Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

No one, maybe even at Gib/Epi know for sure.

Heck. When they answer the phone, they don’t seem to have a clue about what they’re currently offering.

 

[MCF]

I was gonna suggest you mention that to @godofthunder59 but apparently they don't listen to him either.

They are not Japanese. Or they would listen to us and have bigger profits. Two through necks, interchangeable for reverses and NR’s and lefties. Only need to add body halves as required.

 

[Gaolee]

I’ve got no beef with where they’re made. My MIC Epi’s are fine. So long as they maintain QC it’s good. Although for reasons we are not allowed to discuss, I’d rather they come from South Korea.

I had an Ibby ES335 knock off that was made in China. It was a really nice guitar. The pickups weren't the best sounding, but that's fixable enough. I gave it to my brother because I found another guitar I wanted more. That was an acoustic archtop that was very much like a 1930s or 1940s Gibson. It was also made in China and is a wonderful guitar. It's generally what I play when I want to be really bad at something.

 

[Engle]

Interesting that you have the front of the bridge pointing slightly downward instead of upward.

I think the curve of the body is making it look that way. In relation to the strings the Black is almost flat, the Goldtop is higher in front.

 

[Engle]

I’ve got no beef with where they’re made. My MIC Epi’s are fine. So long as they maintain QC it’s good. Although for reasons we are not allowed to discuss, I’d rather they come from South Korea.

I have no issue with the MIC quality, just pointing out differences.
The steeper neck angle doesn't bother me. You could argue it makes it easier to reach the lower frets.

 

[Stealth57]

I had to double check that they were still neck-through like the VP’s. Apparently they are. That angle is similar to the angles on my Custom Shop Epi IV’s, my Epi Goth and Epi Blackbird, and my set neck Gibson ‘21 NR. I need to check the ‘13 NR but can’t since it is at the other place. My Gibson Studio and ‘15 don’t have that. I need to check the Gibson short scale, but it too is at the other place.

My 2010 Epi Custom shop looks like they put a shim in the pocket, but they didn't. They just cut the pocket on an angle...or maybe the end of the neck...

 

[MCF]

I had an Ibby ES335 knock off that was made in China. It was a really nice guitar. The pickups weren't the best sounding, but that's fixable enough. I gave it to my brother because I found another guitar I wanted more. That was an acoustic archtop that was very much like a 1930s or 1940s Gibson. It was also made in China and is a wonderful guitar. It's generally what I play when I want to be really bad at something.

I have played Ibbies over the years. I currently own one. The basses are well made. The necks are great. Generally, the pickups suck IME and IMO.

 

[MCF]

I have no issue with the MIC quality, just pointing out differences.
The steeper neck angle doesn't bother me. You could argue it makes it easier to reach the lower frets.

You are correct, at least in the majority of cases.

 

[SubHuman]

I’ve got a 70’s UniVox Coily (ES335) and it’s got everything I would love to see on a bass or guitar. Some of these features are on a modern Gibson/Epiphone instruments but not all. It’s a bolt on neck but they put a nice shaped heel on the slim neck.
MOP block inlays, really nice binding with pinstripes, bound neck, f holes have binding too, chrome whammy bar. It plays and sounds nice. The finish is pretty good too. To me little details can really make an instrument look good!

 

[saltymonkey]

That's crazy - why???

Could it possibly be not really a neck through bass? But a set neck masquerading as a neck through? I haven’t seen one in person but couldn’t think of another reason for that extra angle wedge jutting out of an already proven and successful neck through design from manufacturing files that already exist.

 

[MCF]

My 2010 Epi Custom shop looks like they put a shim in the pocket, but they didn't. They just cut the pocket on an angle...or maybe the end of the neck...

I’ll check mine if I can remember to. My white one plays great. But there are some electronics issues related to grounding that needs to be addressed.

I’m planning to schedule a day I can get some basses to Jeremy @Freakmagbencd. He’s the closest to me (in Fillmore, CA) who I can trust basses with. He comes recommended from George and several others on TB. I’ve tried a local guy, who is supposedly a great guitar tech. Let’s just say he ripped me off. There are supposedly a lot of freelance techs here, but it’s a challenge finding them.

 

[MCF]

Gibson 1968 1969 Thunderbird Ii Non-Reverse Safe delivery from Japan | eBay
(I wonder if "Ii" means it's not quite a "II".)

Ouch.

 

[MCF]

That's crazy - why???

One of the great mysteries of life.

 

[MCF]

Can only provide G rated.
Happy to have had arrived in Munchen.
View attachment 5378637

So. You’ve been holding out. Congratulations! Sprechen sie Deutsch? I have high school and two years of college. I can understand most when I watch German vids. I used to read well. That is long gone. Please bring her to the GTG so I can flirt. Have a great trip!

 

[MCF]

Could it possibly be not really a neck through bass? But a set neck masquerading as a neck through? I haven’t seen one in person but couldn’t think of another reason for that extra angle wedge jutting out of an already proven and successful neck through design from manufacturing files that already exist.

Yep Rog. I’m perplexed too.

 

[WillyW]

Gibson 1968 1969 Thunderbird Ii Non-Reverse Safe delivery from Japan | eBay
(I wonder if "Ii" means it's not quite a "II".)

Norms has the reverse for 10k still. That ones ok but still more than I’m willing to pay.

I still go back and look at the 4k non from texass.

1965 Gibson Thunderbird Bass Sunburst | Reverb

Woodworkers piss me the shag off, I don’t get the obsession with sanding the shag out of everything just to refinish. Save the shaging serial number ya shags…

Gibson Thunderbird II Non Reverse 1967 Blue | Reverb

 

[Engle]

Could it possibly be not really a neck through bass? But a set neck masquerading as a neck through? I haven’t seen one in person but couldn’t think of another reason for that extra angle wedge jutting out of an already proven and successful neck through design from manufacturing files that already exist.

You’re assuming (logically) that they would send the files to a new factory. From what I have seen, I don’t believe they do that.
@godofthunder59 can you take a closer look at the one in your shop? Maybe they went set neck and didn’t say anything.

 

[MCF]

Norms had the reverse for 10k still. That ones ok but still more than I’m willing to pay.

I still go back and look at the 4k non from texass.

1965 Gibson Thunderbird Bass Sunburst | Reverb

Woodworkers piss me the shag off, I don’t get the obsession with sanding the shag out of everything just to refinish. Save the shaging serial number ya shags…

Gibson Thunderbird II Non Reverse 1967 Blue | Reverb

You’re my friend, but I don’t get ripping the frets off so many necks. I am admittedly a terrible player when it comes to fretless.

 

[dagrev]

Duh... Forgot the '76.
(1) '76
(1) '64
(1) '06
(2) VPs
(1) '21 NR
(1) '64 Epi - minus the Thunderbird body.

 

[RedVee]

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 an oil rig bobbing around in the ocean.

I was wondering if they had complaints from people that they couldn’t set the 3 point low enough, so the raised the fretboard…

Then I remembered the VP/60’s didn’t use the 3 point anyway