Thunderbird Club

[GBassNorth]

Wow! I don't think I've ever seen a CSLE burst. Has anybody in the club ever reached out to Gibson/Epiphone to see if they'd be willing to officially state how many variants they've made or the production numbers? They pop up on Reverb and Ebay but I'm really curious about the CSLE line. I vaguely remember there being a sticker on each of my pickups and another on the pickguard, but in the ignorance of my youth I promptly peeled everything off and threw it away with the cardboard box it came in.

Yeah, it does seem to vary a bit from one example to another. There's one on Reverb right now that's yellowed in patches that make it look like it's been sitting in someone's bathroom growing mold since 2012. Yours for only $699.99 plus $100 shipping

I do worry that since they're "just" Epiphones, some people who have them aren't treating them well...

I don’t have any idea on the numbers made in each color per year, but it’s only in the last couple years that I started seeing the TV Silver (Moss Green now) basses. I had seen plenty of the Whites and Reds and Blues. My Tobbaco burst is from Japan and I wonder if it was limited to just that market, I’ve never seen another one and I doubt it’s counterfeit since there’s no money in doing so at this price point. It’s in mint condition and plays and sounds as nice as my other CSLE birds.
I agree with your treatment concern, these are real sleepers in the Tbird world. Very unique and deep sound. I kind of hated to mod the one I did but the body was pretty heavily damaged so any repairs would have negatively impacted the value or collectability anyway.

 

[MCF]

Una foca salta a un barco para escapar de un grupo de orcas

Una fotógrafa aficionada a la vida silvestre capturó, frente a la costa de Seattle, el dramático momento en que una foca escapó por poco de un grupo de orcas al subirse a su barco.

espanol.yahoo.com

Years ago a local restaurant owner was killed when a whale breached his fishing boat. He was a really nice guy, the type that provided meals to the poor, that type of thing. We still miss his great BBQ.

Man Killed as Breaching Whale Hits Fishing Boat

A whale suddenly breached and crashed into the bow of a fishing boat, killing a Bakersfield restaurant owner, authorities said.

www.latimes.com

 

[MCF]

Don’t forget the ultra rare CSLE Tobacco Burst Eppi. Mine is the only one I’ve ever seen…
View attachment 7370291View attachment 7370289View attachment 7370290

LOL -perpetually grimey is an understatement. They turn such an odd color of green they look like they are growing moss or mold. I have two of them, one quite aged, the other (promised to @MCF ) not nearly as aged and still quite nice looking but certainly not silver. Here it s next to the white CSLE I just modded for my nephew (pre mod)…
View attachment 7370294

Yep forgot about Tobacco Burst. Yours is the only one I’ve ever seen too. I’m guessing it was part of a limited run for a specific retailer or market. It’s too bad they stopped doing them.

 

[MCF]

Wow! I don't think I've ever seen a CSLE burst. Has anybody in the club ever reached out to Gibson/Epiphone to see if they'd be willing to officially state how many variants they've made or the production numbers? They pop up on Reverb and Ebay but I'm really curious about the CSLE line. I vaguely remember there being a sticker on each of my pickups and another on the pickguard, but in the ignorance of my youth I promptly peeled everything off and threw it away with the cardboard box it came in.

Yeah, it does seem to vary a bit from one example to another. There's one on Reverb right now that's yellowed in patches that make it look like it's been sitting in someone's bathroom growing mold since 2012. Yours for only $699.99 plus $100 shipping

I do worry that since they're "just" Epiphones, some people who have them aren't treating them well...

I have no idea how many of each color were made. I tried to research numbers when I started collecting them, but struck out. I just did an AI query:

“There's no single definitive number for all Epiphone Custom Shop Thunderbirds, as they were various limited runs, but a common figure heard for several specific models (like the Pelham Blue, Candy Apple Red, Ebony) is around 400 units per color/variant, though some might have been even fewer, with runs often involving colors or special finishes. These aren't as tightly documented as main production lines, but expect numbers in the low hundreds for each specific "Custom Shop Limited Edition" color run. “

I’ve suspected that the runs were larger than that for at least some of them.

 

[JJR58]

Cool. Pbass. They always want Pbasses.
Get a pic of the engineer when you open up your case and a Thunderbird pops out.

If it were me. And they wanted a P.
I’d bring this.

 

[JJR58]

Speaking of recording Thunderbirds, if anyone around NYC is free this Saturday, we're having our record release party. Should be a great time.

View attachment 7370231

Oh rats! I don’t get in till the 24th.

