Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

So I need some advice. I see a lot of great reviews for the Epiphone vintage pro. I have several modern Gibsons and a 76 which I LOVE... simple question, is the Epi that good and worth a punt? Also, are they heavy compared to the modern Gibsons? I would imagine they are more like the 76? Any advice welcome!

The VPs are a great bass. The pickups are ballsier than the modern Gibson PUPs and sound great. I’ve only had one a couple weeks now and am still learning the tones it has. But man, the headstock is humongous (some think it’s so they can’t be passed of as real vintage Gibsons). Could be. They are well made. Not as well made as my two Gibsons, but they’re getting close. Any Tbird enthusiast really should have at least one VP.

 

[dagrev]

@dagrev inspired me to see what fits what. So, I’ll share the results.

First up is an older Epi case that came with the Pelham Blue Limited Edition CS. It seems ok, wooden with a seemingly thick Tolex type covering. Construction wise, it’s along the lines of a standard Gator case, just not as well made. The Epi bolt-ons fit perfectly. The Gibson ‘15 fits too. The VP does not fit. The ‘13 NR does not fit.
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The newer currently available Epi Thunderbird case is chintzier, but looks nice. As I said somewhere above, it’s covered in a thinner vinyl that looks like it would tear easily. It is the only case that the VP fits in; It’s a tight fit. The bolt-ons and ‘15 also fit; but they fit a bit better in the older EPI case.
It is a dedicated Reverse only case so the NR won’t fit.
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The big as a house Gibson case that came with the ‘15 is a beautiful, well made case. The 15’ fits perfectly. The bolt-ons also fit, but their shape is just ever so slightly different than the ‘15, or maybe it’s that the bodies are thicker that makes it less than perfect. But still perfectly fine. It’s also a dedicated Reverse only case.

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The NR has its own Gibson case that only it fits. It’s a beautiful, well made case with the tough snakeskin-like diamond pattern covering. My guess is that it’s probably the most durable of the lot. The interior is really plush.


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Great review! My VPs will fit the older VP (rectangle) case , they are just a little snug getting the headstock in. Once in, no issues. But I use it for storage only. As you said, the exterior is more durable. I find all Thunderbirds fit more securely with less ability to move in my newer Epi case, and the support seems more soft in most places. Meaning the foam not the fake fur. In my Gibson the foam support seems hard in some places. It looks so nice, I could live in your NR case!

 

[Iristone]

I wish they come in a neck-through non-reverse style - there's something in the neck-through construction that makes the higher notes really sing with clarity, yet they take a bit of trial and error to reach. Maybe I just gotta get used to it.
BTW does anyone notice a different betwen a '19 and previous pickups? Mine sounds a lot brighter and clearer than any video I've seen. Or maybe it's my amp.

 

[PillO]

I wish they come in a neck-through non-reverse style - there's something in the neck-through construction that makes the higher notes really sing with clarity, yet they take a bit of trial and error to reach. Maybe I just gotta get used to it.
BTW does anyone notice a different betwen a '19 and previous pickups? Mine sounds a lot brighter and clearer than any video I've seen. Or maybe it's my amp.

You should be following the rumour mill.

We expect a VP NR in a variety of colours including pelham blue, inverness green, and burgundy mist metallic. We also hear that it will have a thunderbird inlay at the 12th fret.

 

[MCF]

I wish they come in a neck-through non-reverse style - there's something in the neck-through construction that makes the higher notes really sing with clarity, yet they take a bit of trial and error to reach. Maybe I just gotta get used to it.
BTW does anyone notice a different betwen a '19 and previous pickups? Mine sounds a lot brighter and clearer than any video I've seen. Or maybe it's my amp.

Don’t we all. If they do a NR, expect a set neck, not a neck through. But yeah, we all want them to do it

 

[MCF]

Killer deal Alert!!!!
For Sale - Gibson Thunderbird
No affiliation.

 

[TBird1958]

Earlier this very day...……...

