Thunderbird Club

[GonePlaid]

The same kind of thing popped up in discussions about the 2013 and 2014 version of Gibson's EB. When it first came out, the GP was dismissive, hated the way it looked, complained about quality, and complained about everything else. When it was discontinued, the attitude shifted a bit. When the new version came out, the GP lamented that it was different from the first go-around which got elevated to iconic status, more or less. Go figure.

 

[TBird1958]

Ha! I like the suggestion to drop in some L2K pups in the Thunderbird to most closely resemble an L2K. Not sure if the routing is the same or not, and I'd rather not drop a ton of money getting it rerouted if that's the case, but I'll look into it.

So far, the Vintage Pro seems like the most likely candidate. I like that it doesn't have the 3 point bridge (something that killed an SG bass for me), and it looks to have updated pickups, though it sounds like there are some people that dislike them.

I owned a standard Epi TB years ago before I knew anything about bass (it was my second bass, and my only requirement at the time was that it looked cool), and disliked the long reach to the lower frets, but I suspect reading this thread more closely might help alleviate that. One thing is for sure; I'm headed down to the music shop tomorrow to try it out again, now that I'm not quite as much of a bass dummy.

The Vintage Pro is very nice, I'd doubt it would sound like an L2K though. I would highly recommend playing one first, they "feel" large, due to how they hang and the large vintage sized headstock.

 

[GBassNorth]

My first post in this thread, but I've lurked for some time.

I was coming here just to ask a similar question. I currently have a really nice custom USA L2K that I practice/record with, but wanted to gig with something else, hence my new interest in an Epi TB. I was curious about the similarities to the L2K, as I really like the tone, but would rather not bring a $2K instrument with me to some of the venues we play.

I could always consider going with a Tribby L2K, but I don't like the nut width (my custom is 1.5") and its tendency towards boat anchor-ness. I'm fairly certain Epi TBs might share similar weight issues, but I guess it's a matter of how that weight is distributed.

So, any thoughts? Or more precisely, which of the various Epi TBs would you recommend? Doesn't need to be the most expensive, just something that will do a reasonable job of occupying a similar sonic space as the L2K.

Great question.

I had a G&L L-2500 Tribute with a swamp ash body and maple/maple neck and really liked how it looked, played and felt but couldn't get along with the overly hot pickups. That darn bass would clip my amps faster than any bass I've ever owned. Tone wise it was as many would say, a Swiss Army knife. Tons of available sounds and options but the one I kept it in 90% of the time was passive mode, sounded sweet! I sold it because of its clippy nature. I now have three TBirds (Two Eppi birds - Goth and VP, and a Gibby bird Anniversary model) along with a Gibson EB5 (sounds a lot like the 2015 Gibson TBird) and I also have a Spector TBird (called a Rex Pro).

Of the bunch, the Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage Pro would be the closest in sound to my G&L 2500. I'd say the G&L in active mode will go higher and lower than the TBird but the Bird probably covers 80% of the active tonal range of the G&L. In passive humbucking mode the two basses will sound more similar with the Eppi being a bit more low or low mid focused and the G&L being a bit more mid to high mid focused. Both basses are very reflective of the strings you have on them. So I'm sure with the proper strings and settings you'd be able to get the Eppi VP in the same ballpark as the G&L.

My second recommendation would be the Gibson 2015 Thunderbird but a used one at nearly twice the price of a new Eppi VP makes it a bit of a stretch money wise. It however is every bit the Swiss Army Knife tone monster the G&L is but on a slightly mellower and much more useable scale.

 

[GonePlaid]

My first post in this thread, but I've lurked for some time.

I was coming here just to ask a similar question. I currently have a really nice custom USA L2K that I practice/record with, but wanted to gig with something else, hence my new interest in an Epi TB. I was curious about the similarities to the L2K, as I really like the tone, but would rather not bring a $2K instrument with me to some of the venues we play.

I could always consider going with a Tribby L2K, but I don't like the nut width (my custom is 1.5") and its tendency towards boat anchor-ness. I'm fairly certain Epi TBs might share similar weight issues, but I guess it's a matter of how that weight is distributed.

