After a long, patient hunt, I finally took possession of my immaculate Epi T-Bird Classic IV Pro in Alpine White. Got a crazy good deal on it (with a HSC) from the GC used site. It was made in January of 2015 and it's still in brand new condition. Not a single scratch, ding or sign of wear. Most of all, it sounds FREAKING AMAZING! It's crazy how good this bass is!
I've been having trouble uploading to Photobucket, but it looks just like this:
I'll try to post actual pictures tomorrow.
It's hard to believe how utterly thrilled I am with this bass! Honestly, I never gave T-Birds much of a thought before. Always liked the way they looked, but never cared for the way they sounded. I know Gibson T-Bird owners hate it when people say it, but I've always found them to be too muddy/boomy for my taste (I'm sorry, that's just how they sound to me... but I'm a jazz bass guy).
I'm sure grateful a TB'er turned me on to the Classic IV Pro... It's a monster! Growly and articulate with great bottom! When I picked it up at my local GC, they had a Gibson 120th Anniversary T-Bird hanging on the wall, so I took the opportunity to A/B it against the Epi. The difference was like night and day, strongly in the Epiphone's favor (IMO). The Gibson sounded tubby and thumpy, even with highs and high mids cranked on the amp (and tone dimed on the bass). The Epi just sounded like a freaking wrecking machine by comparison! Real aggressive with a solid low end. Admittedly, I found it best to roll back the neck pickup about 25% to tighten up the bottom, but otherwise, it's a solid tone machine with a lot of range.
I can't remember the last time I got this excited about a bass! Probably when I got my 4003 back in '08 (unfortunately, that love affair didn't last).
As if getting this barely used, super-clean bass and case weren't enough, I also got an additional, unexpected bonus, when I opened the accessory compartment. Inside, I found an expensive, leather, Franklin strap (I know they're expensive because I already own an almost identical one... paid $75 for it in a moment of questionable judgement.... but they are really nice!) with Schaller strap locks attached - and the matching buttons on the body!
I just need to do a set-up on it. Neck has a little too much relief for my liking. Nothing a truss rod adjustment won't fix... Maybe lower the bridge a little. Unfortunately, the truss rod nut is metric and I can't find my metric hex wrenches. I'm also thinking about changing the bridge for a Hipshot replacement, but I don't think it needs any other mods... and I'm a compulsive modder.
I figured on changing the pickguard to a black one, or something to contrast with the white, but after getting it home I kind of like the white-on-white look. Asked the wife what she thought about changing the PG and she said: "I think the only thing you need to do is play that thing!"
I've been having trouble uploading to Photobucket, but it looks just like this:
I'll try to post actual pictures tomorrow.
It's hard to believe how utterly thrilled I am with this bass! Honestly, I never gave T-Birds much of a thought before. Always liked the way they looked, but never cared for the way they sounded. I know Gibson T-Bird owners hate it when people say it, but I've always found them to be too muddy/boomy for my taste (I'm sorry, that's just how they sound to me... but I'm a jazz bass guy).
I'm sure grateful a TB'er turned me on to the Classic IV Pro... It's a monster! Growly and articulate with great bottom! When I picked it up at my local GC, they had a Gibson 120th Anniversary T-Bird hanging on the wall, so I took the opportunity to A/B it against the Epi. The difference was like night and day, strongly in the Epiphone's favor (IMO). The Gibson sounded tubby and thumpy, even with highs and high mids cranked on the amp (and tone dimed on the bass). The Epi just sounded like a freaking wrecking machine by comparison! Real aggressive with a solid low end. Admittedly, I found it best to roll back the neck pickup about 25% to tighten up the bottom, but otherwise, it's a solid tone machine with a lot of range.
I can't remember the last time I got this excited about a bass! Probably when I got my 4003 back in '08 (unfortunately, that love affair didn't last).
As if getting this barely used, super-clean bass and case weren't enough, I also got an additional, unexpected bonus, when I opened the accessory compartment. Inside, I found an expensive, leather, Franklin strap (I know they're expensive because I already own an almost identical one... paid $75 for it in a moment of questionable judgement.... but they are really nice!) with Schaller strap locks attached - and the matching buttons on the body!
I just need to do a set-up on it. Neck has a little too much relief for my liking. Nothing a truss rod adjustment won't fix... Maybe lower the bridge a little. Unfortunately, the truss rod nut is metric and I can't find my metric hex wrenches. I'm also thinking about changing the bridge for a Hipshot replacement, but I don't think it needs any other mods... and I'm a compulsive modder.
I figured on changing the pickguard to a black one, or something to contrast with the white, but after getting it home I kind of like the white-on-white look. Asked the wife what she thought about changing the PG and she said: "I think the only thing you need to do is play that thing!"
