Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

At my age it comes down to what I can lift out of the basement for the gig,,

Good thing you don’t have an ACC 360 down there.

 

[69'Vette]

I finally bit the bullet and ordered a used Vintage Pro on Reverb. Scott's clips and praise for these basses have kept me considering them, but my OCD tendencies kept me at arms length due to the small differences in shape both on the body and headstock (seriously, it bugs me that I notice and am bothered by stuff like that but I always have been).

Originally, I was going to get a white one, but when I finally got my Bicentennial done, it made me miss my first Thunderbird (bought in 1982), which was black. I also found that the darker color minimized my getting hung up on the differences.

I doubt I'll ever be able to justify spending what I'd have to spend to get another Bicentennial, so I think this black bird will have to scratch that itch. Now all I need is another Thunderbird II! I have a Greco II that I love, but I may end up trying to find a VP on the cheap and just making one.

 

[Instagator]

Good thing you don’t have an ACC 360 down there.

I could have..a local guy had four full
Rigs for sale on CL ..I just ran out of space...Thought about it though..
I used to have a 136

 

[TBird1958]

I finally bit the bullet and ordered a used Vintage Pro on Reverb. Scott's clips and praise for these basses have kept me considering them, but my OCD tendencies kept me at arms length due to the small differences in shape both on the body and headstock (seriously, it bugs me that I notice and am bothered by stuff like that but I always have been).

Originally, I was going to get a white one, but when I finally got my Bicentennial done, it made me miss my first Thunderbird (bought in 1982), which was black. I also found that the darker color minimized my getting hung up on the differences.

I doubt I'll ever be able to justify spending what I'd have to spend to get another Bicentennial, so I think this black bird will have to scratch that itch. Now all I need is another Thunderbird II! I have a Greco II that I love, but I may end up trying to find a VP on the cheap and just making one.

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I think you'll like the VP George, certainly a very nice bass - the Greco tho, that's the Bird that RAWRS!

 

[godofthunder59]

lol...looks like a little mouse....my high school teacher swore by those for guitar, he played a Gibson Birdland, Joe Pass style when we gigged, great dynamic range....

Rotosounds chew up the picks

 

[PillO]

There was a Twilight Zone type show maybe in the 80s where a girl in a college dorm was studying, leaves her desk to go do something, and when she comes back her coffee mug is gone. She looks all over and finally finds this little blue guy trying to put it back and catches him. Then his boss comes out, asking her to let him go. They take little things that you wouldn't notices missing or find a big deal. He made a mistake of taking her mug, which was significant. I can't remember what show that was, but I've been trying to figure it out.

There was a sniglet for where that one missing sock goes from the laundry: Hozone.

I recall a show like that around Y2K

 

[PillO]

Really hate to hear that. Just sucks all the way around. It's difficult when something you love is not an option for an extended time. On the bright side you still have us! OK, maybe that's a bit of a stretch.

I still have my melons...

 

[GonePlaid]

I finally bit the bullet and ordered a used Vintage Pro on Reverb. Scott's clips and praise for these basses have kept me considering them, but my OCD tendencies kept me at arms length due to the small differences in shape both on the body and headstock (seriously, it bugs me that I notice and am bothered by stuff like that but I always have been).

Originally, I was going to get a white one, but when I finally got my Bicentennial done, it made me miss my first Thunderbird (bought in 1982), which was black. I also found that the darker color minimized my getting hung up on the differences.

I doubt I'll ever be able to justify spending what I'd have to spend to get another Bicentennial, so I think this black bird will have to scratch that itch. Now all I need is another Thunderbird II! I have a Greco II that I love, but I may end up trying to find a VP on the cheap and just making one.

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I see you already have the separate headstocks.

 

[MCF]

I still have my melons...

Well there’s that.....

 

[Gaolee]

Obviously love the bass, but love your floors. Reminds me of a when we restored a registered historic mansion here and built and office and with courtyard. The mansion had floors similar in that they had a border with about four different kids of wood. It was beautiful.

Thanks. Those floors were hidden under orange shag carpet when we moved in. The house needed a lot of work!

 

[Gaolee]

Good thing you don’t have an ACC 360 down there.

I have one in the basement. That is the 1968. The Grexa reissue lives in a closet upstairs.

Getting the original up or down is slow, but not that difficult if you are not in a hurry.

