Thunderbird Club

[dukeorock]

My brother bought an Epi Vintage Pro in burst last Friday. He said it sounded amazing at the store but I guess the sheen wears out. He doesn't find it warm enough now compared to his other basses. I like it and I have a Sansamp to correct any freq range issues and so he is offering to sell it to me. My biggest hesitation is the lack of a gig bag or case that will fit it. Did a few searches here and it seems that Epi's own case isn't a fit since the VP's headstock is much longer than the previous Classic and Pro models. Any advice on options? I have until the end of his return window to figure this out. In the interim we do have the box it came in and that's how I'll transport to the gig today. Tacky but workable and definitely not long term.

Would this be your first T Bird? A lot of folks really love the VP. Even folks with a lot of T Birds. Some prefer it over a modern Gibson, some don’t. I have a 2002 Gibson with Lollar pickups. Would I take a VP over that? I personally wouldn’t, but it’s also a lot more expensive than a VP, which is a lot of bass for the money. A stock 2,000’s era Gibson can be found for under a grand if you’re patient. Hard to say which you’d like best, but I’d sure give that VP a spin to see what you think!

Some people (maybe even you) said they liked the M6 better than the M9 for some reason. I just woke up and the coffee hasn't kicked in yet so can't remember why that was. Did you try both and notice any real difference besides power?

I like clips I have seen/heard of the Big Block 750. It seemed nice and growly to me. Have you had the chance to try one of those? Seems like I have been on more of an amp binge lately rather than basses.

I briefly had a Titan V12. Massive sounding amp and weighed a ton! I bought it used and it had some problems early on, so I sent it to Mesa , got it fixed and moved it along. I preferred my M9. The M6 is the same amp as an M9 with less bells and whistles and supposedly more reliable. I’d say my favorite big heavy SS lead sled I ever owned was my Fender TB1200 back when I was a Fender endorser. Really cool amp with insane headroom. Heavy though!

 

[JJR58]

Would this be your first T Bird? A lot of folks really love the VP. Even folks with a lot of T Birds. Some prefer it over a modern Gibson, some don’t. I have a 2002 Gibson with Lollar pickups. Would I take a VP over that? I personally wouldn’t, but it’s also a lot more expensive than a VP, which is a lot of bass for the money. A stock 2,000’s era Gibson can be found for under a grand if you’re patient. Hard to say which you’d like best, but I’d sure give that VP a spin to see what you think!



I briefly had a Titan V12. Massive sounding amp and weighed a ton! I bought it used and it had some problems early on, so I sent it to Mesa , got it fixed and moved it along. I preferred my M9. The M6 is the same amp as an M9 with less bells and whistles and supposedly more reliable. I’d say my favorite big heavy SS lead sled I ever owned was my Fender TB1200 back when I was a Fender endorser. Really cool amp with insane headroom. Heavy though!

The early version V12's had cooling issues along with something else I don't remember. But to my limited knowledge of them, the updates took care of all that. But yeah, they are a beast of an amp weight wise.

 

[Haji]

Anytime I get that question, I claim to know them very well then proceed to fill them in on what has been happening. "Well, you know the legal troubles were really overblown in the press. He wasn't killing anyone, he was just smuggling drugs into the country. Probably would have left him alone had the second family not come forward and make all those false accusations..."

That is glorious.

 

[dukeorock]

The early version V12's had cooling issues along with something else I don't remember. But to my limited knowledge of them, the updates took care of all that. But yeah, they are a beast of an amp weight wise.

On tour, a heavy rig doesn’t bother me a bit. The load in and out on tour is usually more casual and the exercise is nice. Local gigs in a crowded city like Nashville is different to me. You have to fight traffic, cabs and Uber’s constantly blocking the loading zones, etc. Then you double park, load your stuff as quickly as you can, then park somewhere...usually very far away. Set up and tear down is always rushed and there are no sound checks. For that, I want a simple, lightweight rig.

 

[dukeorock]

The early version V12's had cooling issues along with something else I don't remember. But to my limited knowledge of them, the updates took care of all that. But yeah, they are a beast of an amp weight wise.

Mesa are great with service and support, even on some of those fussier amps they had

 

[cableguy]

So I've been eyeing a Thunderbird style bass for a while. I love my Spector Euro as far as sound and feel. Unfortunately, Spector does not make a Euro "X" (Thunderbird) style body. They make a Legend X, but I do not like Legend necks. The USA Spector X, while totally awesome is out of my price range. My good friend plays a Lull T-Bird which is nice, but still a little out of my price range. So I happened upon this Epi Goth T-Bird that was almost new for $200. I will be my gateway T-bird for sure. I basically got it for the body/bridge. The neck, pups and controls will be removed. A reverse P-bass neck is on order, active EMGs (reverse P & J) in T-bird housing, and a HAZ clone pre will be installed. Right after I get it painted gloss white. When finished I should be into the bird for around $600. I'll post pictures as the journey continues. For now a pic of the starting point.......

 

[cableguy]

And forgot to thank T-Bird1958 for stoking the T-Bird GAS at all the Seattle GTGs......