 

[GonePlaid]

Traipsing around YT I found this. Interesting remake of Beach Boys "Sloop John B" with all overdubs. Notice the first guitar pictured. Didn't know there was such an animal.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Only slightly interesting. Maybe not even that. VPs wont fit my newer Gibson case (which has been vandalized); but the new Epi Thunderbird cases fit everything and seems to be a little more cushy. I'm happy about that because it's also lighter. The Epi case is my go to for all the Birds.
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I really like the new Epi bird cases.

 

[BklynKen]

Earlier this very day...……...
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Nice! How are you finding the SITs compared to the Rock Masters?

 

[GBassNorth]

So I need some advice. I see a lot of great reviews for the Epiphone vintage pro. I have several modern Gibsons and a 76 which I LOVE... simple question, is the Epi that good and worth a punt? Also, are they heavy compared to the modern Gibsons? I would imagine they are more like the 76? Any advice welcome!

This is one of those few times in life where you just don't need to over think things, buy the VP. Yes, it's that good - Just buy it. You won't be sorry. It's probably the best new bass purchase out there under $1000. The lighter the better but they're all good.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I still think your Cobalts were defective and must have pulled apart. My Cobalts are really smoooooth.

This

 

[TBird1958]

Nice! How are you finding the SITs compared to the Rock Masters?

I like them a lot on the Studio, they're probably the best strings matched with the stock Gibson pickups that I can recall, I'll certainly keep using them on this bass. When the time comes to buy some more strings I'll pick up another set to try on a different Bird - Thanks for putting me onto them!

 

[RedVee]

I like them a lot on the Studio, they're probably the best strings matched with the stock Gibson pickups that I can recall, I'll certainly keep using them on this bass. When the time comes to buy some more strings I'll pick up another set to try on a different Bird - Thanks for putting me onto them!

^ @dagrev ^ have you tried these yet ?

 

[dagrev]

You should be following the rumour mill.

We expect a VP NR in a variety of colours including pelham blue, inverness green, and burgundy mist metallic. We also hear that it will have a thunderbird inlay at the 12th fret.

You've heard that too, huh?

 

[MCF]

Traipsing around YT I found this. Interesting remake of Beach Boys "Sloop John B" with all overdubs. Notice the first guitar pictured. Didn't know there was such an animal.

That is a cool Firebird!
Gear of the Month: 1966 Gibson Firebird V-12

That version is well done. Several of them in it were obviously born after the Beach Buys recorded theirs for Pet Sounds. I think it’s a testament to Brian’s genius. Think about how perfect theIr sound on it was, recorded in 1966. And there were only six of them.

 

[dagrev]

^ @dagrev ^ have you tried these yet ?

No not yet, but I do have a set on hand. Previously I found them similar in some ways to GHS Pressurewounds in terms of tone. I'm not crazy about how thy feel, so I was hoping to find another option. But if they do the trick, I'll gladly get over the feel.

 

[MCF]

No not yet, but I do have a set on hand. Previously I found them similar in some ways to GHS Pressurewounds in terms of tone. I'm not crazy about how thy feel, so I was hoping to find another option. But if they do the trick, I'll gladly get over the feel.

I ordered a set a month or so ago. Still waiting. I can’t even remember what I thought I might try them on.

 

[GonePlaid]

That is a cool Firebird!
Gear of the Month: 1966 Gibson Firebird V-12

That version is well done. Several of them in it were obviously born after the Beach Buys recorded theirs for Pet Sounds. I think it’s a testament to Brian’s genius. Think about how perfect theIr sound on it was, recorded in 1966. And there were only six of them.

Plus the 'wrecking crew' and who knows how many studio cats.

 

[PillO]

I ordered a set a month or so ago. Still waiting. I can’t even remember what I thought I might try them on.

That always happens to me:
Make a plan of stings matched to basses.
Place order.
Wait a week or two.
Why did I buy these strings? What was I going to put them on?

I'd leave a note to myself about it, but I would forget where the note is or not remember what it meant.