• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Thunderbird Club

#184,801
Outshined91 said:
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!
Click to expand...
Not knowing which Epiphone's you tried, consider a Vintage Pro (60's Bass, 2021 name). Exceptionally well made and very affordable. Sound as close to a "real" 60's vintage Thunderbird (which I have), without spending massive dollars. I like them so much I have two. Aggressive when you want and punchy. They sound more like a Thunderbird than Gibson Thunderbirds. Don't decide until you try one.

The first two on the left are VPs.
TP3dcNV1wj5XfEEtWerACyN_RsMzXs6aqt2QlLhrHlQURmll90k8JwWnZnZZzoc9K1AP0Ag=w994-h1324-no?authuser=0.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Miles_ONeal, Rocker47, RedVee and 12 others
#184,802
Chucky Stiletti said:
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?
Click to expand...
I have both on various basses and while they don't sound the same, there is a good deal of truth in the way you worded it. Boomers have slightly less highs (I don't find Rotos crazy bright), more thick lows, and the mids on Boomers are shifted to the low-mids whereas 66s are are more mid to upper mid stronger. Boomers likely can be as aggressive as 66s with the right EGing. Roto's just have a very distinctive sound. But Boomers are not a bad option since they can be raunchy sounding if desired.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, PillO and Chucky Stiletti
#184,803
Outshined91 said:
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?
Click to expand...
I have two Greco Tbirds, a 1977 single pickup and a 1990 dual pickup (that’s a Thunderbird II and a Thunderbird IV in Tbird lingo), I also have a 2017 Epiphone Vintage Pro.

The vintage look and sound of the VP is it’s strong point. The Greco birds sound wise are kind of a hybrid between the VP and a CP or Modern Gibson bird except dialed up past 11. They roar with authority and can be as aggressive as the VP (only louder) or as creamy as the CP/Gibby (only thicker). From a balance standpoint both basses like to be hung low on the right hip with the neck in the 1:00 or 2:00 position and have little or no neck dive with a standard leather bass strap. My Grecos are a tad heavier, maybe a half pound, and their necks are very slightly thicker.

All that said, if I could score a Greco in very good condition under $1000 without a case or a VP for under $600 without a case, I’d take the Greco. They aren’t making them anymore, prices are going up and they are a phenomenal sounding instrument. Save the VP for your next purchase after the Greco (followed by a Goth purchase, then a Eppi Ltd Ed purchase, then a Gibby NR purchase, then a Gibby reverse purchase, then a CP….).

Happy hunting.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Miles_ONeal, Rocker47, JJR58 and 10 others
#184,806
  • Like
Reactions: JJR58, Gaolee, dagrev and 6 others
#184,808
Got home from tour at 5am today. Slept a bit then unboxed a couple new cabs Mesa sent me.
537D89EE-9C65-46D3-83FF-AF79AB3EE5B3.jpeg

Thats a Mesa SW115 sitting on top of a Mesa SW215. The amp is a Mesa TT800 (full disclosure; I’m endorsed by Mesa).
Fired it up with a few of my basses. ‘67 Hofner, Cataldo NR41, Fano JM4 and Greco Reverse TBird. Super thick, but articulate sounding rig. I doubt I’ll use that full stack often, but it’s nice to know I can :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Miles_ONeal, RedVee, Klondike and 16 others
#184,809
dagrev said:
I like big vehicles! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

They're the best! :thumbsup:

MCF said:
Arrived about an hour ago!
View attachment 4388579
View attachment 4388587
View attachment 4388595
View attachment 4388607
View attachment 4388621
View attachment 4388644
Click to expand...

Congrats! :)


Gaolee said:
You can fit a Thunderbird in that. Maybe even two of them if they are friendly.
Click to expand...

I can actually fit all seven in. And the acoustic. And both combo amps, as well as pedals, cords, etc.

