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Thunderbird Club

#254,041
WillyW said:
I have a CP and I honestly don't know if it's a set neck or neck thru, it's just a great bass.

The bolt on neck ones are reportedly good too from the many fans here in this forum, so if you run across one cheap enough don't hesitate....

here is my CP story....

2 years in the making…. I’m glad I like it.
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It’s a thru neck Willy. Nice, but really could use some frets.
 
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#254,042
dagrev said:
Playing live was the best drug. A decent gig is magical. I'm not a flashy person and don't want/need the attention, but there was always something out of this world playing a live gig. There were a few exceptions, of course. But nothing feels like a good gig and people digging the music. I would be afraid that if I played several times a week it would become more like work. Not that I have to worry about that these days.
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For a while before the pandemic, I was playing out about twice a month with a few additional gigs thrown in for good measure. Even that got to be way too much what with having a day job and all. I would be happy playing a show about once every couple months. That would scratch the itch but wouldn't turn into a chore.
 
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#254,043
BPE said:
GC has a new Vintage Pro right now, 749.00 plus a case.

I'll keep looking I think.
Click to expand...
Those are fantastic if you want the more original/vintage sound that made Thunderbirds famous (verses modern from other versions). As close as you can get without big $$$$. Keep watching for used VPs. Some have been selling for ridiculous prices (~$400, which is a steal). That said, you may prefer the more modern sound. It's a preference thing.
 
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#254,049
Gaolee said:
I would imagine that you could glue in the neck and shape the body for better upper fret access if you wanted to with a kit like that. As long as you have it aligned properly, I don't see a reason gluing in the neck wouldn't work.
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101006211_gorilla-2oz-gorilla-glue_1
 
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#254,052
JIO said:
BG has another early Sunday night October 15th show there - a very fun 3-set gig! Great pizza within walking distance! :) The way to get repeat gigs is easy once you get your foot in the door. Be polite/adult, don't play too loud, play enjoyable music.., and most importantly - connect/interface with your/their clientele. How else is a "fan base" initiated/created? Be friendly, ask questions like... where are you from?.., do you like the (our) music?.., what's 's your favorite colour? (for fun!) - that's entertainment!

Gotta make doing the things that are special - special! :bassist: I love performing live - every gig is special to me.
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yeah, have seen some great (relatively unknown) acts there..
 
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#254,055
dagrev said:
Those are fantastic if you want the more original/vintage sound that made Thunderbirds famous (verses modern from other versions). As close as you can get without big $$$$. Keep watching for used VPs. Some have been selling for ridiculous prices (~$400, which is a steal). That said, you may prefer the more modern sound. It's a preference thing.
Click to expand...
Yep! Guitar Center and Sam Ash used sites have misidentified VPs as standard IVs and offered them at $399. If one is lucky to get one of those for that price and it’s in good condition, can’t go wrong. Their stupidity benefits us.
 
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#254,056
GBassNorth said:
@BPE
study those pictures from Stealth closely. It’s not uncommon at all to find Epiphone CP basses and VP basses mismarked as standard Epiphone Tbird IV basses. There’s nothing wrong with the IV but it’s quite a bit cheaper on the used market than either of the other two Epiphone Tbirds, by about half. Typical used pricing on the CP and VP these days is $600 and up. However, if it’s been incorrectly identified in the ad as a Tbird IV or priced as a Tbird IV you can pick it up for closer to $400.

The easiest way to spot either of these basses when quickly scanning through on line ads is to look for the missing output jack. If there is no output jack on the front of the Epiphone (and it only has three control knobs) it’s likely a CP or VP. To confirm, make sure it’s a neck through. The CP will have two plastic covered pickups that only have two screw holes (not 3). The VP will have chrome or nickel pickups and a bridge with a separate claw.

The CP is voiced pretty much identical to a modern post 2000 Tbird and the VP is voiced pretty close to a vintage 1960’s tbird. Both sound great! Within each model are a couple of hidden gems that most of us look for. The 2013 CP was the only model year CP to have pickup spacing similar to the vintage Tbirds. And the 2017 model year VP had larger tuners than the current VP. Both basses seem to draw a premium price if they are white, the black and burst models may be as much as $100 cheaper than the white ones.

Lastly, I’ll throw another option out there - a pre 2013 Epiphone Goth Tbird made in Korea. Sound is darker than a typical bird, but very solid players, especially with the wide neck.
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For completeness, and I’m hoping that this isn’t confusing, but there is also a thru neck Epi called the Pro. It is essentially a Classic Pro body/neck with active pickups and a flush mounted bridge instead of the three point. While some like them, many comment that it’s a lackluster performer. That model was also available as a five string.

IMG_0423.jpeg

This pic is from the GC used website which has it listed at $549.99. Personally, I’d favor a Classic Pro or a Vintage Pro over a “Pro” with the lackluster active electronics.
 
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#254,057
dagrev said:
Playing live was the best drug. A decent gig is magical. I'm not a flashy person and don't want/need the attention, but there was always something out of this world playing a live gig. There were a few exceptions, of course. But nothing feels like a good gig and people digging the music. I would be afraid that if I played several times a week it would become more like work. Not that I have to worry about that these days.
Click to expand...

I always look forward to gigs - yah, sometimes they go pear-shaped but luckily mostly they are good/fun. Small venues are best because you interface with people there. It's not a job - it's something we enjoy doing. :)
 
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#254,059
Gaolee said:
For a while before the pandemic, I was playing out about twice a month with a few additional gigs thrown in for good measure. Even that got to be way too much what with having a day job and all. I would be happy playing a show about once every couple months. That would scratch the itch but wouldn't turn into a chore.
Click to expand...

Bond Girl has 4 shows on the calendar so far & TSC's 3, so 7 all together into October.
 
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