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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
- Start date
-
- Tags
- club thunderbird
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,895
- 142,211
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Hi beautiful Thunderbird club members.
A few months ago, I sold my collection of basses (including my Gibson G-3) to catch up on some medical bills from the birth of my son. (Off topic, but so weird that they will put the bills in the infants name...) I'm almost ready to restart my collection, as it is now, all I have is a P Bass. But I want a Thunderbird or something with similar sound. Right now I'm on a limited budget so I was thinking an Epi Embassy, I really dig the sound of those Probucker 760's.
Was wondering though what you suggest as someone's first venture into the Thunderbird world... my dream would be the Dingwall D-Roc but I don't think I'll be able to afford that for a while lol.
While you'll often find them mislabeled and referred to by different names like Vintage Pro, VP, '60Thunderbird or Epiphone '64, they would be my suggestion as the best place to start when it comes to a Thunderbird.
They are easily picked out by the two point bridge, large headstock and tuners. The hardware is nickel, these are easy to find, both new and used.
Congrats on the youngin'! The older Indonesia made Embassy is fantastic. I bought this as damaged for the pickups (which are amazing). It was in new condition (claw pulled out), which was an easy fix. Sounds fantastic. It plays crazy good, is as comfortable as any bass I have, is very light, and sounds fantastic. No way I was parting it out. (Has Stringjoys NPS on it, not the Fenders in the case.) I have two Epi VPs and they are both brighter and more aggressive than the Embassy. It sounds bigger, has more lows due to the neck pickup being closer to the neck by a good bit, and maybe the Vol, Blend, Tone set up. Buy one if you can find a nice one. Great value--especially if you think VS sounded a bit thin.Hi beautiful Thunderbird club members.
A few months ago, I sold my collection of basses (including my Gibson G-3
Was wondering though what you suggest as someone's first venture into the Thunderbird world... my dream would be the Dingwall D-Roc but I don't think I'll be able to afford that for a while lol.
i've been drooling over the silver mist 64 epiphone recently....
Not sure how it would all lay out but I’d think the three hole cover would be a simple mod to a standard two hole metal cover. Just drill the extra hole and if the bobbins and other guts inside the metal cover and back plate don’t allow that third screw to pass then just glue a dummy screw head into the hole.
The third screw completes the look of the bicentennial pickup (even if it’s just for aesthetics) with out it it’s just another good sounding pickup. I think the Bicentennial pickup also had a unique mounting bracket, I’d skip that part and just go standard mounting.
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,895
- 142,211
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Meanwhile........
It's Twosday my dudes!
It's Twosday my dudes!
Congratulations on the family addition.Hi beautiful Thunderbird club members.
A few months ago, I sold my collection of basses (including my Gibson G-3
Was wondering though what you suggest as someone's first venture into the Thunderbird world... my dream would be the Dingwall D-Roc but I don't think I'll be able to afford that for a while lol.
As for dipping your toe in the Tbird pool - look no further than a used Epiphone VP (also called a ‘60s Tbird or a ‘64 reissue) absolutely top notch basses that will compete with anything twice its price. Find them used for about $500 to $700. It’s my favorite vintage style and sound Tbird choice.
https://reverb.com/item/90860637-epiphone-thunderbird-vintage-pro-iv-2016-2020-ebony
If you are a careful shopper and know what you’re looking for the Epiphone Classic Pro is an excellent choice. But buyer beware, it’s one of the most commonly mismarked basses in the Tbird line up. Many that claim to be CPs aren’t and are over priced standard Epiphones, likewise many that are priced as standard Epiphones are actually CPs and way under priced. The latter is what you want to find if possible. The club here can help you spot one when it comes up (and they do come up on a regular basis). Correct used price should be around $800 but some in the club here have snagged a mismarked one for as little as $250. It’s my favorite modern Tbird sound choice. This one is mismarked, very common with this model…
https://reverb.com/item/91281529-epiphone-thunderbird-pro-iv-1999-2020-vintage-sunburst
If you’re inclined favor deeper darker tones the Epiphone Goth is a good choice and can easily be had on the used market at prices that range from $250 to $700. It’s my favorite Tbird mod platform.
https://reverb.com/item/91027859-epiphone-goth-thunderbird-iv-2005-w-case
Very occasionally you’ll find a Greco Tbird in the sub $1000 bracket, an excellent choice. Or an Epiphone Limited Edition in white or TV silver that has some amazing sounding pickups in it, in the sub $700 bracket, these are frequently mismarked as well and can be found for as little as $300 in rare cases.
https://reverb.com/item/84198521-greco-thunderbird-bass-tb-70-1986-vintage-white
I’ve attached some of the best value birds on the market today for each category above. They range from about $450 to $850, with the CP and the Greco being the biggest steals, the VP and Goth are good prices but you can find them cheaper if you take your time and keep your eyes open. Enjoy, and happy hunting.
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I've forgotten I'm in drop D often enough that the band feels the need to help me remember
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,895
- 142,211
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
That's just rude.I've forgotten I'm in drop D often enough that the band feels the need to help me remember
Let me just say, thank you so much to everyone for the incredibly detailed responses, and the congratulations as well! I think I'll start my search soon, I've bookmarked basically every reply to my question, it's like I got my own personal knowledge base now, lol. Thanks again everyone, I'm excited to start this search, and hopefully join the club someday soon.
Excellent coverage! The Epi 64 — the latest incarnation of the VP — is hard to find steals on but does have more low end than the VP/60s. I don’t know if the pickups changed but their position changed - closer to the neck. The neck angle also changed but the main impact there is that aftermarket bridges may not go high enough.
Another reason to just tune lower.I've forgotten I'm in drop D often enough that the band feels the need to help me remember
"My dudes" – so possessive!Meanwhile........
It's Twosday my dudes!
Or perhaps just recognizing reality?
My 2 : for TwosdayWhile you'll often find them mislabeled and referred to by different names like Vintage Pro, VP, '60Thunderbird or Epiphone '64, they would be my suggestion as the best place to start when it comes to a Thunderbird.
They are easily picked out by the two point bridge, large headstock and tuners. The hardware is nickel, these are easy to find, both new and used.
Black, VP (566 with case)
Purple sparkle (849 new ZZSOUNDS)
Both @8.5 lbs
In just about a month I went Birdless to these beauties.
Yes, according to the guy I talked with at Epi/Gibson they did change the pickups and were aware of the change in tone. I don't know if that was intentional or not. He said it's a balancing act and you change one thing and it affects others. Didn't say what or why they changed, or if the manufacturer changed. Maybe they were hearing the feedback about some thinness and wanted to address it. It would be good if they were hearing what people were saying.
Likely along the lines of PRC (‘64) mfg vs Indonesia (VP)
The 64 is definitely meatier.
Production line variables and small design tweaks.
The VP shipped with alpha linear 500k pots for volume, and an unidentified 250k pot for tone.
The 64 had 500k linear for all three pots.
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Here's a Twofer Tuesday in keeping with another topic being discussed. The burst is a 2019 VP. The purple sparkle is a 2023 64. The yardstick is lined up with the middle of the bass side bridge bolt; it just looks off due to perspective distortion from the camera being close to the bass.
