Thunderbird Club

[GonePlaid]

Those old Peavy's sound great.

It's a keyboard amp but with a 15", it's quite usable for bass.

 

[JJR58]

It's a keyboard amp but with a 15", it's quite usable for bass.

Gotcha, didn't catch that.

 

[GonePlaid]

Gotcha, didn't catch that.

In the previous group lineup(G, D, B, Singer), I played mostly bass but had a POS keyboard[piano and harpsichord--w/ a bass section] that I used on some songs. Bass in one of the 3 inputs, keys in another. Each channel has its own gain, volume, bass, mids, treble, and reverb levels, plus master volume and master reverb level. Pretty cool. but heavy.

 

[MCF]

So I'm thinking the GK MB212 combo isn't really doing it for me with the Thunderbird CP. Lot of roundish low-mids, not much forward growl, not much "teeth"...
Any advice for eq?
Also I'm eyeing one of these...

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Thoughts, anyone?

I picked up the 60 watt 12 inch version a few weeks ago for $130 in great condition. Don’t have the foot switch. I like it. Tube preamp for the “classic” channel and a gritty overdrive/boost button offers lots of variety. I run it as the master with an old Carvin 100 watt 15 inch as the slave. The “modern” channel is, meh. Try it, you might like it. But it’s a heavy sucker. Solidly built.

Maybe try something like a Zoom b1x four? $100.

 

[Glenn Johnson]

Question everything, everywhere.

Why?

 

[TBird1958]

No. On the websites I see, they list a Vintage pro for $699, and a vintage for $399, which is a bolt on maple neck. I was checking to see if there were other differences (hardware, pickups). I have a chance to trade for one, and wanted to know what people think of the lower priced Epi Tbird.

EVERYTHING is different between these two (one is mislabeled) Epi's, they share no parts or construction traits. The Vintage Pro @ $699 is hitting all the marks of a true to the original concept Thunderbird, neck thru multi ply Maho and Walnut construction, thin, fast neck, Humbuckers. The bolt on neck model has none of these, not saying it's a not good bass but there is a world of difference between the two and tonally the Vintage Pro gets you to the promised (Thunderbird) land at a very reasonable price.

 

[GonePlaid]

EVERYTHING is different between these two (one is mislabeled) Epi's, they share no parts or construction traits. The Vintage Pro @ $699 is hitting all the marks of a true to the original concept Thunderbird, neck thru multi ply Maho and Walnut construction, thin, fast neck, Humbuckers. The bolt on neck model has none of these, not saying it's a not good bass but there is a world of difference between the two and tonally the Vintage Pro gets you to the promised (Thunderbird) land at a very reasonable price.

My guess is that the OP meant "vintage" as in 'not new', as opposed to"Vintage" as in 'model'. Or possibly doesn't know the difference. Or is trying to scam?

 

[Gaolee]

Yeah, but you got that Grexa ACC 360.

Point taken. It tends to make pretty much everything rumble up from the bowels of the earth, looking for souls to steal. But, the bolt-on also sounds good through other amps as well, especially with DR Black Beauties on it. It actually has DR Hi-Beams on it for the moment, and those sound great on it, too. It's fairly forgiving of string choice in my experience with it so far.

 

[MCF]

Sweetwater website.

Question. What do you think of the $399 model? Is it huggable on its own? Any issues/weaknesses to consider?

The Epi bolt-ons are the gateway drug to the world of Tbirds. Fit and finish is very good. Tuners are probably the weakest link; at least they are on the Goth I have. They work and are better than the tuners on my MIM 7ender Mustang. The pickups are birdy; not as strong as Gibson’s, but sound good. I think the Vintage Pro pickups sound better.

On used, you want to make sure the inserts where the three point bridge bolts in aren’t pulling up. That’s about the only issue to look out for. They can be glued back in if necessary. Plenty of help around here in how to do that. Of course, like with any guitar, make sure the neck is straight and the TR works. I have three bolt-ons and none of them have any fret issues. Finally, being a bolt-on means the neck can be shimmed so super low action is possible.

 

[Gaolee]

Where do you get that name (just "Vintage")? I'm guessing it's just someone using random words. I have seen that used for Vintage Pro, but also just for random Epiphone Thunderbirds.

I think Epi called the finish Vintage Burst or something similar. The shop was being sloppy.

 

[GonePlaid]

I think Epi called the finish Vintage Burst or something similar. The shop was being sloppy.

Good point.

 

[GBassNorth]

Sweetwater website.

