Well, all I can speak for are the examples that I compared the Classic IV to (which were a couple of 2015s and one 2014) when I was shopping around for a T-Bird. My original plan was to get a Gibson bird, but once I tried the Classic, there was nothing that could touch it in terms of tone and playability (and I won't even get into finish issues). I'm just saying; to me the Epi was better than the Gibsons that *I* encountered... And I got to save $1000.
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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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Well, all I can speak for are the examples that I compared the Classic IV to (which were a couple of 2015s and one 2014) when I was shopping around for a T-Bird. My original plan was to get a Gibson bird, but once I tried the Classic, there was nothing that could touch it in terms of tone and playability (and I won't even get into finish issues). I'm just saying; to me the Epi was better than the Gibsons that *I* encountered... And I got to save $1000.
I'll compare build and finish quality of a Gibby Bird with a Fender as soon as Fender comes out with a neck through bass made largely of mahogany with an open grain finish. Until then it's apples and oranges. Completely different construction techniques, materials and finish methods. Might as well claim that Fender finishes aren't nearly as smooth and uniform as Dan Armstrong Lucite basses, makes as much sense.
All that said, the finish work on Gibsons high end guitars is quite nice compared to their lower cost models, same goes for Fender custom shop vs their USA standard series. And interestingly enough, both Squier and Eppiphone have excellent finish levels - probably due to the fact that finishing is a very labour and time intensive process, which is a much more affordable endeavor where highly skilled cheap labor exists (hint, not readily available in the USA).
All that said, the finish work on Gibsons high end guitars is quite nice compared to their lower cost models, same goes for Fender custom shop vs their USA standard series. And interestingly enough, both Squier and Eppiphone have excellent finish levels - probably due to the fact that finishing is a very labour and time intensive process, which is a much more affordable endeavor where highly skilled cheap labor exists (hint, not readily available in the USA).
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
Speaking of Zebrabird... What did you actually end up doing with it?
I seem to recall it had a broken headstock, and you were considering making it into a Fenderbird at one point...
Not I. Mine's a case queen really, the only damage to it is a ding on the headstock due to a clumsy saxophone player from back in my high school jazz band days. I've contemplated selling it once or twice, but I don't think I could ever bring myself to do it. Even though I don't play it too much (I really don't care for TB+ pickups), I love how it looks (even if it doesn't have a vintage chromed out look), it's definitely my most exotic looking bass. But I prefer the new Greco II to it sounding and look-wise.
The only area of criticism of my Gibson would be the finish around the brown recessed area of the headstock, it looks like only half a job was done, the rest of it is immaculately finished. Yes there are differences between the Epi and Gibson but you'd have to be a sad act to complain about any parts of either
Our DVD library contains many Finnish fillums and also the entire Jarmusch œuvre. Finnish is is such a curious, deadpan sounding language.
In Thunderbird news - abalone speed knobs arrived yesterday and put them on the Bird last night. Waiting on the chrome bridge and will order the tuners soon. Really hoping they'll be an exact match for the stock tuners, as I'd rather not be filling and drilling.
In Thunderbird news - abalone speed knobs arrived yesterday and put them on the Bird last night. Waiting on the chrome bridge and will order the tuners soon. Really hoping they'll be an exact match for the stock tuners, as I'd rather not be filling and drilling.
The chef was Swedish and it was discovered that he spoke mock Swedish. Apologies, I remember far too many useless facts.
Gratuitous shots... and I'll add:. THIS is a bass guitar. Big ol' slab of wood, sounds like a couple tons of something really cool landing in your back yard...
I wouldn't worry about the fret markers, I think yours and Kats black Birds look awesome! There's something menacing looking about a Black TBird - it just screams "I conquer all and take no prisoners".
I think the cross inlays are cool, but I'm not going for a stealth look with mine and I have only ever done minor mods to any of my basses. I must be a nerd!
- Mar 13, 2008
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- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Yes, the only original finish issues with my 13 ES 335 and 06 LP DC are tiny imperfections right where the neck joins the upperside of the body, as you describe. Apparently pretty common with the black ES 335 Basses. Doesn't worry me, but you would expect better, given they were both pretty pricey basses new. My 08 Gibson TBird is flawless. As are my 74 Ripper, 79 RDs, 13 G3 70s Tribute and my Victory Basses.
Ha! Well, you've got the legs for it, anyway!Crap, I have one tattoo'd on upper arm!
That is a really good point.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
That looks fantastic! I'm not partial to black basses, but those knobs are great. Once it's all chromed out, it's going to be stunning.gratuitous
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