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Yeah, I have a 2013 EB 5 string and love that sound even more than my TBird but love the look and feel of the Bird better. Was hoping to meld the two into a NR for a total win. Rethinking that now. I might still do it but I hate to hack into a NR, those buggers are hard to find and I'd be reducing the gene pool by one if I did it.
I have not. With very very few exceptions I try not to duplicate what I already have (sound wise) and since the 2017 really only differs in shape (and it's a shape I'm not very fond of) I'll pass on that one.
It's the only reason I haven't bailed on my current band.
From everything I've heard & read, the only differences between the '13/'14 and the '17, are the headstock & body shapes. Everybody that owns a '13/'14 has nothing but the greatest things to say about them... and the only negative thing I've heard about the '17 is that nearly everybody hates the body shape. I think that the 2015 T-bird is about the sexiest bass ever made, but the razor thin neck means I can't have one. When I got that Goth... there was a massive paradigm shift. I have lost pretty much all interest in Ps & Js and the 20,000 other interpretations/copies of them. I lust for the Gibson sound & feel. Take all of that information, & add the fact that I gotta have a fat neck, and my options start disappearing quickly. My first thought was Cataldo, but I fall short of the monetary requirements. My next thought was Warmoth, but my only options would be FSOs, and would take every penny I have, to give me something other than what I really want. I've been giving a lot of thought to that '17 EB. It's got the '15 T-bird electronics & that Babicz bridge, and a neck that I can at least describe as "plump". I'm down with the satiny natural finish too. Do I wish it had a different body shape? Yeah... but I don't hate this one. It's probably quite comfortable... just not super "Gibsony". At a G unit... I could afford my first brand new bass, and still have $ left over to get that GK 1x12 cab to add to my MB210, and maybe... just maaaayyyybe, a cheap fretless too. Most importantly... I believe the '17 EB could musically "take me where I wanna go" if ya know what I mean. It's got a lot going for it, and nothing of any significance going against it. I'd love to hear your thoughts (and anyone else's) on the matter...
Yup! That's the one! Normally I'm a sucker for a sunburst, but the one they put on that particular bass, just doesn't work for me. I imagine the pickups are quite versatile in that thing. Am I right?I have one, it's cool!
Oddly, I haven't had my hands on a Thunderbird yet.
Your assumptions about sound are correct. With the clarification that the 'Bird can be a bit more ferocious, probably also because of the mahogany.
I must be lucky. I play in a three piece where the guitarist is one of my best mates and a fantastic player to boot, and the drummer is a great guy who is one of the most imaginative drummers I know. It helps that we play for the fun of it, just getting a kick from writing and getting out in front of a crowd. I just love playing with those guys
The 2017 EB is nice if you like the shape and color options it comes in. But before I'd buy one I'd look long and hard at the less expensive 2013/14 EB which is essentially the same bass in a different body and with different finish options. And if you're looking for a meaty neck, the 2013/14 EB 5 string is made for big meat hooks (it's easily in 5 string P bass territory). Both basses will sound and play very similar, so go with the one that fits your budget and aesthetic tastes. I've seen the 2013/14 EBs in the $450 and up range with a hard case. Not sure what the 2017 pricing is with hard case but I suspect it's closer to $1000.
IIRC Epi made a NR but put Jazz or P/J pups in it (what the hell were they thinking). Now if Epi would come out with a NR with the same specs as their Fall 2017 release I'd be all over it! Heck, I'd take it in shell pink with a cream guard - would look pretty cool on a retro NR build.
It probly sounds stupid... but if the 13/14 model didn't have the pick guard on it, I would prefer it over the the '17... but since it has that pick guard, I prefer the '17.
. I specifically created that thread so Tort lovers had a place to rave about Tort. As the Tort simmered down over here at our Bird club they must have been feeling withdrawal symptoms.
it just wont end!.
Would he make a red one, by any stretch?
I have a 2013 EB. Mine's four strings, not five. The neck isn't a tiny neck, but it's not a baseball bat either. It's a little flatter than I would really like. Not enough to be a problem. As far as width, it's fine. My Precision is an aircraftcarrier deck at 1.75, and it's nowhere near that wide. Mine came with a tort pickguard, which had to go. It's got a black one now. Much better.It probly sounds stupid... but if the 13/14 model didn't have the pick guard on it, I would prefer it over the the '17... but since it has that pick guard, I prefer the '17.
That Sqwar Jazz 5 I had for a brief time, showed me that I'm a long way off from 5 string land. My "meat hooks" like your description of the neck though!
I would love to support a local mom & pop shop, but common sense dictates that I go to GC to make the buy when the time comes. Not only for the return policy, but also for pricing and lead time.
I appreciate you taking the time to talk with me about this stuff!
I know, I know. And he's even here in the states.
