ESP Ripping Off The ThunderBird

[Snakeman1066]

meh.....New T-birds run for about the same ($1,500.00 to $1,700.00) depending on where you buy them.....I think ESP will do just fine...

And I imagine the LTD versions will be priced about the same as the Epi-Pro models....

 

[Thump Jr.]

There will eventually be a LTD model which will probably go in the $500.00 to $700.00 range...

All this from a buddy who reps for ESP...

Music to my ears. It can't arrive soon enough.

 

[Murphys Law]

That reverse Headstock simply kills!!
Me WANTS!

Can't wait for the LTD model...
damn, good thing im permanently out of money...

 

[FL Knifemaker]

It looks like an "Icebird"

 

[Rob Martinez]

I'm curious about this bass, but not $1600 curious. I will stick with my Gibson IV and Studio T-birds, which I am very happy with!

Still, looks VERY cool!

 

[amimbari]

It looks like an "Icebird"

yes it does have that familiar "horn hook design" slightly added in there on it huh...lol
but not nearly as pronounced as the real ICEman's

now ESP, Mike Lull Bach..who's next to come up with a bird?
like many I'm not worried about it. I already have an EMG equipped NT bird I don't intend to trade in anytime soon.

 

[phxlbrmpf]

Looks hawt, I wonder if it's less neck heavy than the original.

 

[ozzyismetal]

Finally a tbird that I don't hate!!

 

[Oberion]

meh.....New T-birds run for about the same ($1,500.00 to $1,700.00) depending on where you buy them.....I think ESP will do just fine...

They run for exactly $1499

And I imagine the LTD versions will be priced about the same as the Epi-Pro models....

Considering that ESP does more guitar business than bass, and the Tbird at best appeals to a limited section of the bass playing/buying market which is served now at every price point by Epi/Gibby, not to mention that Mike Lull is getting into the highend market. I don't know if ESP new entry will be that successful. Nice bass but I'll wait for the Epi PRO.

 

[ProfGumby]

I wonder if the headstock is more durable.

With a maple neck it will be more durable than a Gibson neck. Mahogany is a great wood, but not a very strong wood....

 

[steveinohio]

Not a big fan. I cant get into the pickguard, lower horn, and the inlays. The headstock looks great though. ESP makes awesome stuff. I would take their quality over Gibson any day.

 

[SOCAL310]

esp already has an ltd version of the phoenix 2 but there is 2 versions one is the ltd deluxe which has all the same features as the esp but the bridge is from gotoh not esp and everything else is the same and it cost around $799 now the ltd version 2 is cheap version is really cheap cost 299 dollars

 

[Tonegasm]

Those are teh hotnezz.

 

[Toastfuzz]

I for one would take an ESP T-bird over a Gibson, in the crowd of bassists I hang with (all metal guys), we're constantly fighting to cut through walls of distortion...we all have mid-price point instruments ($300-$600) and the ESP and Ibanez basses on that level have the best cut.

May be heavy as hell, but I'd love to see a 6-string T-bird bass. I'd go bonkers for one of those with some good pickups.

 

[shaboda]

i tried one friday.... pickups were lame and low input. i played it for 2.2 mins

 

[johnk_10]

i guess i'm in the monority, but that ESP version of a bird doesn't appeal to me at all. don't like the cutaway on the lower horn, the pickguard, the pickups, the neck inlays, or the bridge. and for the price, i'd take a Gibson over it any day. and for more money, a Lull.

 

[GCool]

I likey

 

[Rip Topaz]

Not really diggin' the pickguard. I'll hold out for a Gibby. My Epi (and the fretless 'bird I'm making for myself) will have to hold me over.

 

[Spleenface92]

I LOVE the flipped headstock.

 

[TBird1958]

Not liken' it, except for the headstock....it's one fulgly 'Bird.
With a name like that, and it's obvious Fenderbird heritage they could have done much better, like this Hotwire 'Bird