• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Is it worth buying a Epiphone Thunderbird?

#61
Test them out in your nearest guitar shop, I just bought an Epiphone Thunderbird classic-IV pro (the one with the gibson pick ups) and I love it, The new ons got their neck strap button installed at the heel of the neck which reduces the dive, tbh just get a 3 inch wide strap problem solved, it's not heavy! LES PAUL SPECIAL BASS is heavier, long reach? not really, the only bump i encountered is the bridge, it's a love-hate affair, it's pretty solid but hard to set up, oh and the case, you need a hardshell. Over all, it all boils down to what you'll like. I recommend, Classic-IV pro if you're getting a bird.
 
#64
Mark4 said:
I think they're worth it, but with different reasons for each model.


Bolt-on:
The least expensive. These a have thicker neck and a thinner tone. Although they can get a basic Thunderbird tone with some tweaking, they feel very different.

Goth:
Much like the standard bolt-on, but with a thinner neck.

Pro:
These have slim neck-through construction and play more like the Gibson, but have active electronics and a brighter sound.

Classic Pro:
With slim neck-through construction and USA pickups, these are similar to the Gibson both in terms of tone and feel.


* Older models with the strap button located on the body edge in the upper horn location will neck-dive. Newer models, or older basses where the strap button has been relocated to behind the neck heel (where a neck plate would be on a Fender) are better balanced. For instance, my Classic Pro came with the strap button behind the body in the neck-heel location and doesn't neck dive at all.
Click to expand...

Beat me to it, thanks.

You can't make sweeping generalizations about completely different models with different construction.

I was never interested in the bolt-on because it's not a Thunderbird. Construction is more like a P-bass parts bass with a Tbird body shape.

Didn't like the trans finish or active pups on the Pro.

But I wound up buying a Classic IV Pro. Mini-review to follow.
 
#65
Theres nothing I noticed about this bass when trying it out that made me want to buy it. First impression was: dull and boring, but solid. It's what I DIDN'T notice that got me interested.

It doesn't scream out for upgrades. It doesnt need all the electronics and hardware replaced like most imports. It doesnt need a new nut or even a pro fret level. If you're not that picky, you could have a giggable bass in 30 minutes with a string change and quickie setup.

Getting deeper into it, the bridge saddles need to be filed to match the fretboard radius. But that needs to be done on any tune-o-matic bridge. The US pickups are pretty good, with surprisingly strong magnetic fields. I had to lower them quite a bit deeper into the body than expected to clear the string warble and get a clean tone.

One thing that is quite noticeable - it's very loud acoustically when you pick it up and play it unplugged.

The 60s profile neck on the Classic is a pretty manly full C shape. But the string spacing is pure wuss at only 17mm. This is my biggest complaint. There is plenty of real estate across the fretboard to widen the string spacing - about 6mm extra wood on each side of the outer strings. Thats excessive. And gets a weird feel with the strings huddled so close together in the center of the wider fretboard. Its like they changed to a different neck but forgot to change the bridge to match. I really don't need the Hipshot for anything but the adjustable string spacing, to correct this design flaw / oversight.

There is no neck dive. NONE. You can let go of the neck and it doesnt fall. At all. Not even to horizontal position, which I consider normal.

The way it hangs on a strap:

a) due to the strap button location it hangs too high. I need a strap about a foot longer to get it low enough to be comfortable.

b) It also hangs slightly to the left, but not enough. Kind of in-between a P-bass and an Explorer hang. I don't really like being halfway there. I'm used to a Warlock/Kelly/Demonator hang where, when I place my hand at my hip, my index finger is at the 17th fret. The Classic Pro doesnt have a long enough reach. It needs to be a couple more frets to the left.

Moving the strap button to the top shoulder might resolve these problems, but might create a bit of neck dive. Haven't tried it yet.

Lastly, upper fret access is restricted by the cutaway being too shallow. Similar to an Ironbird. Its not like it has a 24 fret neck, but it's worth mentioning in case somebody wants to reach up there.

