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Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar vs. Epiphone Thunderbird

M

mover91

Jul 23, 2010
5
0
#1
So, I'm a relatively new bass player, and at the moment I have a really basic SX Ursa 1. I'm looking to upgrade to something a bit nicer, without completely breaking the bank.
At the moment I'm between the Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar and a basic Epiphone Thunderbird (not Pro). I LOVE the sound of a Gibson Thunderbird, but my main concern is that the Epiphone (which is apparently made of slightly different wood and has a bolt-on neck instead of the neck-through) won't replicate that sound very well. I know I love what I've heard from the Jaguar, so I'm stuck. They're both about the same price ($300) so that's not really an issue.
Does anybody have either of these basses? If so, what do you think about them? What are the best and worse things about them?

Thanks for your help!!
 
#2
The jaguar is going to be more comfortable to play imo. Tbirds neck dive like crazy and the reach to nut feels further then with other 34 scale basses. While the epi tbird can get a gibson tbirdish tone like the 76 bicentenial issue gibson version I had, its not very versatile and pup blending is pesky due to poor volume balance between the pups. At least the epi tbird I had was like this the same as the gibson bicentenial issue one I had back then. They can get a wonderful tone, but to me it was a one trick pony. I loved that trick for a time, but....

They are gonna sound quite diff from each other and play differently to. If at all possible try both at your local GC or whomever may have them. You'll prob stick with your current thought of the jaguar.
 
#3
Personally I'd go with the Jag so long as it's not a Short Scale version. I think I saw a few of those floating about, or at least advertised that way.

The Epiphone feels too bulky and the neck dives down a good bit. The tone was deep but not at all impressive.
 
#6
Have you considered the Epi Pro? I believe it is neck through and the bridge design looks much better than the standard Epi/Gibson bridge. I own the Jag, it's worth the money and you'll like it but I've heard great things about the Epi Pro. FWIW.
 
#9
notverygood said:
Have you considered the Epi Pro? I believe it is neck through and the bridge design looks much better than the standard Epi/Gibson bridge. I own the Jag, it's worth the money and you'll like it but I've heard great things about the Epi Pro. FWIW.
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I'd save a little more money and get the Epi Pro. I really like the looks and feel. As far as neck dive goes, I use Jodi Head straps. They are a little pricey but they hold the bass in whatever position you set it in!
 
#10
@Darkstorm, yeah the tone on Gibson Thunderbirds is the thing I love about them, and if the Epiphones don't really replicate that well, I'd rather not spend the money on them.

@notverygood and shupe13, yeah I've considered spending the extra $100 or so and just getting the Pro. Really it's just the cost that's been keeping me back from it haha. shupe13, would you say that it's worth the extra money?

Thanks for the help everyone!
 
#11
DBH_Bass said:
I think I'd easily drop the 2 bills needed for this one
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That is a very nice Bass. I just got one on sale for $139 a couple of weeks ago and it is only 7.6 pounds BUT it has some serious neck dive (some care about neck dive but I could care less). I was playing it a lot last night. I have some fantastic Basses that play amazing but this Jag also has a very nice narrow, thin and low action neck. I also have the Squier Jag $299 Bass and the Jag SS Bass. Personally, I would go with the $299 Jag (the one with stacked controls) if you could afford it. It is super classy and expensive looking. (It does weigh 9 lbs) [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Right now they have a promotion and you get a free Gig Bag. Plus, try using the coupon code Save10 an I think you'll get $10 off.


I love the Jag SS (short scale) one too though (6.4 lbs). All the new Squier Jags have great necks.
 

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