• 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.

NBD Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage Pro

#61
Just a quick heads up for the new VP owners out there...

This beast needs a long G string.
Between the hard tail claw ball seat being farther back than a typical Gibson three point bridge, and the much larger VP headstock, and the large diameter vintage tuning peg posts you'll need at least 49" of G string (ball to end of string) to get one or two wraps around the post, probably 50" if you want three full wraps. That might get a bit limiting on string choices.

For those of you that have a VP, I'd be interested to hear what string choices you've tried. I was planning on flats for mine, maybe some of the La Bella low tension flex flats if they're long enough.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Miles_ONeal and byoung93888
#64
I'm so GASin' for one of these.
I planned to buy one in the beginning of 2018, but something came up and now I'll probably reschedule the aquisition to the middle of the year.
But I've always wanted a Thunderbird and this model is exactly what I was looking for.
It's great to hear all the good things you're saying about it and specially about how good it sounds.
Can't wait to get my hands on one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GBassNorth
#66
johnk_10 said:
i'm running Daddario EPS165 stainless rounds on mine and i love it.
Click to expand...
John, those are nice strings. Were you able to get more than one wrap around the G string post? Even my stock G string only has one wrap. It works, but from a gigging standpoint I'd like a more robust anchor at the headstock (guess I'm a belt and suspenders kinda guy).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Christine
#67
johnk_10 said:
the actual shape of the clover leaf is different, the gotoh GBR640's are reverse wind like the originals, and the footprint on the back is the same size as the originals.
Click to expand...
The Wilkinsons don't reverse wind, not a big deal but given that and the shape of the clover leaf I will change them out at some point. The Wilkinsons are perfectly fine tuners.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Miles_ONeal, Christine, byoung93888 and 2 others
#69
johnk_10 said:
i played the T-Bird vintage Pro's maiden gig last night and i gotta say that i was blow away by how great it sounded with the full band. i ran it with both pickups on 95% of the time and it sounded incredible. it's one of the best sounding basses that i've ever owned (and i've owned over 100 of them over the last 49 years of playing bass).
Click to expand...
It's the real deal. Again Epiphone builds what Gibson won't.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BlueAliceOasis, KF2B, Christine and 4 others
#70
GBassNorth said:
John, those are nice strings. Were you able to get more than one wrap around the G string post? Even my stock G string only has one wrap. It works, but from a gigging standpoint I'd like a more robust anchor at the headstock (guess I'm a belt and suspenders kinda guy).
Click to expand...

yes, i got at least two full winds and have zero issues with them:

T-birdEPS165.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Christine, byoung93888, Nunovsky and 6 others
#72
TBird1958 said:
My white one arrived from Sweetwater today, had to wait until this eve to play it - I'm very impressed, it's a wonderful bass.
I'm hoping to do a short video review of it in a week or so.

View attachment 2834657
Click to expand...
Tbird 1958, if you're a Lull owner and you're impressed that says a lot. It must be one helluva T-bird. Now I'm starting to wonder if I should get one LOL.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Johnny Crab, TBird1958, Leiria and 3 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back