Thunderbird Club

[JIO]

So *you* are why the Goth prices went up!

As if! But seriously - good stock. Just like Squier is for Fender. If you know what is good - it's many times flying under the radar.

 

[JIO]

It’s a great song, but they had quite a few. Their early hits (this was the third I knew of) all grabbed me. I like Story in Your Eyes a bit better.

"Knights in White Satin"... their "Stairway to Heaven"/"Free-Bird" cross to bare - at least from my past memories of TMB... I'll listen to Story in Your Eyes.

 

[JIO]

No Mellotron - but just as over-the-top melodramatic from the period! Another of my favorites. Tim Bogert (and Carmine Appice) rules. And the B3 also ruled then.

 

[JIO]

The best kick-ass "cover band" there every was -

 

[RedVee]

"Knights in White Satin"... their "Stairway to Heaven"/"Free-Bird" cross to bare - at least from my past memories of TMB... I'll listen to Story in Your Eyes.

I still love Tall Black Woman in a Long Dress.

 

[RedVee]

Too bad I’m not shopping.

There is an Epiphone Elitist Thunderbird on the OzBass Forum atm, $AU1,000 (approx $US 670).

It looks immaculate in the photos.

 

[JIO]

If you Goggle/AI - "first jam band" - you know what appears... but this was an early jam -

 

[JIO]

I still love Tall Black Woman in a Long Dress.

Yah, Steve Winwood also had a successful '80s revival as did Yes...

 

[MCF]

It doesn't surprise me at all. Epiphone finally did Gibson's job and produced a decent RI of the '63-'65 T-bird IV. And it sounded good! So of course it increases in value.

I know it’s sacrilege around here, but of all my Thunderbirds, my VP is probably my least favorite.

 

[MCF]

If you Goggle/AI - "first jam band" - you know what appears... but this was an early jam -

The same year the Fudge released what some critics said was the worst album ever. I’ve always dug it.

 

[ThaCoast]

I know it’s sacrilege around here, but of all my Thunderbirds, my VP is probably my least favorite.

Never played a VP, what makes it your least preferred vs your other Thunders?

 

[MCF]

So *you* are why the Goth prices went up!

George “helped” with that too.

 

[MCF]

Never played a VP, what makes it your least preferred vs your other Thunders?

I can’t get comfortable playing it. Standing or sitting. Maybe it’s a combo of my arm length and the ginormous headstock/balance. I also think the pickups sound a little thin. The latter issue can be addressed by finding the right strings and EQing. I’ll admit to not really trying to address that, mainly because it just doesn’t fit me all that well. FWIW, I’ve auditioned several Rics over the years hoping to find one that fit. No luck with that so far…

We’re all different. Will had a VP that he didn’t much care for and passed it on to Dave who modded/moved the pickups and loves it.

 

[GonePlaid]

No Mellotron - but just as over-the-top melodramatic from the period! Another of my favorites. Tim Bogert (and Carmine Appice) rules. And the B3 also ruled then.

Never heard that b4.

 

[ThaCoast]

I can’t get comfortable playing it. Standing or sitting. Maybe it’s a combo of my arm length and the ginormous headstock/balance. I also think the pickups sound a little thin. The latter issue can be addressed by finding the right strings and EQing. I’ll admit to not really trying to address that, mainly because it just doesn’t fit me all that well. FWIW, I’ve auditioned several Rics over the years hoping to find one that fit. No luck with that so far…

We’re all different. Will had a VP that he didn’t much care for and passed it on to Dave who modded/moved the pickups and loves it.

Quite understandable, i've felt the same way with Jazz basses, until i chanced at building my own & it's the best for me. Honestly it was mainly the neck thickness i never got on with (the narrow width/slim profile, doesn't match my longer hands). + coming from Pbass land & the likes in Gibson style bigger bats, my J build fits nicely within the collection.

I'm looking at those old Epiphone Active Pro line Thunderbirds, would love to score one in a light burst finish (or natural & do my own light burst to it). But that's for the future, if ever.

 

[MCF]

Too bad I’m not shopping.

There is an Epiphone Elitist Thunderbird on the OzBass Forum atm, $AU1,000 (approx $US 670).

It looks immaculate in the photos.

That’s an amazing price. Were it here, I'd snag it in a heartbeat.

 

[MCF]

Quite understandable, i've felt the same way with Jazz basses, until i chanced at building my own & it's the best for me. Honestly it was mainly the neck thickness i never got on with (the narrow width/slim profile, doesn't match my longer hands). + coming from Pbass land & the likes in Gibson style bigger bats, my J build fits nicely within the collection.

I'm looking at those old Epiphone Active Pro line Thunderbirds, would love to score one in a light burst finish (or natural & do my own light burst to it). But that's for the future, if ever.

Funny you mention it. J bass ergos have never felt right to me. While I like a thin neck, they just don’t click with me.

 

[GonePlaid]

Quite understandable, i've felt the same way with Jazz basses, until i chanced at building my own & it's the best for me. Honestly it was mainly the neck thickness i never got on with (the narrow width/slim profile, doesn't match my longer hands). + coming from Pbass land & the likes in Gibson style bigger bats, my J build fits nicely within the collection.

I'm looking at those old Epiphone Active Pro line Thunderbirds, would love to score one in a light burst finish (or natural & do my own light burst to it). But that's for the future, if ever.

Yeah, I get that. I'm 'blessed' (?) with short fingers. Add to that the first bass I played was a skinny neck 66 Gibson EB-3 (and I bought one a year later), and that's what my fretting hand is comfortable with. Switching to my 67 Gibson NR TBird was just a matter of getting used to the length, which didn't take long. I played a J once- it was "OK", but not my thing. I held a P once.
Nope.

 

[Ringhammer]

I know it’s sacrilege around here, but of all my Thunderbirds, my VP is probably my least favorite.

Mine as well, but it’s still a really good bass, and once I nail down a set of pickups I like in it, it will, well, still be my least favorite ’bird. All my Gibson’s just have a slightly better feeling neck and feel overall just simply more “solid”. The 2014 heritage cherry I would say is the very best as far as feeling and sounding, but all are so close that ranking them is not really possible.

 

[MCF]

Mine as well, but it’s still a really good bass, and once I nail down a set of pickups I like in it, it will, well, still be my least favorite ’bird. All my Gibson’s just have a slightly better feeling neck and feel overall just simply more “solid”. The 2014 heritage cherry I would say is the very best as far as feeling and sounding, but all are so close that ranking them is not really possible.

Yep. Great quality with all my Epiphones, except maybe the tuners on my Goth…

My ‘15 Gibson is perfection for me. The ‘77 has a different feel; a little heavier. It has a different, but wonderful tone. Let ‘em knock Gibsons all they want. More for us.