The Epiphone Thunderbird Club

[opiumwarsvictor]

Hey, was just wonderin' what kind of stock strings they put on the E-Bird, they look like round-wounds but, imho, they don't sound that great.
Wanting to eventually switch out bridge, nut, and action. Anyone here got some great things to say about aftermarket strings they put on their
E-Birds? I am all ears.

 

[amimbari]

Hey, was just wonderin' what kind of stock strings they put on the E-Bird, they look like round-wounds but, imho, they don't sound that great.
Wanting to eventually switch out bridge, nut, and action. Anyone here got some great things to say about aftermarket strings they put on their
E-Birds? I am all ears.

you wanna change all that? it's the pickups that make em sound crappy, not the nut bridge and action. Yes the strings will have an impact, Mine has extremely low action, a stock nut and a 3 point bridge, and I love the way it sounds.

Which is exactly how I expect it to sound with the OEM pups even with 5.00 a pack ALICE or 40.00 DR 45-105's on it... c.r.a.p.p.y.

usually people keep one more bass around that sounds totally different, so they can have the choice. That's what makes the EPI's so desirable, that unique crappy sound, that is perfect for a lot of stuff.

 

[opiumwarsvictor]

Nice fingerwork there matey...
So it really comes down to the stock pups, huh?
Are the chrome ones ANY better than the black ceramics?

 

[amimbari]

partner, it's what is "UNDER" those covers that counts... is there a sex innuendo here somewhere?

 

[opiumwarsvictor]

partner, it's what is "UNDER" those covers that counts... is there a sex innuendo here somewhere?

Heh, I was referring to your yooboob clip of Phantom....

 

[amimbari]

Nice fingerwork there matey...
So it really comes down to the stock pups, huh?
Are the chrome ones ANY better than the black ceramics?

and I was replying to this, not me.

I'm using my Charvel on phantom anyway.

I have a lot of vids with me using the E-bird, which give a good indication of the tone, and the growl thru the same stuff, compared to my other basses. here's one EVERYone has on youtube, but it shows the growl perfectly:



my point is..strings do count, but pickups make the difference

 

[Delta_Petra]

my point is..strings do count, but pickups make the difference

What I have found to make my t-bird sound awesome is to EQ it right. I recently got a DOD Bass Equalizer pedal. That thing rocks! My t-bird has some awesome bottom end now, but its not muddy at all. That is my suggestion. Everything is still stock on mine except the strings.

 

[amimbari]

I'll give you a similar pickup situation...

MY TBX Tbird has 2 EMG's in it, and everyone thinks they are 35DC/DS because the covers are square...in fact they are 35P and 35J. years ago I always wanted to know why it sounded so much like a P when I turn the blend knob all the way to the neck pickup, and viola...that was why..

EMG 35J:

there are also a few companies making direct-fit pups for those things, since they are not your "standard" sized squares:

EPI

Dillion EMG standard sized holes ( smart move )...

 

[Justice]

just picked this up today in a trade

I was suprised about a couple of things. One is that its very light and the other is that it was made in China. I thought that the Epi-birds were Korean.

Not that it matters.

 

[johndiz0]

ive got a 05 costom shop alpine white epiphone that i love.ill eventually put up pics,

 

[keigan]

Number me! I've got a Chinese one in Vintage Sunburst. The rest of my setup is in my profile if anyone is interested.

I got my shop to put a strap pin behind the neck as well, like in this pic (though this one isn't mine). The mod works incredibly well. I like holding the neck up nice and high and even when I do so the weight is very easily managed. If anyone is bothered by neckdive...even a little bit...I HIGHLY recommend this mod or the similar idea of swapping a screw in the ID plate for one long enough to accommodate a strap lock.
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[Delta_Petra]

Time to issue out some club numbers.

Justice #65

johndiz0 #66

keigan #67

Welcome to the club. It will be great to get to know you all. Any mods you've done to your Epi's?

 

[poomwah]

could I get a number too please :]

 

[Justice]

only mods on mine have been a good setup, which included adding a shim to the neck and a set of new slinkies.

A previous owner moved the back strap button to a higher location.

 

[amimbari]

could I get a number too please :]

oh now thats a different twist on the bird you should have painted it like the bottom photo of the 3 --

 

[matrok]

could I get a number too please :]

OT, but what is that hollowbody?

 

[opiumwarsvictor]

I'm having a problem with my 3-point bridge. The "female" insert that houses the screw on the left side is slowly pulling out. I pulled off the strings and bridge, lightly tapped it back in, then re-assembled...same thing happens. What's the deelio? This bird isn't that
old, and I treat it with kid gloves...don't tell me it needs a luthier already.

 

[matrok]

I've heard that about those and the Jack Cassady basses. Always kind of bothered me.

 

[poomwah]

I'm having a problem with my 3-point bridge. The "female" insert that houses the screw on the left side is slowly pulling out. I pulled off the strings and bridge, lightly tapped it back in, then re-assembled...same thing happens. What's the deelio? This bird isn't that
old, and I treat it with kid gloves...don't tell me it needs a luthier already.

well, although I love my epi-bird, we have to admit, these are cheap basses, so some corners had to be cut in production. if that starts pulling out again... pull the strings and the bridge, use one of the bridge screws to pull that nut out put a little bit of wood glue (not much, don't want to make a mess) in the hole and reinsert the nut... let it dry, then put it back together.

 

[poomwah]

OT, but what is that hollowbody?

its a highland thunderchief semihollow... bubinga back, tops, and sides, the flames are an inlay of flamed maple