And still be able to fit at least 2-3 people besides me :smug:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Miles_ONeal, Rocker47, RedVee and 8 others
#184,810
  • Like
Reactions: Gaolee, Nocturnal, GBassNorth and 2 others
#184,811
dagrev said:
Not knowing which Epiphone's you tried, consider a Vintage Pro (60's Bass, 2021 name). Exceptionally well made and very affordable. Sound as close to a "real" 60's vintage Thunderbird (which I have), without spending massive dollars. I like them so much I have two. Aggressive when you want and punchy. They sound more like a Thunderbird than Gibson Thunderbirds. Don't decide until you try one.

The first two on the left are VPs.
View attachment 4389025
Click to expand...
Agree 100% I have been playing 60's Thunderbirds since '77 and have a sizable collection of them. I love the Vintage Pro Thunderbird so much I bought three.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Miles_ONeal, Rocker47, RedVee and 7 others
#184,812
Miles_ONeal said:
I'm assuming the VPs were similar.
Click to expand...
The VPs are more aggressive with more top end. Definitely not the same pickup. Both are great but I really like the Epiphone Vintage Pro 760 pickup.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Miles_ONeal, Rocker47, RedVee and 7 others
#184,813
dukeorock said:
Got home from tour at 5am today. Slept a bit then unboxed a couple new cabs Mesa sent me.
View attachment 4389210
Thats a Mesa SW115 sitting on top of a Mesa SW215. The amp is a Mesa TT800 (full disclosure; I’m endorsed by Mesa).
Fired it up with a few of my basses. ‘67 Hofner, Cataldo NR41, Fano JM4 and Greco Reverse TBird. Super thick, but articulate sounding rig. I doubt I’ll use that full stack often, but it’s nice to know I can :)
Click to expand...
Awesome Mark! Who needs a fan to move air when you have that rig.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Miles_ONeal, RedVee, dukeorock and 5 others
#184,814
dukeorock said:
Got home from tour at 5am today. Slept a bit then unboxed a couple new cabs Mesa sent me.
View attachment 4389210
Thats a Mesa SW115 sitting on top of a Mesa SW215. The amp is a Mesa TT800 (full disclosure; I’m endorsed by Mesa).
Fired it up with a few of my basses. ‘67 Hofner, Cataldo NR41, Fano JM4 and Greco Reverse TBird. Super thick, but articulate sounding rig. I doubt I’ll use that full stack often, but it’s nice to know I can :)
Click to expand...
Nice!
Three 15’s is some serious push. :thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: RedVee, Nocturnal, dukeorock and 4 others
#184,815
  • Like
Reactions: RedVee, Nocturnal, dukeorock and 3 others
#184,817
dukeorock said:
Got home from tour at 5am today. Slept a bit then unboxed a couple new cabs Mesa sent me.
View attachment 4389210
Thats a Mesa SW115 sitting on top of a Mesa SW215. The amp is a Mesa TT800 (full disclosure; I’m endorsed by Mesa).
Fired it up with a few of my basses. ‘67 Hofner, Cataldo NR41, Fano JM4 and Greco Reverse TBird. Super thick, but articulate sounding rig. I doubt I’ll use that full stack often, but it’s nice to know I can :)
Click to expand...
Probably doesn't sound very good does it?:woot: Well, probably closer to amazing.
Thick but articulate is a good way of describing the Mesa's I've played. Very well balanced tone wise from my limited experience with them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RedVee, Nocturnal, GBassNorth and 3 others
#184,818
TBird1958 said:
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.
Click to expand...

This is my memory of them as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nocturnal, GBassNorth, MCF and 2 others
#184,819
dukeorock said:
Got home from tour at 5am today. Slept a bit then unboxed a couple new cabs Mesa sent me.
View attachment 4389210
Thats a Mesa SW115 sitting on top of a Mesa SW215. The amp is a Mesa TT800 (full disclosure; I’m endorsed by Mesa).
Fired it up with a few of my basses. ‘67 Hofner, Cataldo NR41, Fano JM4 and Greco Reverse TBird. Super thick, but articulate sounding rig. I doubt I’ll use that full stack often, but it’s nice to know I can :)
Click to expand...
Wow, that's nuts. Congratulations! What config do you think you'd be using for gigs like the one Jeff and I were at in Brooklyn?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Miles_ONeal, Nocturnal, GBassNorth and 2 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back