definitely try it out at a store if you can and experiment with what sounds you can get out of it.
Don't be scared off by the neck dive issue, mine is a regular (no thru neck) and it just takes a minute to move the strap nut into a more suitable location behind the neck (there are video's online if your not too sure what to do). I love mine! I've got flats on mine and it makes a super nice smooth muddy tone great for the rock and roll style that my band plays. Doesn't slap very well, but I'm not into slapping anyways. I like to play with my neck pickup more than the bridge pickup, but on some songs I crank up both of them. I don't think you can go wrong with one.
More than you wanted to know? I got ya covered.
I bought a Pro IV about a year and a half ago. Versatile? That's not the word I would use. When folks ask I usually say, "Beast." Thunderbirds in general, are big basses but the neck is narrow like a J bass. The reverse body style feels... different. I classify it with the big bottom girls like a Stingray or a Tele Bass. But even there it really is its own thing. If you haven't played a TBird before, I would go find an incarnation to feel it.
The Epi Pro IV in particular. They dropped the street price on the Pro by $100 recently so that's pretty nice to start with.
-The neck-thru design with the humbuckers sounds great. Mine isn't boomy or emaciated, it has a solid sound. I've got some Ernie Ball Cobalts on it right now and I like them on this instrument.
- Design. The head stock on kind of an issue. The head is long so it doesn't fit in a standard case or gig bag. Expect another $90 for a case to fit it. The D and G strings like to sing between the nut and tuning post. There's enough down force so they don't rattle in the nut, but they're long enough to pick up sympathetic vibrations. I ended up putting a vibration dampener meant for a tennis racket between the D and G to make it stop.
- Finish. Mine has a natural oil finish and it is gorgeous. But the oil from the factory didn't hold up for long. In the end I refinished the whole thing with gun stock oil and wax. Now it feels nice and looks even better. If you have the time and ability I think it's worth it, but if that's not your thing I would steer away from the natural oil finish.
- Mine came with the strap nut in the corrected place, where the neck plate would be. It's very comfortable with a 3-inch strap and doesn't neck dive on me. However, I have a lot of control over the instrument's attitude with my right forearm on the upper wing so that certainly helps.
- Hardware. The bridge is tight and solid, I've never had a problem with it. The tuners are smooth; the knobs on the pots turn smoothly and quietly. Sometimes I get a bit of hiss from the electronics but an EQ pedal clips them our easily. I'll probably shield it one of these days. I can't believe I didn't notice this before tonight, but the fret ends on this thing are spot on.
But you asked about versatility. I keep mine because it's the best sounding pick style bass I have. I like the finger style sound but the neck is too narrow for my bears paws to play comfortably for longer periods. The slap sound is okay, but it's no Jazz. Travis picking is alright but nothing special.
I think if you're looking for a versatile instrument in that price neighborhood I would suggest trying a Sterling (SBMM) Ray34. Still a humbucker and active EQ but it slaps a lot better, Travis picks better, and for my hands finger styles better. I found my Ray34 at a guitar barn as last years floor model for $500 with a good gig bag.
Is the Pro IV good bang for the buck, at $400 I think so. It's an intermediate instrument, one you get it dialed in it's pretty nice. If it were a $1k+ instrument I'd be miffed about how much work I've put into it. If it were priced sub-$300 I'd be super stoked about what you could get with some time and know-how. But if all my basses went up in smoke tomorrow, it would not be the first one I replace.
One last word, I'm not so sure about resale value on these. I know there's the Thunderbird club here on TB, but they're not super popular to begin with (the basses, not the people). On top of that an Epiphone still says Epiphone on the head stock even if the greatest luthier on the planet sacrifices a goth to the Plek gods to make it a perfect bass.
Hope that helps.
TL;DR - Yeah it's alright. I prefer a Ray34.
I bought a Pro IV about a year and a half ago. Versatile? That's not the word I would use. When folks ask I usually say, "Beast." Thunderbirds in general, are big basses but the neck is narrow like a J bass. The reverse body style feels... different. I classify it with the big bottom girls like a Stingray or a Tele Bass. But even there it really is its own thing. If you haven't played a TBird before, I would go find an incarnation to feel it.
The Epi Pro IV in particular. They dropped the street price on the Pro by $100 recently so that's pretty nice to start with.
