I'm trying to decide between the fender deluxe active J bass and the epiphone thunderbird iv pro. I play mostly reggae rock type music and I know fender is the go to for reggae but I really like the style of the thunderbird. Both are active but which would be the best for my style of playing? I could use someone else's opinion!
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fender deluxe active jazz bass vs. epiphone thunderbird iv pro
- Thread starter neuenkirch
- Start date
I deeply prefer the Jazz bass attitude, but I don't play your music. Loving Jazz basses I opted for an Epiphone Thunderbird to fulfill the need for a more rockish midrange sounding kinda bass. If you're not that into Precision, the Epiphone Thunderbird is a good alternative to get that punch.
Now I don't really think it's gonna be the very best for your music
I mean: active deluxe Jazz bass is a very versatile and reliable instrument, and Ceramic Custom Noiseless pickups coupled by a three band equalizer, can serve you really well.
I know you're attracted by the amount of mahogany on Thunderbird neckthru body, and the emphasis on midrange frequencies it ensures, but on Fender Jazz you'll have a mid boost to work and easily tweak on
Cheers,
Wallace
Now I don't really think it's gonna be the very best for your music
I mean: active deluxe Jazz bass is a very versatile and reliable instrument, and Ceramic Custom Noiseless pickups coupled by a three band equalizer, can serve you really well.
I know you're attracted by the amount of mahogany on Thunderbird neckthru body, and the emphasis on midrange frequencies it ensures, but on Fender Jazz you'll have a mid boost to work and easily tweak on
Cheers,
Wallace
themacinator
Always looking for the perfect gig
- Oct 8, 2009
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I'd stick with the Fender for that style. Just seems to more natural. Can't ever recall seeing a T-bird in the hands of a reggae/rock, ska bassist. But then again maybe you could be the trend setter.
Here's another vote for the Fender - I've never played an Epiphone that made me want to buy it, and the Active Jazz Deluxe is pretty versatile... Along similar lines, a Deluxe P Bass Special would work well, also...
- georgestrings
- georgestrings
I hummed and hawed over the Active Deluxe V and the T-bird Pro V.
I went with the Active Deluxe. The T-Bird was too quiet and liked to dive.
I'm not disappointed.
I went with the Active Deluxe. The T-Bird was too quiet and liked to dive.
I'm not disappointed.
- Oct 7, 2000
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Talk about apples and oranges. I think you've got apples and pancakes there.
I've owned T birds, a couple of active Fenders, and an active Squier jazz - which was a freakining awesome bass. Had 2 actually, a 4 and 5.
T bird is deep, dark, heavy, bulky, impossible to put in a gigbag, and has neck dive. It looks cooler IMO than any other bass, and sounds awesome for what it does, but comes with the above pricetag. It's not the most versatile instument on the market, and I would consider it only if I were using it strictly for an original band, or a band where I knew the sound would fit, and I loved that sound.
The jazz bass is a no brainer, you'll be able to do anything with it. Compared to the T bird it's like buying a pair of socks as far as I'm concerned, but it's going to do a lot more, and do it a lot more comfortably than the epi.
Last note on the T-bird - the thing that ultimately made me sell mine was the fact that the case was huge (wouldn't fit in my trunk and barely made the back seat), and I couldn't find a gig bag that would actually protect it. I never use cases, so I naturally I never gigged with the bass. Well, 1 or 2 times, but ultimately it wasn't worth the hassle.
I've owned T birds, a couple of active Fenders, and an active Squier jazz - which was a freakining awesome bass. Had 2 actually, a 4 and 5.
T bird is deep, dark, heavy, bulky, impossible to put in a gigbag, and has neck dive. It looks cooler IMO than any other bass, and sounds awesome for what it does, but comes with the above pricetag. It's not the most versatile instument on the market, and I would consider it only if I were using it strictly for an original band, or a band where I knew the sound would fit, and I loved that sound.
The jazz bass is a no brainer, you'll be able to do anything with it. Compared to the T bird it's like buying a pair of socks as far as I'm concerned, but it's going to do a lot more, and do it a lot more comfortably than the epi.
Last note on the T-bird - the thing that ultimately made me sell mine was the fact that the case was huge (wouldn't fit in my trunk and barely made the back seat), and I couldn't find a gig bag that would actually protect it. I never use cases, so I naturally I never gigged with the bass. Well, 1 or 2 times, but ultimately it wasn't worth the hassle.
I think the j bass is far more versatile & hauling around a Tbird in a case is a total pain in the a$$. However, the bird is right for the sound you are after? My fender jaguar is my everthing (utility) bass, my pro 4 is my rock bass, my artcore (hollow) is my warm bass and my acoustic is my home practice bass!
My mom's just too fond of your wondertown for me to do that...
cit. "I couldn't find a gig bag that would actually protect it..." I have two large gigbags (larger than slim ones, but no way of such obstacles like, say, a regular case) one for the Epiphone Thunderbird Pro, the other for the ESP/LTD Phoenix, which is its "replica".
Point is that, like I said, no given Thunderbird for raggae... but then again, thru Tech21 SansAmp BassDriver D.I. deluxe and Ibanez ToneLok PhatEd I play full step downtuned (and with Hipshot GB7 bass extender for drop C) and still slap out of it
Cheers,
Wallace
cit. "I couldn't find a gig bag that would actually protect it..." I have two large gigbags (larger than slim ones, but no way of such obstacles like, say, a regular case) one for the Epiphone Thunderbird Pro, the other for the ESP/LTD Phoenix, which is its "replica".
Point is that, like I said, no given Thunderbird for raggae... but then again, thru Tech21 SansAmp BassDriver D.I. deluxe and Ibanez ToneLok PhatEd I play full step downtuned (and with Hipshot GB7 bass extender for drop C) and still slap out of it
Cheers,
Wallace
- Oct 7, 2000
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The thing for me was that I had that paper thin one, which wasn't worth crap to me... and then I got a bigger one, but it was huge and used to have to put the paper thin one inside the bigger one. Even after that, I had to keep my eye on the bass because I couldn't stand the gigbag up against a wall. The shape of the made made it so you had to lay it down. I don't like haveing to think or worry about my gear when I'm in a club.
I loved the bass, despite it's shortcomings.
I loved the bass, despite it's shortcomings.
