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Schecter Ultra Bass...

VincentGrim

VincentGrim

Aug 17, 2008
1,009
470
#1
Just a question I can't find the answer for regarding these instruments. I like the look a lot and Schecter has been really drawing me in lately. My only concern is this: Are these "smaller" than the Gibson/Epiphone thunderbirds that inspired them (kinda? They definitely have a similar vibe)? Not scale length, I know that is the same. Just from the edge of the body to the tip of the headstock, mass, etc.

I ask because I LOVE thunderbirds, but I am relatively short and slight of frame. They look massive on me. Doesn't bother some people and good for you, but every time I see photos of my band and I'm using my bird...I...I look like a child taking beard growth supplements. Also I never go as crazy on stage because I feel like I have a starship attached to me, so that is also a problem.
 
#2
I don't know for sure, but comparing the photos of the Gibson and the Schecter, it appears to me that the Schecter might be ever so-slightly shorter, due to the tail end being a little more rounded. I know Gibson made a short scale Thunderbird at one point, but I only see them come up for sale once in a great while (not counting the Epiphone non-reverse SS).
I did own an Epiphone Thunderbird for a little while, and the Schecter appears a teeny bit shorter.
 
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#4
I too get the impression from photos that it is probably a hair smaller. Though I wish I could do a side by side. It's not like I expect anything dramatic, but still.

I check on line for the short scale gibson thunderbird nearly every day, lol!
 
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#5
Here’s Simon Gallup playing one:

upload_2020-12-12_21-18-57.jpeg
 
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#6
VincentGrim said:
Just a question I can't find the answer for regarding these instruments. I like the look a lot and Schecter has been really drawing me in lately. My only concern is this: Are these "smaller" than the Gibson/Epiphone thunderbirds that inspired them (kinda? They definitely have a similar vibe)? Not scale length, I know that is the same. Just from the edge of the body to the tip of the headstock, mass, etc.

I ask because I LOVE thunderbirds, but I am relatively short and slight of frame. They look massive on me. Doesn't bother some people and good for you, but every time I see photos of my band and I'm using my bird...I...I look like a child taking beard growth supplements. Also I never go as crazy on stage because I feel like I have a starship attached to me, so that is also a problem.
Click to expand...
Thunderbirds are a bit bigger than other basses. But its not drastic. Honestly, it sounds like a real Fender Jazz bass would still seem "large" to you. I think you will either just have to come to terms with the relative size of you Vs. bass guitars. Or, start looking at headless and/or short scale.

I would make a guess that maybe a bigger factor for your trouble with your own thunderbird, is that maybe its a heavier one? I owned an 8lb 6oz thunderbird this year and it felt really light and easy to play. And I really can't deal with heavy basses.
Balance is even more important. and unfortunately, thunderbirds can have balance issues. Mine was actually pretty darned good on balance. But I've played others which were not.

I will end with this:

There are lots of great bassists in Japan. Japanese people are smaller on average, than Americans.

The two main reasons I play bass, are a couple of Japanese women bass players.

One of them plays two vintage Gibson non-reverse thunderbirds.

I never once thought she looked bad with her birds. And she sounds amazing so....maybe the optics aren't nearly as important as you think.

 
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#8
Toptube said:
Thunderbirds are a bit bigger than other basses. But its not drastic. Honestly, it sounds like a real Fender Jazz bass would still seem "large" to you.
Click to expand...


This is actually true. I do sometimes bypass jazz basses for these reasons. Though, I don't struggle to reach the G string tuner on a jazz bass, so I think there is more going on as to how and why a Thunderbird feels like such a monster to me. Maybe some design quirks that I can't/won't adapt my posture to, and I do struggle with the way my bird wears.

As far as the optics go, what can I say? I'm a vain person and fashion is a huge hobby of mine. If I have two basses that I love the sound of, but one looks better on me/with my outfit, I'm going for that one.

Side note: I love japanese bands, one of my first "favorite bands" was Guitar Wolf, so thanks for the listening material!
 
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#10
VincentGrim said:
This is actually true. I do sometimes bypass jazz basses for these reasons. Though, I don't struggle to reach the G string tuner on a jazz bass, so I think there is more going on as to how and why a Thunderbird feels like such a monster to me. Maybe some design quirks that I can't/won't adapt my posture to, and I do struggle with the way my bird wears.

As far as the optics go, what can I say? I'm a vain person and fashion is a huge hobby of mine. If I have two basses that I love the sound of, but one looks better on me/with my outfit, I'm going for that one.

Side note: I love japanese bands, one of my first "favorite bands" was Guitar Wolf, so thanks for the listening material!
Click to expand...

Older thunderbirds or thunderbirds based on older versions (Epiphone Vintage Pro) have really long headstocks, which makes the G string tuner further away from the bridge. So yes, there is a reason there. But again, Fender's headstock isn't exactly small, either.

Another thing which may or may not contribute, is that Thunderbirds have no upper horn. This means the strap mount is further back than many basses which do have horns. And that can shift the bass forward, making the headstock feel further away. However, I do not find this to be the case for every bass with no upper horn/minimal upper horn. Additionally, a bass can hang differently on a different person. Also, the strap can change things. So its not a hard rule, with the upper horn. The Schecter Ultra bass hangs perfectly on me and I don't even have to adjust the strap if I take it off another bass. The Vintage Pro Epiphone Thunderbird I had, hung surprisingly well, after some adjustments (the lightweight also helped my perception of how that bass felt). My Fender Jaguar hangs like $#!*.

I have found that a duo strap makes every bass more comfortable. They aren't just for dealing with a heavy bass.
 
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