Thunderbird Club Pt III

[Porkbun]

Im refinishing an epie tbird pro and can say that they are going darker to cover imperfections. I've been sanding the edges like a mad man and haven't got to wood yet. It started as transparent black

Cant wait to see the blue! The second picture looked like a maple fingerboard which got me thinking with the stripped down version right next to it...

 

[ThaCoast]

The goth PG is thicker and has 4 screws in different locations, but theyre hidden under the regular PG so its fine. I like the the Goth PG better since the finish on this Epi is darker than the ones Ive seen/owned.

Are you selling your bird ????? I just saw it on eBay today, i'm shocked cause you basically just finished modding it

HEre's the link: Epiphone Superbird ThunderBird IV w/ EMG 40P/J Active Pickups! 92 Pics, EXTRAS | eBay

 

[ThaCoast]

Well this is the 2nd time I ever pickup a gibson t-bird at my local dealer. And i had a chance to try the gibson bird (2011 production model), epiphone bird IV (2011 production) and epiphone pro bird as well(sorry don't know the year on that one). Anyway let the games begin, i shall be tossing up between all these plus my very own goth bird.

Besides the very noticeable differences from far between epiphone IV and Gibson IV which are: bolt on neck, jack face mount on epiphone, pickups, knobs and TRC. While playing all of them i found that as much as I love the gibson for it's sound compared to epiphone's, it's very lightweight IMO compared to the other birds.

Pros of each bird:
Gibson: Lightweight, versatile sound with more mids.
Epiphone IV: Inexpensive, looks and feels great. warm and smooth tone (when achieved).
Epiphone pro: Neck through, very similar tone to gibson, construction seems flawless and sturdy, nice finishes.
Epiphone goth: looks, feels, dark growly sound.

Onto the Cons:
Gibson: Overpriced, neck dive (isn't much compared to epiphone but is still there) one choice for colour.
Epiphone IV: Neck Dive, bridge studs pop out, one choice of colour as well.
Epiphone pro: Active electronics (i dislike active electronics. Period.).
Epiphone goth: the bridge studs pop out (i've glued one back in 4 times before it actually stayed), Neck dive. What can I say more, it's epiphone!!

If Gibson/epiphone would correct the neck dive in the first place, the bridge, add more colours to their option. imo it would be an improvement.

 

[stiles72]

I would concur with you on the sound differences between the Gibson IV and the Epiphone IV. IMO, the pickups are the biggest contributor. My Gibson Blackbird actually sounds more like the Epiphone IV, and has a deeper, smoother, more rounded sound compared to the stock pickups that were in my Gibson IV which were much more mid focused.

 

[stiles72]

Okay so i mentioned before that my bird has been striped of the red electric tape lines that were on the body and headstock. Now it's plain and was tossing up the idea of creating a bullseye design on it with red electric tape again. So my question to you all, how can i make that happen?

Note reason i use tape is to be able to change once i get sick of the design from having it for so long.

I've seen Zakk Wylde Bullseye decal kits online for guitar, but they are usually pre-cut into an LP shape. I would probably just get some white contact paper and trace out some concentric rings onto it. If you have a local vinyl graphics shop, they could proabbly do it for you as well and would proably be a bit more durable.

 

[Dadagoboi]

If Gibson/epiphone would correct the neck dive in the first place, the bridge, add more colours to their option. imo it would be an improvement.

Gibson/Epiphone doesn't really seem to care much about improving Thunderbirds. The short lived Studio series is as close as they'll ever get, and the pickups just don't have it IMO. The Epi Pros are the next best thing.

All the problems you mention have been addressed and solved by other builders of "Thunderbirds", starting with Peter Cook when he took the guts out of one of John Entwistle's broken Thunderbirds in the early 70s and built the first FenderBird from a Precision neck and a custom mahogany body he made. Mike Lull does similar and so do others.

 

[TBird1958]

I guess I have some different thoughts......
I couldn't find myself liking Epi IV necks or pups, tried to twice - the first one got flipped in a deal for a '76 Gibson - no regrets. The second got stripped of all parts an made into a Fenderbird.........For a U.S. made multi-ply neck thru bass I have no problem with Gibson's price, it's far more time/labor intensive than a bolt on neck, Gibson's trouble is QC, it's spotty at best, with some inexcusably bad examples - If Gibson were half as adventurous with color choices as they are with Les Pauls we'd probably all rejoice!

 

[DuoSonicII]

I’m thinking seriously about replacing the black 3-point with chrome, What do ya’ll think, because I could go either way on this mod. Also thinking about chrome strap locks, or tbird strap buttons.

I would definitely do it, it would match the tuners/knobs/pg/trc perfectly. And I really don't dig the black bridge on T-birds unless you are going for the blackout look, or the tuxedo black-and-white.

