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Epiphone Thunderbird

#41
Gluvhand said:
The only thing keeping me from trying a Vintage is knowing I’ll probably want one. I’m totally happy with my Classic but the monkey is never satisfied.
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Truer words were never spoken!
BTW - I love the Vintage, it has become my #1, and I own many high end basses, the Vintage is fun, looks great, feels great and again, I will say it, if you solo the neck pup, its just a magic tone maker. You will love it, give in and get it, you will eventually ;-)
 
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#44
osonu said:
My $.02 - I love the tone of these and came very close to buying one on sale (I think it was a Pro), here's why I didn't:

Hangs a little strangely due to the location of the strap buttons

Also neck dive

Screws to adjust intonation face the head?? It looks like you would have to hold the screwdriver under/inline with the string to be able to turn the screw, or like you would have to loosen the string enough to get it out of the way, adjust the screw, retighten and tune the string and check your intonation - then repeat as necessary! I even asked the tech, he said he didn't see any other way to do it. If there is another way, someone please fill me in,

Won't fit in a standard case or gig bag

Just added up to too much to put up with for me. Glad other people play them though - I do like that tone ; )
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All legit points - it isn't well proportioned but if you ride it closer to the neck/hs it is more that playable and looping the strap in front of the lower bout keeps the hs angle stable. The orig and 3-point bridge designs weren't ideal, but the ones (T-bird Pro) with the more standard bridge would be fine. And, there are T-bird specific gig-bags available that are less expensive and serviceable. Same with hs cases. They are not for everyone, but sound/look like no other.

IMG_6057.JPG
 
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#45
For those who like them like them, those who do not don't. Move the neck strap nut behind the neck on the neck plate though to counter the neck dive issues. I did not like the straight edge where your forearm out rest on your finger/strumming hand. The tone was ok, however sounded better with a pick then with fingers to me.
 
#46
40Hz said:
Agree 100%

I always liked the sound and the feel of a TBird. But despite being an unrepentant Gibson player for most of my life, I never gave myself The Bird. I was always put off by the price tag, and to a lesser extent, by the ergonomics. So much like a Ric (which I’ve yet to buy for the same two reasons) a TBird has remained one of those basses I could never quite get myself to pull the trigger on.

However, I have recently tried out some Epiphone TBirds (Classic and Classic Pro) and I can confidently tell you they can hold their own against any Gibson Thunderbird I’ve ever played over the last 40 years. And they could easily beat out many of the “Genuine Gibson” models as well. Epihone has absolutely nailed the TBird vibe with their version.

Sane price tag too, even with the recent increases. I’d consider the current $550 street price for a Classic Pro to be a genuine bargain.

Let’s see…I got two Rippers, a SB-300. a 2017 EB, and an early 60s ES-125TC guitar. But my SO’s vintage Les Paul Classic is out on permanent loan to her godson’s recording studio in CA. So...that leaves an open space in the rack for another bass right? Right? (Hmm…do I have $500 to spare anytime soon?)

Oh man! I gotta stop coming here. :laugh:
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Go play an Epiphone Vintage Pro.
 
#55
I had a pro 4 I purchased new as my main player for several years. The build quality was outstanding and the neck was sweet. Epiphone has always given players a lot of guitar for the money! You cant go wrong with epiphone! The only one I have these days is an el capitain acoustic bass, but that is apt to change at any time?
 
#56
3FingerJack said:
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.
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The TBird is the ultimate rock work horse when you consider looks and tone, IMO. I owned an alpine white classic pro IV a few years ago, that I should not have sold, I miss that bass. She sounded awesome and played the same. I'm on the lookout to get another one and would still go for the Classic Pro IV, but I want to test drive the Vintage Pro model that came out a few years ago. Both basses specs are satisfying for me and the neck-through thing is an important feature. I rented both the basic and the active models in the last year and although I admit they played and sounded good, I'll eventually settle on the Classic or the Vintage.
 
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#58
I think the pro 4 has a tone unique to itself as its the only active thunderbird. Its not a super high end preamp circuit but its ok, if you are into active basses .Im done with them myself. I m gassing for epiphone to build a shortscale passive thunderbird with satin or oil natural finish!
 
#59
Bassmike62 said:
Soundwise, how does it compare to the Classic Pro IV ?
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They're quite different, the Vintage really does have "that" old school Thunderbird tone, the pickups are hot, growly and warm, really something! String choice seems to play a big part as well, several of the guys on the TB club thread use Cobalt flats and love them, I use Ken Smith RockMasters. The Classic nails the current Gibson perfectly, a bit more modern tone, good as well.
 
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#60
TBird1958 said:
They're quite different, the Vintage really does have "that" old school Thunderbird tone, the pickups are hot, growly and warm, really something! String choice seems to play a big part as well, several of the guys on the TB club thread use Cobalt flats and love them, I use Ken Smith RockMasters. The Classic nails the current Gibson perfectly, a bit more modern tone, good as well.
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Thx. Looking forward to rejoin the club, I keep lurking in the thread on a daily basis... soon, hopefully :-)
 

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