The Epiphone Thunderbird Club

[Eldo]

I'm back in!! I picked up a beater Goth T-bird tonite for $70! Needs a little TLC, but will be a good palyer when I get finished.
I now have a Gibson T-bird, a Bach NR Bird and the Epi Goth!

You have a BaCHbird as well? So do I, one of the black ones. Which do you have? I LOVE that bass!

 

[Nocturnal]

You have a BaCHbird as well? So do I, one of the black ones. Which do you have? I LOVE that bass!

I have the black one as well. I love it too! It's a great bass.

 

[Eldo]

If we both have black ones, then there are 8 more floating around somewhere!

 

[Nocturnal]

I'm pretty sure TBird Mark and GOT Scott have black one's as well. Wonder how many made it to the States?

 

[Eldo]

I thought Scott got a white one, but now am not sure. He loves his too. Re: how many came to the States, that's a good question and I'd like to know that answer as well.

 

[Delta_Petra]

Hello my Thunderbird brothers and sisters. I wanted to ask for your advice and possibly your photoshopping skills. I was looking at my sunburst T-Bird today and wondered what it would look like with chrome hardware. I would also like to see what it would look like with original Gibson Thunderbird pickups in place.
Can anyone photoshop that together?

Heres my bird.

 

[stiles72]

Bit late to the party, but hopefully I can join in the fun

Here is my Epi - my first and most favourite bass

I did however get a little bored with just the white pickguard, so some dremelling sorted that out...

I'm also adding an Artec SE3 preamp to her soon... will post pictures of that when done too.

Love the clear T-bird logo! Now you need to rig up an LED so it lights up the bird like a Portaflex logo...

 

[portaflexer]

I was looking at my sunburst T-Bird today and wondered what it would look like with chrome hardware. I would also like to see what it would look like with original Gibson Thunderbird pickups in place.
Can anyone photoshop that together?

This should get you in the ballpark.

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BTW, if you're taking the time to replace the tuners/bridge (silver or black) I'd highly recommend the Hipshot SuperTone bridge and Ultralite tuners. Both install without any modifications to the bass & exceed the quality of the stock Epi or Gibson parts.

 

[Stan13]

Hey guys i have an Epiphone T-Bird Pro. I was curious about changeing out the Epi pickups for something alot better. Anyone already been doin this that has some insights?

Cheers

 

[portaflexer]

I'm a fairly new member to the T-brid club, but already I've done a fair amount of research on Thunderbird pickups.

Here's it is in a nutshell (based on what I've found):

1. Leave the stock ones and deal with it (the obvious solution)
2. EMG 35's or SD SSB-4's (you'll have to drill new mounting holes and it will leave a small gap because they are slightly smaller than the stock pickups)
3. Bartolini T4CBC (direct drop in... kinda pricey)
4. Lollar TBird (direct drop in... way pricey)
5. Original Gibson pickups or Mike Lull Gibson copies (these require some mods to the body)

That's what I've found so far... the T-bird club veterans may have more advice.

 

[GreggBummer]

I don't think the Epi Tbird pups are that bad. I like the tone on mine.

 

[Stan13]

Thanx Portaflexer...I have some Barts in my Ibanez Prestige and really like 'em...Maybe i'll go the Bart route. Almost sounds too easy with the directly drop in part...lol

 

[Nocturnal]

I thought the Barts were a replacement for the Gibson pickups, not Epi? I know the Lollar one's are supposed to be a perfect fit in the Epi's.

 

[Z -Bar]

Here is my Epiphone T -bird - It's got a Hipshot bridge, new knobs and I made a new pick guard and truss rod cover.

 

[The_Ox]

Here's me with my one true love.

I was playing "Young Man Blues" in this picture

Geez. you never really know how big your forehead is until you see it in a picture.

I can haz number pl0x?

 

[GreggBummer]

Here is my Epiphone T -bird - It's got a Hipshot bridge, new knobs and I made a new pick guard and truss rod cover.

That is one nice looking Tbird. Love the pick guards.

 

[portaflexer]

I don't remember if I mentioned this or not... but I swapped on the tuners on mine for Hipshot Ultralites. They were direct drop in. No modifications whatsoever... and man do they make a difference. The bass not only tunes up better, but they also improved the sustain. Add those along with the SuperTone bridge and you've got a winning combination.

 

[joplin]

5. Original Gibson pickups or Mike Lull Gibson copies (these require some mods to the body)

What kind of mods do you have to do to put Gibson TB+ pickups in an Epi body?

 

[portaflexer]

I thought the Barts were a replacement for the Gibson pickups, not Epi? I know the Lollar one's are supposed to be a perfect fit in the Epi's.

This could be true. I'm just going by what I've read on the net.

What kind of mods do you have to do to put Gibson TB+ pickups in an Epi body?

Again, this is just what I've read on various forums (including here). I have never tried any of these mods. I'm hoping on the senior members will chime in with some real world experience.

 

[Nocturnal]

I think you have to route the Epi a little wider for the Gibson pickups. They aren't drastically different, but enough to do a little wood work. Someone was selling the Barts in the for sale forum here about a month ago. Not a bad price for the pair IIRC.