Epiphone Thunderbird E1 vs Thunderbird IV

[drumace]

Hello friends,
I currently own the E1 Thunderbird (2021 model made in China). I recently found a listing of the IV model (made in Korea).
I started thinking about switching to that model assuming there would be a noticeable improvement but being unable to do an AB test, should I actually expect to see and hear any improvement over the newer one I own?

 

[Engle]

I recommend asking in the Thunderbird Club:

Thread 'Thunderbird Club'

Feb 18, 2014

Take a walk on the Wildside! The Thunderbird Club welcomes you!

Well, we ran a bit over 1000 posts in pt.7, we'd better get it going here!

Welcome Walmark, #431 with a beautiful '66 Non Reverse II!

TBird1958 #1
Godof Thunder59 #2
Funkster#3
Gibenbackerbass #4
Sidd Laroy #5
Jazzbo58 #6
Tender Prey #7
Showdown #8
The Mojo Hobo #9
Doctorpunch #10
Stiles72 #11
Brenner182 #12
Baird6869 #13
Poorbassist15 #14
PWV #15
Mr Typhus #16
Tracii #17
Aditya #18
amimbari #19
knifedge #20
Nitrofix #21
Atoz #22
bassphreak #23
Seydlitz #24
bassclef112 #25
bassplayer8953 #26
D.M.N. #27...

• TBird1958
• club thunderbird
• Replies: 348,417
• Forum: Basses [BG]

• 

IMO if you're going to make a change, get a neck through Vintage Pro/60's/64 (the name keeps changing)

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I second asking in the Thunderbird Club.

That said, I have had a IV for a long time. It's a well built bolt-on. The tuners are OK. The pickups are decent but certainly not great. If you like their dark tone, then swapping for a VP/etc. mightn't be a great idea, as those have a bit less low end and lots more high end. There are upgrades available for those pickups that add some clarity. If you can wait for a deal on a Classic Pro, it has darker pickups, too, but they have more punch and clarity, and it's neck-through (if that matters to you).

I haven't gotten my hands on an E1 to see how it compares to the IV.

 

[Count Bassie]

I second asking in the Thunderbird Club.

That said, I have had a IV for a long time. It's a well built bolt-on. The tuners are OK. The pickups are decent but certainly not great. If you like their dark tone, then swapping for a VP/etc. mightn't be a great idea, as those have a bit less low end and lots more high end. There are upgrades available for those pickups that add some clarity. If you can wait for a deal on a Classic Pro, it has darker pickups, too, but they have more punch and clarity, and it's neck-through (if that matters to you).

I haven't gotten my hands on an E1 to see how it compares to the IV.

The Classic Pro is miles up from the IV, in any respect you want to mention. The IV is a solid instrument, but without clarity that dark tone is murky.
Also the Classic feels noticeably sleeker, seems a little lighter and doesn't have that boat anchor feel to it. Nicer, thinner poly finish on the Classic also.
I really like the TB+ pups on the Classic... Some deep snarl and growl, but will do a clean, opaque punch. It's got belly but speaks clearly.

 

[Gaolee]

I have had a couple early Korean IVs. To the best of my knowledge they are the same as an E1 in most regards. Early Korean ones had baseball bat necks. Later Korean, Chinese, and (I think) Indonesian ones had necks that were much closer to a Gibson. The upper strap button was on the vestigial upper bout on the early ones. It had to be moved to the heel plate to make the bass balance. Later ones had it in the right place.

If you traded what you have now for a IV, I doubt you would notice much difference other than the neck, maybe, and strap button location. If you got a 2009 or Later one, more or less, you may find no difference.