Thunderbird Club

[JIO]

I'll say this, my MIK Epi is def top quality. I've played newer Gibsons of lower quality than it, it's a very solid instrument. There are good MIC Epis, but I think that MIK period was real solid.

I actually prefer the recent Epiphones to recent Gibsons.

Gibson is in bankruptcy so they have issues. Apparently the current state of rosewood restriction was a result of them buying from a restricted country after first complying. This has most like already been covered here.

 

[godofthunder59]

That seems so fitting since my name is in the meme



Not one of us but the owner is a friend and a local repair guy and a great dude. Not sure why he put the Bird on there but it had the bomb sticker on it when he bought it. It is a great bass and he offered it to me but I can't move on anything at the moment. The basses from that era at Washburn seem to be nice pieces overall from what I have seen.

I had a B20 , nice bass a bit quirky. Medium, scale, with a soft V neck, p/j pickups. I'd pick one up again if I had the chance.

 

[hairypete1138]

I thought it was today but it looks like Tuesday. We can celebrate together!

And I curse you both quietly from my bitter corner of Coventry...

 

[Gaolee]

Some underestimate Kat.

Which is a bad move.

 

[TBird1958]

I thought it was today but it looks like Tuesday. We can celebrate together!

Right on, my Thunderbird Brother!

 

[dieselman]

There will be Celebrations all Week. Mine arrives Wednesday! Alpine White

 

[JIO]

There will be Celebrations all Week. Mine arrives Wednesday! Alpine White

I think our Queen should officially designate next week as THUNDERBIRD WEEK! Ribbon cutting will be mandatory as ribbons have bows...

 

[TBird1958]

I think our Queen should officially designate next week as THUNDERBIRD WEEK! Ribbon cutting will be mandatory as ribbons have bows...

Sounds like a plan!

 

[hairypete1138]

Sounds like a plan!

 

[JJR58]

View attachment 2830939

All this talk about new Bird arrivals, has got me feeling the way I did when I didn't have one. Well, Christmas is coming, could be a good excuse for a VP.

 

[PillO]

Gibson is in bankruptcy so they have issues. Apparently the current state of rosewood restriction was a result of them buying from a restricted country after first complying. This has most like already been covered here.

As far as I can tell, Gibson is NOT in bankruptcy.

Moody's Investor Services, a bond rating agency, down-graded Gibson debt to junk status, however, I don't think that they are currently in default (a necessary precursor to bankruptcy). The Moody's commentary indicates that the crunch comes in June and August 2018 when the company will need to refinance $520mm in debt. Gibson is not alone - Fender also can't seem to manage investment grade debt. Likewise Steinway.

 

[GBassNorth]

I bet @hillerup is in the same boat.

I only have four TBird shaped objects. Lots of other stuff but only 4 birds. I've got a long way to go in the aviary before I reach the likes of many members in this club. Keep in mind I only bought my first Tbird two years ago and I try not to overlap my new acquisitions with anything I already have, sound wise.

So right now the aviary has...
Spector Rex5 Pro, active two band preamp, dual EMG humbuckers, all maple neck through, rosewood FB
Gibson Gold Anniversary, passive, dual Gibby humbuckers, mahogany wings/lam neck through, rosewood FB
Epiphone Goth, active Aggie two band, dual Bart humbuckers, maple bolt on neck, rosewood FB
Epiphone VP, passive, dual Eppi humbuckers, mahogany wings, mahogany lam neck through, rosewood FB

Potential future acquisitions - 2015 TBird, Five string TBird, Short Scale TBird, Vintage 1960's NR, Cataldo built FenderBird. Not necessarily in that order, and only when the price is right.

 

[GBassNorth]

There will be Celebrations all Week. Mine arrives Wednesday! Alpine White

And my Ebony should be here Tuesday as well.

 

[TBird1958]

View attachment 2830939

Sorry! I'll be happy for you when you get yours!

 

[hairypete1138]

Epiphone VP, passive, dual Eppi humbuckers, mahogany wings, mahogany lam neck through, rosewood FB

So we have confirmation that the FB on the vintage pro is definitely rosewood?

 

[mbasile]

Well, I played the ‘78 Greco TB75. It was an awesome bass, but I just didn’t love it. Guess I won’t be joining the ‘Bird club, unless I pick up an Epi to modify it.

 

[GBassNorth]

So we have confirmation that the FB on the vintage pro is definitely rosewood?

Negatory, Pete. No visual confirmation until next week when it arrives.
FWIW - when I bought my Ebony VP last week the Sweetwater website actually listed the bass as Ebony black in the title but Cherry in the description. So there's definitely misinformation out there. If the pictures are accurate the fretboard does not look like rosewood (a bit to consistent in color and no visible grain), so if you have a CITIES concern this may be good news. Will confirm next week, Tuesday or Wednesday.
Here's the sweetwater pic of mine prior to shipping...

BTW - this thing is screaming for a Cream, Parchment or Antique White pickguard. If anyone has a lead on a quality supplier of such item (with TBird logo installed) let me know.

 

[godofthunder59]

It's here.

 

[TBird1958]

Are you sure? It could be a model train

 

[GBassNorth]

It's here. View attachment 2831120

Cool! @kat888 bass arrived at your house first! You'll have to let her know how much you like it.