So, any thoughts? Or more precisely, which of the various Epi TBs would you recommend? Doesn't need to be the most expensive, just something that will do a reasonable job of occupying a similar sonic space as the L2K.

While I would never discourage anyone from adopting a TBird, there are some L2Ks available @ GC(Warwick)and on Reverb for much less than $2K, since that's what your accustomed to playing.<Edit>Full disclosure: I hadda look up L2K since I had no idea what it is/was.

 

[Band Mom]

Great question.

I had a G&L 2500 Tribute with a swamp ash body and maple/maple neck and really liked how it looked, played and felt but couldn't get along with the overly hot pickups. That darn bass would clip my amps faster than any bass I've ever owned. Tone wise it was as many would say, a Swiss Army knife. Tons of available sounds and options but the one I kept it in 90% of the time was passive mode, sounded sweet! I sold it because of its clippy nature. I now have three TBirds (Two Eppi birds - Goth and VP, and a Gibby bird Anniversary model) along with a Gibson EB5 (sounds a lot like the 2015 Gibson TBird) and I also have a Spector TBird (called a Rex Pro).

Of the bunch, the Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage Pro would be the closest in sound to my G&L 2500. I'd say the G&L in active mode will go higher and lower than the TBird but the Bird probably covers 80% of the active tonal range of the G&L. In passive humbucking mode the two basses will sound more similar with the Eppi being a bit more low or low mid focused and the G&L being a bit more mid to high mid focused. Both basses are very reflective of the strings you have on them. So I'm sure with the proper strings and settings you'd be able to get the Eppi VP in the same ballpark as the G&L.

My second recommendation would be the Gibson 2015 Thunderbird but a used one at nearly twice the price of a new Eppi VP makes it a bit of a stretch money wise. It however is every bit the Swiss Army Knife tone monster the G&L is but on a slightly mellower and much more useable scale.

If I'm being entirely honest, the overly hot pups get on my bad side more than a few times, which requires a lot of tweaking in order for me to tame it (Master Vol is wonderful for this). And right now, I've got a Gibson EB (one of the new kinds they started in 2017) on the way. It was at a blowout price, comparable to the price of a Vintage Pro, but not nearly as cool looking.

 

[Band Mom]

While I would never discourage anyone from adopting a TBird, there are some L2Ks available @ GC(Warwick)and on Reverb for much less than $2K, since that's what your accustomed to playing.<Edit>Full disclosure: I hadda look up L2K since I had no idea what it is/was.

Yeah, most of them are the standard nut width, or larger, and the $2K was what I paid for the custom creation, so yeah, I wouldn't say my bass is actually worth $2K Of course, it is the swiss army knife people claim it to be, so it's a nice, well-rounded solution. I just tend to prefer jazz style necks.

 

[GonePlaid]

I'm not familiar with the term. What's "MCF's" EBO? All I can think of is the old SG style bass.

EB-0 is what 'they' now call an SG bass. For some of us they'll always be EB0s or EB3s.

 

[GonePlaid]

Yeah, most of them are the standard nut width, or larger, and the $2K was what I paid for the custom creation, so yeah, I wouldn't say my bass is actually worth $2K Of course, it is the swiss army knife people claim it to be, so it's a nice, well-rounded solution. I just tend to prefer jazz style necks.

I'm hip(OK, not really). My '67 NR TBird[see avatar] is 1.5" @ the nut. I use it for everything from rock to big band to concert band with EQ adjustments. It does it all.

 

[JJR58]

I'm not familiar with the term. What's "MCF's" EBO? All I can think of is the old SG style bass.

MCF is someone who replied to your post. EBO is a model of Gibson bass and all the variants thereof.

 

[GBassNorth]

If I'm being entirely honest, the overly hot pups get on my bad side more than a few times, which requires a lot of tweaking in order for me to tame it (Master Vol is wonderful for this). And right now, I've got a Gibson EB (one of the new kinds they started in 2017) on the way. It was at a blowout price, comparable to the price of a Vintage Pro, but not nearly as cool looking.

