True, that's why I've always liked this one. Pretty good review…really gets into it. He starts playing at around 8:30 into the video.
Epiphone Thunderbird PRO IV Bass Demo
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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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Epiphone Thunderbird PRO IV Bass Demo
Had a scary moment. I didn't notice the ceiling fan was on and well there was this terrible sound; T-bird headstock versus fan blades. Not even a scratch on the bass. That mahogany/walnut laminate neck is pretty strong. Neck warping is a common problem with bolt on maple necks, but I guess thunderbirds don't really have that issue?
Question for Nocturnal: your goth refin in gun metal. How does the Volume, tone, killswitch configuration sound? Always been curious.
It's actually vol, vol, kill switch. I don't use the tone control other than to turn it all the way on and leave it so I did away with it on this and some other basses. I need to rewire it in a way that each volume control works independently because the way it is now I can't turn one volume all the way down without it killing the signal. I think the bass will be a little less aggressive sounding when it is wired the correct way but I'm ok with that. I would like to have the option to only use either pickup by itself so I can experiment with sounds more. So I can't really give you a good answer to your question, but either way this is a great sounding bass!!
Haji
Supporting Member
I need to figure out something for my Goth; I dunno if that's a kill switch or to wire it like my Charvel: master volume and a blend knob with a tone control. I fool with the tone just enough that I'm not sure I want to get rid of it, but two volumes isn't handy playing with others; I'd rather just roll it off or kill it. I'm just not sure which way to go. Maybe master, blend, kills witch? Anybody have any thoughts on the subject?
I don't think you can go wrong with either the kill or a master volume. It really depends on which you think would work best for you in your situation.
I have basses for the pick up switching, tone control (never use it) but with birds I get rid of all controls and go direct out w the kill. No rolling off knobs, no going back to tuner to mute, simple and effective for me.
Haji
Supporting Member
That makes a lot of sense. I think I need to decide exactly what I want out of the Bird. I don't think I mess with it that much. If that's the case, wiring it full on seems to be a good way to go...and since I have another Tbird on layaway, I won't truly be missing anything. Decisions decisions!
See, I'm a lefty so for me very hard to come by and expensive! If I was a rightly and used epis are 200 or less used I'd have a flock all different finishes! Hell I see used Gibsons for $800! I saw a orville Gibson for that price, those are just like 70s t birds, man
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
Just like me... I have a bunch of cheap Epis in different finishes + a couple of Gibsons as well...
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
Have any of you guys seen this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1964-Gibson-Thunderbird-II-Bass-/171097217960?pt=Guitar&hash=item27d6305ba8
I was kinda surprised when I saw pictures 6 & 7 of the headstock - I didn't know T-birds from the 60's had 9-ply laminated necks...?
I was always of the impressions that the 60's & 70's models had a one piece mahogany centrepiece (hence all the broken necks on old T-birds), and the 9-ply mahogany/walnut necks was something that came about in the 80's (according to www.flyguitars.com)...
Can those of you with 60's & 70's elaborate on this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1964-Gibson-Thunderbird-II-Bass-/171097217960?pt=Guitar&hash=item27d6305ba8
I was kinda surprised when I saw pictures 6 & 7 of the headstock - I didn't know T-birds from the 60's had 9-ply laminated necks...?
I was always of the impressions that the 60's & 70's models had a one piece mahogany centrepiece (hence all the broken necks on old T-birds), and the 9-ply mahogany/walnut necks was something that came about in the 80's (according to www.flyguitars.com)...
Can those of you with 60's & 70's elaborate on this?
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Very early 63's weren't laminated, ALL USA Reverse TBirds after that were, including Bicentennials. Not NRs which have always been set necks.
My unbroken '64
Here's my '67 Epiphone USA Embassy, a Thunderbird in everything but body shape. With very rare mahogany/walnut laminated set neck. There must have been some leftover neck blanks in the factory that Gibson cannibalized after the Reverses were out of production. Gibsons and Epiphones were made in the same Kalamazoo, Michigan factory back then.
Walnut/mahogany laminations didn't keep the neck from snapping on it. Why Gibson ever thought they would is a mystery. Whoever made the repair to mine did a crap job but the bass is worth the $300 I paid for it.
It was on Craig's List for a month before I noticed it.
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What were the tuners used on those basses? Same as old fenders?Very early 63's weren't laminated, ALL USA Reverse TBirds after that were, including Bicentennials. Not NRs which have always been set necks.
My unbroken '64
Here's my '67 Epiphone USA Embassy, a Thunderbird in everything but body shape. With very rare mahogany/walnut laminated set neck. There must have been some leftover neck blanks in the factory that Gibson cannibalized after the Reverses were out of production. Gibsons and Epiphones were made in the same Kalamazoo, Michigan factory back then.
Walnut/mahogany laminations didn't keep the neck from snapping on it. Why Gibson ever thought they would is a mystery. Whoever made the repair to mine did a crap job but the bass is worth the $300 I paid for it.
Dealers choice xD My goth just has a killswitch (which i gotta replace cause mine is breaking the circuit) and i'm fine with it. I wanted to do like the Nikki sixx MK II with volume and tone, but i went against it. Having less for me, means more output. And it does sound loud compared to with the stock config.
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Do they still make those? I have a tokai I intend to redo to look like an old Gibson, ala tuners, chrome pickups, rings and chrome bridge
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
Very early 63's weren't laminated, ALL USA Reverse TBirds after that were, including Bicentennials. Not NRs which have always been set necks.
My unbroken '64
Here's my '67 Epiphone USA Embassy, a Thunderbird in everything but body shape. With very rare mahogany/walnut laminated set neck. There must have been some leftover neck blanks in the factory that Gibson cannibalized after the Reverses were out of production. Gibsons and Epiphones were made in the same Kalamazoo, Michigan factory back then.
Walnut/mahogany laminations didn't keep the neck from snapping on it. Why Gibson ever thought they would is a mystery. Whoever made the repair to mine did a crap job but the bass is worth the $300 I paid for it.
Thanks for claring things up, Carlo!
- Jul 1, 2005
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- CataldoBasses: Designer/Builder ThunderBuckerPickups:Consultant
Gotoh makes the closest vintage reverse clover tuners, these:
http://www.allparts.com/TK-0790-001-Gotoh-Bass-Tuning-Keys-Nickel_p_3678.html
Yeah, expensive.
I couldn't open your WD link. I've never seen clovers from them, only later 'elephant ears'.
