@bitterminnows
You’ve highlighted some of the best of the best of the Thunderbird range. If I could put things in a side by side perspective for you…
Of the bunch you’ve mentioned they run the full tone and attitude scale:
Creamy and dreamy - Epiphone CP (discontinued, used cost $400 to $800), 2012 model is unique with a tad more bite.
Grit, Grind and Growl - Epiphone VP (2017 to around 2022, used cost $500 to $600)
Slightly darker version of the VP - Epiphone ‘64 reissue (2024 to current, used cost $600 to $800) purple and blue sparkle rock
Balls to the wall P Bass killer - Greco (1975 to about 1990, confirm electronics are original, $800 to $1500) very aggressive sound
Here’s how they line up feel and look wise:
Epiphone CP - looks, feels and sounds like a modern post 2000 model Gibson Tbird at a fraction of the price. Comfy thin and narrow neck, good balance, white finish option looks great.
Epiphone VP - looks, feels and sounds much more like a vintage 1964 Gibson Thunderbird. Good balance on most examples, thin narrow neck, beautiful bridge hardware and metal pickup covers. Huge bang for the buck and readily available on the used market.
Epiphone ‘64 reissue - scratches the “love the VP but wish it had more bass” itch. Purple sparkle and Blue sparkle versions are stunning. The Chinese builder for some reason decided to put more rake on the neck, so the bridge sits higher than the VP.
Greco - can be lighter than the others mentioned above or heavier, balance is ok, neck is closer to a P bass in width and thickness just a hair less, scale is very slightly shorter but unnoticeable to me. Hardware is frequently in rough condition due to metals used and Japanese salt air environment. Unfortunately, the word has gotten out on how nice these basses are, so finding a decent price is getting harder. The only real reason to buy a Greco is the phenomenal sounding pickups, so if you buy one you’ll need to confirm the pickups are original. These come in both a single and dual pickup version, both are great sounding, the single pickup version is much harder to find. Be prepared to put any P bass you might have to shame once you play a Greco.
You’ve highlighted some of the best of the best of the Thunderbird range. If I could put things in a side by side perspective for you…
Of the bunch you’ve mentioned they run the full tone and attitude scale:
Creamy and dreamy - Epiphone CP (discontinued, used cost $400 to $800), 2012 model is unique with a tad more bite.
Grit, Grind and Growl - Epiphone VP (2017 to around 2022, used cost $500 to $600)
Slightly darker version of the VP - Epiphone ‘64 reissue (2024 to current, used cost $600 to $800) purple and blue sparkle rock
Balls to the wall P Bass killer - Greco (1975 to about 1990, confirm electronics are original, $800 to $1500) very aggressive sound
Here’s how they line up feel and look wise:
Epiphone CP - looks, feels and sounds like a modern post 2000 model Gibson Tbird at a fraction of the price. Comfy thin and narrow neck, good balance, white finish option looks great.
Epiphone VP - looks, feels and sounds much more like a vintage 1964 Gibson Thunderbird. Good balance on most examples, thin narrow neck, beautiful bridge hardware and metal pickup covers. Huge bang for the buck and readily available on the used market.
Epiphone ‘64 reissue - scratches the “love the VP but wish it had more bass” itch. Purple sparkle and Blue sparkle versions are stunning. The Chinese builder for some reason decided to put more rake on the neck, so the bridge sits higher than the VP.
Greco - can be lighter than the others mentioned above or heavier, balance is ok, neck is closer to a P bass in width and thickness just a hair less, scale is very slightly shorter but unnoticeable to me. Hardware is frequently in rough condition due to metals used and Japanese salt air environment. Unfortunately, the word has gotten out on how nice these basses are, so finding a decent price is getting harder. The only real reason to buy a Greco is the phenomenal sounding pickups, so if you buy one you’ll need to confirm the pickups are original. These come in both a single and dual pickup version, both are great sounding, the single pickup version is much harder to find. Be prepared to put any P bass you might have to shame once you play a Greco.
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That’s just a small fraction of what’s in bags, on the counter, and still on the tree.
