Thunderbird Club

[dukeorock]

That is my concern with the Greco set-neck vs the neck-through Vintage Pro.



Grecos are supposed to be great. However, if you’re eyeing one at a shop in North Texas, then they’re rubbish!

Understood

 

[Nocturnal]

it has an interesting 2 point bridge mod.

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That looks good on it IMO. Typical of Hipshot it looks like it hangs over the edge of the raised section a little. I wonder if they plugged the holes for the 3 point and then refinished at least that center section of the front.

Opinions, please. I’m on the verge of buying my first bird. Looked at plenty of em, including Grecos, Epis and Orville’s but can’t help but think the first one should be a Gibson. What do you fine folks think?

Hard decision. If I could get a (used if possible) Gibson first, that would be my choice. That will allow you to truly see what the current version of the original Bird is all about. If it is not for you, you should be able to flip it and get your money back.
Another option is to buy the new Epi VP and if you don't like it, return it fr the refund. That is probably the easiest option right now.

Your choice tho. No one can make it for you. We will definitely be happy to help you spend your money tho

Hey, I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask, but I bought a 2000 TB a few months ago with slightly a bit warped pickguard, fixed the warping with hot water and some pressure, only to discover that the same pickguard has shrunk. So I am looking if anyone can provide me a scan of the pickguard with a ruler next to it (scanned altogether) for scale... Please? Going to order a new one, probably in red tortoise - since my TB is in ebony. Appreciate it!

Here is she;

LarryV may have the exact measurements for you. He makes replacement black pickguards for Birds.

 

[Shannon]

Opinions, please. I’m on the verge of buying my first bird. Looked at plenty of em, including Grecos, Epis and Orville’s but can’t help but think the first one should be a Gibson. What do you fine folks think?

The answer to the question is always Yes. Always.
A 'Bird in the hand is worth two in the store.
Still, keep trying 'Birds and you will find one that likes you. And it won't just be a 'Bird, it'll be THE Bird.

 

[dukeorock]

Hard decision. If I could get a (used if possible) Gibson first, that would be my choice. That will allow you to truly see what the current version of the original Bird is all about. If it is not for you, you should be able to flip it and get your money back.
Another option is to buy the new Epi VP and if you don't like it, return it fr the refund. That is probably the easiest option right now.

Your choice tho. No one can make it for you. We will definitely be happy to help you spend your money tho
.

That’s too kind!

The Embassy Pro left me wanting, which shouldn’t make me afraid of the VP bird, but...

 

[Dadagoboi]

That’s too kind!

The Embassy Pro left me wanting, which shouldn’t make me afraid of the VP bird, but...

Often imitated, never equaled...

 

[JJR58]

Often imitated, never equaled...

View attachment 2829365

Nothing beats the real thing. Including the Peg.

 

[RedVee]

That is my concern with the Greco set-neck vs the neck-through Vintage Pro.



Grecos are supposed to be great. However, if you’re eyeing one at a shop in North Texas, then they’re rubbish!

Also @dukeorock - the Greco has a thicker (&wider?) neck than you will find on the Gibson’s. Just in case that is a consideration either way

 

[RedVee]

Often imitated, never equaled...

View attachment 2829365

Now you see, THAT is the business

 

[dukeorock]

Often imitated, never equaled...

View attachment 2829365

That was just mean!!!

What an amazing setup, Carlo!
I do have a strong preference for the chromed out Birds

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Opinions, please. I’m on the verge of buying my first bird. Looked at plenty of em, including Grecos, Epis and Orville’s but can’t help but think the first one should be a Gibson. What do you fine folks think?

Yes

 

[Larry V]

I sent 'Pinky' to San Clemente, CA 10 days ago (25 lbs package weight with case) for $70 including $1800 insurance. USPS Priority Mail, signature required. Shipped on Friday, arrived on Monday. $75 is reasonable IMO, I figure my average USA shipping cost including insurance at around $65. Shipping to WA state is the outlier.

I didn’t realize that the USPS was so much cheaper than UPS.