 

[dukeorock]

View attachment 2929384 So I've been eyeing a Thunderbird style bass for a while. I love my Spector Euro as far as sound and feel. Unfortunately, Spector does not make a Euro "X" (Thunderbird) style body. They make a Legend X, but I do not like Legend necks. The USA Spector X, while totally awesome is out of my price range. My good friend plays a Lull T-Bird which is nice, but still a little out of my price range. So I happened upon this Epi Goth T-Bird that was almost new for $200. I will be my gateway T-bird for sure. I basically got it for the body/bridge. The neck, pups and controls will be removed. A reverse P-bass neck is on order, active EMGs (reverse P & J) in T-bird housing, and a HAZ clone pre will be installed. Right after I get it painted gloss white. When finished I should be into the bird for around $600. I'll post pictures as the journey continues. For now a pic of the starting point.......

Sounds like a fun project! Look forward to seeing the final product!

 

[Instagator]

I'd like to hear from anyone that has installed those Performancemusicco Thunderbird pickups..I know @gaffster has ordered a set...Just wondering..

 

[TBird1958]

View attachment 2929384 So I've been eyeing a Thunderbird style bass for a while. I love my Spector Euro as far as sound and feel. Unfortunately, Spector does not make a Euro "X" (Thunderbird) style body. They make a Legend X, but I do not like Legend necks. The USA Spector X, while totally awesome is out of my price range. My good friend plays a Lull T-Bird which is nice, but still a little out of my price range. So I happened upon this Epi Goth T-Bird that was almost new for $200. I will be my gateway T-bird for sure. I basically got it for the body/bridge. The neck, pups and controls will be removed. A reverse P-bass neck is on order, active EMGs (reverse P & J) in T-bird housing, and a HAZ clone pre will be installed. Right after I get it painted gloss white. When finished I should be into the bird for around $600. I'll post pictures as the journey continues. For now a pic of the starting point.......

And forgot to thank T-Bird1958 for stoking the T-Bird GAS at all the Seattle GTGs......

Helping people all over the world and Seattle spend their monies on Thunderbirds


I'll bring the list up and get ya on it!

 

[BklynKen]

You’d like the M6 or M9...kinda like a high end version of a GK MB500 or 800. But they cost a lot more and weigh a LOT more

On tour, a heavy rig doesn’t bother me a bit. The load in and out on tour is usually more casual and the exercise is nice. Local gigs in a crowded city like Nashville is different to me. You have to fight traffic, cabs and Uber’s constantly blocking the loading zones, etc. Then you double park, load your stuff as quickly as you can, then park somewhere...usually very far away. Set up and tear down is always rushed and there are no sound checks. For that, I want a simple, lightweight rig.

I'd certainly like to try an M6, but really not much use for one other than at the rehearsal space. And your argument for portability is why I love my MB500. Plus the M6/M9 are discontinued, right?

Cool!! Seems like a no brainer to get one of these at that price, I am just befuddled why Gibson does not do something like this, they can even use the 760 PUs and hardware Epi is using. Looks like this is the T Bird for me, unless someone has a 1964 Gibson T Bird they are willing to sell me for $599!!! Ha!

If Gibson put this out in left-handed, I'd have to get one out of principle.

 

[BklynKen]

Curious why people aren't trying different strings first before replacing pickups. It's amazing how drastically they can change the sound, and it's such a cheap mod.

 

[JJR58]

I'd certainly like to try an M6, but really not much use for one other than at the rehearsal space. And your argument for portability is why I love my MB500. Plus the M6/M9 are discontinued, right?

Ken, I had an M6 a while back, it's a great amp. But I think they are still in production, always good used prices on them as well.

 

[dukeorock]

I'd certainly like to try an M6, but really not much use for one other than at the rehearsal space. And your argument for portability is why I love my MB500. Plus the M6/M9 are discontinued, right?

Just checked the Mesa website. Looks like the Subway amps, Strategy and Prodigy are all they’re offering at the moment.

 

[JJR58]

Just checked the Mesa website. Looks like the Subway amps, Strategy and Prodigy are all they’re offering at the moment.

With that said, I would not hesitate to buy a well taken care of M6.

 

[BklynKen]

With that said, I would not hesitate to buy a well taken care of M6.

Cheapest at Reverb is $775. Hah. No thanks.

 

[JJR58]

Cheapest at Reverb is $775. Hah. No thanks.

Fair enough.

 

[kat888]

Bags & cases are a frequent topic of conversation around here. Though I don't recall anyone mentioning a gig bag for the Vintage Pro... I do know that Epiphone is producing a new hard case for it. @kat888 will most likely be able to provide you with the specific model name when she checks in, if nobody else has by then

Afaik the VP fits -- just fits -- the standard Epi tapered case. People have posted photos here or out in the Gen Pop Epi thread of the VP in the 940-ETBCS. All rather moot for me as my next Bird will be a Gibson, Orville or Greco.

 

[BklynKen]

Just checked the Mesa website. Looks like the Subway amps, Strategy and Prodigy are all they’re offering at the moment.

Yeah, it lists the M6/M9 as discontinued.

 

[dukeorock]

Cheapest at Reverb is $775. Hah. No thanks.

For a practice amp, that’s pretty spendy for sure. Perfectly reasonable for the quality though, if you were looking for a gig rig. I’m still torn on going tube or old school SS for my electric gigs. An M6 would be a consideration. Bummed that Sunn Colosseum I tried to get slipped away...really want one of those some day