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Thunderbird Club

#60,363
jacoby75 said:
Hey Thunderbird aficionados.

In searching the threads, I have seen some positive reviews of both the older Epiphone Thunderbird Classic Pro (not to be confused with the pro with the active electronics) and the new Thunderbird Vintage Pro. But can anyone actually compare them to each other? Does anyone own both? Apart from the obvious hardware differences, how would you compare the sound of them? I have listened to the reviews by Chris Catero on youtube, and it's hard to distinguish the difference. If anything, perhaps the new vintage pro sounds a bit brighter/harsher (not in a bad way). Maybe a little thinner compared to the classic pro with the actual Gibson pickups. I don't have a guitar store near me at which to compare them. Nobody around even has the new Vintage models in stock where I could try one out.

I know "better" is all relative and subjective, but what are your thoughts?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Someone way more qualified than me will step in, but I have spent a fair amount of time with the Embassy Pro (supposedly the same #760 pickups as the VP Bird) and I have two Gibson’s from the 2,000’s (supposedly the same pickups as the Epi Classic Pro). The Gibson pickups are more muscular and dark (not in a bad way) and the #760’s are a little more open and snappy. That’s about the best I can do and some might even disagree with that little contribution :)
 
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#60,364
dukeorock said:
Someone way more qualified than me will step in, but I have spent a fair amount of time with the Embassy Pro (supposedly the same #760 pickups as the VP Bird) and I have two Gibson’s from the 2,000’s (supposedly the same pickups as the Epi Classic Pro). The Gibson pickups are more muscular and dark (not in a bad way) and the #760’s are a little more open and snappy. That’s about the best I can do and some might even disagree with that little contribution :)
Click to expand...

I think that is a fair assessment sir.
 
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#60,365
dukeorock said:
Just for once, can’t you just say something like...”Ooh, pretty!”?
You got this, Kat...come on!
Click to expand...

Because I'm not a total annoying Cataldo fangrrrl already?

Of course it's pretty! Maybe not my colour but I wouldn't kick it out on a cold night. Fantastic bass with great tone. Wonderful attention to detail, yet not fussy or pretentious. Virtually plays itself. I liked the (66S) pickup so much I ordered another for my Epiphone. I'm happy for you Mark ... and 100% sorta jealous.
 
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#60,366
kat888 said:
Because I'm not a total annoying Cataldo fangrrrl already?

Of course it's pretty! Maybe not my colour by I wouldn't kick it out on a cold night. Fantastic bass with great tone. Wonderful attention to detail, yet not fussy or pretentious. Virtually plays itself. I liked the (66S) pickup so much I ordered another for my Epiphone. I'm happy for you Mark ... and 100% sorta jealous.
Click to expand...

Why would you be jealous? You already have one in the color you DO want :)
Funny, Blue isn’t typically a color I’m drawn to on a bass, but that really muted, 60’s look makes me happy. Cool, yet understated

“Wonderful attention to detail, yet not fussy or prententious.” That’s EXACTLY what I like about Carlo’s work too.
 
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#60,367
Count Bassie said:
Hmm. This grain is pretty spectacular...
Click to expand...
Interesting. I have found BL to be ho-hum when it comes to grain. Give it time, and it just kinda disappears. Rock maple has a depth and sparkle to it that BL doesn't have. Rock maple is also more or less white, while BL is more or less yellow. Maybe it's just the trees here or something. Or maybe there's another big leaf maple that's eastern and not the yellow stuff we have out here.

Maple can be challenging to deal with, especially if it has been kiln dried. If it's just been sitting around, drying out, it may also have oddball internal stresses that make it do weird things. I found that the best policy with maple was to cut everything big, let it sit, and then machine it down to size after it did whatever twisting and warping it wanted to do. There are far worse woods to work with. There are easier ones. My favorite, Honduras mahogany, is pretty much extinct, so there you have it.
 
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#60,368
kat888 said:
Because I'm not a total annoying Cataldo fangrrrl already?

Of course it's pretty! Maybe not my colour but I wouldn't kick it out on a cold night. Fantastic bass with great tone. Wonderful attention to detail, yet not fussy or pretentious. Virtually plays itself. I liked the (66S) pickup so much I ordered another for my Epiphone. I'm happy for you Mark ... and 100% sorta jealous.
Click to expand...
Hence, N+1. I can see it now...
 
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#60,374
dukeorock said:
Someone way more qualified than me will step in, but I have spent a fair amount of time with the Embassy Pro (supposedly the same #760 pickups as the VP Bird) and I have two Gibson’s from the 2,000’s (supposedly the same pickups as the Epi Classic Pro). The Gibson pickups are more muscular and dark (not in a bad way) and the #760’s are a little more open and snappy. That’s about the best I can do and some might even disagree with that little contribution :)
Click to expand...

That's helpful, thanks.
 
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#60,375
dukeorock said:
Someone way more qualified than me will step in, but I have spent a fair amount of time with the Embassy Pro (supposedly the same #760 pickups as the VP Bird) and I have two Gibson’s from the 2,000’s (supposedly the same pickups as the Epi Classic Pro). The Gibson pickups are more muscular and dark (not in a bad way) and the #760’s are a little more open and snappy. That’s about the best I can do and some might even disagree with that little contribution :)
Click to expand...

I can't speak for the Epi Classic Pro but I do have the Vintage Pro. I compared it to my 2001 Gibson and Duke explains it exactly how I would. The Epi is brighter and has more snap, and that is a good thing IMO. I like that the Vintage Pro doesn't sound exactly like my Gibson's and has its own character. Gives me a little more variety in my flock.
 
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#60,378
Gaolee said:
Well, then I haven't seen good BL maple from a grain standpoint. The stuff I have been around has been basically dirtwood. It looks like yellow alder, only harder to work with.
Click to expand...
I think I know the stuff you're talking about. Fuzzy grain that does not want to behave.
 
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#60,380
dukeorock said:
Someone way more qualified than me will step in, but I have spent a fair amount of time with the Embassy Pro (supposedly the same #760 pickups as the VP Bird) and I have two Gibson’s from the 2,000’s (supposedly the same pickups as the Epi Classic Pro). The Gibson pickups are more muscular and dark (not in a bad way) and the #760’s are a little more open and snappy. That’s about the best I can do and some might even disagree with that little contribution :)
Click to expand...

I think that's my main concern. The same thing that's great about Thunderbirds (the meaty darkness, or dark meatiness, depending on your perspective) might mean I hardly ever play it because these days I'm only playing in church and maybe the occasional jam band for kicks. I was thinking the 760's might be a little more open and clear, yet still ballsy, which would enable me to use it in more applications. Thanks for the feedback.
 
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