Question. What do you think of the $399 model? Is it huggable on its own? Any issues/weaknesses to consider?

My personal opinion after playing numerous Eppi bolt on birds is that they all sound great but fall a bit short of the Eppi VP in tone and build quality. As opposed to spending $400 on a new bolt on bird I'd reach a bit deeper into my pocket and find a clean used VP for about $150 more. The VP is really in a different league than the CP or Goth or other bolt on TBirds IMHO. It's much much more true to its roots and really is at a phenomenal price point new or used.

Even if I only intended to use the split pickup, I'd opt for this configuration for the factory-installed thumb rest by the bridge.

LOL - that's about all its good for.

It is handy for that, but I ordered-and installed-one of these:
View attachment 3713077 View attachment 3713079 View attachment 3713080

Pretty cool. Looks simple enough to make at home with some rosewood or Ebony or out of plastic.

No. On the websites I see, they list a Vintage pro for $699, and a vintage for $399, which is a bolt on maple neck. I was checking to see if there were other differences (hardware, pickups). I have a chance to trade for one, and wanted to know what people think of the lower priced Epi Tbird.

The "vintage" bird with the bolt on maple neck is going to be a very different beast from the VP. That's not to say it's a bad bird, it isn't, in fact it's quite nice. However, the VP is quite a bit nicer if you're shooting for a true vintage bird look, feel and sound at a price point that's very reasonable.

Try a Wilde J PUP in it, but check dimensions first. They’re the original Bill Lawrence design. Like 45 bucks. Or better, get the PJ set. His widow and daughter still make them in a little shop in L.A. Those stock Squier PUPs are rubbish, IMO.

I'll agree the stock squier Jazz pup is rubbish, but that split P in the Jag really is pretty decent considering the cost of the bass. Probably Chalk it up to an accidental success on Squiers part.

I'm not overly impressed by them, but it's my 'backup' bass. The ashtray and thumb rest are about as far as I'm going, 'cept for strings-PRN.

I do like the ashtray on your Jag. If I ever decide to sink another penny in it that's probably where it will go.

EVERYTHING is different between these two (one is mislabeled) Epi's, they share no parts or construction traits. The Vintage Pro @ $699 is hitting all the marks of a true to the original concept Thunderbird, neck thru multi ply Maho and Walnut construction, thin, fast neck, Humbuckers. The bolt on neck model has none of these, not saying it's a not good bass but there is a world of difference between the two and tonally the Vintage Pro gets you to the promised (Thunderbird) land at a very reasonable price.

^This pretty much sums it up for me as well.

 

[Gaolee]

Sweetwater website.

Question. What do you think of the $399 model? Is it huggable on its own? Any issues/weaknesses to consider?

I like the "low end" version a whole lot. It's a different animal of its own with its own set of charms. It's also the gateway to more Thunderbirds, or at least it was for me. I had one, let it go. After playing a P (which I still have) and a Ric (which I let go), it became clear to me that I should really be playing Thunderbirds. The bolt-on I got for $200, complete with a case and dried on beer spills, was right for me so far as ergos and an idea of what a bass should sound like. And so the journey to having a flock of 'Birds and not much else began.

The pickups aren't as clear and focused as a Gibson or higher end Epis or any of the aftermarket pickups. Those pickups are a somewhat different shape, so swapping them out isn't as easy, but I'm not sure why you would want to swap them anyway. If you get one of the earlier ones with the strap button on the vestigial upper bout, it will probably dive like a submarine. If the strap button has been relocated to the heel of the neck or if it's a newer one with it there in the first place, that's not much of an issue. The poly finish is so thick and durable that I'm pretty sure you could tow the thing behind an oil tanker, all the way to Japan, dry it off, and it would be the same as it was before the journey started. They can be a little heavy, relative to other Thunderbirds, but not bad. They are plenty durable. With that big maple neck and thick finish, they are perfect for bars where there's chicken wire up in front of the stage. Or paddling a canoe in a pinch. They look the part, which is a bonus, and the lack of an upper bout to dig into your rib cage means you can rotate it up and down all over the place to find where you want it to be. Or just wave it around enthusiastically to amuse yourself and your audience.

I would expect the pickups and sound to be different from a violin bass. I don't get along with violin basses for the same reason you don't, so I can't say for sure what the sound differences are.

 

[GonePlaid]

My personal opinion after playing numerous Eppi bolt on birds is that they all sound great but fall a bit short of the Eppi VP in tone and build quality. As opposed to spending $400 on a new bolt on bird I'd reach a bit deeper into my pocket and find a clean used VP for about $150 more. The VP is really in a different league than the CP or Goth or other bolt on TBirds IMHO. It's much much more true to its roots and really is at a phenomenal price point new or used.


