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Thunderbird Club

#144,261
AMS has such good deals now on these, that my TBird has a little friend coming early next week...
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#144,264
Miles_ONeal said:
Caution: No THUNDERBIRD content. 8^O

The band at our monthly concert at work was Truett, out of Atlanta. Absolutely top notch power trio, and great guys, to boot. I went up afterward to talk, and Dustin (bass) Williams must have spent close to ten minutes with me. We talked about music, influences, and bass guitars. When I mentioned how much I liked the sounds and looks of his silverflake Mustang (a Squier Mikey Way model), he handed it to me. "Want to try it?" He then proceeded to hand me his Precision and his other Mustang, to see how I liked them. He runs Labella flats on the Mustangs, and Elixers on the P. Gotta say, they all felt great. Blew my mind. Who does that? Even with them being "only" Squiers; these guys are on tour, and the first thing he handed me was his main axe.
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I don't know that he'd do that in a club; this was a private event and nobody was drunk or likely to go crazy. Still cool.
Also, on some of the songs, his hands were two rabid spiders running and jumping all over that Mustang. His RH anchor point was pretty much every square cm of that bass at some point.

Think a really friendly young Jack Bruce (sans Gibson) or John Paul Jones and you've got the idea.

Definitely go see them if you get the chance.
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That's a great story Miles. I really enjoy meeting and being around people are are not pretentious. I prefer ignorant people (not to be confused with foolish/stupid). You can at least help them. The the arrogant and self-important are a lost cause. It's really refreshing when people in a "position" (even in a position for a limited time in our circle), don't play the game of, "I'm me, and really don't have time for you" thing. Fortunately there are a good many that way. But still too many that think you are blessed it be in their presence. It's certainly nice when people don't have the I'm cool act going on.
 
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#144,265
MCF said:
Snuck away early to get home to my new baby. I did the Babicz install The other night and played it as it was without any tweaks. Today I raised the PUPs dialed in string height and actually loosened the TR a bit to get a hint of curve in the neck; it was too straight for the real world of my house. It’s set at .008 now. She’s perfect. The sound is amazing. And intonation on the Babicz was perfectly set out of the package. I ended not having to touch it.

Thanks to the enablers here. And to @GBassNorth for not trading his Stingray for it a few months ago when he was negotiating with the sellers for it. This bird and I were meant to be together. I’m loving it.
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Fantastic! So good to hear that it's working out. Love those stories.

But I was kind of hoping you wold say it sounds awful so I wouldn't want one....:)
 
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#144,266
GonePlaid said:
Load in Transit Connect for local gig Friday night. Left to right: mic stand and music stand and duffel w/cables, bass stand, mics, etc.; Squier VM Jaguar SS[backup]and 67 THUNDERBIRD in Coffin tm case; PA(JBL EON ONE), 7ender Rumble 100 behind(in front of? Anyway, between PA and center seat back). Not pictured: Yamaha EMX 512 powered mixer(line out to EON ONE)behind driver's seat.
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You have a lot in there, but there's still room left. Didn't see the sink...:whistle:
 
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#144,268
Beginner Craig said:
Hi all. Looking at a Epi Thunderbird Vintage Pro and Classic Pro. Whats the differences and which one is better? Thanks
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I can't compare the VP with the CP as I have never owned the CP. (But I think PUs are the big difference that will affect the tone.) However, I can rave over the VP. The VP might be absolutely the best bass in that price range and a good deal above it. They are very well made and sound pretty close to the original 60s version. Not identical, but pretty darn close. I have two VPs (and a '64 and '76), and I love both VPs. One is white and the other the burst. Both nearly flawless. As the worn out saying goes, "If I lost one I would definitely go buy another." An odd thing about the VPs--virtually every string I try sounds good on them, though I seek near tonal perfection and settled on a couple specific strings.

Note: Look for a demo or used from Sam Ash and get a better deal on what will likely be a pristine bass. That's where I got my white VP. They said it was used, but I could find no indication whatsoever it was ever played.
 
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#144,269
MCF said:
Snuck away early to get home to my new baby. I did the Babicz install The other night and played it as it was without any tweaks. Today I raised the PUPs dialed in string height and actually loosened the TR a bit to get a hint of curve in the neck; it was too straight for the real world of my house. It’s set at .008 now. She’s perfect. The sound is amazing. And intonation on the Babicz was perfectly set out of the package. I ended not having to touch it.

Thanks to the enablers here. And to @GBassNorth for not trading his Stingray for it a few months ago when he was negotiating with the sellers for it. This bird and I were meant to be together. I’m loving it.
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Suh-weet! Congrats on that beauty. :thumbsup:
 
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#144,270
GonePlaid said:
Load in Transit Connect for local gig Friday night. Left to right: mic stand and music stand and duffel w/cables, bass stand, mics, etc.; Squier VM Jaguar SS[backup]and 67 THUNDERBIRD in Coffin tm case; PA(JBL EON ONE), 7ender Rumble 100 behind(in front of? Anyway, between PA and center seat back). Not pictured: Yamaha EMX 512 powered mixer(line out to EON ONE)behind driver's seat.
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Looks a little empty. You need MORE STUFF in there! :smug:
 
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#144,271
Beginner Craig said:
Hi all. Looking at a Epi Thunderbird Vintage Pro and Classic Pro. Whats the differences and which one is better? Thanks
Click to expand...
Classic Pro has the same Gibson USA made pickups as a modern Gibson T bird. Can't speak to the VP, but the CP sounds A M A Z I N G! I did upgrade tuners and bridge to US Hipshot, to be fair.
 
