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Gibson/Epiphone Thunderbird IV

B

benny.bizzle

Jan 14, 2009
4
0
#1
I'm currently playing a cheap Washburn that has seen better days to be honest and I'm considering trying to get myself a new bass.

One bass that has always intreged me is the Thunderbird IV as I've read in many places that is one of the best basses to play with a pick, but I've always wondered what the difference is between the Gibson and Epiphone versions and whether one is better than the other.

Also I've heard a lot of bad reviews about the build of this bass such as a heavy weight and a lot of neck dive.

Someone also mentioned that its a bad bass for me to get because I'm maybe 5'10" and its a better bass the taller you are.

Of course I'm not going to dive straight into buying a bass that I've never tried but I wanted some other opinions of the Thunderbird IV.

Responses appreciated.
 
#2
I just got one and the new hasn't worn off so take this with a grain of salt.

1. The T-bird is perfect for a pick. I don't know why, but it is. When I started teaching myself to play I had a hard time using a pick. Fingerstyle has always felt the most natural so I tended to stay away from picking. Since I've gotten the t-bird my picking has improved.

2. Obviously you get what you pay for. The Gibson version is probably a whole lot better, but do you have the jack to pay for one? Save your money and get an epi.

3. The only issue I have had to deal with is neck dive, but its an easy fix and there are a million threads on here about how to fix it.

4. Its a huge bass. I am a pretty robust fella 6'2 220 lbs and it is quite a chunk, but that adds to the cool factor for me. With a little time you should adjust to it.

The best advice is given all the time around here and that is: try it before you buy it. They are truly cool basses, just not for everybody.
 
#3
There are lots of threads about this, you might get what you are looking for with a search. Use the tool in the second blue bar from the top (above the ads).

That being said:

I own an Epiphone Thunderbird. The Gibson is a better instrument, and it has a high resale value. The Epi is affordable, but it is not a cheaply made instrument. I wont bore you with details about the differences... you can look those up on Epiphone and Gibson's website.

Both the Epi and the Gibson TBirds have neck dive issues. This can be remedied by moving the strap button. Here is a link:
http://www.lysator.liu.se/~wizkid/music/thunderbird_mod/

Don't just move the strap buttons... replace them with a quality stap lock. I use Dunlop, but Ernie Ball makes a good one too.

The Epi T-Bird is a heavy, large, beast of a bass. However I don't think anyone at 5'10" will have a problem... I am 6' tall. However, if you are used to a "Fender" style body, it will take some getting used to while sitting. But, hey, no one should sit while playing a T-Bird. :D

Lastly, I paid under $200 for my Epi Tbird used. It is in great condition. The volume pots were not working, but five minutes on my desk and bit of solder took care of that. A new one is great deal for under $300. Don't pay any more than that. You will need a case that can accommodate this bass, your present case may not work.

Good luck.
 
#4
there are sooooo many threads on the Tbirds Benny, just search for Tbird or EPI, and you'll find about 5,000 posts on "who like's em and who don't" including a huge Tbird club thread.

I own an EPI as well as a couple others, I will only say in this thread that there is no comparison between the EPI and Gibson version....period.
 
#6
KingCrimson said:
the bassist for UFO uses em, he says he uses the epiphone version now cause it has a fatter tone
Click to expand...

Really? I played a Gibby TBird and I thought the tone was much fatter than the Epi. However, I didn't A/B them. I played the Gibby in a shop one day and bought my Epi a few days later. However, it wouldn't surprise if this was true. Each individual instrument is different. Some of cheapest garbage out there has wonderful tone... some of the most expensive MIA instruments are dogs. Luck of the draw.:(
 
#7
GreggBummer said:
Some of cheapest garbage out there has wonderful tone... some of the most expensive MIA instruments are dogs. Luck of the draw.:(
Click to expand...
Gregg, I just got an old 70's MIJ Matsumoku no-name JazzClone for 100 bucks..I actually bought it for the stunning color S.burst, but it actually has a very nice neck, easy to play, and sounds unbelievably good ( minus the 35 year old pickup buzz ). again I bought it as a decoration, but I will actually play the thing here and there because it does sound great.

as far as my EPI compared to my DillionTBird ( passive -vs- passive ), it is junk, only due to the pickups, but playability..heck ya, I use it all the time when I want to excersize my fingers on a wider neck.
 
#8
amimbari said:
Gregg, I just got an old 70's MIJ Matsumoku no-name JazzClone for 100 bucks..I actually bought it for the stunning color S.burst, but it actually has a very nice neck, easy to play, and sounds unbelievably good ( minus the 35 year old pickup buzz ). again I bought it as a decoration, but I will actually play the thing here and there because it does sound great.

as far as my EPI compared to my DillionTBird ( passive -vs- passive ), it is junk, only due to the pickups, but playability..heck ya, I use it all the time when I want to excersize my fingers on a wider neck.
Click to expand...

I'd like you a bit more if the Pens had not beat up my Flyers so badly last night. :D

I might switch out the pups on my EpiBird eventually... I like the way mine sounds for now. But, I think this is going to be my "project" bass in the near future. I have never played a Dillion TBird, but they get rave reviews from most players. Let see a pic!