Here's mine, bridge swapped to chrome even though the rest is stock:

 

[snowblinder]

I seriously just wish Gibson and/or Epiphone would offer the option of all chrome hardware instead of black. Some of the Limited Edition Epi ones like my Arctic White one did this, and it looks so much nicer. Same with my Elitist bird. All chrome, and it looks like a 70's model, which I greatly prefer. As it stands, I would personally never buy a stock recent Gibson bird unless I had extra money lying around to swap out the bridge, tuners, pickups, etc., and really, by that time, what's the point?

I'm not saying chrome should be the only choice available. I'm sure plenty of folks like the black hardware. I'm talking about OPTIONS.

 

[gregoire1]

I just bought a "barely used" Epi bird. Wow, what an inspiring bass. I noticed the strap button has already been relocated to the neck plate and there is no hole on the upper horn at all. A factory mod? Has Epiphone started doing this on all t birds?

Another question please, will a Planet Waves Planed-lock strap work for this bass without the strap being twisted?

 

[TBird1958]

I seriously just wish Gibson and/or Epiphone would offer the option of all chrome hardware instead of black. Some of the Limited Edition Epi ones like my Arctic White one did this, and it looks so much nicer. Same with my Elitist bird. All chrome, and it looks like a 70's model, which I greatly prefer. As it stands, I would personally never buy a stock recent Gibson bird unless I had extra money lying around to swap out the bridge, tuners, pickups, etc., and really, by that time, what's the point?

I'm not saying chrome should be the only choice available. I'm sure plenty of folks like the black hardware. I'm talking about OPTIONS.

Look at the Burny Thunderbird a couple pages back, mine arrived today, I've only had a few minutes to check it out tho as I'm work - so far, it's very cool!

 

[thundereagle]

Hi, I am a new member and this is my first post. I love my Gibson thunderbird, but I agree with some previous posts, wish the option was there to go with chrome instead of black. I think I will leave mine black and instead eventually find an older model with chrome. Mine is a 2003 that I bought new. Despite the fact that I love this bass, I was a bit unhappy about Gibsons quality control in a few areas for such an expensive instrument. Also the bird rubbed off from my sweat. Anyhow, she has it where it counts, a beautiful neck and great sound.

Hope it qualifies me for a number.

 

[Geezer79]

This is my first Thunderbird,a Pro IV. My lovely wife bought it for me for Christmas. What a gal and what a bass! No mods yet, just enjoying it stock for now. Might put on a black abalone pickguard, truss rod cover and knobs, but no hurry for that. I've owned several basses, but this is by far my favorite.

 

[Freddy-G.]

This is my first Thunderbird,a Pro IV. My lovely wife bought it for me for Christmas. What a gal and what a bass! No mods yet, just enjoying it stock for now. Might put on a black abalone pickguard, truss rod cover and knobs, but no hurry for that. I've owned several basses, but this is by far my favorite.

Your wife has good taste.

 

[DownUnder_Funk]

This is my first Thunderbird,a Pro IV. My lovely wife bought it for me for Christmas. What a gal and what a bass! No mods yet, just enjoying it stock for now. Might put on a black abalone pickguard, truss rod cover and knobs, but no hurry for that. I've owned several basses, but this is by far my favorite.

It's pretty crazy how different the finishes are for the Epis - mine has much darker edges - anyone else have the vintage burst finish on their 'Birds? Curious!

 

[TBird1958]

Hi, I am a new member and this is my first post. I love my Gibson thunderbird, but I agree with some previous posts, wish the option was there to go with chrome instead of black. I think I will leave mine black and instead eventually find an older model with chrome. Mine is a 2003 that I bought new. Despite the fact that I love this bass, I was a bit unhappy about Gibsons quality control in a few areas for such an expensive instrument. Also the bird rubbed off from my sweat. Anyhow, she has it where it counts, a beautiful neck and great sound.

Hope it qualifies me for a number.

TBird1958 #1
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cubanbas #225

Welcome ejaggers #221, gregoire1 #222, thundereagle #223 and Geezer79 #224! Love the pics guys, more anytime too!

 

[cubanbass]

Looks like I need a number

 

[TBird1958]

Looks like I need a number

Awesome! #225 is yours, welcome here and congratulations on the Silverburst Epi

 

[Martin89]

Played an Epi Pro yesterday at GC, not bad for $380; but how does the active setup work on it? As soon as I am bringing in more money from gigs and modding my P Bass I think it's the next bass on the list.

 

[cubanbass]

Awesome! #225 is yours, welcome here and congratulations on the Silverburst Epi

Thanks! I really love it! Have used it as my main bass over a year, has TV Jones Thundertrons on it. Love the sound.