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#144,272
dagrev said:
You have a lot in there, but there's still room left. Didn't see the sink...:whistle:
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Even though the TC is substantially smaller than the previous 'gigmobile'*, my gig gear is smaller too. I can get everything I need in there w/o folding down the center seats. Most of the stuff sits below window height so it's not too obvious what's in there. Plus which, I've put some blackout screens over the rear side and liftgate windows to obscure the cargo. And the thing averages 27 MPG!
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*
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#144,274
GonePlaid said:
Even though the TC is substantially smaller than the previous 'gigmobile'*, my gig gear is smaller too. I can get everything I need in there w/o folding down the center seats. Most of the stuff sits below window height so it's not too obvious what's in there. Plus which, I've put some blackout screens over the rear side and liftgate windows to obscure the cargo. And the thing averages 27 MPG!

*
View attachment 3716625 View attachment 3716626
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Sounds ideal. I still have nightmares of getting a Peavey 2x15 cab in the back seat of a '76 Cordoba. Thankfully cars then actually had some room in them. Fortunately I could use the truck most of the time.
 
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#144,276
dagrev said:
I can't compare the VP with the CP as I have never owned the CP. (But I think PUs are the big difference that will affect the tone.) However, I can rave over the VP. The VP might be absolutely the best bass in that price range and a good deal above it. They are very well made and sound pretty close to the original 60s version. Not identical, but pretty darn close. I have two VPs (and a '64 and '76), and I love both VPs. One is white and the other the burst. Both nearly flawless. As the worn out saying goes, "If I lost one I would definitely go buy another." An odd thing about the VPs--virtually every string I try sounds good on them, though I seek near tonal perfection and settled on a couple specific strings.

Note: Look for a demo or used from Sam Ash and get a better deal on what will likely be a pristine bass. That's where I got my white VP. They said it was used, but I could find no indication whatsoever it was ever played.
Click to expand...

I own neither but have tried both. The CP is an inexpensive, well made version of the modern Gibson with essentially the same PUPs. The VP is a tribute to the original 60s bird with correspondingly more vintage sounding PUPs. Also well made. Neither is better, only different. I think the VP has a bit more angry piano tone, but my ears are old. And I’ve only tried them in stores and through Rumble 200s. Both are neck through with thin fast necks. Were I in the market and was trying to choose, Id give up and buy both. Good deals on VP “blems” come up on most online retailers from time to time; usually for around $550. Even at $699, they’re a bargain. CPs seem to running $400 to $450 used for that now (unfortunately) discontinued model. Whichever way Craig decides, he can’t go wrong.
 
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#144,277
MCF said:
I own neither but have tried both. The CP is an inexpensive, well made version of the modern Gibson with essentially the same PUPs. The VP is a tribute to the original 60s bird with correspondingly more vintage sounding PUPs. Also well made. Neither is better, only different. I think the VP has a bit more angry piano tone, but my ears are old. And I’ve only tried them in stores and through Rumble 200s. Both are neck through with thin fast necks. Were I in the market and was trying to choose, Id give up and buy both. Good deals on VP “blems” come up on most online retailers from time to time; usually for around $550. Even at $699, they’re a bargain. CPs seem to running $400 to $450 used for that now (unfortunately) discontinued model. Whichever way Craig decides, he can’t go wrong.
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Really great description and contrast! From what I've heard, the Gibson PUs are a little darker and possibly lean slightly toward a more modern tone, and that seems to reflect what you were hearing. I don't go for the angry piano tone, but I suppose with SS rounds it would do it very well--like with the Roto-like strings that come on them. I shoot for big and thick. Clank and the like are not my thing for what I'm doing. So the VPs certainly don't have to sound that way. (Not that this is at all what your were saying. I just didn't want anyone to think angry was going to be the only thing the VPs do well.) I agree that the CP would be a great bass and Craig can't go wrong either way. I'd like to grab one myself! As soon as I can talk myself out of looking at the Les Paul Tribute's and the Jack Cassidy's of late!

Just ran across this by accident.
Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage Pro vs Classic Pro | TalkBass.com
 
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#144,278
Beginner Craig said:
Hi all. Looking at a Epi Thunderbird Vintage Pro and Classic Pro. Whats the differences and which one is better? Thanks
Click to expand...
The CP will sound similar to a current Gibson Thunderbird (according to folks here that have both).
The VP will sound more like a vintage 1960's Thunderbird (according to folks here that have both).
Since I don't have a CP or a 1960's bird I can't confirm that, but assuming it's true I can offer an opinion on my VP vs my 2014 Gibson TBird that should answer your question.

The VP sounds very different from the modern Gibson TBird. It's a more agressive in your face type tone, more grit, more growl, more grind. It wants to be up front in the mix but with the right strings you can get it to lay back a bit. The Gibby on the other hand is a little more refined, smooth and laid back. It can still grind but you'll have to dig in deeper and have the right strings. To my ears, the Gibson TBird sounds like a P bass on steroids and the VP sounds like a TBird on steroids.

Physically the VP is a couple of inches longer but most of that is in the headstock (which is huge). I suspect the reach to the G string tuner is longer on the VP by an inch or so. The hardware on the VP is quite different - pups in chrome cans with trim rings and a two piece bridge vs black plastic pups and a three point bridge. The VP bridge alone might be enough to sway some people in its direction (there's kind of a love it or hate it mentality with some players around here regarding the three point).

Price wise you'll pay more for a used VP than a discontinued CP but probably only a couple hundred more. Both are great basses. I personally like the VP better than the CP and every bit as much as my much more expensive Gibson TBirds.
 
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