The Epiphone Thunderbird Club

[TBird1958]

I think I'm a temporary memeber, here's my stock metallic red one.......I bought it as parts fodder to make a Fenderbird so its been disassembled already and is currently undergoing reconstruction with a J bass neck and all new chrome hardware.

 

[Delta_Petra]

I have always been curious as to why t-bird owners decide to replace the original neck with a fender one. I realize that "Fenderbird" is a pretty cool name, but I wonder why the change? Any insights?

 

[TBird1958]

They were originally made for John Entwisle after one of his 'Birds neck was broken.......his collection had several notable examples, including some Explorers that combined all maple Fender necks with Gibson (or new) bodies and pick ups.
Gibson Thunderbirds are multi-laminated neck thru instruments, which combined with their pick ups results in a mid-rangy sound with great sustain. Bolting on a Fender neck will give a tighter/snappier sound............In *most* cases making one of these is/was the result of a Thunderbird falling over and breaking its neck or overly large headstock as it hit the floor An all too common occurence before good guitar stands were made. Mine is meant as a project from the start, hopefully I'll be able to share it soon.

 

[Delta_Petra]

Hey, thanks for the response. I thought it might have been because of Entwisle. That might be a pretty good combo if my t-bird neck goes down.

Though I will miss that sweet looking bird-of-prey head.

 

[-dotzy-]

heres my new thunderbird in vintage sunburst!
would have loved one in ebony but couldnt get one so i toke what i could and the color has grown on me!!
brilliant bass love it!

 

[EnderZ13]

Does anyone have pics of one in Pelham blue? Not from a website, but a personal pic?

Here you go Muddslide, this is the best pic I got of the Pellum blue:

 

[Michelob_64]

Here's my Epi Thunderbird, I've had it less than a year but it gets rave reviews when I'm out playing live. My BC Rich Warlock plays back-up, lol.

 

[OldSchoolBass]

Neck dive fixes?

One from the Dudepit folks:

Mine got a hole drilled into the "O" in Korea IIRC:

This white one above got sold so I could get the others.
My avatar works fine for a white one(not Epi).

Also, watch those rear bridge inserts. If they pull up as shown below, Crazy Glue gel works to fix 'em.
The white one had this problem.

Mine may have pulled up due to abuse as I punch and beat on my basses during certain parts of certain songs.

The one I recently bought has the strap holder in one of the four bolts on the neck - cool idea actually, no extra holes and it works.. And the integrity of the bass stays intact.

That said, sign me up!!

 

[TheBogart]

Mine was a Goth and after a paint job in the pickguard and a new decal on the headstock (and the thunderbird logo), it´s a new breed.. a "Epibson" Thunderbird IV in satin black with a XII sign in the 12th fret. ehehhe

Cool hein?

 

[amimbari]

Mine was a Goth and after a paint job in the pickguard and a new decal on the headstock (and the thunderbird logo), it´s a new breed.. a "Epibson" Thunderbird IV in satin black with a XII sign in the 12th fret. ehehhe

Cool hein?

yes...different and unique, that's what I like to see.....but "Epibson" <<< I think another easier to say name is in order..lol

maybe EpiGothGibBird?

 

[Thump Jr.]

Mine was a Goth and after a paint job in the pickguard and a new decal on the headstock (and the thunderbird logo), it´s a new breed.. a "Epibson" Thunderbird IV in satin black with a XII sign in the 12th fret. ehehhe

Cool hein?

So it's a Goth with a white pickguard? That's mighty classy - anyone got some GAS-X? I think I need one!

 

[Delta_Petra]

Mine was a Goth and after a paint job in the pickguard and a new decal on the headstock (and the thunderbird logo), it´s a new breed.. a "Epibson" Thunderbird IV in satin black with a XII sign in the 12th fret. ehehhe

Cool hein?

You call it an "Epibson" just because you put a Gibson truss rod cover on? I would only start considering it a part Gibson if you put on a neck, or body, or Gibson pickups.

 

[amimbari]

You call it an "Epibson" just because you put a Gibson truss rod cover on? I would only start considering it a part Gibson if you put on a neck, or body, or Gibson pickups.

maybe instead of EpiBson or EpiGothGibBird, he should just call it FrankenGoth?

 

[Delta_Petra]

maybe instead of EpiBson or EpiGothGibBird, he should just call it FrankenGoth?

That would be better.

 

[TheBogart]

You call it an "Epibson" just because you put a Gibson truss rod cover on? I would only start considering it a part Gibson if you put on a neck, or body, or Gibson pickups.

The search is on... hehehe.. i am trying to find the Gibson pickups on the bay.. the problem is that gibson don´t sell them as aftermarket..

The Body is mahogany.. so it's similar to the real one..

Ok ok.. FrankenEpibsonGothBird IV.. whatever..

It's my bass and i love it..

 

[amimbari]

The search is on... hehehe.. i am trying to find the Gibson pickups on the bay.. the problem is that gibson don´t sell them as aftermarket..

The Body is mahogany.. so it's similar to the real one..

Ok ok.. FrankenEpibsonGothBird IV.. whatever..

It's my bass and i love it..

and you should love it, play it, and enjoy it's beauty--isn't that the main theme?

 

[Delta_Petra]

Updated pics of my T-Bird.

 

[bronzehydra]

I'm also a proud owner of an Epi Tbird!

 

[amimbari]

Updated pics of my T-Bird.

well, the bad thing about stripes is on the SB models, you really don't have too many choices of colors. I think tha red looks real good. one of these days I'll bastardize mine, repaint it black to match my other ones, and throw some real "contrasty" stripes on it just for fun.

oh ya I'll make the tape width different so I don't have to hear "hey, that was my idea, where's my 100 bucks designer fee" from you --

 

[amimbari]

I'm also a proud owner of an Epi Tbird!

whats the red one on the floor Bronze?