Thunderbird Club Pt 5

[KPJ]

Greetings, I usually play a Fender American Jazz 5 string, but recently have become quite interested in getting a Gibson bass as well. I have played an Explorer and Thunderbird recently, and liked them both. I am curious as to any 5 string options with the Thunderbird. I see the post with the picture of the 5 string and am not certain if it is an Epiphone or a Gibson. Does Gibson build a 5 string Thunderbird? Did they at one time and have since discontinued them? I have watched EBay for awhile and never see any. I am curious if anyone has owned or played one, and what they thought of it? Thanks.

Gibson made the Thunderbird Studio 5 in the mid 2000's for a few years. Not very many of them out there s they are not that common. It was a set neck on a reverse style body. Epiphone currently offers the Thunderbird Pro V which is neck-through, reverse body with active electronics. They are great basses for the money and definitely worth checking out. In the late 90's Epiphone also made a 5 string non-reverse style Thunderbird.

 

[Dadagoboi]

Epiphone Thunderbird Pro V is discontinued.

 

[SJLee]

That would be this.

 

[KPJ]

Here's some fun! Found an old shot, from Halloween 1997, of me playing my old Epiphone NR Bird. Wish I still had it.

Compare with a shot from last night with the Pro IV.

 

[KPJ]

Epiphone Thunderbird Pro V is discontinued.

Too bad. There are still NOS available, though.

 

[KPJ]

That would be this.

Nice! I had a chance to buy one at a good price a few years ago but wasn't sure. When I went back to the store a few days later after deciding to grab it, it was gone.

 

[Border]

Many thanks to all who replied. I hope to check out the Epiphone 5 string. Sometimes the selection here in Spokane is limited, so may have to wait until my next trip to Seattle. Again, I greatly appreciate the information.

 

[KPJ]

Damn ! I'm liking this T-Bird more and more. Should have picked one up sooner. The ergonomics on this bass suit me very well and with D'Addario XLs 100s on it the action is nice and low and very easy to play. I can slap on this bass much better than my 5 string Jazz. And the tone! Big , full sound with everything centered and lots of usable tones available by varying the blend of the pickups and using the eq. The eq is very musical and useful. My only gripe is I wish there was more range on the knobs, but that is not a huge issue.

 

[scourge]

Just bought a TBird on ebay. Hope to join this party as soon as it arrives.

 

[TBird1958]

Just bought a TBird on ebay. Hope to join this party as soon as it arrives.

We like pics

Working just up I-5 from you in Tacoma today.

 

[portaflexer]

So when are we gonna see that purple bird Mark?

 

[Peepaleep]

Here's my Epi Classic IV Pro that Fed Ex delivered today. It's getting along very well with my Atkinson P. The white color on the bass is from the flash of the camera - it's not on the bass itself.

Can I get a number?

 

[TBird1958]

So when are we gonna see that purple bird Mark?

Here's it's lovely backside/frontside.
It's very difficult to photograph, I can't get the violet to come up in pics - Not enough sun lately either

 

[portaflexer]

That is sick dude!!! Did you refinish one of your existing birds or is that yet another Gibby?

 

[scourge]

We like pics

Working just up I-5 from you in Tacoma today.

I'll put up pics when it comes. Coming from New York, so it might take a while.

 

[TBird1958]

That is sick dude!!! Did you refinish one of your existing birds or is that yet another Gibby?

It was a very beat up black '77 that I've had for several years, the paint was dead. In some cases "mojo" just isn't what it's made out to be.

 

[Peepaleep]

That purple and blue bird is AWESOME! I love the chrome pickup covers.

 

[DethByDoom]

Epi's count?

 

[godofthunder59]

Weight feels like about 8 lbs or so I don't have a scale. This bass plays really nice I was able to get the action super low without any fret buzz. Build quality is very good and the finish is just beautiful! Unplugged it has a lot of sustain the notes just sing especially on the upper register. I have only run it through a small practice amp I will be running it through some bigger stuff wit the band in the coming days. If you are interested the House of Guitars in Rochester NY just got 8 of these in. Give Curt a call at 585-544-3500 and tell him Hoss sent you.

Nice! I've been tempted to pop on one of these. How is the weight and tone?

 

[TBird1958]

Epi's count?

Absolutly!

Pics please.