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Epiphone Thunderbird Classic Pro iv HELP

RexxRokket

RexxRokket

Apr 23, 2012
527
1,656
Hellnezuela
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#1
Well maybe the tittle sounds too dramatic... but I just wanna get rid of somedoubt I have. Thing is that I've read that the Epiphone T-bird classic pro iv has a 7-ply neck then some ppl have written that it has a 9-ply neck... so if whoever can help me with this I will be very grateful =). (Thing is that im buying one next week haha:hyper:)
 
#5
epiphone are 100% wrong on their website, I hope this pic of my recently acquired Epiphone Thunderbird Classic-IV PRO settles all arguments.
(note: it is not the same model as the Epiphone Thunderbird Pro)

408488207.jpg
 
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#9
As I stated above; the Epiphone Thunderbird Classic-IV PRO and the Epiphone Thunderbird PRO-IV are 2 completely different basses.

If it has the word CLASSIC in it, it's 9 ply with Gibson passive pickups.

If it does NOT have the word CLASSIC in it, it's the 7 ply with active pickups.
 
#10
And just to confuse matters more, I wouldn't even technically call the Epiphone Thunderbird PRO-IV a 7 ply neck through anyways, since only 5 of the 7 ply's run the entire length of the neck... I'd call it a 5-ply neckthrough construction.
 
#13
I'm still on a mission to work this out for myself...

I think from what I've seen and read, these are some of the differences;
- neck angle relative to body
- headstock break angle
- the way in which the mahogany wings of the body are glued to the neckthrough construction (Gibson uses a V shaped glue technique)
- pots and input jack (easily replaced)
- wood quality (obviously cheaper species of mahogany on the epi)
- finish (poly vs nitro)
- and the ones you mentioned
 
#14
.
As I stated above; the Epiphone Thunderbird Classic-IV PRO and the Epiphone Thunderbird PRO-IV are 2 completely different basses.
If it has the word CLASSIC in it, it's 9 ply with Gibson passive pickups.
If it does NOT have the word CLASSIC in it, it's the 7 ply with active pickups.
Click to expand...

Confirming cyberpunk409's last sentence at least....

My own Epiphone Thunderbird Pro IV, ie. the one with active electronics, has a 7 ply neck.
 
#15
cyberpunk409 said:
I'm still on a mission to work this out for myself...

I think from what I've seen and read, these are some of the differences;
- neck angle relative to body
- headstock break angle
- the way in which the mahogany wings of the body are glued to the neckthrough construction (Gibson uses a V shaped glue technique)
- pots and input jack (easily replaced)
- wood quality (obviously cheaper species of mahogany on the epi)
- finish (poly vs nitro)
- and the ones you mentioned
Click to expand...

If the neck and body angles are different, then they're subtle enough for me not to notice. In what ways would you say they differ?

Both use the v-shaped glue technique for the wings.



Differences I've noticed:

- The Gibson has a nitro finish, whereas the Epi is shot with poly.
- The Epi has what looks to me like more of a '60s pickup orientation, as they're closer to the bridge.
- The neck heel area on the Epi is more squared off, whereas the Gibson is more rounded.
- The Gibson has a slightly more angular body shape, whereas the Epi is slightly more rounded.
- The Epi has somewhat improved upper fret access.
- The Gibson has a little nub on the bottom of the headstock detail.
- The Epi's tuners and bridge are Epiphone hardware, whereas the Gibson uses Grovers etc.
 

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