Thunderbird Club

[dagrev]

Honestly I fn give up. About a year ago I learned about new colors coming and I was assured that the specifications would not change. I emphasized that the VP was almost perfect. Geeze whatever you do don't follow your own legacy or listen to your customer base.

I would love to know the thinking process, such as it is. I agree about the VP and am still so glad you guided me to consider VPs. I love both of mine. I've said before if I could have only one bass and it couldn't be my '64, I would want one of my VPs. A tad shy in the lows compared to the originals, but strings and slight EQ can address that. I've never played a Grecko or Lull, until/if I ever have one, the VPs will be the next best thing I own.

 

[dagrev]

I have a ‘95, ‘97, ‘99, ‘01(x2), ‘03, and a ‘17 Eppi VP. None of them do that weird neck angle thing as shown on the pic of @godofthunder59 ‘64.

Does a real ‘64 do that?

Nor does my set neck '64 Epi--where it could potentially make some sense.
The more I think about it, it seems what the new Epi does would maybe make for some extra work with a neck-through design. I don't have a clue how they mass produce them, so it may make no difference.

 

[dagrev]

How many do y'all have in the shop?

How many Thunderbirds owned? I don't think that's what you were asking but I was also quoted and didn't want to seem to ignore it. Coffee hasn't kicked in yet.... But anyway....
(1) '64
(1) '06
(2) VPs
(1) '21 NR
(1) '64 Epi - minus the Thunderbird body.

 

[dagrev]

My better half is keeping me under control, the 2 of us get into enough trouble on our own.

Trouble, you say? We want pics then.

 

[BklynKen]

Trouble, you say? We want pics then.

Check the police blotter.

 

[Rickplaysbass]

How many Thunderbirds owned? I don't think that's what you were asking but I was also quoted and didn't want to seem to ignore it. Coffee hasn't kicked in yet.... But anyway....
(1) '64
(1) '06
(2) VPs
(1) '21 NR
(1) '64 Epi - minus the Thunderbird body.

Nice collection! I was talking specifically about the new epi's. I wonder if they all intentionally have that neck angle.

 

[TBird1958]

T O N E….
View attachment 5378387

B A S S

 

[Engle]

They shifted manufacturing from Indonesia to China, this is the end result. Somewhere along the way someone thought they could add thier stink to it and improve it. Didn't Tbirds from the late 80's early 90s have this feature? If I remember right they did, causing the three point bridge to be raised quite high and leaving it looking like a oil rig bobbing around in the ocean.

How much higher does the bridge end up on the MIC64 vs the MII60's/BP?
I can't remember if I posted it in this thread, but I found a number of differences between my MIC and MIK Casady. The neck is now mahogany, the body is a different shape, and there is more neck angle, so the bridge is higher. It's still a good quality instrument, but it's changed.
It seems to me that Epiphone makes an agreement with a factory for production, but that doesn't include using the patterns/files from the previous factory. I think the new factory just makes a copy and has access to some of the same hardware.

 

[Engle]

Now I want to go measure pickup distances in a bunch of Les Pauls in shops around town.

I bet they will all be the same.

 

[WillyW]

Likely the same factory in Japan as the rest. That's the same bridge cover as my National and Kawai. 2 saddle bridge?

If it's a short scale I'll make you $50 on it.

I didn't get to molest it enough to determine the bridge type, but it may have been a 2 saddle...

it was definitely a short scale between 28.5-30" I was wearing pants so I didn't get to measure it....

 

[dagrev]

Check the police blotter.

Given your job, can you access this this kind of international information, just in case Jeff is not as forthcoming as we might like? Also helps to keep our imaginations from running wild with pure speculation.

 

[dagrev]

Nice collection! I was talking specifically about the new epi's. I wonder if they all intentionally have that neck angle.

Thank you. Now I need to learn how to play them....
I figured that might be the case, but hey, it adds more for Jeff to have to catch up on!

 

[Rickplaysbass]

I didn't get to molest it enough to determine the bridge type, but it may have been a 2 saddle...

it was definitely a short scale between 28.5-30" I was wearing pants so I didn't get to measure it....

Well feel free to pass on my offer. LOL. I'm looking for a funky short scale I can have some fun with.

In my search I found a Medium Scale 5 string with two Curtis Novak thunderbird pickups in it. If I had an extra $3k laying around I'd probably grab it.

 

[Albert Ross]

What's the reason for the neck angle change on the new Epiphone 64's?

 

[Gaolee]

Honestly I fn give up. About a year ago I learned about new colors coming and I was assured that the specifications would not change. I emphasized that the VP was almost perfect. Geeze whatever you do don't follow your own legacy or listen to your customer base.

Gibson being Gibson. If it ain't broke, fix it anyway. Unless it's a Les Paul. Except that they probably mess with those, too. They sure don't listen to what I would buy - a Gibson Thunderbird in an exotic color of some kind, preferably with a shallow neck angle, small headstock, chrome or nickel hardware, a Babicz bridge, and original pickup locations. I might be the only one, though. In the mean time, I'm going to be spending money to get the fretless Thunderbird refinished. In enough time, I might even ruin the magical 2001 by getting it refinished and the same with the 2015. If I ever start talking about doing that, somebody needs to come beat me over the head.

 

[Gaolee]

Thanks! We do that song and Heroes by Bowie. Neither are on our CD but we recorded 'Hang Onto Yourself' at Chabot College the end of last year - Kirstin really got into it! "...come-on, lay it on me!"

She sure did. That's a lot of fun.

 

[BklynKen]

Given your job, can you access this this kind of international information, just in case Jeff is not as forthcoming as we might like? Also helps to keep our imaginations from running wild with pure speculation.

I could tell you, but... you know.

 

[Gaolee]

Yep. Few liked the color. I don’t mind it. But for me, the pickguard has to go.

Exactly. I like the color, not the pickguard. And I'm not a fan of that specific shape, either.

 

[SubHuman]

Nor does my set neck '64 Epi--where it could potentially make some sense.
The more I think about it, it seems what the new Epi does would maybe make for some extra work with a neck-through design. I don't have a clue how they mass produce them, so it may make no difference.

View attachment 5378444

If Epi just manufactured a neck through platform they could glue any body shape they wanted as the wings and actually have a better product with the different body styles we love. Shimming necks at weird angles seems like more work. What am I missing here? Obviously not hollow bodies…well maybe center block hollow bodies. Says the guy who can’t file a brass nut! Lol

 

[GonePlaid]

Gibson being Gibson. If it ain't broke, fix it anyway. Unless it's a Les Paul. Except that they probably mess with those, too. They sure don't listen to what I would buy - a Gibson Thunderbird in an exotic color of some kind, preferably with a shallow neck angle, small headstock, chrome or nickel hardware, a Babicz bridge, and original pickup locations. I might be the only one, though. In the mean time, I'm going to be spending money to get the fretless Thunderbird refinished. In enough time, I might even ruin the magical 2001 by getting it refinished and the same with the 2015. If I ever start talking about doing that, somebody needs to come beat me over the head.

I think yer just 'trolling' us.