Thunderbird Club

[Stealth57]

Meanwhile, I've been happy with EBCFs on my VP. They don't sound quite as good tuned down to D (which works great on my CP), but they're still good.

Just to be different, since I have EBCF on my CP, I tried SIT Power Flats on the VP. Both feel great, maybe the SIT feel a bit beefier even thought they are supposed to be the same gauge (45-105). Given different pickups, not easy to tell the difference in sound from just the strings.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Thanks Geo, we had a great time. You had my wife’s name correct, good recall. She was skeptical about the genre going in but really enjoyed the performance. You all knocked it out of the park. She thought Winter’s was a great dive bar with a non-dive bar kind of crowd.

I've found that with good musicians, I enjoy most styles of music live - regardless of whether I can stand listening to recordings of that genre.

 

[KaraQ]

thx for the info.

It only has three knobs.
So it could be a classic.

Do you perhaps know if there are other differences between the classic and the normal one?

thx
Jarno

Other than construction (bolt-on vs. neck-through), afaik the only major difference is pickups.
The Thunderbird IV have their own pickups, that have been used in that model (possibly with some revisions) for a couple of decades.
The Classic Pro uses Gibson TB+ pickups, the same as Gibson Thunderbirds.

Tuners, bridge, electronics (other than pickups) are all pretty much the same, ime.
The Classic Pro has some body contouring that the bolt-on doesn't have, as well as a little bit different headstock.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

No Thunderbird content AFAIK. Techno German version of the Lord's prayer:

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Other than construction (bolt-on vs. neck-through), afaik the only major difference is pickups.
The Thunderbird IV have their own pickups, that have been used in that model (possibly with some revisions) for a couple of decades.
The Classic Pro uses Gibson TB+ pickups, the same as Gibson Thunderbirds.

Tuners, bridge, electronics (other than pickups) are all pretty much the same, ime.
The Classic Pro has some body contouring that the bolt-on doesn't have, as well as a little bit different headstock.

You may be right on the tuners. I'd forgotten that @FlyingPigSound changed the tuners before selling it.

 

[KaraQ]

You may be right on the tuners. I'd forgotten that @FlyingPigSound changed the tuners before selling it.

The tuners that came with my 2013 seem to be the same as the ones on the bolt-ons I've had, as well as on my Pro 5.

 

[GBassNorth]

thx for the info.
It only has three knobs.
So it could be a classic.
Do you perhaps know if there are other differences between the classic and the normal one?
thx
Jarno

If it’s neck through, three knobs and an output jack on the side vs the front it’s an Epiphone CP, which is a very nice and sought after model by those that know thunderbirds. They typically cost a bit more than a standard Epiphone Tbird IV but they have Gibson pickups and other features that make them worth it. If it’s a reasonable price and within your budget, grab it quick, these things don’t last long on the used markets.

My “Jazz” bass.
View attachment 5077565

Fender didn’t make the Jazz I wanted, so as I’m prone to do, I said F..K it and made my own…

5 string with a solid rosewood neck, reverse P near Mudbucker territory, Stingray pup near P bass position, John East active preamp custom built to my spec with a three stack knob control layout of Vol/Blend, neck bass/treb/brite, bridge bass/treb/brite (voiced for a stingray) toggle for neck/both/bridge. Fun build, great player.

Been thinking about getting a Thunderbird for a few years but it took this popping up on my Facebook feed to finally screatch the itch.
It’s a 2022, in as good as new condition with a genuine Epiphone hard case and I’m well impressed so far. Only weighs an touch over 8lbs and sits pretty well balanced on a suede strap, the neck feels great and it sounded pretty good going through the seller’s PA. Can’t wait to try it with the band through a proper rig as soon as our singer gets back from his holidays.
View attachment 5077568

You got a great one! The VP (as it was originally called) is a phenomenal bass at its price point and even well above. That one will have a very vintage Gibson Tbird tone vs the modern Gibsons. More bite, grit and growl, but still plenty smooth if desired. It likes a lot of different strings and plays well with Cobalt Flats as well as Fender Nickel Rounds.

