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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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- club thunderbird
Hello everyone!!!
I recently got my hands on a beautiful epi EB-3, and I have been drifting more and more to that type of sound, and leaving my comfort zone (P bass and MM style). Because of that I have been thinking about getting an Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage Pro , I think that right now they are called Epiphone Thunderbird 60's, but I am a die hard flats fan, would a Thunderbird work fine with flats ? Or, due to it's classic sound be to muddy to even sound good ? Anyone here rocking Thunderbirds with flats, and if so, which brand??
PS: Played the white one yesterday (with some rounds) and absolutely loved the feeling, but thinking about the classic sunburst, by far one of the most beautiful basses I have ever seen!
Thank you all.
I recently got my hands on a beautiful epi EB-3, and I have been drifting more and more to that type of sound, and leaving my comfort zone (P bass and MM style). Because of that I have been thinking about getting an Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage Pro , I think that right now they are called Epiphone Thunderbird 60's, but I am a die hard flats fan, would a Thunderbird work fine with flats ? Or, due to it's classic sound be to muddy to even sound good ? Anyone here rocking Thunderbirds with flats, and if so, which brand??
PS: Played the white one yesterday (with some rounds) and absolutely loved the feeling, but thinking about the classic sunburst, by far one of the most beautiful basses I have ever seen!
Thank you all.
Lots of EB Cobalt flats on VPs. I recommend installing them per the specific instructions on the package. Give them a try when your new bird arrives. Great choice!
Never used EB Cobalts, only La Bella, RotoSonds and Jazz Flats, but I will buy that set, been hearing great things about those flats.
Thank you for the reply !
The past couple weeks have been a little crazy with my 13 year old dealing with impacted wisdom teeth and the pain they were causing, so other than checking to make sure it survived shipping I never got the chance to play my new to me Epi until today. I wanted to A/B these two before making any judgment.
I've been lucky to own at least one example of almost every production Gibson Thunderbird ever produced; the only exception being a 63-65 reverse IV. I've also owned various copies. Every single one of them has/had a slightly different sound and character, but they've all had enough in common (sound wise) that they were easily identified as a bird to my ear. I took a gamble on restoring the white '76 above, but it turned out exactly how I'd hoped and is one of the best sounding birds I've played. It's housing two Thunderbucker '66 pickups from late 2013 and Scott's Badbird and tailpiece. The Epi is a bone stock 2017 model out of the Samick factory in Indonesia (if the serial number decoder on the Epi wiki was legit).
The cosmetic differences between these two basses are easy to spot when side by side. They're not huge though. There is a noticeable difference in the neck profile between the 70s bird and the Epi. The white one is sleek and fairly shallow, whereas the Epi feels much thicker front to back (though not uncomfortably so). My newer Embassy feels even beefier and is definitely bigger all around than the 60s Embassies I've played). Both birds have the same nut width. Body thickness is the same.
Played through an SVT Classic and 1 4X10, the white bass has more top end and more of a bell like tone. The Epi is darker, but not muddy. There's enough midrange and bottom on both to make them definitely sound related. They both sound like Thunderbirds. I haven't changed the strings out on the Epi, so the top end difference could be a factor as well (not sure what rounds are on it). Playing it today made me want to get my preferred string (D'Addario XLs). If that gives me the upper end I like to hear, I'll call it a day. If not, I may be tempted to try Thunderbuckers in it; but I won't be in a hurry. It already sounds good enough to be a long term part of my collection. I'm very happy I got it.
The great thing about almost every TBird I've played is that they are very string friendly, try your favorite string it'll deliver the goods. If you're a flat string player, Cobalts or Rotos or TI Jazz flats all sound great. La Bella Black Tapes also sound great for that non round wound sound. Black Beauties are a great choice for coated Rounds. Boomers, Sunbeams, NYXL, Blue Steels, Ken Smiths and SITS are all highly thought of here as well.
- Mar 13, 2008
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- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
I'm certain you'd really enjoy the new Epiphone Bird, it's a great bass - We're all enablers here! Welcome!
Yeah I loved the one I played, when mine arrives I will post a picture here, thank you all for the great answers !!!
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
It chose you. That is how you become a Thunderbird player.
Easy there. The rig that can trigger the San Andreas Fault.
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Does she know you're using her blankie for the bass?
- Nov 27, 2003
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- Rogue luthier employed at Knooren Handcrafted bass guitars
Although John Entwistle would have called it "Sparse"Easy. The rig that can trigger the San Andreas Fault.
That's what I said until that Pro V...
Lots of us play VPs with flats! I've been happy with Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats on 4 different Epi birds, including the VP. There are a few other preferences here as well, especially amongst the members of the Princess Fingers Club (a sub-club comprised of those who are allergic to motorcycles and EBCF, so they play other flats and ride twin turbo scooters instead of actual motorcycles).
Congrats! Those look like they are probably the stock Epi strings. If so, they're OK but not great. A VP should have top end for days. Otherwise it couldn't turn into Hulk. I mean Angry Piano Bird.
Well I might have to belly up to the bar and buy one of the new Gibby NR basses now. I put a chunk of money on Modena to win in the KY Derby. If I get the bass the first song I'll have to play on it it is Funky Cold Modena. LOL
You should try the Gibson EB2013 fiver. It's darn near an aircraft carrier deck in width.
I got it for a real good price, previous owner knew there was a neck break. The break wasn't all the way through but I was definitely broken. Took in the a recommended luthier and it is fixed. the crack is still visible but I don't care, it works as it should and sounds like thunder, I am quite pleased. I have to admit though I have thought about changing the pup. No changes for a while, I have way to much on my plate as it is now.