When I sold the Epi 5 string it cost me $73 for their cheapest ground service and the bass shipped without a case at 14# with $800 of insurance from Flint to Omaha.

I double the insurance value since if the bass is damaged during shipping, I’d need to refund the buyer and I’d want to be compensated for the broken bass.

 

[Nocturnal]

Often imitated, never equaled...

View attachment 2829365

So much awesome in that picture.

 

[Stevis]

Opinions, please. I’m on the verge of buying my first bird. Looked at plenty of em, including Grecos, Epis and Orville’s but can’t help but think the first one should be a Gibson. What do you fine folks think?

When you say "looked at" do you mean that you have played them? Being in Nashville, I would think that there must be a shop or two that has an actual Gibson bird. It's tough to find them in other places in U.S. and abroad, which means taking a chance and ordering one. I took a chance and bought my 2015 Gibson bird sight unseen because they were on a crazy sale. Fortunately, I really like it, after years of being 100% Fender guy (let the stoning begin). If you have the scratch, I would see if you can find a new or used Gibson, from a place you could return it if unhappy. But a lot of folks on this list love their Epi birds too.

 

[Larry V]

gibson thunderbird bass guitar 120 Year Anniversity Model | eBay

6 hours left and the bid is only up to $690

2 hours to go and it hasn’t budged price wise.

If any of my stuff sells in the next 6 hours, I’ll be bidding on that for true

Have you sold anything?

Let's make a deal - you buy me the '37 Cord and I'll be your man servant for a year, chauffeuring your cute little butt all over town!

That’s a hell of a commute or will you be moving in with our Queen?

LarryV may have the exact measurements for you. He makes replacement black pickguards for Birds.

Thanks for the shoutout, Andy but I’m no longing making PG’s. Too much hassle for too little scratch.

The time and effort plus cleanup of my hobby room after routing pickguards was just not worth it. Trust me, using a router on PG material makes a ridiculous amount of plastic chips and they go everywhere. When I was using a scroll saw and sanding the bevel it was a lot cleaner of a process but the effort and variability was much higher so I couldn’t continue to make them that way.

In the end, I stopped doing it because getting a request to make a PG made me unhappy.

 

[JJR58]

That’s a hell of a commute or will you be moving in with our Queen?

Headquarters is the place to be.

 

[JJR58]

There was mention of Graham Parker a bit ago.

 

[Dadagoboi]

That was just mean!!!

What an amazing setup, Carlo!
I do have a strong preference for the chromed out Birds

Nickel, actually. Chrome arrived with the NRs.

 

[dukeorock]

2 hours to go and it hasn’t budged price wise.



Have you sold anything?
.

I did sell a used cab...doubt I’ll have enough in PayPal to win it, but I may try

 

[dukeorock]

When you say "looked at" do you mean that you have played them? Being in Nashville, I would think that there must be a shop or two that has an actual Gibson bird. It's tough to find them in other places in U.S. and abroad, which means taking a chance and ordering one. I took a chance and bought my 2015 Gibson bird sight unseen because they were on a crazy sale. Fortunately, I really like it, after years of being 100% Fender guy (let the stoning begin). If you have the scratch, I would see if you can find a new or used Gibson, from a place you could return it if unhappy. But a lot of folks on this list love their Epi birds too.

I’ve played em before! Just never owned one. I’ve played most Gibson’s. Have owned Grabbers, Rippers, G3’s an an 68 EB (?) The 335 shape with the mudbucker in the neck and mini in the back. Almost bought a Victory before. They’re almost super cool, but wasn’t quite the right fit. I’ll have another Ripper before I’m done

 

[JJR58]

I’ve played em before! Just never owned one. I’ve played most Gibson’s. Have owned Grabbers, Rippers, G3’s an an 68 EB (?) The 335 shape with the mudbucker in the neck and mini in the back. Almost bought a Victory before. They’re almost super cool, but wasn’t quite the right fit. I’ll have another Ripper before I’m done

Had this one, and sorry i let it go.