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Thunderbird Club

#341,182
RedNuk said:
Hey guys, last saturday was in a gig with 3 other bands and in one of them the bassist had an epi thunderbird. Looked and sounded so freaking awesome! We talked and I tried out the bass as the dive issue was holding me back... well it's not so bad (as my Warwick BO5) and now I want a Tbird in my herd too :) I'm jonesing a Goth model, are there any particular things to look out for on these? Or would I be better off grabing a different version (and if so, why?) ?

Thanks a bunch... looking forward to joining the club :)
Click to expand...

The Goth is a fancier version of the base model Epiphone T’Bird. Good value, bolt on neck.
I really like mine but it’s on the dark side in tone.
There have been a few fancier, “better”, Epiphone models so maybe try one first - it may not be the same as the one you tried out.
Having said that, they can make a cheaper model platform if you wish to alter the tone.
A whole world of options!

* including the patented $20 @GBassNorth tone enhancer !
 
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#341,183
RedVee said:
The Goth is a fancier version of the base model Epiphone T’Bird. Good value, bolt on neck.
I really like mine but it’s on the dark side in tone.
There have been a few fancier, “better”, Epiphone models so maybe try one first - it may not be the same as the one you tried out.
Having said that, they can make a cheaper model platform if you wish to alter the tone.
A whole world of options!

* including the patented $20 @GBassNorth tone enhancer !
Click to expand...
The guy was playing a standard 3 button passive epiphone, I feel like the Goth is the same, just a different color scheme :)
I do have to ask, what is the "the patented $20 @GBassNorth tone enhancer !" ?
 
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#341,187
RedNuk said:
Hey guys, last saturday was in a gig with 3 other bands and in one of them the bassist had an epi thunderbird. Looked and sounded so freaking awesome! We talked and I tried out the bass as the dive issue was holding me back... well it's not so bad (as my Warwick BO5) and now I want a Tbird in my herd too :) I'm jonesing a Goth model, are there any particular things to look out for on these? Or would I be better off grabing a different version (and if so, why?) ?

Thanks a bunch... looking forward to joining the club :)
Click to expand...
Each version is pretty different, therefore a starting point would be determining which version the guy had that you loved the sound of. Quick version: The Epi's with black pickups sound very different from the newer ones with nickle pups. These sound very close to vintage. Goth's have been modded with great success and are a great value. But you have to figure out the tone you want and go from there and not base it on looks as they all don't sound the same at all. A few years tthe Epi had eh same pups as the Gibson and is a great option. If you prefer that tone over say a more vintage tone.

2017 Vintage Pro. Very well made, very close to the original in sound, but a little less bass (more mids and highs). But amps have knobs for bass, and this weakness is more pronounced with some cabs and also playing at home as opposed to big rooms. I love big bass and have no problem with these.
Epi addressed this with the current "1964" version, but they are not as aggressive. It was a trade off according the the guy I spoke with at Gibson. Get more of on thing and you loose something else. So it's a preference and neither is wrong. If I couldn't have my vintage Thunderbirds and had to choose, it would be one of these.
1776171336028.png


And if you want a great deal on something with more more lows---This is a '17 (Indonesian version) as well. Bought this cheap used "as is" and fixed it up. (The "Claw" for the strings had pulled out.) Fantastic bass. Thunderbird pup--just not the shape. Possibly the lightest and most comfortable bass I have.
1776172358476.png



Epiphone is doing a better job than Gibson in what they offer.
 
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#341,189
RedVee said:
The Goth is a fancier version of the base model Epiphone T’Bird. Good value, bolt on neck.
I really like mine but it’s on the dark side in tone.
There have been a few fancier, “better”, Epiphone models so maybe try one first - it may not be the same as the one you tried out.
Having said that, they can make a cheaper model platform if you wish to alter the tone.
A whole world of options!

* including the patented $20 @GBassNorth tone enhancer !
Click to expand...
LOL - “GBassNorth Tone Enhancer” - that’s too funny.
RedNuk said:
The guy was playing a standard 3 button passive epiphone, I feel like the Goth is the same, just a different color scheme :)
I do have to ask, what is the "the patented $20 @GBassNorth tone enhancer !" ?
Click to expand...
Seriously, the Goth is a different voiced Thunderbird heading up the deeper darker side of the Thunderbird world. I have an extensive collection of Tbirds and my Capped Goth is among the best sounding of the bunch. They are an excellent mod platform and can still be had for dirt cheap on the used market.

