Thunderbird Club

[GonePlaid]

The description in the listing states TB+ pickups. New instruments that are backordered. No charge until shipped.

That's so you don't croak holding yer breath.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

'Red' ones sound gooder.

You know it.

 

[JJR58]

I say customize your own.

 

[Cirrubass]

The description in the listing states TB+ pickups. New instruments that are backordered. No charge until shipped.

It also says it comes with chrome hardware.

 

[Stealth57]

The description in the listing states TB+ pickups. New instruments that are backordered. No charge until shipped.

Never believe a listing from GC. I’d confirm if considering an order.

 

[MCF]

$550 more than a new VP. The gold hardware and brass nut is $450-$500 of that, plus a case for another $130. If you want those things, it's as good a price as buying a new VP would be. If you don't care, then obvs not.

You need to factor in wholesale pricing though.

 

[GonePlaid]

Guiitar Center just listed the Epiphone Thunderbird E-1 that comes with TB+ pickups as available for backorder ($449.00).

OK, I went a-googling. All the blurbs for the E-1 say it's mahogany(yay!)except GC, which says it's alder-.

 

[Stealth57]

And the most critical element survived the voyage. All 12 boxes plus the bass guitars.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

The base model Epi has never come with TB+ pickups. The ones in the photos are the Epi stock pickups. If interested, you need to ask.

Pretty much all the retailers are listing them as having "TB+" or "TB Plus" pickups. Of course, no bolt-on has been on Epi's site for a while now...

 

[Miles_ONeal]

It’s an $800 bass with an upgraded bridge +$100. An Epi case +$100. It should retail for $999.99. They would sell really well at that price. So yeah, it’s $300 more than it should be.

The Babicz gold bridge and gold mini-clovers alone will set you back $450 or a bit more.

 

[GonePlaid]

'Red' ones sound gooder.

Proof:

ADDENDUM: 67 NR isn't "red" 'cos they weren't available in that color-at least not when I got it.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

You need to factor in wholesale pricing though.

No, because they aren't going to charge you a wholesale price, and if you buy it yourself, that's what it costs (plus time to install).

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

That's so you don't croak holding yer breath.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Proof:
View attachment 5321137
ADDENDUM: 67 NR isn't "red" 'cos they weren't available in that color-at least not when I got it.

yep…..

 

[ThaCoast]

Hey all, I am new here. I don't currently have a Thunderbird, but I have been starting to have that wild hair that I'd like to get one. Specifically I'd love to find a white T-Bird. Seems they are around, but fairly rare from the early 00's from Gibson, but then we also have the Classic and Vintage T-Bird Pro's from Epiphone.

I have not found a Gibson for sale at the moment, but there are both Classic and Vintage T-Birds for sale on Reverb. The Classic is going for around $650, where the Vintage would run about $1000 (unless I work them down on the price). If I decide to wait for a Gibson, I have no idea how long I'd have to wait and it would no doubt be more expensive. Would a used Gibson of the mid 2000's (or maybe even 90's) be better than the Epi's?

Is the Vintage Pro worth $300-$400 more than the Classic? Both should have essentially the same pickups, so we are talking Chrome vs Black and Split bridge vs 3-point.

This is the go-to resource for T-Birds, and I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thank you.

Epi Classic Pro = Modern Gibson sound & style. Genuine Gibson TB+ pickups (ceramic magnet, pretty "dark" sounding pickups), Black hardware, 3 point bridge, smaller Y keys.

Epi Vintage Pro = Vintage Gibson sound & style (more 60's vibe with two point bridge, alnico magnet pickups, more open sounding). Bigger headstock, clover keys, nickel/chrome hardware.

I don't know - parallel I think

View attachment 5320724

A wiring won't tell me much either sadly x) But if it sounds "thinner"/scooped, its parallel. If it sounds big/bolder, with a bit more gain/volume push: series.

 

[Engle]

I say customize your own.

View attachment 5321123

I agree!

 

[GonePlaid]

yep…..
View attachment 5321145

Yeah. When I got mine, there was a Pelham blue one next to it. I had enuff $ to get both. Shoulda. Notafan of the blue(sorry Marshall).

 

[MCF]

Guiitar Center just listed the Epiphone Thunderbird E-1 that comes with TB+ pickups as available for backorder ($449.00).

If I had a dollar for every blatantly wrong description GC posted that I’ve seen, I could buy another Gibson. GC and MF are awful. Ignorant false advertising. It may or may not be deliberate. Please do not trust them. The entry Epi is a nice gateway Thunderbird and I highly recommend it if you want to get acquainted at a reasonable price point. But those are not Gibson Tbird+ pickups. They’re nice humbuckers, but not as full and clear as the Gibsons.

If you want one, please buy here instead. You will be much happier should anything be wrong with what you receive. And note the description, it does not say Tbird+ pickups like the misleading GC ad does. Epiphone Thunderbird E1 Bass Guitar - Vintage Sunburst

As an aside, I’ve been asked by the local DA’s office a few times over the years to join their civil enforcement division. The job would be going after frauds like GC. But the pay sucks. Otherwise I’d love to do that kind of work.

 

[MCF]

Sweetwater has some NR demos at good prices. Two burgundy ($1,799, $1,649) and a blue ($1,799).

Those are excellent prices in today’s market.

 

[MCF]

Yeah. When I got mine, there was a Pelham blue one next to it. I had enuff $ to get both. Shoulda. Notafan of the blue(sorry Marshall).

Yeah. Coulda, woulda, shoulda Mike. This coming from a guy who sold a ‘68 Daphne Blue Mustang in ‘83 to raise cash for law school. It was a nice little bass and all, but what it would go for today is crazy train.