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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
- Start date
-
- Tags
- club thunderbird
- Jul 1, 2005
- 4,291
- 21,932
- 79
- Disclosures
- CataldoBasses: Designer/Builder ThunderBuckerPickups:Consultant
Hey. is there a huge difference between the epiphone thunderbird classic pro and the Gibson thunderbird? I already own a classic pro so I want to know if its really worth to have the Gibson one ( I think it is but since theres not a single Gibson near by to try by myself I decided to ask the experts 
)
)
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
Me and my first Bass (Australian Bass). Haha!
Great fighters on light gear- this one was 14 inches and a little over a pound.
Invalid Link Removed
The only bass my brother's chubby fingers can play, Florida Largemouth!
Oh dear, oh dear...
There goes the neighborhood...
Who's gonna be the first to post a picture of an ill- tempered mutated sea bass...
Hey. is there a huge difference between the epiphone thunderbird classic pro and the Gibson thunderbird? I already own a classic pro so I want to know if its really worth to have the Gibson one ( I think it is but since theres not a single Gibson near by to try by myself I decided to ask the experts
I see no difference in my Epi Classic Pro IV and my Gibson TB IV. Save your money unless you want Gibson on the head stock.
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
Hey. is there a huge difference between the epiphone thunderbird classic pro and the Gibson thunderbird? I already own a classic pro so I want to know if its really worth to have the Gibson one ( I think it is but since theres not a single Gibson near by to try by myself I decided to ask the experts
Having both, I would say they are VERY similar with only small differences between them...
Construction-wise the are almost identical 9-ply neckthrough, with the only visible difference being a slightly different neck angle and a deeper cut-away on the lower horn of the Classic Pro, with better access to the higher frets.
Finish-wise: The Gibson has nitro finish - The Classic Pro has poly finish.
Hardware difference are an absolute minimum: They both have the same pickups, very similar (if not identical) bridge, similar tuners (Grover on the Gibson and OEM on the Classic Pro), cheaper electronics on the Classic Pro (which can be upgraded cheaply).
Sound-wise, they are almost identically sounding...
So unless money is of no concern, I would say you're pretty good with a Classic Pro...
I like to think of my Classic Pro, as being a Gibson built in Indonesia...
What you don't get with the Epi is the Gibson brand name, a bass built in the U.S. (if that is of importance to you), nitro finish and a beautiful hardcase with a wonderful scent of vanilla...
...And speaking of hard cases, I think the Epi hard case is a really nice case as well, but has to be purchased separately adding to the costs of the Classic Pro...
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
I see that the Epi Tbird cases are pretty cheap right now, I think they're $105 shipped from Sweetwater. I should probably jump on one...
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ETBCS
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,896
- 142,217
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
I really like the Epiphone Classic, on many points it compares more than favorably to a Gibson. Plus unless you're buying used or N.O.S. the current Gibson model is quite different from anything in the past.
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
You definitely should, Larry!
They are really nice and worth every cent!
Musician's Friend has 'em even cheaper! $98 Shipped!
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/epiphone-thunderbird-hardshell-case
It's on it's way, I just had to get one even if I only use it to sell my TV Silver in the future.
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hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
Ohh, what are you trying to say by that? is the current Gibson model a step down compared to the older ones or the NOS ? I just like one that I saw on amazon, a black one, once you told me that It looks like an NOS http://www.amazon.com/Gibson-USA-BA...1423518478&sr=8-1&keywords=gibson+thunderbird
I also see that the new ones are almost 2000$ !!! now thats a lot! (for me). I could just buy some groover tuners, a new bridge (never liked this 3 point bridge personally) and maybe an Aguilar pre amp then, right?.
My other options are an Ibanez SR 1800 or a Fender MIA jazz bass, any objective opinions about those? (yeah yeah I know this is the TB club but I thought that you may help me on my little dilema here, haha)
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The only bass my brother's chubby fingers can play, Florida Largemouth!
Lovely fish!
The Australian Bass is not related but similar in habits apparently and general appearance. The Australian ones are much smaller only getting to about 5 lbs max.
They are brutal fighters for their size and hard to land from snag filled creeks.
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,896
- 142,217
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Rexx, the new 2015 Gibson is different than the one you're showing in your link - it has a Babciz bridge different pickups and a couple of switching options. There are couple of owners here and they really like them, they are not the same bass as a 2014 tho. Not a step down, just different - if you want a more traditional Thunderbird an Epiphone Classic nails it very nicely.
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Oh I really don't like those 2015 models... they're not bad at all, just not my cup of tea. Regarding the comparisson, yeah I like the classic sound of the TB, im mostly in the vein of hard rock, sleaze, glam rock, etc. So should I stick to my current classic pro? or the difference is really worth those 1483.98 $ ? . (give me your most raw opinion
)
Hey. is there a huge difference between the epiphone thunderbird classic pro and the Gibson thunderbird? I already own a classic pro so I want to know if its really worth to have the Gibson one ( I think it is but since theres not a single Gibson near by to try by myself I decided to ask the experts
Having just brought home a '14 Gibson, I have to say I thought there was enough difference to justify the cost.
Absolutely love my classic, but there are differences.
Slightly different headstock angle
Different nut material
Import bridge and tuners (read metric sizes)
Different bird on the PG
Poly finish
deeper cutaway
no case
(Mine) needed the frets dressed badly
To me it's like a "base" model gibson. You get the cloth instead of the leather, the cd changer vs nav, etc.
The beauty is really in the price, you can go with a hipshot or babicz bridge, hipshot tuners, upgrade the electronics, buy a gibson trc (lol), and a gibson case and have a really kickass bass for less than the gibson.
All that being said, I wanted a Gibson too, so I have both now, and they're very happy together.
And I'll let you guess which one won't cause me to get super p.o.'d if I crash the headstock into something.
Edit: btw NOBODY has ever asked if my classic was an epiphone.
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Oh I really don't like those 2015 models... they're not bad at all, just not my cup of tea. Regarding the comparisson, yeah I like the classic sound of the TB, im mostly in the vein of hard rock, sleaze, glam rock, etc. So should I stick to my current classic pro? or the difference is really worth those 1483.98 $ ? . (give me your most raw opinion
The '15's will drop in price by the end of the year
As for which to get, imo if you're set with an amp and cabs, and have the scratch, get the gibson. If not stick with the epi, or if you're still not 100% sure you're a tbird guy stay with the epi.
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Oh I really don't like those 2015 models... they're not bad at all, just not my cup of tea. Regarding the comparisson, yeah I like the classic sound of the TB, im mostly in the vein of hard rock, sleaze, glam rock, etc. So should I stick to my current classic pro? or the difference is really worth those 1483.98 $ ? . (give me your most raw opinion
I have very minimal experience with the Classic Pro but the 3 I tried in the store have all been well made and sounded great. I don't know that they are the "same" as Gibson Birds in the quality of woods, but the price reflects some of that. You could get a couple of Epi Classic's and modify them however you want for less than you can spend on a Gibson. But if you have the $$ and want the real thing then go for it! I don't think you will be disappointed in either bass.
