Thunderbird Club

[PillO]

Negatory, good buddy. A $115 premium for the used bass? No, thanks, with extreme prejudice. Not even with the Gibson trussrod cover.

Ok, buy the one for $598, return it, then buy the one for $549. You get a new bird and you are up $49.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Thunderbirds are the bomb!
...
Regardless of the pick guard...

The bomb? Like this? (No THUNDERBIRD, I suspect. 8^( )

 

[Miles_ONeal]

they sure are...AND with no PG..
View attachment 3778270

That looks so much sexier to me than any of them with a PG. 8^O

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Thanks. I did a little more checking online. Browsing Sweetwater I can zoom in on the back of the head stock of a Vintage Pro and it has the sticker that says made in Indonesia. But while on another online retailer there was nothing on the head stock and the specs said China as country of origin. Same model, same price, etc.

So if they are made in different countries/factories is there typically any difference in quality? For instance there is always the debate about Fenders made in Mexico vs Japan for example.

I tend to distrust anything like "the specs said China as country of origin" unless that's on the mfr page. I've seen too much erroneous information. Doesn't mean this is, but...
Was that GC? They're the only place I've seen reference the VPs as being from China.

 

[TWolf]

I tend to distrust anything like "the specs said China as country of origin" unless that's on the mfr page. I've seen too much erroneous information. Doesn't mean this is, but...
Was that GC? They're the only place I've seen reference the VPs as being from China.

Musicians Friend

 

[GonePlaid]

I tend to distrust anything like "the specs said China as country of origin" unless that's on the mfr page. I've seen too much erroneous information. Doesn't mean this is, but...
Was that GC? They're the only place I've seen reference the VPs as being from China.

Maybe they don't know the difference? You know, 'somewhere over there'.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Musicians Friend

I verified my S/N through the decoder. Indonesia for my 2019 VP.

I know there are plenty of VPs here; the S/N is basically YYMMPLnnnnn
YY: year
MM: month
PC: Plant code
nnnnn: Production number

If PC == 23, it's Indonesia. It is claimed some Indonesian models have an I (9th letter of the alphabet) as the PC. Info on all of this below:

Epiphone serial-number-information - identification

 

[Nocturnal]

I agree -

THUNDERBIRD

View attachment 3778127

Not big on maple boards at all, but I would own a bass like this one.

 

[Nocturnal]

The P/J pickups were one of the 2 factors that made me let it go. I knew that's what it had b4 I bought it, but I was considering getting ThunderBuckers for it-if I liked it. The neck profile was what did it in for me. Just couldn't hack it compared to the 4 stringer's neck. I tried a few things, but finally decided against putting any more $ into a bass that was uncomfortable to play.
ETA: Actually, one ThunderBucker. I'da left the J pup in place. I never used it anyway. Superfluous.

I have considered the same Thunderbucker conversion on mine. I am more likely to just flip or trade them at some point.

 

[JJR58]

The bomb? Like this? (No THUNDERBIRD, I suspect. 8^( )

Well, this gets a huge, O!M!G! from me. Love this!!!

 

[MCF]

Don't mind helping you out.

And didn't play Thunderbirds. 'nough said.

Man. You all are tough. I’m in the mood for this one about now.
On Old Black with Promise of the Real.

 

[GBassNorth]

I verified my S/N through the decoder. Indonesia for my 2019 VP.

I know there are plenty of VPs here; the S/N is basically YYMMPLnnnnn
YY: year
MM: month
PC: Plant code
nnnnn: Production number

If PC == 23, it's Indonesia. It is claimed some Indonesian models have an I (9th letter of the alphabet) as the PC. Info on all of this below:

Epiphone serial-number-information - identification

Mine Ebony VP is #170723006XX
So...
built in July of 2017 in the Indonesia plant. I guess I'm a relatively early adopter, maybe about 600 out there built before mine. It does have the early tuners and is relatively low weight. Zero quality issues.

My Goth is #oops!
I guess I cut it off when I reshaped the headstock. Oh well, it's only a flesh wound, she's had worse.

 

[MCF]

Musicians Friend

They’re one in the same company.

 

[TBird1958]

Sorry Neil fans..... Much better here. I don't mind him BTW.

 

[Larry V]

Ha, they are both my healthcare providers. I have known both for years, so we discuss politics and what not pretty freely. I doubt they would know a Thunderbird from a sparrow, but who knows. My girlfriend would like me to keep the relationships professional, as would their husbands I imagine.

I was being cheeky about adding some Thunderbird content to our posts.

 

[MCF]

The PB NR in WI has been listed on Reverb for $150 more than their original listing. WT7??

Well, they did clarify that it comes with a case. Still too much IMO.
But stumbled across this while looking for that listing:
Invalid Link Removed

 

[MCF]

Well, they did clarify that it comes with a case. Still too much IMO.
But stumbled across this while looking for that listing:
Invalid Link Removed

Paging @GBassNorth

 

[JIO]

I play with a married couple from Russia. They are pretty funny. He's from Siberia and is an engineer. He's fairly awkward in a self-conscious and funny way. She's a fashion photographer from Moscow and very polished and urbane. I think she was probably once a fashion model herself. If not, she should have been. He's a complete perfectionist and is having a good time learning to play guitar like an American. I think he tried about 15 amps before he found the one he wanted. She plays keys and plays what's put in front of her. Perfectly. They were both fascinated by Thunderbirds. Especially the Flamingo.

My good friend Konstantine is from Moscow. He just got his American citizenship about three years ago. He's a musician (guitarist/composer) and if I can find it, has a B&W vid on YouTube from the late '80s of him playing live - it's awesome. Very Joy Division/dark. He relayed stories about avoiding conscription by faking mental issues and being sent to an institution instead of the military. I recall him once saying - never trust a Russian.

Here's one of his songs that I played bass on - the middle section is a little long - it was meant to have solo/overdubs yet to be added.

 

[JIO]

The tough part is getting the bird cut out. I know a guy, but he just got out of the laser cutting business.

A woman in Germany did it. I bought two from her.

 

[JIO]

Not big on maple boards at all, but I would own a bass like this one.

I only own a few myself but I do like them and that bass sounds great because of it. (along with a few other ingredients )