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NEW! Epiphone Classic-IV PRO Thunderbirds!!

#21
PBnJBassist said:
...and I JUST got over GAS from another bass! :bawl::bawl::bawl: Geez!

Read this on Sweetwater's site:



So... they're not Gibson pickups after all? Looks like they might be the Epiphone Pro pups but wired in passive (maybe). I'll wait for more details but for now, I'll just drool over it. By the way, slim taper neck FTW!! :smug:

More edits: By the way, Sweetwater is now selling the Epiphone T-Bird PRO-IV (active pups) for $399! Just in case someone was interested in that T-Bird instead of the regular or classic. Must... contain... GAS... stop... clicking "add to cart"...
Click to expand...

Gibson USA Pickups. Andertons.co.uk says: "
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The Epiphone Thunderbird Classic IV combines Epiphones legendary build quality and value for money body construction with Gibson's no holds barred, no expense spared USA made pickups. You know it makes sense! The pickups are often the weak link when it comes to value guitars but with the Classic IV you get the best pickups available!"
 
#24
Got mine from Sweetwater as well..
 

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#25
OK, wait, I'm confused..:confused:
Is this a passive Epi T-Bird bolt-on and the ONLY change is a mahogany body instead of alder?
Or are the pickups different too?

I've been seriously considering a T-Bird for when my band plays our Skynyrd songs and I was pretty much set on the Pro model bu if this one is that much better, I might have to consider the new Classic.
 
#27
kjpollo said:
OK, wait, I'm confused..:confused:
Is this a passive Epi T-Bird bolt-on and the ONLY change is a mahogany body instead of alder?
Or are the pickups different too?

I've been seriously considering a T-Bird for when my band plays our Skynyrd songs and I was pretty much set on the Pro model bu if this one is that much better, I might have to consider the new Classic.
Click to expand...


Epi currently catalogs several different Thunderbirds.

- Passive bolt on neck versions include the "standard IV in SB finish,Ltd edition Silverburst (and disco'd alpine white) which have different pickups, Goth and Nikki Sixx models ( no controls, just a killswitch)

- Pro series Thunderbirds are neck thru instruments with active electronics and a more contemporary bridge, available in both 4 and 5 string. Lots of praise for these on the Thunderbird club thread!

The new as yet unreleased "Classis" is a four string neck thru 7 ply laminate made in China with U.S. pickups, have to say it looks great - I have one on order with Sweetwater to review and compare to my Gibsons and Burny.
 
#28
TBird1958 said:
Epi currently catalogs several different Thunderbirds.

- Passive bolt on neck versions include the "standard IV in SB finish,Ltd edition Silverburst (and disco'd alpine white) which have different pickups, Goth and Nikki Sixx models ( no controls, just a killswitch)

- Pro series Thunderbirds are neck thru instruments with active electronics and a more contemporary bridge, available in both 4 and 5 string. Lots of praise for these on the Thunderbird club thread!

The new as yet unreleased "Classis" is a four string neck thru 7 ply laminate made in China with U.S. pickups, have to say it looks great - I have one on order with Sweetwater to review and compare to my Gibsons and Burny.
Click to expand...

And our resident T-Bird expert rides to my rescue!!

So its a neck-thru, passive.

This leads me to my next question- why is it $100 MORE than the active Pro model?? Is it because the US pickups are that much better than what's on the Pro? (OK< fair enough- that was 2 questions!!)
Because I played one of the 4 string Pro's a few months ago and I was REALLY impressed and it quickly moved onto my "attainable" GAS list. Now with the lowered price, its even MORE attainable.

Thanks for the assistance!!
 
#29
kjpollo said:
And our resident T-Bird expert rides to my rescue!!

So its a neck-thru, passive.

This leads me to my next question- why is it $100 MORE than the active Pro model?? Is it because the US pickups are that much better than what's on the Pro? (OK< fair enough- that was 2 questions!!)
Because I played one of the 4 string Pro's a few months ago and I was REALLY impressed and it quickly moved onto my "attainable" GAS list. Now with the lowered price, its even MORE attainable.

Thanks for the assistance!!
Click to expand...



Not having one of the new Classiscs to see yet I can only speculate along these two lines:

1 The U.S. pickups. I've long thought that Bartolini made them for Gibson - I've had a Bart one and it's identical to at least one of Gibsons many variants of the TB Plus pickup.

2 The actual laminate constuction is different between the Pro and the new Classic, there are more, and they are done closer to what Gibson does with their traditional 9 ply.
 
#30
So,since this new neck-through pro has a 1.5" nut width like a jazz bass,and presumably a slightly smaller headstock, will this decreased mass in the neck & headstock be enough to help with the God-awful neck dive T-birds have? I understand they've also moved the strap button to the neck. Hope it balances better.
 
#31
It's just like the Gibson I think the only defference is the 7-ply.. I'm waiting for my Alphine White now, I hope they take it fast :). I have an Epi Blackbird and I really really love it, it's sounds very great and looks very nice, but I wanted to buy a Gibson in Alphine White so this Epi classic modell is like my dream come true.
 
#35
did anybody notice that the product description on the Sam Ash website says its a bolt-on and NOT a neck thru??

Buuut Sweetwater's description says it IS a neck-thru.


EDIT: Wait a minute... maybe there are 2 Classic models?? The "pro" might be neck thru and the non-Pro could be bolt-on???
Nope., thats not it either- Sweetwaters ad doenst say "Pro" and they're the ones touting it as a neck-thru.
 
#40
The original Pro is a metal bass I think... I don't like it, everybody play Beatles or Muse or Ultrabrutal-hardcore Death Metal on it. The Classic with Gibson pickups is a very nice bass and it's very cheap. If you buy a Gibson for 1,2000$ or you buy a Classic for 500 and there is just a little difference between the Gibson and the Classic (the neck 9-ply - 7-ply etc.) but I think with the same pickups and the same wood will make a Gibson for 500$. Hope I will be correct (not like my english.. haha)
 

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