Interesting find: Epi T-Bird IV chrome edition

[fms911]

I was looking round on ebay and I saw this

Never saw a chrome epi thunderbird before, but woah its beautiful. I would buy it but the one i used to have had a botched bridge and there after a botched repair, so I'm not gonna buy an epiphone with a bridge held in by string tension again.

Anyone know anything about it?

 

[Showdown]

I believe that was the "Elitist" series. They were made in Japan and were excellent basses. I own two '76 Gibson Tbirds and after playing an Elitist in a store I would say it is comparable in quality. I would get it if I were you. Don't let the bridge scare you.

The bridge is fine. You just have to be careful with it. I have 4 basses with that bridge (2 Gibson, 2 Epi) and have never had a problem. I've had one of them since 1976 with no problems.

There are just two things you need to know with that bridge.

1. If you remove all the strings the bridge can fall off, so be careful. The saddles also can come out. A little care is all you need here.

2. Do not raise the bridge with tension on the strings, especially if the front of the bridge is lower than the back. This can cause the bridge studs to pull out of the bass. Keep the front and back even, and loosen the strings when you raise or lower it and you will have no problems.

 

[pghjeeper]

Ask this guy hes really into them
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/chrome-epi-thunderbird-788272/

 

[poorbassist15]

I think the Elitists had different tuners on them. Still really cool, I want it.

 

[fms911]

Hes also selling white ones, and thanks Showdown for the advice. IMO those tuners look better than the stock ones

 

[Showdown]

I think the Elitists had different tuners on them. Still really cool, I want it.

Now that I look at it you are right. The Elitist series had a set neck, not a bolt on. The pickups look the same (chrome guitar sized humbuckers), and that is why I thought it was an Elitist.

As you said, still really cool.

 

[Showdown]

Hes also selling white ones, and thanks Showdown for the advice. IMO those tuners look better than the stock ones

The white ones are very cool.