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epiphone thunderbird 5 string?

#22
Even tho they are kind of rare basses, I don't know how collectible they are or will ever be. But then again, no one really knows how things will be in the future. If it's a bass you like and think you will use a lot then I say do what you want to it. They are tools and they are there to be used the way you need to use it. Sounds like a good price, so I would go for it and then decide if you want to modify it.
 
#24
Just picked it up an hour ago.

It's really beautiful and pretty unique, I think. When I took it it seemed obvious it hasn't been used for quite a while and left on a guitar stand, there was dust lining the top of the wings and the metal is pretty tarnished/rusted. The tone knob is pretty stiff, but I can fix that. Action also needs massive adjustment.

Seeing it, I can't really bear to defret it, although I really want to defret and use this as one of my primary basses. Maybe my "drop-half" bass (more convenient to drop half and play open strings rather than to play on lower strings for lots of songs). I'll see how this goes.

String spacing is really narrow! Feels almost like a 4-string neck made to accomodate 5 strings... although it can't be.

Anyway, photos!

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#25
Nice score!! I had a 4 & 5 stringer at the same time and the 5 had a wider neck at the nut and body. It is tight spacing for a 5er tho. I play with a pick most of the time so it wasn't an issue for me.
 
#28
Massive block of wood-same stock pickups... Heavy mid & bottom end tone! seems like a change of pick ups (active) would change sound for better... I would be interested in selling to highest bidder... you can register @ epiphone & they will tell you the year made-probably '94
 
#33
Barkless Dog said:
Non reverse t birds were made originally from 66 - 69

They were set neck slab bodied, with all mahogany construction. Many think the Non Reverse Tbird II is the best sounding T bird from the 60's

They are pretty rare. the Epi one was not great, It was more of a bolt on Fender type that only looked like a Gibson. It would serve you better to change the pickups. I know some who did that and said it made a big improvement.


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#34
Was going through the internet today and popped in 'non reverse thunderbird'. Lo and behold was a great photo of my 67 T-Bird IV taken in my driveway after I totally restored it to it's original Polaris White finish. It came out fantastic. And yes, every part is dead stock except the bridge which I had replicated by a machinist to be made with extra travel to compensate for the usual problem of intonation that the 63-69 Birds had. Good eye!! No, it's not an Epi or some kind of oddball conversion. I'm here to tell you that it is a bone stock 67 T-Bird IV except for the aforementioned bridge. And NOT a 2 that had a pickup added to.The bass now lives in Italy. By the way, Scott Dasson (an old friend) is on here and makes a 'intonation without modification' killer bridge for 63-69 Birds. As well as other 'Bird repro parts. Thank God!
 
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#35
Got a '65 Epi Embassy Deluxe bass that I am restoring. Made in the Kalamazoo plant by Gibson. Same pickups,bridgework, and 34" scale multi-ply neck like a 60's reverse T-Bird. Set neck, not neck thru. Going to do it Frost Blue. I REALLY LIKE Firemist Gold but that is a Fender custom color. Tempted, but decided to keep it a 'color chart' color. I'll post pix as it goes along.
 
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