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Thunderbird Club

#307,861
Alex4bass said:
Hi ppl. Im really confused in Epiphone thunderbirds models, but Im really sure I need one!
Could someone write a kind of best models ranking just to help me choose one of them.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
We do not all agree on this. For example, I do not care much for the ‘17 Vintage Pro that I own. Some say that is blasphemy and that I’m crazy. Oh well. I own eight (nine if you count one with a broken neck that I have set aside for a project) Epi Tbirds. I play the VP the least.

My favorite Epi is my ‘07 Limited Edition Custom Shop bolt-on IV in Sparkling Pelham Blue with the basic Epi bolt-on pickups and SIT Powersteels. It has a fat 1.73 nut width neck. The build quality, fit, and finish are superb. And I can eq it to sound like a modern Gibson if I want to.

Next is my ‘14 Limited Edition Custom Shop bolt-on IV in TV Silver with the chrome Epi guitar humbuckers. It has a skinny 1.5 nut width neck. With a set of DA tape wounds, it sounds surprisingly like a Hofner Beatle bass.

If I were in your shoes, I would start with a used Epi Classic Pro. It is the most Gibson like. Then buy a bunch of different ones over time. You can never have too many Thunderbirds.
 
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#307,862
BklynKen said:
Added to the end of the Gibson section. I realized the big section I was looking at within it was all from V.
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If you decide to put a more detailed listing, I suggest a section after the alphabetical brand listing, labeled "Left-hand models", along with a note at the end of the intro text that it's there.
 
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#307,864
Miles_ONeal said:
If you decide to put a more detailed listing, I suggest a section after the alphabetical brand listing, labeled "Left-hand models", along with a note at the end of the intro text that it's there.
Click to expand...

Interesting suggestion. I figured the regular Gibson section was most appropriate since they're no different, besides orientation. Same reason Rob didn't include them in his Gibson bass book.
 
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#307,866
Miles_ONeal said:
If you decide to put a more detailed listing, I suggest a section after the alphabetical brand listing, labeled "Left-hand models", along with a note at the end of the intro text that it's there.
Click to expand...

The more I think about this, the more I think you're right. The only two left-handed Thunderbirds I know of are Gibson and Tokai. So it may warrant its own section.
 
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#307,867
Alex4bass said:
Thanks a lot for ur advices, will try to get a Classic in good shape.
Best community by far!
Click to expand...
Great choice! Love mine.
As noted, be extra careful when buying a Classic Pro, many are incorrectly listed that way but in fact are not CPs.

Case in point on Guitar Centers used website right now…
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
This is not a CP, it’s a standard Epiphone tbird IV

This one is also mis marked…
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
It’s a VP not a CP, totally different beast.

This one, also on the Guitar Centers used website website, is a CP…
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The quickest way to spot a CP is to look for an Eppi Tbird with a three point bridge but no front mounted jack. The CP jack is mounted on the side. The other tell is the lack of a neck plate on the back of the CP, it’s a neck through design not a bolt on.
 
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#307,868
Alex4bass said:
Thanks a lot for ur advices, will try to get a Classic in good shape.
Best community by far!
Click to expand...
The way you'll know if a listing for a Epi Thundbird IV is really a CP is 1) jack on side vs top and 2) pickups have 2 screws not 3.

Classic Pro.jpeg
 
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#307,869
While surfing the web looking for CP basses I’m constantly amazed by the number of mis representations.

Here’s one on reverb
https://reverb.com/item/85840969-epiphone-thunderbird-classic-iv-pro-ebony-2022
Looks like a VP with after market pickups and an after market bridge.

https://reverb.com/item/82239611-epiphone-thunderbird-iv-classic-with-case
Wrong

Here’s the real deal…
https://reverb.com/item/86178968-epiphone-thunderbird-iv-classic-pro-4-string-bass
Fair price and in good shape (assuming the stress craze at the nut is just finish deep and not anything structural).
 
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#307,870
GBassNorth said:
While surfing the web looking for CP basses I’m constantly amazed by the number of mis representations.

Here’s one on reverb
https://reverb.com/item/85840969-epiphone-thunderbird-classic-iv-pro-ebony-2022
Looks like a VP with after market pickups and an after market bridge.

https://reverb.com/item/82239611-epiphone-thunderbird-iv-classic-with-case
Wrong

Here’s the real deal…
https://reverb.com/item/86178968-epiphone-thunderbird-iv-classic-pro-4-string-bass
Fair price and in good shape (assuming the stress craze at the nut is just finish deep and not anything structural).
Click to expand...
That is the fabled 2013.
 
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#307,872
To clarify, the Epi Thunderbird Vintage Pro/60s/64 (VP) and Classic Pro (CP) both sound like Gibsons, it's just that the former sounds close to the original Gibsons Thunderbirds (think Angry Piano, etc.), while the latter sound like modern Thunderbirds (darker sound).

When identifying used Epiphone Thunderbirds (apart from the more limited Custom Shop birds, Nikkii birds, etc.), here are the criteria to look for:

ModelKnobsKnob patternJackBridgePickupsOther
Basic IV3in a rowfront by knobsthree pointlongish, black, 3 screwsbolt-on neck
PRO4diamondsidebig rectangleblack, 3 screwsunusual finish (oiled natural, brighter burst, transparent black)
VP/60s/643in a rowsideTune-o-matic with stop barnickel, 2 screwshuge headstock
CP3in a rowsidethree pointblack, 2 screws
 
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#307,878
Stealth57 said:
That is the fabled 2013.
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Correct, it’s a 2013 with the neck pup location in the standard Gibby slot, vs the 2012 with the neck pup noticeably closer to the bridge.
My 2012…
IMG_2212.jpeg

Note the entire pickup is below the center screw on the pickguard. Gives the bass a slightly more focused sound in my opinion.
 
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#307,879
GBassNorth said:
Correct, it’s a 2013 with the neck pup location in the standard Gibby slot, vs the 2012 with the neck pup noticeably closer to the bridge.
My 2012…
View attachment 7102991
Note the entire pickup is below the center screw on the pickguard. Gives the bass a slightly more focused sound in my opinion.
Click to expand...
The Wiki says 2013 was the year.

2014 Epiphone CP : 10 1/8", 14 7/16"

2013 Epiphone CP : 10 15/16", 14 3/4"
 
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