 

[Nocturnal]

Speaking of recording Thunderbirds, if anyone around NYC is free this Saturday, we're having our record release party. Should be a great time.

View attachment 7370231

Wish I could be there. At least I can listen to the album, which I recommend to everyone.

 

[dagrev]

The Mina Project doesn't have a bass - the accordion player covers the low-end.

Color me shocked! Pretty sure I haven't been drinking today.
I'll have to listen again, but am listing to Eddie Taylor Blues Band right now and not going to stop that.

 

[JJR58]

Wish I could be there. At least I can listen to the album, which I recommend to everyone.

Same here.

 

[JIO]

Color me shocked! Pretty sure I haven't been drinking today.
I'll have to listen again, but am listing to Eddie Taylor Blues Band right now and not going to stop that.

Can't brag about the quality of that LP/recording but it is me playing my T-bird w/Eddie!

 

[GBassNorth]

If it were me. And they wanted a P.
I’d bring this.

View attachment 7370376

In my world, if ya wanna P, use the bathroom.

 

[AllieCat]

I don’t have any idea on the numbers made in each color per year, but it’s only in the last couple years that I started seeing the TV Silver (Moss Green now) basses. I had seen plenty of the Whites and Reds and Blues. My Tobbaco burst is from Japan and I wonder if it was limited to just that market, I’ve never seen another one and I doubt it’s counterfeit since there’s no money in doing so at this price point. It’s in mint condition and plays and sounds as nice as my other CSLE birds.
I agree with your treatment concern, these are real sleepers in the Tbird world. Very unique and deep sound. I kind of hated to mod the one I did but the body was pretty heavily damaged so any repairs would have negatively impacted the value or collectability anyway.

I don't see anything wrong with what you did. I've seen a white one parted out on Reverb. At least you saved it from that, and those pups are gonna get a new life on that gold top.

 

[AllieCat]

I have no idea how many of each color were made. I tried to research numbers when I started collecting them, but struck out. I just did an AI query:

“There's no single definitive number for all Epiphone Custom Shop Thunderbirds, as they were various limited runs, but a common figure heard for several specific models (like the Pelham Blue, Candy Apple Red, Ebony) is around 400 units per color/variant, though some might have been even fewer, with runs often involving colors or special finishes. These aren't as tightly documented as main production lines, but expect numbers in the low hundreds for each specific "Custom Shop Limited Edition" color run. “

I’ve suspected that the runs were larger than that for at least some of them.

I agree on the production numbers being higher than that. We have years of production for a lot of these, and I remember seeing NOS Pelham Blue's as late as 2012, I even had the last one Musician's Friend had in my cart at one point. It sold before I could buy it and I got my white one, which was also old stock. I'd be surprised if they only made 400 and they sat in inventory for that long.

 

[RedVee]

Possibly, but we run the risk of being chased and eaten by Killer Whales - there was a story in the local news about a Seal that actually jumped aboard a small boat to escape becoming their dinner.

They like Great White livers as well.

Why killer whales attack white shark

For the first time, DNA evidence has confirmed killer whales in Australia hunted a white shark for its liver. Based on DNA analysis from the bite […]

news.flinders.edu.au

 

[Stealth57]

Anyone ever try:

Resyn - Buy, Sell & Trade Musical Instruments Safe & No Fee

 

[MCF]

Wish I could be there. At least I can listen to the album, which I recommend to everyone.

The vinyl I ordered should be arriving soon.

 

[MCF]

Anyone ever try:

Resyn - Buy, Sell & Trade Musical Instruments Safe & No Fee

There was a thread started last week.

Thread 'Has anyone used Resyn to sell/buy gear yet?'

Oct 13, 2025

Resyn - Buy, Sell & Trade Musical Instruments Safe & No Fee

Resyn is the trusted online marketplace for musicians to buy, sell, and trade gear with no commission fees. Verified sellers, safe deals. Join free today.

www.resyn.com

If so, how did it go? Any pitfalls? Unexpected advantages?

• Michedelic
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• Replies: 15
• Forum: Miscellaneous [BG]

• 

 

[BuddhaFingas]

Well of course it likes you. It picked you.

Much like my cat, yes.

 

[dagrev]

Anyone ever try:

Resyn - Buy, Sell & Trade Musical Instruments Safe & No Fee

Great...another place to stay away from.... But never heard of it.

 

[MCF]

Great...another place to stay away from.... But never heard of it.

It has apparently only been open a few months.