The neckthrough version is a bass you really must buy. Great playability, sound and a good price 
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Is it worth buying a Epiphone Thunderbird?
- Thread starter LowNote4003
- Start date
I just sold a pro 4 that i played for the past 4 years. I did like the neck, but it was too much work to play, too long of a reach to the headstock, neckdive issues, heavy and try fitting a Tbird/hard case into a small car!
I've had an Epit T-bird Goth for almost 3 years now. I tried one out at GC and was astonished at how fast the neck felt. The body shape was also very comfortable for seated playing. Standing, however, the strap button locations caused it to move to my left which put my right hand too close to the bridge for my taste, and I could never get used to simply moving my right hand closer to the neck.
I did make an aluminum piece that replaced the neck plate and extended the strap button to the 12th fret, but then it wouldn't fit in the case....w/out modifying something.
Tone-wise, I like pretty much any setting it has. I am also often surprised at how comfortable the neck is despite its 11/16 nut width, considering I prefer skinny jazz necks and short scales.
Approximately 3 months after owning it (it was new - not used), I noticed a crack in the neck starting from the notch where the nut sits and running up the neck, diagonally, for about 4 inches. I hadn't filled out the warranty form, and I was well past the GC 1 month return window. My bass instructor told me to just keep playing it as long as it didn't create any problems.
As far as I can tell, there has been no change in tone, and the bass remains in tune better than any of my other 5 basses.
I did make an aluminum piece that replaced the neck plate and extended the strap button to the 12th fret, but then it wouldn't fit in the case....w/out modifying something.
Tone-wise, I like pretty much any setting it has. I am also often surprised at how comfortable the neck is despite its 11/16 nut width, considering I prefer skinny jazz necks and short scales.
Approximately 3 months after owning it (it was new - not used), I noticed a crack in the neck starting from the notch where the nut sits and running up the neck, diagonally, for about 4 inches. I hadn't filled out the warranty form, and I was well past the GC 1 month return window. My bass instructor told me to just keep playing it as long as it didn't create any problems.
As far as I can tell, there has been no change in tone, and the bass remains in tune better than any of my other 5 basses.
My friend and custom luthier, Andrew Drake, is actually doing some mods to an Epi TBird right now. He would be a good resource for you to communicate with about this, because you will eventually want to make mods to the electronics, at least. Here is his website address Invalid Link Removed . You can pick up his contact information there. He has also posted some commentary on FaceBook about the mod process, and you should be able to see more there. Just do a search for "Andrew Drake" or "Drake Custom Bass" on FB and you should be able to see his comments.
Hope this is helpful for you.
Koog
Hope this is helpful for you.
Koog
I'm total beginner, been playing 1 year, my first bass, I picked it because it was very affordable ($200), felt good, sounded good, looked cool. Real cool. Read that it is a good rock bass. Perfect. Read that it is neck-heavy -- hey, my first bass, I'll never know the difference. I am thrilled with it, but what do I know? I just bought a MIM Fender Jazz that may or may not ruin my T-bird...She'll always be my first!
In my opinion (which appears mostly unpopular) I would say get the real deal and get a Gibson. I've got plenty of love for the Epis, but the Gibson's where it's at.
I almost bought an Epi, but I waited and got a Gibson from the factory in Memphis (made in Nashville), custom colored. Never looked back, bass I yearned for and I got it.
I would definitely say try it before you buy it. But don't try it on a stool, you gotta try it with a strap, cause it's different.
Merry Christmas!
This. When playing my Epi T-bird, I rest my forearm there in such a way that it holds the bass level, and shifts it to the right an inch or two from where it would just hang on its own. That doesn't affect my ability to play it.
i think its worth it if you want to have a feel of what a gibson thunderbird looks like. it does not sit like a normal bass, and it takes time getting used to.
i sold mine (a BO alpine white ltd edition), but its more of because i have lots of basses and it did not make the cut. if it were a gibson tbird, i would have kept it.
here's a clip of what it sounded like live
not bad, i must say ... but i have 6 others that sound better than it. i miss the shape and the feeling of playing it though. it makes you feel awesome
i sold mine (a BO alpine white ltd edition), but its more of because i have lots of basses and it did not make the cut. if it were a gibson tbird, i would have kept it.
here's a clip of what it sounded like live
not bad, i must say ... but i have 6 others that sound better than it. i miss the shape and the feeling of playing it though. it makes you feel awesome
Personally I don't care for the Epiphone T-Birds, I played a Gibson T-Bird and was blown away- BIG difference.
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I've got one of these and I love it!
It's my "go-to" bass at home. The one that lives in a guitar stand in my living room that get's grabbed all the time to fiddle around on.
I had issues with it's setup when it first arrived, but I have finally sorted that out and found it's perfect strings (IMO), GHS Flats.
Yes, they are funny feeling things to play when your used to Fenders etc., but it doesn't take long to get used to.
Invalid Link Removed
I've got one of these and I love it!
It's my "go-to" bass at home. The one that lives in a guitar stand in my living room that get's grabbed all the time to fiddle around on.
I had issues with it's setup when it first arrived, but I have finally sorted that out and found it's perfect strings (IMO), GHS Flats.
Yes, they are funny feeling things to play when your used to Fenders etc., but it doesn't take long to get used to.
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Don't listen to the first guy! I have a classic pro and it's incredible! There are very few differences between it and a gibson thunderbird, apart from the price as the epiphone has gibson tb+ pickups in it. I can get a muddy sound to it, or get real clarity from it. The neck is really nice - middle of the road in terms of depth. It does weigh quite a bit, but I happen to love heavy basses!
I have owned several and whilst I think they are the coolest looking bass around, the ergonomics for me just don`t work. If you are thinking of getting one, a Gibson or an Epi, please either try it out in the shop standing up with it on a strap, or get one that you can try at home and send back if you don`t get on with it.
+1
Some players don't get along very well with Thunderbirds. They don't sit on a strap like a Fender does, and that can be a deal breaker. On the other hand, I really like the way they balance on a strap; I think it has some advantages.
- Mar 13, 2008
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- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Some of us were made to just play Thunderbirds 
Amen!
BTW the "Classic Pro" is a fanatstic bass at a very modest price, go forth and buy one
Amen!
BTW the "Classic Pro" is a fanatstic bass at a very modest price, go forth and buy one
Some of us were made to just play Thunderbirds
Amen!
BTW: The "Classic Pro" is a fanatstic bass at a very modest price, go forth and buy one
I've followed the T-Bird Club for some time, and recently made the purchase of an Epi T-Bird Classic Pro-IV. I appreciate TBird1958 and a couple others for finally pushing me over the edge. Everything posted by them is proving to be on the money, and I value their thoughts and advice. I'm happy - YOMV. I suggest a trip to your locally owned store of choice (IF possible) to validate for yourself how one might work for you
I agree that a Thunderbird is not a bass for everyone. You should try one out before you buy. I own both an Epi and a Gibson and the biggest difference for me is the neck. My Epi is from the Korea era and it has a fat neck. pretty much like a Precision but longer, as any other 'Bird. The Gibson has a thinner neck which I prefer. As many has said here, It takes a while to get used to but, there's no other bass like it.
