Thunderbird Club

[BklynKen]

No, no two versions are the exact same dimensions. The "Classic" is quite different in shape in fact.

Thanks. Are they the same length?

 

[awilkie84]

Are the Epi Thunderbird Pro IV and the Gibson the same exactly dimensions/size? Sorry if this has been mentioned.

From pictures I've seen, there seem to be variances in body dimensions.

No, no two versions are the exact same dimensions. The "Classic" is quite different in shape in fact.

I saw a picture the other day of 3 thunderbirds side-by-side. 1 Gibson, 2 Epis. The Epis were slightly different in shape, but the Gibson was quite a bit squatter. It stood out quite a bit, mostly because the bridge & controls were so much closer to the edge of the body.

 

[kodiakblair]

Got my 1st Thunderbird yesterday. Made in Indonesia 2010, no complaints
about quality or sound, good solid bass.

Haven't had much time with it yet as the Peavey and Squier arrived the same
day. If there's any numbers put me down for one.

Best finish of the three's the Epiphone BTW.

 

[TBird1958]

From pictures I've seen, there seem to be variances in body dimensions.

I saw a picture the other day of 3 thunderbirds side-by-side. 1 Gibson, 2 Epis. The Epis were slightly different in shape, but the Gibson was quite a bit squatter. It stood out quite a bit, mostly because the bridge & controls were so much closer to the edge of the body.

I didn't realize it until Carlo pointed it out, but Gibsons have changed over the years too.

 

[ThaCoast]

#376 here looking for some advice:
Looking for a new Bridge for my BlackBird, I am interested in getting a Babicz fitted to it, I understand that if I do I'll need make some modifications to the bass (New screw holes) but is it possible to do the modifications? Has anyone fitted a Babicz to there 'bird? Thanks!

You could. Obviously, you'd have to pull out the original studs and bushings for the 3-point and dowel them. (also before doweling, i'd remove the bridge ground wire just in case). then, apply masking tape and mark a line at the 34 inch length. Place your bridge certered, at worse, pass the E and G strings through the bridge and center the bridge properly. Then mark the bridges holes, drill, screw it in. Touch up the dowels with either paint or black something. Good luck

 

[TBird1958]

Got my 1st Thunderbird yesterday. Made in Indonesia 2010, no complaints
about quality or sound, good solid bass.

Haven't had much time with it yet as the Peavey and Squier arrived the same
day. If there's any numbers put me down for one.

Best finish of the three's the Epiphone BTW.

Looking good!
Welcome here kodiakblair! You are #447 at the best club on Talkbass! Pics, pics , pics - we love 'em!



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[moonshinegtrs]

Are the Epi Thunderbird Pro IV and the Gibson the same exactly dimensions/size? Sorry if this has been mentioned.

I was surprised at how different the Epi Pro IV & The Gibson bodies are. The Epi has a deeper cutaway among other things.

It could be psychological, but I prefer the way the Epi hangs on me, though I am tempted to move the strap button to the upper side of the body as opposed to the current location on the back at the neck joint; I like wearing it low, but with my (ahem) "Physique", the lower I wear it, the more it wants face the floor!

Moosnhine

 

[TBird1958]

'89 Gibson and Epi Classic side by side, the bodies are different as is the position of the neck.

 

[Haji]

Wow; that's rather dramatic.

 

[BklynKen]

The Gibson body looks slimmer, right? That's assuming the Gibson is the yellow one. And very interesting about the bridge position.

 

[ThaCoast]

Goind over to my uncles tomorrow afternoon to finally fix my bird. After it's all done, including the painting/sealer, i'll be putting on a heavier gauge set of d'addario bass strings. Going towards 110-120. It'll be better for my drop tunings. I'll keep you guys updated as much as possible

 

[Furious_Man77]

Wow, a mint 2013 sunburst sold yesterday on Evilbay for $690 buy it now. Hope the lucky person is on here.

 

[Liam McMonigle]

You could. Obviously, you'd have to pull out the original studs and bushings for the 3-point and dowel them. (also before doweling, i'd remove the bridge ground wire just in case). then, apply masking tape and mark a line at the 34 inch length. Place your bridge certered, at worse, pass the E and G strings through the bridge and center the bridge properly. Then mark the bridges holes, drill, screw it in. Touch up the dowels with either paint or black something. Good luck

Thanks for the advice! I am a sucker for looks and I think a Babicz would look awesome on my Blackbird, and they are very good bridges. About the paint, I am thinking about getting my 'bird Refinished in The same colour as the paint is ruined, scratched, chipped etc so that wouldn't be an issue. I'm wonder if anyone has a Babicz on there 'bird? I may be a Talkbass First if I decide to do it!

 

[Larry V]

Wow, a mint 2013 sunburst sold yesterday on Evilbay for $690 buy it now. Hope the lucky person is on here.

At that price, I hope it's not a Chibson.

I just checked out the listing, it looks legit. Lucky dude!

 

[ThaCoast]

Thanks for the advice! I am a sucker for looks and I think a Babicz would look awesome on my Blackbird, and they are very good bridges. About the paint, I am thinking about getting my 'bird Refinished in the same colour as the paint is ruined, scratched, chipped etc so that wouldn't be an issue. I'm wonder if anyone has a Babicz on there 'bird? I may be a Talkbass First if I decide to do it! View attachment 420188

Best of luck, You might be a TB first, and i'm pretty sure you are until proven wrong . As for a refin, if it were me, i wouldn't bother. Scratches, dings and chips are what gives it character. But that's me, and i'm going to fix my bird today. So it's probably going to get a refin too. I'm still in the works of plugging up the other two control holes, plus i think i'll be putting the jack output at the bottom. Kinda sick of having it at the top. BTW, i love your blackbird, it looks much better when someone takes a picture of it. Online doesn't do it justice and also, it's been discontinued.

 

[Liam McMonigle]

Best of luck, You might be a TB first, and i'm pretty sure you are until proven wrong . As for a refin, if it were me, i wouldn't bother. Scratches, dings and chips are what gives it character. But that's me, and i'm going to fix my bird today. So it's probably going to get a refin too. I'm still in the works of plugging up the other two control holes, plus i think i'll be putting the jack output at the bottom. Kinda sick of having it at the top. BTW, i love your blackbird, it looks much better when someone takes a picture of it. Online doesn't do it justice and also, it's been discontinued.

Just checked and seen that I can't get the Supertone in black here In the UK! So if I do end up getting a Babicz I'll do a thread about it as it needs quite a bit of work done to it. As for your bass, I have the jack at the bottom and I've always wished it was on the body, so out of curiosity why do you want it on the bottom?

 

[jassthebass]

I'm from the UK & got a supertone in black from EBay

 

[Liam McMonigle]

I'm from the UK & got a supertone in black from EBay

I'm sure I've seen your name on the North East Bass Bin if I'm not mistaken?

 

[jassthebass]

I'm sure I've seen your name on the North East Bass Bin if I'm not mistaken?

Not sure what that is (north east bass bin)
I'm from sunny Weymouth in Dorset

 

[Nocturnal]

As for your bass, I have the jack at the bottom and I've always wished it was on the body, so out of curiosity why do you want it on the bottom?

I prefer the jack location on the bottom on all of my basses. I always felt that the chord is in the way on the front, even tho it doesn't interfere with anything. (I'm just weird that way, I know)
When I bought my first Goth the jack had been yanked out of the face of the body, leaving a messy hole. That is what I am always worried about happening to any bass with the jack on the front. Probably just paranoia on my part, but I have seen it happen to many guitars and basses.