The old classic pro with the Gibson Pups is more aggressive sounding, because the Pups are hotter than the Vintage ones. If you’re into rock or metal, I would prefer the old one. But the New one is definitely a keeper too.
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Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage Pro vs Classic Pro
- Thread starter jacoby75
- Start date
- Mar 11, 2010
- 5,661
- 10,716
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Guitars, DR Strings
I can't compare it to the Classic Pro, but I have the Vintage Pro. I know hotness is all relative, but compared to my passive P and J, the Vintage Pro pickups are very, very hot. I can't run it at full volume with my drive pedals because it makes them fart out (in my direct-only, ampless pedalboard setup). I even tried lowering the pickup height . . . like all the way down, but they're still too hot. Not that it's an issue, really. They sound fantastic, and there are other ways to compensate for hot pickups. YMMV.
- Mar 11, 2010
- 5,661
- 10,716
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Guitars, DR Strings
But to the comparison, based on what I've heard in videos online, I would agree that a classic would be better for certain types of rock, and certainly metal, because in my opinion it has a darker, more mid-scooped sound. The vintage is more for classic rock type vibes, IMHO.
The TB Classic Pro is from all my passive Basses the loudest one. I think the Vintage Pro comes close to that. IMO the best option is to get both types . One in white and one in black. Compared with a Gibson TB you can get 4 of them and the difference isn’t a big issue.
Bumping that question from @jd56hawk -- I'm also curious how flats would sound on it too. I absolutely prefer chromes to round wounds. Flats on all my basses, except for my MIM Lollar Precision which is strung with black tape wounds.
I have a 2016 Goth Thunderbird IV which I only paid $200 for. I almost bought a Vintage pro from Sweetwater but realized if you already have one Thunderbird why buy another?
What makes them special anyway is the shape and their legacy regardless of what model TB so decided I'd just buy a set of hipshot clover tuners (like the ones on the Vintage) but smaller of course to fit the headstock to give it it's own character. I prefer the black satin paintjob anyways and the base pickups are dark, heavy and thunderous. I could always throw on some EMG TB pickups some day.
There is a difference in wood too. The Goth has a maple neck/rosewood fingerboard and the Vintage pro uses Mahogany/Walnut neck with a rosewood fingerboard. Both have Mahogany body.
Instead of paying $699 for a "Vintage" Thunderbird. I'd rather get a Rickenbacker with walnut body for that vintage rock sound. Just my opinion.
What makes them special anyway is the shape and their legacy regardless of what model TB so decided I'd just buy a set of hipshot clover tuners (like the ones on the Vintage) but smaller of course to fit the headstock to give it it's own character. I prefer the black satin paintjob anyways and the base pickups are dark, heavy and thunderous. I could always throw on some EMG TB pickups some day.
There is a difference in wood too. The Goth has a maple neck/rosewood fingerboard and the Vintage pro uses Mahogany/Walnut neck with a rosewood fingerboard. Both have Mahogany body.
Instead of paying $699 for a "Vintage" Thunderbird. I'd rather get a Rickenbacker with walnut body for that vintage rock sound. Just my opinion.
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No, "brand new" 35-year-old flats on the Clasdic Pro.
Regular flats on the other two...memory isn't quite what it used to be.
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I have both of them. Regarding quality, they are on par with Gibson imho. The Classic sports original Gibson pickups, thus it sounds pretty dark and rock- typical punchy . On the other side, the Vintage Pro sounds a little brighter, which makes it more versatile. But both are indeed real Thunderbirds in feel, look and sound. Beside that, both are great and I would'nt miss them at all. I use them depending on the song and my current feels.