With all that said, it's not designed to be a metal shred machine. This is a pure classic rock blues/rock workhorse.

Bang for the buck: great, if you don't want a case and don't need the Hipshot bridge. When you add the two of those, the price point doesn't seem as attractive. But still a solid piece of kit.
 
#66
Am I the only one who wraps the strap in FRONT of the body?

This is what the late Allen Collins of Lynyrd Skynyrd did with his Explorer.

It keeps the top of the body from tilting away.

Once I did this and moved the strap button to the one of the screws on the neckplate, my Epi T-Bird vintage sunburst plays and hangs fine.

I only paid $120 for this Korean made bass.....love the huge neck and the warm sound with my Eden Metro.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mike A
#68
I had a Pro IV for a few months. I had one of the older models with the strap lock on the "horn" and the neck dive was terrible so I moved to it to the back of the bass where the neck meets the body and it was still terrible. Traded it for a Fender and I couldn't be happier.
 
#69
AlexanderB said:
Very well written, Metal Mitch and even I, that have no tried the Explorer or Demonator (?), can get an idea about the ergonomics.
Click to expand...

Thanks, glad someone found it useful :D

no hijack intended but this is the Demonator:

Invalid Link Removed

quite possibly the best Tbird spinoff ever made. MIK all-mahogany neckthru, Grover tuners, Warwick tune-o-matic, 1.5" nut width and only 2" wide at the 12th fret. 18 mm string spacing. Like most imports (not a PLEK'ed Epiphone) it will probably need a pro fret level. Mine did. Add the Bart Classic Bass Tbird replacements and your choice of pre. It's more than worth it.
 
#71
Answering my own question, sort of. I ran into a new Gibson Thunderbird in a MI shop some days ago. I did not much like the pick-ups but wow, it had a great resonance and tone from the bass itself. Thick, throaty, nice sustain and very even sound across and along the neck. I tend to pick whatever flaw audible there is in the fundamental sound of the bass but I was really surprised by this one. The shape of the neck also suited me well.

It was FAR better than the 2012/2013 Fender Jazzes I tried at the same time. If the Epiphone Thunderbird Classic-IV Pro is anything like the Gibson (and the neck through etc is well carried out) the Epi is a real bargain!

Now, what pickups could I put in to get a "Fender Jazz sound", seriously? :bassist:
 
#72
I own a Epiphone wich is heavier than the Gibson. There are many availiable ways to solve the neck drop problem. Replacing the strap locks are a great way! I could send pics of mine but the app won't let me.
Anyway, the TBird has a very distinct tone. It's a little heavier than a Fender or a smaller bass but definitely worth a buck! If the price is right go get it!
 
#73
I have made a device that helps with neck dive and posted this in the luthier's forum. A comment was made that maybe those who have Thunderbirds would be interested in giving input as well.

The device called "The Comfort Rod" replaces the bolt-on neck plate. A retractable and positionable rod attaches to the shoulder strap at the end. The rod slides behind the neck.

Thank you!
Kathy
KatCreek Guitars
 

Attachments

  • ConfortRod5.jpg
    ConfortRod5.jpg
    6.7 KB · Views: 84
#75
I've played one a few times and to me, it felt like a brick with strings. They do look very cool however and for the price, I might consider buying one just to add to my collection. Maybe it'll grow on me.
 
#76
i have a pro iv in sunburst. love how it looks and the range of sounds i can get out of it is AMAZING! however it is heavy and does not balance naturally for most people (including me) if you like the looks and tones of the bass well enough this can be easily worked around. Also the neck to me is kind of skinny, but i love this bass anyway!
just be aware that you are buying an instrument that you will probably have to work around. lol if you dont like them enough to do that dont get one.
 
#77
The neck on my Korean bolt neck vintage sunburst Epi T- Bird is HUGE...it has very good sustain too.

Maybe I mentioned this, but I moved the strap button to the neck plate and wrap the bottom part of the strap over the body, so the top part of the body does not tilt outward.

Works perfectly...very well balanced....this bass is so good (and cheap to buy used) I may upgrade the pickups.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back