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NBD!

bking0217

I suck a little less every day
May 15, 2015
343
664
45
Montverde, FL
Well, actually N"O"BD. I found this Epi Thunderbird waiting for me in a pawn shop. It's by no means perfect, but also by no means ugly. The only things I found on it were some scuffing on the headstock (not uncommon) and an unsightly screw plugging the hole where previous owner moved a strap button. Nothing unfixable, especially considering I only paid $170 for her. Couldn't be happier.
Thunderbird.png
Thunderbird 2.png
 
Never been a Gibson bass fan, but their Firebird style basses are kinda cool. Yours actually looks pretty sweet.

What's the 'Gibson sound' or more specifically the 'Thunderbird' tone?
This is gonna sound wierd, but i actually have this crazy headache right now and I don't want to play my first non-Fender until I can fully enjoy it. I'll give a report later tonight.
 
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Alright, couldn't resist anymore, even though my head is still pounding. Laid down some scales and a little Metallica. Quickly realized I need to practice more. Anywho, it plays awesome. Downer is I don't know what strings are on it but they suck. Fortunately I'm a bit of a string hoarder so they're easily replaced. The neck is slightly bowed but I think it just needs a good setup and it will be perfect.
 
Never been a Gibson bass fan, but their Firebird style basses are kinda cool. Yours actually looks pretty sweet.

What's the 'Gibson sound' or more specifically the 'Thunderbird' tone?

I have 3 T Birds. Two Gibson’s and a Cataldo. They all are super thick in the lows with a pronounced ‘bark’ in the midrange. Very much a rock and roll bass, but I use mine on a very wide variety of gigs...even trad country. They sound great with flats or rounds. I also like Black Beauty strings as they retain the growl and thickness, but tame some of the zingy qualities for my more laid back gigs
45722BFC-8436-4B72-91EA-D292E79F2D2B.jpeg
 
I have 3 T Birds. Two Gibson’s and a Cataldo. They all are super thick in the lows with a pronounced ‘bark’ in the midrange. Very much a rock and roll bass, but I use mine on a very wide variety of gigs...even trad country. They sound great with flats or rounds. I also like Black Beauty strings as they retain the growl and thickness, but tame some of the zingy qualities for my more laid back gigs
View attachment 2922807

Forgive me, never heard of a Cataldo... is the body thinner than the twins? For some unknown reason, I like the color, as well.
 
Forgive me, never heard of a Cataldo... is the body thinner than the twins? For some unknown reason, I like the color, as well.

index

Great basses! Body seems roughly the same thickness as my Gibson’s
 
Downer is I don't know what strings are on it but they suck

When they suck, better don' t care about them :laugh:

For the classic metal stuff I would go with Rotos Swingbass (rounds)

but you should also try that bird with flats!

The last time I played a T- Bird was two years ago on a blues & rock jam (switching instruments :hyper:)

bla bla long story.... TI flats + T-Bird... check it out!!!

have fun

Wise
 
Sweet deal! Years ago I scored a Epi Thunderbird for FREEEEE because it needed an output jack. The owner was going to toss the bass in the trash. I fixed it myself for maybe $10 and sold it for $275. I dug the look and sound but couldn't get passed the neck dive they have. Being a gigging musician makes such a thing tough. Enjoy it man!
Play "Free Bird"! :roflmao:
 

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