Updating on Vintage Pro I was flipping a while back. Basically turned out that:
- The standard Tusq nut they sell online wouldn't do the job due to how it's shaped
- The saddle nuts were actually glued on to the screws
So basically I got a luthier to do it. Cost a bit but did a good job, works fine as a left instrument.
Played it for a while and noticed it was going out of tune quite badly when I wasn't playing it - earlier today I tried tuning it up and the strings ripped the bridge screws out. I think it could be the sudden rise in humidity here (it can happen if instruments are left at full tension) in addition to my using higher-tension strings.
I just can't win with it so far, it's putting me through my paces. Going to see if I can get a tech to fix it - not sure if a new bridge will be advisable here or not. Certainly it'll require some new holes to be drilled I'd imagine

This might be the first VP that I’ve ever heard of with a claw that pulled out. It’s not a common thing at all on this model. The proper fix would be to glue and dowel the existing screw holes and redrill new ones. You might want to go with larger screws if you’re using an abnormally high tension string which would then also require larger dowels.

Huh. Very odd that the screws holding the claw pulled. I don’t think I’ve heard of that happening before.

Guess there’s a first time for everything. IIRC didn’t Mikes Embassy do that as well? Just never seen it on a VP.

 

[JIO]

I always do at least two to three full winds Geo. The issue is the prior owner butchered a $50 set of DA tapes. I’ve kept them on the bass to see if I like them. If I do, I’ll get a new set and cut them properly. As I said before, it was a very amateur setup when I got it. Everything about it was done incorrectly. Sometimes I feel like I run a Thunderbird Rescue Society.

I didn't think you'd do something like that! The '66 Tempo I restored has big squat slotted posts with no center hole so I did an over & under wind like on Spanish guitars.

Pat did a nice job finishing it -

 

[WillyW]

Any advice about new tuners for my Epiphone Thunderbird IV? Preferably in either crome or steel. I was adviced by my music teacher that upgrading them would be a nice addition. Any recommendations that aren't expensive?

Hipshot ultra light tuners are always a good addition to a thunderbird. A set will run about $100 and can be had in chrome or nickel (as well as many other color options). Note, there are Hipshot “licensed” tuners and there are Hipshot “USA” tuners. The licensed tuners are a bit less expensive and probably 90% as good as the USA tuners, which is still 100% better than the stock Epiphone tuners.

Gotoh tuners are also very nice and about the same price. Their Res-O-Lite series tuner is a good replacement for the stock Epiphone tuner.

If you check eBay or the classifieds here you might get lucky and find a used set of either tuner to further reduce the cost. Off hand I don’t recall the size of tuner you’ll need for an Eppi Tbird IV but I’m sure someone in the club can chime in with that info.

make sure the nut over the post is tight on the Epiphone tuners, and the screw holding the key is snug, solves most issues with stock tunas.

I got a set of the “licensed” tuners for my Greco, those needed replacement badly, and they replacements are quite nice. I think I got them from Philadelphia luthier supply.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Thunderbird mention and photo op from Sweetwater: Best Bass Guitars | Spring 2023 - inSync
There's an Epi SG E1 in there as well.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Epiphone Thunderbird E1 :
I could have sworn I saw an Epi page on this. All the retailers seem to have these listed and at least some have them in stock, but I can't find an Epi page for one. Not sure why they ditched the CP and brought this one back, but OK. I think there's room for both, but it's not my company so whatever.
Meanwhile Sweetwater, on their E1 page, said, "Nearly four decades ago, the Thunderbird bass design was introduced by Gibson." I sent them a correction. 8^)

 

[Ringhammer]

Just to be different, since I have EBCF on my CP, I tried SIT Power Flats on the VP. Both feel great, maybe the SIT feel a bit beefier even thought they are supposed to be the same gauge (45-105). Given different pickups, not easy to tell the difference in sound from just the strings.

I’m coming to the realization, in some cases a 105 round is equal in tension to a 100 flat.

I have a ‘75 P that had standard 45-105 rounds, and when I put chromes on it the 85 and 105 felt too stiff. I put on the 45-65-80-100 set of chromes and that felt pretty much the same as the 45-105 rounds that had come off of it.

 

[MCF]

Beauty!!!!