-The neck-thru design with the humbuckers sounds great. Mine isn't boomy or emaciated, it has a solid sound. I've got some Ernie Ball Cobalts on it right now and I like them on this instrument.
- Design. The head stock on kind of an issue. The head is long so it doesn't fit in a standard case or gig bag. Expect another $90 for a case to fit it. The D and G strings like to sing between the nut and tuning post. There's enough down force so they don't rattle in the nut, but they're long enough to pick up sympathetic vibrations. I ended up putting a vibration dampener meant for a tennis racket between the D and G to make it stop.
- Finish. Mine has a natural oil finish and it is gorgeous. But the oil from the factory didn't hold up for long. In the end I refinished the whole thing with gun stock oil and wax. Now it feels nice and looks even better. If you have the time and ability I think it's worth it, but if that's not your thing I would steer away from the natural oil finish.
- Mine came with the strap nut in the corrected place, where the neck plate would be. It's very comfortable with a 3-inch strap and doesn't neck dive on me. However, I have a lot of control over the instrument's attitude with my right forearm on the upper wing so that certainly helps.
- Hardware. The bridge is tight and solid, I've never had a problem with it. The tuners are smooth; the knobs on the pots turn smoothly and quietly. Sometimes I get a bit of hiss from the electronics but an EQ pedal clips them our easily. I'll probably shield it one of these days. I can't believe I didn't notice this before tonight, but the fret ends on this thing are spot on.
But you asked about versatility. I keep mine because it's the best sounding pick style bass I have. I like the finger style sound but the neck is too narrow for my bears paws to play comfortably for longer periods. The slap sound is okay, but it's no Jazz. Travis picking is alright but nothing special.
I think if you're looking for a versatile instrument in that price neighborhood I would suggest trying a Sterling (SBMM) Ray34. Still a humbucker and active EQ but it slaps a lot better, Travis picks better, and for my hands finger styles better. I found my Ray34 at a guitar barn as last years floor model for $500 with a good gig bag.
Is the Pro IV good bang for the buck, at $400 I think so. It's an intermediate instrument, one you get it dialed in it's pretty nice. If it were a $1k+ instrument I'd be miffed about how much work I've put into it. If it were priced sub-$300 I'd be super stoked about what you could get with some time and know-how. But if all my basses went up in smoke tomorrow, it would not be the first one I replace.
One last word, I'm not so sure about resale value on these. I know there's the Thunderbird club here on TB, but they're not super popular to begin with (the basses, not the people). On top of that an Epiphone still says Epiphone on the head stock even if the greatest luthier on the planet sacrifices a goth to the Plek gods to make it a perfect bass.
Hope that helps.
TL;DR - Yeah it's alright. I prefer a Ray34.
well as said before you are most certainly covered on rock bass tone. it seemed great for picking and works out pretty good for fingers from what i remember. and i'd imagine you could get a very good slap tone but i always hear thunderbirds aren't the best for the technique (i don't know how this model works for slapping as i'm not much for slap and didn't try it when i played one) but i've heard of some being able to make it work.. oh and i wouldn't be put off by the "weight issue" someone here was addressing before unless your back is bad/older. to me it was rather light in comparison to my old standard epi bird, which was a boat anchor.
Great all rounder,set up was rubbish from factory but a twiddle here and there and it,s a good un.
For the price a no brainer,forget what it says on the pointy end it,s a good bass.
I,ve got the black one-nice.
Relocated the strap button to where the neck plate would be-job done.
For the price a no brainer,forget what it says on the pointy end it,s a good bass.
I,ve got the black one-nice.
Relocated the strap button to where the neck plate would be-job done.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
I think they are the most comfortable shape you can have, especially if you like to have the neck in a near vertical position. Hang it like that and it will balance forever once the strap button is where it belonged in the first place. I had a bolt on version I got for a song, but gave it to my son. I missed it and just picked up a Pro IV. Maybe you are 'Bird person or not. I have a P for midrange and an EB-2 for woody sounds, so the 'Bird can be itself.
I like mine, and I play a variety of styles. Active electronics make it pretty versatile, can get really aggresive, but can be toned down as well.
Of course, you have to jive with the whole T-Bird thing first. For some mysterious reason, I do not have a big problem with neck dive on my two 'Birds.
Of course, you have to jive with the whole T-Bird thing first. For some mysterious reason, I do not have a big problem with neck dive on my two 'Birds.