LOL - that's about all its good for.


Pretty cool. Looks simple enough to make at home with some rosewood or Ebony or out of plastic.


The "vintage" bird with the bolt on maple neck is going to be a very different beast from the VP. That's not to say it's a bad bird, it isn't, in fact it's quite nice. However, the VP is quite a bit nicer if you're shooting for a true vintage bird look, feel and sound at a price point that's very reasonable.


I'll agree the stock squier Jazz pup is rubbish, but that split P in the Jag really is pretty decent considering the cost of the bass. Probably Chalk it up to an accidental success on Squiers part.


I do like the ashtray on your Jag. If I ever decide to sink another penny in it that's probably where it will go.


^This pretty much sums it up for me as well.

My 67 NR is 'set neck' into a slab of Honduran Maho. I've never played a 'neck-through' but I'm happy with what I have.

 

[GonePlaid]

My personal opinion after playing numerous Eppi bolt on birds is that they all sound great but fall a bit short of the Eppi VP in tone and build quality. As opposed to spending $400 on a new bolt on bird I'd reach a bit deeper into my pocket and find a clean used VP for about $150 more. The VP is really in a different league than the CP or Goth or other bolt on TBirds IMHO. It's much much more true to its roots and really is at a phenomenal price point new or used.


LOL - that's about all its good for.


Pretty cool. Looks simple enough to make at home with some rosewood or Ebony or out of plastic.


The "vintage" bird with the bolt on maple neck is going to be a very different beast from the VP. That's not to say it's a bad bird, it isn't, in fact it's quite nice. However, the VP is quite a bit nicer if you're shooting for a true vintage bird look, feel and sound at a price point that's very reasonable.


I'll agree the stock squier Jazz pup is rubbish, but that split P in the Jag really is pretty decent considering the cost of the bass. Probably Chalk it up to an accidental success on Squiers part.


I do like the ashtray on your Jag. If I ever decide to sink another penny in it that's probably where it will go.


^This pretty much sums it up for me as well.

I liked the idea of a thumb rest for the Jag and considered mounting the 'tug bar' I removed from the 67 NR on the Jag but decided to save it in case I ever re-install the original PG and wanna return the 67 to its original appearance. Or, I could put it on the soon to be released Epi RI, VP, NR, TB II/IV in multiple finishes.

 

[gaffster]

Rehearsal last night, new song to us...OK...I need to destroy my overdrive pedals.
rambleOn - Clyp

 

[Engle]

No. On the websites I see, they list a Vintage pro for $699, and a vintage for $399, which is a bolt on maple neck. I was checking to see if there were other differences (hardware, pickups). I have a chance to trade for one, and wanted to know what people think of the lower priced Epi Tbird.

I think the Eppi Tbird IV came in a Vintage sunburst and that’s the source of confusion. Pickups are different from the CP and VP, most seem to be wider than 1.5 at the nut.
I played one at a pawn shop and liked it, but decided to go neck through with a VP.

 

[fasterpussycat]

So I'm thinking the GK MB212 combo isn't really doing it for me with the Thunderbird CP. Lot of roundish low-mids, not much forward growl, not much "teeth"...
Any advice for eq?
Also I'm eyeing one of these...

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Thoughts, anyone?

Have you tried raising your pickups?

 

[fasterpussycat]

Well I've got some fuzz... And the sansamp jig on my pedalboard. I suppose I should continue experimenting with that before jumping ship.

The pedals Phil and Ken mention, plus maybe a Fairfield Barbershop (dirty compressor), Southampton 5th Gear or some sort of Blueberry.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Sweetwater website.

Question. What do you think of the $399 model? Is it huggable on its own? Any issues/weaknesses to consider?

It says, "Epiphone Thunderbird IV - Vintage Sunburst"

I've seen a recent trend to use such phrasing, describing the burst paint job as vintage. But it's not obvious at first glance what's going on. It's the Epi Thunderbird IV (or as I shorten it, "std IV"). Like I said, I play mine a lot, but it's its own beast, as V noted. I will reiterate that it has low end thunder for days.

My std IV ("Vintage Sunburst", BTW 8^) came with a great fret job, whereas the more expensive VP (which is awesome in general, never mind at its price) has frets that are just a bit sharp and protruding down the bottom side of the neck. It hasn't bothered me while playing, but I've noticed it while handling the bass.