G
 
#9
I would get the new Epi Pro bird in a heart beat.

n_tbirdprointro2783.jpg


I would also be tempted to cut away the lower horn like Entwistle did-
longnakey.gif
 
#10
GreggBummer said:
I'd like you a bit more if the Pens had not beat up my Flyers so badly last night. :D

I might switch out the pups on my EpiBird eventually... I like the way mine sounds for now. But, I think this is going to be my "project" bass in the near future. I have never played a Dillion TBird, but they get rave reviews from most players. Let see a pic!

G
Click to expand...
:spit: ya the pen's finally stopped their losing streak....


here it is naked next to my other Tbird..everyone knows what an EPI looks like, so this pic is EPI'less

(1994 Jackson/2003 Dillion )

P1010109.jpg
 
#12
GreggBummer said:
Ok, I've seen you post these before... I really like the Jackson too...

Looks like you have a nice collection. What kind of music do you play on them?
Click to expand...
"them" referring to the Tbirds right, and not my other basses?


almost e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g I do on my other basses can be replicated on one or the other.

the Dillion is the Gibson "pianobass", the Jackson is the "make up for everything the Dillion won't do" bass. The EPI, is just a playtoy I bought for 100 bucks, changed the bridge, and I like the crummy OEM sound also for certain musical passages.

my other p/j style basses are just "there" to help out if I am requested for a specific tone when recording on peoples stuff, and I don't want to spend time noodling around with the EQ, and effects settings to get the Birds to sound like that.
 
#13
I've always lusted after the Epi T-birds! I'll never be able to afford a Gibson so as far as I'm concerned, it doesnt exist. Several players used them, Shavo Odajian (System of a Down), and the dude from Chevelle. I'm not sure why, if you can pick any bass made someone would choose an Epi over a gibson but some do.
 
#14
I've owned both the epiphone i liked being able to toy with it being a bolt on but i had to switch the bridge to a hipshot replacement. once i got my gibson i put the hipshot on it and the old epi 3pt back on the epi and sold it. gibson has nicer pickups is lighter doenst dive as much and has the strap button relocated also better quality tuners not that there was a terribly noticed difference. i love my gibson but i may buy one of those epi pros just wish the strap button was moved tho
 
#15
No mention of the construction or wood differences? The Gibson is neck thru and mahogany, while the Epi has a bolt on neck and is alder/maple (stained to look like mahogany?). No comparison in the build department, and tonally they're different too, but I think the Epi's a very good sounding bass for the money at a fraction of the cost of a Gibson.

I would like to know how the Tokai T-Birds compare to the Epis.
 
#16
pjmuck said:
No mention of the construction or wood differences? The Gibson is neck thru and mahogany, while the Epi has a bolt on neck and is alder/maple (stained to look like mahogany?). No comparison in the build department, and tonally they're different too, but I think the Epi's a very good sounding bass for the money at a fraction of the cost of a Gibson.

I would like to know how the Tokai T-Birds compare to the Epis.
Click to expand...
you really said the key word...cost...that is why they just came out with the pro series, to make up the difference...a "something in-between" bass that will serve the Gibby lovers, and possibly entice the 300.00 spenders to fork out another 500 or so to get a neckthru, so the reputation of junk is slowly a memory.

BTW Tokai/Grecko are very nice clones, and my EPI is one of those older ones that was basswood with a mahog laminate over it as you can see the multilayer in the pocket.

P1010076.jpg
 
#18
GreggBummer said:
When did they start/stop the mahog laminate? I have an '03 (I think... first two serial numbers are 03). I will probably end up taking the neck off eventually...
Click to expand...
mine's a 99, and I was always curious why it looked different than a lot of other pics I see here, so I took the neck off...that was after I found a thread on discussing the wood differences thru the years alder/basswood/mahog...etc.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=468219

I have a bunch of backside pictures of mine, and others also posted in there...
 
#19
Get The Epi TBird unless you want to part with 1500.00 cash digits.

I have been playing for 40 years I own several upscale basses, however I purchased an Epi Bird this week. I love it.

blue

benny.bizzle said:
I'm currently playing a cheap Washburn that has seen better days to be honest and I'm considering trying to get myself a new bass.

One bass that has always intreged me is the Thunderbird IV as I've read in many places that is one of the best basses to play with a pick, but I've always wondered what the difference is between the Gibson and Epiphone versions and whether one is better than the other.

Also I've heard a lot of bad reviews about the build of this bass such as a heavy weight and a lot of neck dive.

Someone also mentioned that its a bad bass for me to get because I'm maybe 5'10" and its a better bass the taller you are.

Of course I'm not going to dive straight into buying a bass that I've never tried but I wanted some other opinions of the Thunderbird IV.

Responses appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
#20
The Epi is a nice bass for the money but doesn't cop the Gibson's tone IMO, which is heavily influenced by the mahogony body and possibly the neck-through construction.
I owned a real nice one for a while and would consider another down the line. Amazing tone for rock, played pick-style with Roto rounds through my SVT.

I wish Gibson still made the non-rev Thunderbird. One of the coolest basses ever made, IMO, and they sound superb.
 

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