Generally speaking, bolt on Epiphone Tbirds are more prone to neck dive than the neck through Epiphone and Gibson models. As you noted, I also find the neck dive on a Tbird to be nothing compared to my Warwick Thumb BO5 (which is among my favorite non Tbird basses to play).

The Goth is an excellent choice for those new to the Tbird world. There are basically two variations of it, one with a wide neck (P bass territory) and one with a typical narrow Tbird neck (jazz bass territory). Coming from the Fender, Warwick and Spector world I found the wider neck goth to feel more familiar to me but after a minute of play time just about any 4 or 5 string neck feels fine to me, I’m just not overly picky in that area. I don’t recall which years had the wide neck (@MCF might recall or it might be in the sticky for this club).

On to the much praised “patented GBassNorth Tone Enhancer” - I mod a lot of basses (mostly Tbirds these days) to bring out the best and most varied tones I can in this wonderful Thunderbird shaped shaped bass package. In doing so, I found the Goth had a .685uf tone cap which gives it an overly dark and somewhat muddy sound. I tested about 10 different cap values and styles on that bass and found the Orange Drop .022uf cap surprisingly transformed the Goth to a raging monster of a bass. It completely opened up the lower mids without losing the bottom end and the bass just screams now. That combined with a set of Ernie Ball Cobalt Flat strings is the magic ticket to remove any doubt from a doubting Thomas non Thunderbird bass player. The satin black finish is super gig friendly and plenty durable.

Used Goth models can be had on reverb, Musicgoround, Craigslist, and Guitar Center for anywhere between $250 and $1000, so shop wisely. There is no good or bad year, just different neck sizes. Look mostly for pristine models vs beaters. Be prepared to suffer with substandard stock tuners (some have lots of slop in them) unless you want to install some aftermarket Hipshot ultralights, which will most likely solve neck dive issues if it has any. The stock three point bridge is plenty sturdy but I have had one pull out the body studs before, again an easy fix with a touch of glue or a Hipshot bridge replacement.

I currently have three Goths in my Tbird line up - the Capped Goth, a Silver Goth with a DiMarzo pickup installed in the Mudbucker position and tied to the stock pickups with an Aguilar 2 band preamp for a wonderful three pickup layout, and my FrankenGoth with Bart pups wired to an Aggie preamp and humbucker/single coil switching. All three punch well above their price point and easily hold their own against Thunderbirds costing thousands of dollars more.

Jump in the water is fine!
 
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#341,191
GBassNorth said:
LOL - “GBassNorth Tone Enhancer” - that’s too funny.

Seriously, the Goth is a different voiced Thunderbird heading up the deeper darker side of the Thunderbird world. I have an extensive collection of Tbirds and my Capped Goth is among the best sounding of the bunch. They are an excellent mod platform and can still be had for dirt cheap on the used market.

Generally speaking, bolt on Epiphone Tbirds are more prone to neck dive than the neck through Epiphone and Gibson models. As you noted, I also find the neck dive on a Tbird to be nothing compared to my Warwick Thumb BO5 (which is among my favorite non Tbird basses to play).

The Goth is an excellent choice for those new to the Tbird world. There are basically two variations of it, one with a wide neck (P bass territory) and one with a typical narrow Tbird neck (jazz bass territory). Coming from the Fender, Warwick and Spector world I found the wider neck goth to feel more familiar to me but after a minute of play time just about any 4 or 5 string neck feels fine to me, I’m just not overly picky in that area. I don’t recall which years had the wide neck (@MCF might recall or it might be in the sticky for this club).

On to the much praised “patented GBassNorth Tone Enhancer” - I mod a lot of basses (mostly Tbirds these days) to bring out the best and most varied tones I can in this wonderful Thunderbird shaped shaped bass package. In doing so, I found the Goth had a .685uf tone cap which gives it an overly dark and somewhat muddy sound. I tested about 10 different cap values and styles on that bass and found the Orange Drop .022uf cap surprisingly transformed the Goth to a raging monster of a bass. It completely opened up the lower mids without losing the bottom end and the bass just screams now. That combined with a set of Ernie Ball Cobalt Flat strings is the magic ticket to remove any doubt from a doubting Thomas non Thunderbird bass player. The satin black finish is super gig friendly and plenty durable.

