Cool striping in that fretboard!
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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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- club thunderbird
Based on my experience of just fitting one Thunderbird case into a Smart Car, I think you could fit an entire flock in there.
First time posting here! I have recently fallen in love with Thunderbird-shaped basses, and am thinking of having it be my next bass purchase. So I thought that you guys would be the best people here on TB to consult! My budget is in the $1k range. I prefer thinner necks but can adapt to thicker, P-style necks, and hoping to keep things on the light and balanced side (hopefully around 9 lbs or lighter)–I wear my bass quite low (below waist, around thigh-height) so would really prefer to not have neck-dive issues. I play about 75% rock, with some jazz, funk, and smoother music thrown in–if the bass can go beyond rock tones that is a plus but not a must. My only other criteria is that it must be black.
I have tried a couple Epi T-birds at local stores and never really bonded with the necks–they always felt rather hard to get comfortable with, IME. The two I specifically been looking at are a vintage 80's Greco and an ESP LTD Phoenix-1004. Other than that, I don't know much about the various T-bird basses so if you guys had any input or recommendations, I would love to hear them! Thanks!
I have tried a couple Epi T-birds at local stores and never really bonded with the necks–they always felt rather hard to get comfortable with, IME. The two I specifically been looking at are a vintage 80's Greco and an ESP LTD Phoenix-1004. Other than that, I don't know much about the various T-bird basses so if you guys had any input or recommendations, I would love to hear them! Thanks!
Not sure you would be able to find a Gibson in that price range, but look around for a used Epiphone Thunderbird Classic Pro. It's got the Gibson TB+ pickups that all the modern Gibsons have and as far as I know the same comfortable, thin neck. I doubt you'd experience neck dive.
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,897
- 142,236
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Epiphone has quite a few models, so be sure to try a Vintage Pro (They call it a Thunderbird '60s bass too) at a $699 it's well worth checking out. I have a Greco Thunderbird II and I can tell you that I prize it - fantastic bass, the pickup is to die for, the neck is closer to a P bass rather than the typical thinner Thunderbird. They go for a bit more than 1K, but they're worth it.
Not sure why I didn't also suggest that. It's funny that some new VPs are going for less than some used CPs now. Does the VP have the same neck as a CP?
@Outshined91 The lady knows what she's talking about.
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Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
And Burgundy Mist Metallic. Of course.
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,897
- 142,236
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Different necks on the Classic Pro and the Vintage Pro, the Classic being pretty close to a Post '88 Gibson, the VP is little bigger - not much.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
Used CPs are going for more than a new VP? We live in strange times.
Thanks for the help guys! I took a quick look on the internet and found a Classic Pro locally that would make for a very convenient purchase... looks sweet but was the Classic Pro ever made in black? If not, I did see a couple Vintage Pros in black online on the other hand that I would be more inclined towards–aside from the neck profile are there any other differences between the CP and the VP?
As well, I have found an 80's Greco locally that I think I can finagle down into my price range. I have messaged the seller about weight, but he/she hasn't gotten back to me yet... do those run on the heavy side?
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,897
- 142,236
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
My Greco is under 9lbs - given your choices, personally I'd be all over the Greco because they're not so common, aside from being a great Thunderbird.
Awesome, thanks! Maybe I have my decision made already then. Although technically I have to sell my fretless before I can pull the trigger on this
so hopefully it sticks around at least for a little while.
are you only considering reverse Birds?…Awesome, thanks! Maybe I have my decision made already then. Although technically I have to sell my fretless before I can pull the trigger on this
would you happen to remember what didn’t jive for you? have heard from more than person that they are like RS66 with more bottom….would you concur?
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,897
- 142,236
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
It's been 5-6 years now at least since I tried them on a '76, the low end didn't have a lot of clarity (kind of flubby) as I recall and trying to drive a song with a pick just wasn't working, I took them off after one rehearsal. I can't make a good comparison to the RS66's as I haven't used them in quite a long time now.
Sweet!!! That’s a beauty Marshall!
I just can't justify it right now. Not even to myself. We're still getting things fixed up on the house after the move. But I'm thinking and wondering what I could sell to offset the cost a bit. Maybe even one of the VPs!
The white one is pristine and would sell in no time. But it sounds so stinking good. The '06 is a possibility simply because a NR would sound more like what I'm used to. But I don't think I could part with it because it's about as perfect as an instrument could be and I love playing it as much as anything I've ever played. Maybe I can take a pile of things to trade in on a used one one day. I'm hoping that someone will buy one and just not bond with it and I would find myself to be a NR owner as a result, and at a discount.
Well, @tanner (?) gave his Burgundy one back...I just can't justify it right now. Not even to myself. We're still getting things fixed up on the house after the move. But I'm thinking and wondering what I could sell to offset the cost a bit. Maybe even one of the VPs!