 

[dagrev]

The FedEx driver just left this for me. Box looked a little worse for wear, but no damage to the contents. I have been experimenting with flats lately and thought I would give these a try. I have never used them before, but have read plenty, both good and not so good. Debating between putting them on the Thunderbird or the 335. Hopefully they will sound good on either bass.
Have a great relaxing Sunday everyone

Hello Border, They will sound pretty different from anything you've tried. Give them time (like all flats), and they will turn into what they will sound like for a decade. Unlike rounds which tend to sound best new, this isn't true of TIs or most flats. I would say don't make decision for a month of good playing. That will give them time to settle and you time to adjust to the feel. "They feel of noodles" is just irrational and unhelpful. Unless a person is used to heavy strings or plays like they are attacking the bass the description is silly. They may not be for you or what tone you are hoping for, but you must give them time or you'll never know what they really sound like. Your patience will likely be rewarded. But if you end up not liking them you can sell them here for almost what you paid for them. If you like them they will literally last a decade or more. Which makes them very inexpensive.

Sounds odd maybe, but flats (and TIs) sound great on Thunderbirds!

 

[dagrev]

I finally bit the bullet and ordered a used Vintage Pro on Reverb. Scott's clips and praise for these basses have kept me considering them, but my OCD tendencies kept me at arms length due to the small differences in shape both on the body and headstock (seriously, it bugs me that I notice and am bothered by stuff like that but I always have been).

Originally, I was going to get a white one, but when I finally got my Bicentennial done, it made me miss my first Thunderbird (bought in 1982), which was black. I also found that the darker color minimized my getting hung up on the differences.

I doubt I'll ever be able to justify spending what I'd have to spend to get another Bicentennial, so I think this black bird will have to scratch that itch. Now all I need is another Thunderbird II! I have a Greco II that I love, but I may end up trying to find a VP on the cheap and just making one.

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Congrats! You won't be sorry.

 

[dagrev]

I still have my melons...

I'll take your word on that. No pics, please.

 

[69'Vette]

Found a brand new alpine white Epi VP for sale at K&S Music’s (PA) website this morning. Nice dark fretboard like I prefer, and free shipping...
View attachment 4239519

I pulled the trigger on a black one today, in part because it also has a darker board than ones I've seen advertised lately. I don't know if the whole run from the beginning has been Indian Laurel or not, but I don't remember the early ones having very light fingerboards. If it's not a maple P, I prefer a dark fingerboard over anything else.

 

[Bassmike62]

This one seems pretty cheap.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Thx .
This didn't come up during my search earlier today, I entered Thunderbird instead of T-Bird...shoulda known dat.
Order placed.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Cream at Seattle's Eagles in 1968.........All Gibson show!

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Awesome! Thx for posting... don’t think I’ve ever seen Clapton with a Firebird ever...

 

[Border]

Hello Border, They will sound pretty different from anything you've tried. Give them time (like all flats), and they will turn into what they will sound like for a decade. Unlike rounds which tend to sound best new, this isn't true of TIs or most flats. I would say don't make decision for a month of good playing. That will give them time to settle and you time to adjust to the feel. "They feel of noodles" is just irrational and unhelpful. Unless a person is used to heavy strings or plays like they are attacking the bass the description is silly. They may not be for you or what tone you are hoping for, but you must give them time or you'll never know what they really sound like. Your patience will likely be rewarded. But if you end up not liking them you can sell them here for almost what you paid for them. If you like them they will literally last a decade or more. Which makes them very inexpensive.

Sounds odd maybe, but flats (and TIs) sound great on Thunderbirds!

Hello Dagrev, thank you for the good advice about these new flats. I have read a few reviews that make the "spaghetti noodle " comparison. I don't believe I play with a very heavy attack so am hoping feel is not an issue. I will definitely reserve judgment for a month or so to give them time to settle in. I am hoping they work for me, and I can literally keep them on for years. Still debating between the Bird and the 335. I have liked the EB Cobalt flats on the bird, but might like these even better. The 335 has the same rounds it was wearing when I bought it. Either way, I appreciate the advice, and will post again once I give them a try. Thanks much. Take care.

 

[jd56hawk]

Finally got to play one of the new Epiphone Vintage Pro Thunderbirds today. Not sure I like the new p'ups as much as the the Gibson TB plus but it still sounded great. Build quality blew me away especially at this price point. The frets were pretty well dressed but could use a little polish. The blackwood Tek fretboard looked much better than I expected. If not for the tighter grain I would have though it was rosewood. The setup from the factory was pretty poor though. The relief was set pretty well but the action was super high. There feels like a lot of tension on the factory strings too. So what color to get??? I've never owned a black bass and they sure look sweet with all that shiny nickle. The white is pretty sexy too. Then there's the burst... AAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!

So brunette, blonde or ginger???? What say the hive?

Blackwood Tek?

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Randy Meisner ghost notes...

Don’t you know you can’t play a Thunderbird sitting down? Didn’t see much headstock dive, either. Fake.