Used Goth models can be had on reverb, Musicgoround, Craigslist, and Guitar Center for anywhere between $250 and $1000, so shop wisely. There is no good or bad year, just different neck sizes. Look mostly for pristine models vs beaters. Be prepared to suffer with substandard stock tuners (some have lots of slop in them) unless you want to install some aftermarket Hipshot ultralights, which will most likely solve neck dive issues if it has any. The stock three point bridge is plenty sturdy but I have had one pull out the body studs before, again an easy fix with a touch of glue or a Hipshot bridge replacement.

I currently have three Goths in my Tbird line up - the Capped Goth, a Silver Goth with a DiMarzo pickup installed in the Mudbucker position and tied to the stock pickups with an Aguilar 2 band preamp for a wonderful three pickup layout, and my FrankenGoth with Bart pups wired to an Aggie preamp and humbucker/single coil switching. All three punch well above their price point and easily hold their own against Thunderbirds costing thousands of dollars more.

Jump in the water is fine!
Click to expand...
Awesome reply, I'm jumping in as soon as I get one, you sold me :) For context I play in an originals band that mixes stoner, hardrock and metal... I'm mostly a Spector player (Euro 4 currently my main) but fell in love with that tbird the other night :) It was definitly a standard tobacco with 3 point bridge and passive electro. Then looking around I saw the Goth and instantly thought I should get one :) When I do find it I'll surely try your "patented GBassNorth Tone Enhancer". And yes they are quite cheap so, why not? And if on top the neck dive is not as bad as on a Thumb BO5, it's all good for me :) Plus I'll be droping in my favorite Gotoh GB350 lightweight tuners in anyway...

dagrev said:
Each version is pretty different, therefore a starting point would be determining which version the guy had that you loved the sound of
Click to expand...
It was a Tobaco burst with 3 point bridge, black pickups and passive electronics, as for sound it was pretty heavily eq'd, but then again he was up against a 7 string guitar and a barytone guitar and sounded huge :)

Here's a pic of the bass (and really nice guy playing it^^):
1776174417115.png
 
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#341,192
GBassNorth said:
LOL - “GBassNorth Tone Enhancer” - that’s too funny.

Seriously, the Goth is a different voiced Thunderbird heading up the deeper darker side of the Thunderbird world. I have an extensive collection of Tbirds and my Capped Goth is among the best sounding of the bunch. They are an excellent mod platform and can still be had for dirt cheap on the used market.

Generally speaking, bolt on Epiphone Tbirds are more prone to neck dive than the neck through Epiphone and Gibson models. As you noted, I also find the neck dive on a Tbird to be nothing compared to my Warwick Thumb BO5 (which is among my favorite non Tbird basses to play).

The Goth is an excellent choice for those new to the Tbird world. There are basically two variations of it, one with a wide neck (P bass territory) and one with a typical narrow Tbird neck (jazz bass territory). Coming from the Fender, Warwick and Spector world I found the wider neck goth to feel more familiar to me but after a minute of play time just about any 4 or 5 string neck feels fine to me, I’m just not overly picky in that area. I don’t recall which years had the wide neck (@MCF might recall or it might be in the sticky for this club).

On to the much praised “patented GBassNorth Tone Enhancer” - I mod a lot of basses (mostly Tbirds these days) to bring out the best and most varied tones I can in this wonderful Thunderbird shaped shaped bass package. In doing so, I found the Goth had a .685uf tone cap which gives it an overly dark and somewhat muddy sound. I tested about 10 different cap values and styles on that bass and found the Orange Drop .022uf cap surprisingly transformed the Goth to a raging monster of a bass. It completely opened up the lower mids without losing the bottom end and the bass just screams now. That combined with a set of Ernie Ball Cobalt Flat strings is the magic ticket to remove any doubt from a doubting Thomas non Thunderbird bass player. The satin black finish is super gig friendly and plenty durable.

Used Goth models can be had on reverb, Musicgoround, Craigslist, and Guitar Center for anywhere between $250 and $1000, so shop wisely. There is no good or bad year, just different neck sizes. Look mostly for pristine models vs beaters. Be prepared to suffer with substandard stock tuners (some have lots of slop in them) unless you want to install some aftermarket Hipshot ultralights, which will most likely solve neck dive issues if it has any. The stock three point bridge is plenty sturdy but I have had one pull out the body studs before, again an easy fix with a touch of glue or a Hipshot bridge replacement.

