Epiphone Thunderbird

[3FingerJack]

Your opinions?
A candidate for my electric bass, I’m sold on the look and think I could modulate it to be an all-purpose bass, but I haven’t played one.

 

[Gluvhand]

Your opinions?
A candidate for my electric bass, I’m sold on the look and think I could modulate it to be an all-purpose bass, but I haven’t played one.

Depends on the model. Which one are you looking at?

 

[sigterm]

Mines in the shop but it's the standard model, and has a great sound and playability. Previous owner replaced the machine heads with 3/8 which were too small so it's getting 1/2 vintage hipshots instead (to hold over until it gets a pbass neck). My gripes are how it sits in my rack and my lap, otherwise great. I need to practice more on picking with it too, there's a pickup that's getting in my way when I dig in. Just a temporary issue while I get used to it.

 

[jd56hawk]

Your opinions?
A candidate for my electric bass, I’m sold on the look and think I could modulate it to be an all-purpose bass, but I haven’t played one.

I've always liked everything about them, Classic IV, Pro IV and the new Vintage model…no need to buy a Gibson when an Epiphone gets the job done.
The neck-dive issue's never been an issue, of course…just an easily solved minor problem.
Almost bought a Pro IV in the natural finish a few months ago but something better came along, so…
Still want a Trans Black one, though.

 

[Instagator]

You will not go wrong with the new Vintage Pro with the Probucker 760 pickups..I picked up a white one..liked it so much I snagged one in ebony.
Don't be fooled by the truss rod cover on the ebony..it came with it from the former owner

 

[3FingerJack]

Depends on the model. Which one are you looking at?

Classic 4

 

[Gluvhand]

Classic 4

That’s what I have, in Alpine White. Great bass. The only complaint I’ve seen is some people don’t get along with the thin neck. I did change out the bridge for the Hipshot 3 point but there is really nothing wrong with the stock bridge. I just prefer individual height adjustment and string spacing.

 

[sigterm]

That’s what I have, in Alpine White. Great bass. The only complaint I’ve seen is some people don’t get along with the thin neck. I did change out the bridge for the Hipshot 3 point but there is really nothing wrong with the stock bridge. I just prefer individual height adjustment and string spacing.

I was having trouble finding a replacement bridge, do you have a link?

 

[Gluvhand]

I was having trouble finding a replacement bridge, do you have a link?

There are two I know of. The Hipshot and Babicz makes one too. The Babicz doesn't have adjustable spacing, IIRC. As far as links go, sorry, I've never figured out how to do that here. Either is available from the manufacturer and at many retail sites.

 

[jd56hawk]

And the new Gibson Thunderbirds now come with Babicz bridges.

 

[Christine]

Classic 4

The classic vi pro is a well made bass very close to identical to the pre 2015 Gibsons you won't go far wrong but having said that the vintage pro is said to be streets ahead, might be worth considering

 

[TBird1958]

Your opinions?
A candidate for my electric bass, I’m sold on the look and think I could modulate it to be an all-purpose bass, but I haven’t played one.

The Vintage Pro is simply fantastic.

 

[netohugo]

View attachment 3082160 You will not go wrong with the new Vintage Pro with the Probucker 760 pickups..I picked up a white one..liked it so much I snagged one in ebony.
Don't be fooled by the truss rod cover on the ebony..it came with it from the former owner

I did just like you but on opposite colors .... got the ebony first. Liked it so much that two days later got an alpine white ..... couldn’t be happier ...

 

[JJR58]

I do like mine, very much so. Both Epiphones. Classic Pro's. Slightly modded.

 

[Plectrum72]

I picked up a Classic IV Pro in alpine white last week. Liked it at rehearsal. Liked it even more at our gig this weekend. Only thing I don't like is the cases are on back order and it doesn't fit well (barely at all) in a standard gig bag.

 

[jd56hawk]

The Pro IV is two inches longer than the Classic IV.
The Gator Pro Go is a good fit.

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

Your opinions?
A candidate for my electric bass, I’m sold on the look and think I could modulate it to be an all-purpose bass, but I haven’t played one.[/Q

Your opinions?
A candidate for my electric bass, I’m sold on the look and think I could modulate it to be an all-purpose bass, but I haven’t played one.

I own several of both Gibson's and Epis.

The Pro IV and V are made with better bridges. The Pro's have set thru necks and better pickups. The base model has the 3 point version, not a fan, and a bolt on neck.

Both will get the job done. I modified a base, 3 point bridge model with a fretless paddle neck, it's now a straight pull, with no back incline on the headstock. Debating putting an alternate bridge on but to be honest it plays fine now, and not sure a $200 used but flawless EBay purchase needs a $200 Babicz bridge?

Not sure the Pro's are made any longer and the 5-string is hard to find.

 

[Spidey2112]

... no need to buy a Gibson when an Epiphone gets the job done.

Bingo!

 

[Raw N Low]

I used to have a Pro IV. It was a cool bass and had a great tone. I used to tune it to D# and swap between it and a concert tuned bass. If I ran into a Pro V for a decent price, I would consider it again.

 

[ProgressiveDoom]

I think @Gluvhand brings forward a very valuable point in his mention of the tapered neck. If you have been playing standard necks all your life than the tapered neck may really piss you off. Ive played Precision basses most of my life until I bought an Epiphone Thunderbird and the first thing I realized after I got it home to spend time with was that the neck gets really narrow towards the headstock and my thick fingers started to run out of playground. Instead of trying to alter my style or sell the bass I settled on a neck swap for something Im most comfortable with. If tapered neck dont bother you than your good to go. Good luck.