Gibson Tbird IV vs Epiphone Tbird

[TBird1958]

Spot on assesment good Sir!
I do think you can play other genres of music besides rock with a Gibson, I recall seeing a duo here in Seattle with the bassist using a 'Bird to accompany an acoustic guitarist!

 

[Figas]

Spot on assesment good Sir!
I do think you can play other genres of music besides rock with a Gibson, I recall seeing a duo here in Seattle with the bassist using a 'Bird to accompany an acoustic guitarist!

Greetings TBird1958!

Heheheh, for the first time I can't tell if that was a compliment or not. I'm portuguese, so a bit short on english skills =)

Anyway, I do realize that I'm generalizing a bit on my statement.
I to believe Gibson Tbirds fit well other styles and sounds else than rock, but in one hand, they sure seem to be designed for it, as You can't get any other bass that will increase Your rock-star-self esteem as much as it.
On the other hand, it's not your ordinary off-the-shelf all-round bass guitar, as some Precision/jazz bass players wanted it to be. Perhaps that's what makes it so controversial, and it tends to get worse as it ages, since its evolution tends to drag it more into rockier, heavier and harsher sounds. Nevertheless, it's still expensive, and most people want it to sound great at the first shot.
I have a thunderbird and a korean Tobias, and I'm very aware of this diference. Anyway, if the Tobias is my dedicated housewife, the Tbird is my bittersweet lover.

 

[Randall]

Ok first issue with the Gib Thunderbird--First practice and no issues. Second practice I plug it in and I have a ground hum...which is odd considering it didn't do it on the first night. I change basses for a few tunes and get the Gib back out and it's NOT humming. Guitar player think there's a short in the cable jack.
Any thoughts?

My 76 needs a new input jack. Not a hum but a quick loud brrrp. It is a very short black plastic type of jack and not able to be replaced by a "off the shelf" jack.

 

[TBird1958]

@ Figas
Compliments and good thoughts to you!
I thought your comments to be on the mark regarding some of the Thunderbirds out there.
Thunderbirds are my beautiful addiction.
Anymore, I barely look at "other" basses, tho I think I'll find a Hollowbody (probably an Epi Jack Casady) and an RD Artist at some point. The collected works of Leo Fender hold no magic for me!

 

[Figas]

Anymore, I barely look at "other" basses, tho I think I'll find a Hollowbody (probably an Epi Jack Casady) and an RD Artist at some point. The collected works of Leo Fender hold no magic for me!

Thanks Mr TBird!! I have found myself falling onto that downward spiral too, as I can't think of any other basses than the Tbird, heheh! It's really is addictive!

But yeah, so do I have this little crush on some hollowbodies, although I don't think I'll do pretty well with their sound..

Leo Fender, hmmmm? Only the '51 Presicion reissue. I find it funny!

By the way, and getting back into toppic.. sort of... Which Thunderbird build has the largest headstock? I might be getting some custom ideias.... and I have to gather some info.
I'm asking because the largest, the best! Perhaps I have an addiction on its so called neck dive..

 

[Legattabass]

There's a dinged up Epi Goth Thunderbird IV sitting in my local music shop. Besides the horrendous finish and overdone gothic theme, how does it hold up compared to other Epi birds, and the Gibson? Or is it just an aesthetic option, with the same wood/PU options?