I currently have three Goths in my Tbird line up - the Capped Goth, a Silver Goth with a DiMarzo pickup installed in the Mudbucker position and tied to the stock pickups with an Aguilar 2 band preamp for a wonderful three pickup layout, and my FrankenGoth with Bart pups wired to an Aggie preamp and humbucker/single coil switching. All three punch well above their price point and easily hold their own against Thunderbirds costing thousands of dollars more.

Jump in the water is fine!
Click to expand...
The wide necks (1.72/1.73) were on the MIK Goths from the beginning in ‘02 on. Production shifted to China around ‘09/‘10. The 1.5 necks first appeared around ‘12/‘13. Goth production ceased in ‘19/‘20. The narrower necks are much rarer. The tuners on the Korean made Epis are generally better IME.
 
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#341,193
RedNuk said:
Awesome reply, I'm jumping in as soon as I get one, you sold me :) For context I play in an originals band that mixes stoner, hardrock and metal... I'm mostly a Spector player (Euro 4 currently my main) but fell in love with that tbird the other night :) It was definitly a standard tobacco with 3 point bridge and passive electro. Then looking around I saw the Goth and instantly thought I should get one :) When I do find it I'll surely try your "patented GBassNorth Tone Enhancer". And yes they are quite cheap so, why not? And if on top the neck dive is not as bad as on a Thumb BO5, it's all good for me :) Plus I'll be droping in my favorite Gotoh GB350 lightweight tuners in anyway...


It was a Tobaco burst with 3 point bridge, black pickups and passive electronics, as for sound it was pretty heavily eq'd, but then again he was up against a 7 string guitar and a barytone guitar and sounded huge :)

Here's a pic of the bass (and really nice guy playing it^^):
View attachment 7474184
Click to expand...
That is an Epiphone Classic Pro. They are 7ply neck through construction. 1.5 width nut. They came stock with Gibson Tbird+ pickups. They are nice Thunderbirds. The pickups are different than the three screw standard Epi Tbird pickups that come in the bolt-on Goths.
 
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#341,195
Ringhammer said:
Are you sure that’s not actually a Gibson? Looks like the typical mid ‘90’s - 2000’s Gibson Thunderbird with the passive TB+ pickups. The headstock doesn’t look like the bigger Epiphone one.
Click to expand...
Oh man you may be right! I actually don't have a picture of last saturday's gig (well not of his band anyways) and just found one on his band's website... Saturday night he absolutly had an Epiphone. I'm thinking he also has a Gibson and didn't realise I wasn't posting the right photo :)
 
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#341,196
RedNuk said:
Oh man you may be right! I actually don't have a picture of last saturday's gig (well not of his band anyways) and just found one on his band's website... Saturday night he absolutly had an Epiphone. I'm thinking he also has a Gibson and didn't realise I wasn't posting the right photo :)
Click to expand...
I can’t tell from the pic. My eyes aren’t so good and the logo is hard for me to make out. It is either a “modern Gibson” or an Epi Classic Pro. The Epi Classic Pro is very close to being a faithful copy of a modern Gibson. Many earlier modern Gibson’s had Ebony fretboards. Later ones were Rosewood. That one in the pic looks more like Rosewood. But it’s hard to tell.
 
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#341,197
RedNuk said:
Oh man you may be right! I actually don't have a picture of last saturday's gig (well not of his band anyways) and just found one on his band's website... Saturday night he absolutly had an Epiphone. I'm thinking he also has a Gibson and didn't realise I wasn't posting the right photo :)
Click to expand...
Easy way to ID them: The Epiphones with a bolt on neck have pickups with sloping sides and the output jack is on the front.
 
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#341,198
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#341,200
RedNuk said:
Oh man you may be right! I actually don't have a picture of last saturday's gig (well not of his band anyways) and just found one on his band's website... Saturday night he absolutly had an Epiphone. I'm thinking he also has a Gibson and didn't realise I wasn't posting the right photo :)
Click to expand...

Engle said:
Easy way to ID them: The Epiphones with a bolt on neck have pickups with sloping sides and the output jack is on the front.
Click to expand...


Three screws on the bolt on type pickups, always easy to spot, along with a conventional body, the Classic Pro has a different lower bout.
 
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