Exactly the problem I had.

I could get a great sound out of the G&L but it was a nightmare to switch between basses without having to reset at least the gain and volume levels on my rig. Made using it on stage with anything else a near impossibility.

I suspect you'll find the new Gibson EB will fall very much into the same category as the 2015 Thunderbird I mentioned. Like your G&L it is a tone option monster but I suspect you'll find it more useable overall especially when flipping between different basses on stage. The pickups on the 2017 EB will be a bit more tame and the overall tonal spread will most likely be inherently warmer than the G&L. Of course this assumes the new 2017 EB sounds about the same as my 2013 EB which has the same pickups and controls so it should be close. I would also assume the 2015 Thunderbird which also shares the same pups and controls will sound about the same as the 2017 EB but possibly a shade warmer due to its mahogany construction.

 

[Engle]

The Vintage Pro is very nice, I'd doubt it would sound like an L2K though. I would highly recommend playing one first, they "feel" large, due to how they hang and the large vintage sized headstock.

When I lent my Vintage Pro to a fellow bassist for a set recently, he said it felt thinner and lighter than his Epiphone T-Bird Pro. It is a big bass though!

 

[bylar13]

Cool Gibson alert!

Gibson BFG Bass guitar-worn ebony-factory case-hard to find | eBay

 

[Count Bassie]

Cool Gibson alert!

Gibson BFG Bass guitar-worn ebony-factory case-hard to find | eBay

Cool Gibson...

 

[JIO]

I guess I wasn't clear. It is the cognitive dissonance in the GP. Any time something new is produced, it is dismissed for not being a jazz or precision. Simultaneously, there is complaining that there is nothing new.

Yes, as for the GP - I agree.

 

[Nocturnal]

I think Fender is still experimenting on how to colour outside the box. Their '85 Performer was innovative and only made one year. Their Jaguar bass (a retro inspired bass that never existed) was a success, and still produced in one form or another. (as a Fender or Squier) So I just saw the Dimension as an attempt at design innovation but it too was short lived. They are all good instruments with interesting designs but other than the Jag (which is a dyed in the wool Fender design) their forays into 'change' usually don't stick because they don't look (enough) like a Fender to the buying public who gravitates to that brand.

I thought it was a nice attempt by Fender to expand their players horizons. unfortunately a lot of the market didn't agree. People that own these bases seem to speak highly of them but I have never had the chance to play one.

I guess I wasn't clear. It is the cognitive dissonance in the GP. Any time something new is produced, it is dismissed for not being a jazz or precision. Simultaneously, there is complaining that there is nothing new.

I never understand the logic behind that mindset.

Cool Gibson alert!

Gibson BFG Bass guitar-worn ebony-factory case-hard to find | eBay

I would sooooo love to own this!!!! I lust hard after this model.

 

[JIO]

I thought it was a nice attempt by Fender to expand their players horizons. unfortunately a lot of the market didn't agree. People that own these bases seem to speak highly of them but I have never had the chance to play one.

In the early 90's Fender (for a few years) made a few designs that looked like Ibanez basses - I imagine they are good basses also.

 

[bylar13]

Anybody in Canada ever tried one of these?
Crossrock - Hybrid Thunderbird Bass Bag

 

[bizzybass]

Epiphone Thunderbird ProIV Bass alert! $50!?!?!!

Epiphone Neck Thru Thunderbird Bass IV Pro 2016 Gibson U.S.A. Pick-ups | eBay

 

[GonePlaid]

Epiphone Thunderbird ProIV Bass alert! $50!?!?!!

Epiphone Neck Thru Thunderbird Bass IV Pro 2016 Gibson U.S.A. Pick-ups | eBay

I suspect the bidding will go nuts in the next 5+ days. If it was a NR I'd bid $55

 

[Nocturnal]

In the early 90's Fender (for a few years) made a few designs that looked like Ibanez basses - I imagine they are good basses also.

Were those the Heartfield Prophecy basses? I have played at least one of those and they were nice basses. There was the MB line as well. Look kinda Ibanez-y as well but more bland.