It also looks like they used too small a screwdriver on the bridge height bolts and adjusted things under full tension.

Thanks Miles. It really cleaned up well and is a stellar example of how good those Epi Custom Shop Thunderbirds can be.

It seems like hardly anyone takes the time to loosen tension and cover screwdriver blades when adjusting the bridge bolts. It bugs me to no end. But what to do. I’ve replaced a few that were really butchered.

 

[MCF]

I didn't think you'd do something like that! The '66 Tempo I restored has big squat slotted posts with no center hole so I did an over & under wind like on Spanish guitars.

View attachment 5077760

Pat did a nice job finishing it -

View attachment 5077749 View attachment 5077762View attachment 5077761 View attachment 5077763

That is beautiful!

I take pride in my setups. I got a couple comments on how I had the ‘21 NR (except the dry FB which I didn’t have time to do before I left to go) and the ‘15 set ups at the GTG last year. I’ve watched a lot of videos, some well done, others boneheaded. I’ve read a lot. I can do different basses and guitars. Even my 45 year old Aria acoustic guitar that I’ve replaced the bridge saddle and the nut on. I take my time. I’d go broke if I did it for a living. I’m slow and very picky.

 

[jd56hawk]

Not a Thunderbird but I'm seriously considering gambling on one of these.

 

[Nocturnal]

Not a Thunderbird but I'm seriously considering gambling on one of these.

I've come close to pulling the trigger on these but still haven't committed to it. One day I will follow thru with it.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Not a Thunderbird but I'm seriously considering gambling on one of these.

Third party Thunderbird. Gorgeous.

 

[GBassNorth]

Not a Thunderbird but I'm seriously considering gambling on one of these.

Looks close enough to me! So what brand is it?

 

[BklynKen]

Continuing the zero-mod theme of my BC Rich, new strap locks.

 

[Count Bassie]

I lost my mom last Tuesday.

She had a nasty fall and broke ribs on both sides and during her stay in the hospital, they found cancer in her liver and kidneys, basically a death sentence, there was nothing they could do. She said that she didn't want to spend what little time she had left in the hospital, so me, my kid brother and his wife decided to bring her home. So for the last two months she was bedridden, and it was a never ending parade of family members and friends coming around to visit her.

Well, that saying of "the road to hell is paved with good intentions" certainly was true here, we were all ready for the funny farm with so much people coming around every day. Mom herself said that it was a Freak show. The day before yesterday, she gave the permission to administer the Morphine, so she could fall asleep and pass away peacefully.

At the day of her passing, I told the nurses how grateful I was for the terrific help they provided, they were going "Oh don't mention it, we're just doing our job." but I insisted, SOMEBODY should thank them. I guess mom must have heard me, because only a short time later, she passed.

After she passed, I made a three-hour walk because I knew that as soon as the word got out, the parade would return, I wanted no part of it. When I finally got back, her body was taken away.

I'm a wreck, the stress of dealing with all those people coming around and worrying about my mom did a number on me. Two days before she passed, I finally had my melt down, I simply couldn't take it any more. And now, I feel empty, almost relieved that it's over, finally a chance at peace of mind. For the last couple of weeks, I could sleep but not get any rest.

Today was her cremation, and it was the right time to write this song, it just came to me as I went along,


I heard from my sister-in-law that she had a dream where my mother and father were dancing as he swept her off her feet. I liked that, and so I used that in the lyrics. The bass I used is my self-made "Monster" with a Fender Sting signature single coil and very dead sounding strings.

See the flames in the fireplace
All the people in the hall
Everybody came to welcome you
So glad to see them all
Feel the passion as you dance with him
Inside your portrait on the wall.

Feel the gravity disappear
As he sweeps you off your feet
There is nothing left to fear
Your journey is complete
Finally in his arms again
What more could you want?

Sunshine doesn't last all day
Evening will always fall
Feel the chill as the light fades away
And you answered his call
Your laugh will continue on
Inside your portrait on the wall.

Heart is out to you, that was a rough piece of road you walked. I like the dream though.
I had one about my mom when she left a year and a half ago (thereabouts). It was a cool one, redeemed a few things.
Glad you found some rest, easy does it mang. Peace on your house.