Thunderbird Club

[Gaolee]

Are Sandberg Forty Eight basses similar sound wise to thunderbirds?

I doubt it. They are active, where the usual Thunderbird is passive. Also, the bridge pickup is in a similar location, but the other one is closer to the neck on a Thunderbird.

 

[MCF]

I had an ‘86 Custom Shop Thunderbird years ago, but I sold it in ‘99 to buy my ‘77 Jazz Bass. I always kind of wanted another one, but couldn’t really justify the price. I’ve been looking at the Epiphone Vintage Pro model online, and really like the way they look. I read up on them and they seemed like pretty nice basses for the money. I retired last week, so I pulled the trigger as a gift to myself. I just got it unboxed and tuned up. It’s very cool! It sounds like a monster through my Ampeg rig! I’m looking forward to taking it to band practice this weekend and trying it out at volume. I hope an Epiphone will qualify here. On a side note... when I was in high school in ‘82, I could have bought a ‘64 Thunderbird IV. I’d just bought a Rickenbacker a couple of months earlier, and thought my parents would probably be upset if I spent another $400. D’oh!!!!!!!!!!
Here are pics of my ‘86 and the new one.

Welcome! All Tbirds get respect around here; the name on the headstock isn’t important.

 

[dagrev]

That's one of the things I like about mine, it also has a pretty gradual fade too, and the black itself is not very prominent, just enough

View attachment 3854654

Subtle fade like my '64. I prefer it that way.

 

[dagrev]

Thanks?

I feel certain JJR58 meant it as a complement. Well, maybe.

 

[dagrev]

I had an ‘86 Custom Shop Thunderbird years ago, but I sold it in ‘99 to buy my ‘77 Jazz Bass. I always kind of wanted another one, but couldn’t really justify the price. I’ve been looking at the Epiphone Vintage Pro model online, and really like the way they look. I read up on them and they seemed like pretty nice basses for the money. I retired last week, so I pulled the trigger as a gift to myself. I just got it unboxed and tuned up. It’s very cool! It sounds like a monster through my Ampeg rig! I’m looking forward to taking it to band practice this weekend and trying it out at volume. I hope an Epiphone will qualify here. On a side note... when I was in high school in ‘82, I could have bought a ‘64 Thunderbird IV. I’d just bought a Rickenbacker a couple of months earlier, and thought my parents would probably be upset if I spent another $400. D’oh!!!!!!!!!!
Here are pics of my ‘86 and the new one.

Congrats on the retiring and the bass. Consider it the next best thing to the '64 that got away. Literally. I bought my '64 about '81/82. The VP is the next best thing without spending big bucks on a good custom reproduction. Fantastic value for the money.

 

[Gaolee]

Subtle fade like my '64. I prefer it that way.

Aw, quit rubbing it in!

 

[TBird1958]

R.I.P. Steve Priest

 

[JJR58]

I feel certain JJR58 meant it as a complement. Well, maybe.

Absolutely a complement.

 

[MCF]

R.I.P. Steve Priest
View attachment 3855113

Noooo. Not another one who created the soundtrack of our youth. Sad news.

 

[Nocturnal]

They've been around for a few years - it's a nice clean/simple modern design.

It sort of reminds me of a NR that has been squared off.

 

[Nocturnal]

R.I.P. Steve Priest
View attachment 3855113

I saw that a little bit ago. Sad day. RIP Steve.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

It sort of reminds me of a NR that has been squared off.

NRs look pretty square when you pull the PG off...

 

[Gaolee]

NRs look pretty square when you pull the PG off...
View attachment 3855155

I just do not get the NR love. But if Epi comes out with a NR Vintage Pro in the right colors and at the right price, I might have to reassess my attitudes

Mostly, I am holding out for a reverse VP, but not white, black, or burst.

 

[RedVee]

I really like my dark sunburst

 

[Gaolee]

View attachment 3855275

I really like my dark sunburst

I think of that as tobacco burst. Smoky, baby!

 

[JJR58]

I think of that as tobacco burst. Smoky, baby!

Like a good Scotch.

 

[Nocturnal]

This is the only sunburst in my collection (I think)

Mine is at the top of the pic:

 

[MCF]

I just do not get the NR love. But if Epi comes out with a NR Vintage Pro in the right colors and at the right price, I might have to reassess my attitudes

Mostly, I am holding out for a reverse VP, but not white, black, or burst.

I’m just gonna go rogue and get the incoming Ebony (now due 06/09) refinished.

 

[MCF]

This is the only sunburst in my collection (I think)

View attachment 3855315

Mine is at the top of the pic:

View attachment 3855316

Wait. You think?

 

[RexxRokket]

Rock n Roll never stops