Thunderbird Club

[Miles_ONeal]

I can't speak for the Gen II (late '65-'68) T-bird NR I or II, but as the long-time owner/player of a '64 II - the recent Epi VP IV is the closest you'll get to a vintage "reverse" T-bird in looks and sound for a fraction of the price of an actual vintage example.

The VP definitely feels and sounds close. A Greco sounds even closer, but doesn’t feel quite the same (wider nut, shorter scale, etc.) The Greco has more low end. Both are great basses.

 

[JIO]

The VP definitely feels and sounds close. A Greco sounds even closer, but doesn’t feel quite the same (wider nut, shorter scale, etc.) The Greco has more low end. Both are great basses.

You're talking about the Gen II '65-'68 T-bird compared to the recent Gibson RI and Greco?

 

[Miles_ONeal]

You're talking about the Gen II '65-'68 T-bird compared to the recent Gibson RI and Greco?

No, the original reverse, VP, and Greco.

 

[BklynKen]

There are a couple of gig bags that fit a VP. The one I have doesn’t have a brand on it. There’s a Gator or two that work as well - either Ken or Donnie has one, IIRC.

The Gator might not fit a VP.

 

[BklynKen]

Has anyone ever heard of or dealt with "UOTS INC?" There's something I'm interested in on their site, but so much is weird that I'm extremely hesitant to even attempt dealing with them. I emailed the address listed on their site and it bounced back that the domain name doesn't exist. And there's all sorts of mismatched info on their web site, which is under myshopify.

uotsinc.myshopify.com

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

7 Cedars! Let’s do this!View attachment 5233870

ROCK IT!!!!

 

[Larry Balara]

Does anyone know what amp Roy Babbington used when playing the Bass VI in Soft Machine?

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Glad to see the BaCH waiting to rock but I need tp see a pic of you playing it.

yessir!….you can also hear the sidewinder through a class AB amp into 4 x 8 and 1 x 15….
https://youtube.com/shorts/qfuUq0PX_Mo?si=7A7N22sHkOJbolTS

 

[JIO]

No, the original reverse, VP, and Greco.

hummm...

 

[MarcieB]

Hi there, since a week a proud owner of an epiphone thunderbird 60's. I love the bass, but as many i have issues with the intonation and I am considering replacing the bridge. I am however not at all technical and am not sure which bridge, if any, would fit preferably without having to drill new holes.
Anybody here with more experience on this? As in: which bridge to order? I am looking at:
Hipshot supertone. I assume the 2 point? SuperTone Gibson® Bass Replacement Bridge

Also heard good things about Babicz but honestly have no idea which bridge is the correct one.

 

[The EDP]

Hey guys, so I just got my first T-bird (an Epi 60s T-bird) and I'm surprised that I like it so much, while it is pretty unwieldy (especially the 60s headstock which will not fit in a gig bag :/), I actually like how it sits on a strap and it balanced much better than I though it would. It's currently got flats on it and sings with a nice throaty thump.

In terms of weight I feel like I got pretty lucky with one being 8.5-9lbs. Would it be unreasonable to expect a more recent Gibson thunderbird like a standard T-Bird or Rex Brown Model to weight around the same? I know weight has been one of the historical cons people have slapped over T-birds over the decades.

My 'Bird basses weights:
Rexbird is 9¾lbs;
Sixxbird I had (with the translucent Red finish and red fret markers) was 10½lbs;
50th Anniversary Bird was 9⅓lbs;
Greco (IV type) is 9½ibs;
2013 NR 9¼lbs;
2022 NR 8¾kbs;
And my old Les Paul Standard Bass 10½lbs.
I set a limit of 9½lbs bcoz of back probs so am giving the Rexbird a chance to win me over. Or it's gonna go!!
(I have had loads of Fenders weigh north of 10lbs and neck dive)
But they all balance perfectly on a strap - the Greco did not, tho it wasn't a full on dive, until I put ⅜" post Hipshot Ultralites on it and it's now perfect.
I'm annoyed to have missed out on another '22 NR that indeed weighed 8.2lbs but it sold as I was working out how to raise money!
(I use a very old fishing scale for weights so use fractions not decimal points).

 

[The EDP]

The VP definitely feels and sounds close. A Greco sounds even closer, but doesn’t feel quite the same (wider nut, shorter scale, etc.) The Greco has more low end. Both are great basses.

Until I had my Greco on the workbench I didn't realise it is 33½" scale. Got a load of tight, crisp wallop down low, I thought it was gonna be longer than normal, like the old Gibson 34½" basses. It's an impressive instrument!

 

[TBird1958]

Rock and Roll!

 

[Count Bassie]

Rock and Roll!View attachment 5234016

Nice shot.

 

[JJR58]

7 Cedars! Let’s do this!View attachment 5233870

What a cool venue!

 

[Roger W]

All three of my Gibson Thunderbirds (2x2013 and one 2018) weigh 8.2 lbs.

Same with my 2012.

 

[Count Bassie]

Played a local spitoon last night with the cover band. CP Bird>Hpf/SansAmp>GK 800RB>2x Kappalites in a small-but-still-good 2x15. Very capable, solid sounding rig. This is the club engine, it's good to be satisfied.
Phone doesn't load pix- I didn't even take any. Lol, I'm kinda happy it didn't even occur to me...

 

[MCF]

For you '64 IV types, is the neck set or through?

Through.

 

[MCF]

I’m going to get three - two bass to board and one board to amp. Bunch of enablers…

I was going to get two one footers for my wireless transmitters. Then I forgot. The overhyped Mogami cables I’ve been using loosen all the time. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[MCF]

Just from hearing everything side by side last year. And a bit this year.
It was what I was hearing.
But that’s just me Miles.

I liked Eric’s Bicentennial a lot when I played it. But I don’t necessarily prefer one pickup over the other. Except for maybe Veronica’s Lulls. The Gibson Vintage reissue that is now in my BaCH is really great.