• 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 Pro IV (Epi)

N

NoiseBomb

May 15, 2013
7
0
#1
Hi guys, I introduced myself a few months ago. Sorry I didn't come back for ages, got busy with school work. :rolleyes:

Would it be rude to ask a question before contributing to someone else's? :hiding:
I'm ordering an Epi Thunderbird Pro from an online shop, they're gonna let me send it back if I don't like it (no guitar stores within 500 miles have one I can try). Can you guys give me a bit of a heads-up for what to expect?

Oh, and also, would you recommend I order the Pro IV (2-band active) or the Pro IV Classic (Gibson USA pups)?

*hope TBird1958 turns up!* :D
 
#2
NoiseBomb said:
Hi guys, I introduced myself a few months ago. Sorry I didn't come back for ages, got busy with school work. :rolleyes:

Would it be rude to ask a question before contributing to someone else's? :hiding:
I'm ordering an Epi Thunderbird Pro from an online shop, they're gonna let me send it back if I don't like it (no guitar stores within 500 miles have one I can try). Can you guys give me a bit of a heads-up for what to expect?

Oh, and also, would you recommend I order the Pro IV (2-band active) or the Pro IV Classic (Gibson USA pups)?

*hope TBird1958 turns up!* :D
Click to expand...

I'd go with the pro 4 classic, Alpine white, with the Gibson pickups and built better than the actual Gibson at 3 times the price...

It is a winner:bassist:
 
#4
I had one, replaced the active eq, and still sold it. I think it sounds way better passive w/ 500k pots than it did with the active eq. I wired mine like a Les Paul sans-switch (v/t v/t). It sounded good, but was still too far removed from my main basses and played way too weird to replace them. It's a fun bass... Don't get me wrong. Looks cool too. Just wasn't for me.
 
#5
zachoff said:
I had one, replaced the active eq, and still sold it. I think it sounds way better passive w/ 500k pots than it did with the active eq. I wired mine like a Les Paul sans-switch (v/t v/t). It sounded good, but was still too far removed from my main basses and played way too weird to replace them. It's a fun bass... Don't get me wrong. Looks cool too. Just wasn't for me.
Click to expand...

Interesting information man, cheers! (: I'll definitely give the passive model a go then, and refund it and buy a Squier CV 60's P I think. :bassist:
 
#6
NoiseBomb said:
Interesting information man, cheers! (: I'll definitely give the passive model a go then, and refund it and buy a Squier CV 60's P I think. :bassist:
Click to expand...

I don't know if the passive model and the Epi T-Bird Pro have the same pickups though. They might... I'm just not sure. The Pro IV definitely is of better quality than passive model. The fit and finish on the Pro IV was pretty awesome.
 
#7
NoiseBomb said:
Hi guys, I introduced myself a few months ago. Sorry I didn't come back for ages, got busy with school work. :rolleyes:

Would it be rude to ask a question before contributing to someone else's? :hiding:
I'm ordering an Epi Thunderbird Pro from an online shop, they're gonna let me send it back if I don't like it (no guitar stores within 500 miles have one I can try). Can you guys give me a bit of a heads-up for what to expect?

Oh, and also, would you recommend I order the Pro IV (2-band active) or the Pro IV Classic (Gibson USA pups)?

*hope TBird1958 turns up!* :D
Click to expand...



:)


Were I choosing between the two (a Classic Pro and the Pro) I'd take the Classic every time. Epi really did a great job at a nice realistic price on that bass. As othersa have said the QC is generally very good - better than Gibson's (let's not go there! :D )
Some months ago I wrote a fairly detailed review of the Classic, again I was favorably impressed.
I've played a couple of the active Pros in shops, they certainly are a good bass in their own right, I'm just a bit of a sentimentalist tho.........Kinda prefer Passive.
Good luck in your search, congratulations on whichever new bass you do get, and remember we're all here to answer your questions :)
 
#8
TBird1958 said:
:)


Were I choosing between the two (a Classic Pro and the Pro) I'd take the Classic every time. Epi really did a great job at a nice realistic price on that bass. As othersa have said the QC is generally very good - better than Gibson's (let's not go there! :D )
Some months ago I wrote a fairly detailed review of the Classic, again I was favorably impressed.
I've played a couple of the active Pros in shops, they certainly are a good bass in their own right, I'm just a bit of a sentimentalist tho.........Kinda prefer Passive.
Good luck in your search, congratulations on whichever new bass you do get, and remember we're all here to answer your questions :)
Click to expand...


Thanks a million TBird! :D
I actually read that review of yours, found it by accident when I did a google search on the bass a couple months ago. It was actually part of the reason I decided to give the Pro IV Classic a shot (the older Epi pretty much destroyed my lust for a Thunderbird with it'd chunky neck, I hate chunky necks - might get a couple for custom builds though, being bolt-on basses).

I'll definitely give it a try. Hopefully I'll have it within a couple of weeks, gotta love living in a fairly secluded country town. :rolleyes:
 
#9
zachoff said:
I don't know if the passive model and the Epi T-Bird Pro have the same pickups though. They might... I'm just not sure. The Pro IV definitely is of better quality than passive model. The fit and finish on the Pro IV was pretty awesome.
Click to expand...

Agreed! The pro has a better bridge and a much wider range of tone! I have a 2009 pro 4 in natural oil finish, its a really nice bass for short money!
 
#11
My Epi Pro IV came with some sharp fret ends. I filed them flush with the wood and it is OK now. The E.Q. and bridge are good for me. I got the oiled finish because it was unique to Epi and really shows it's stripes. That being said, after I played a white Epi Classic in GC I want one bad! It seemed better playing than my '76 and very flashy!
 
#12
I had some fret buzz on my bird that was aggravating me. I had a talented luthier perform a full fret dressing & install a tusk nut, The bass is now amazing! The slim taper neck on the pro 4 is very comfortable to play, however, this bird like all thunderbirds is a rock bass. Tbirds are not broad ranged basses. If you are into slap/funk, a thunderbird is not the bass for you!
 
#13
I love my alpine white classic 4. The fit and finish was amazing on a bass in this price range. It sounds fantastic, and is a lot more versatile than it is given credit for. I'm thinking of stringing it with Fender 9050cl flats to see how it sounds. I had the same strings on a 4003 and it sounded amazing!
 
#14
I was making this same comparison myself last fall but now my needs have changed and I play mostly 5s- Does anybody know if they plan on offering the Classic in a 5 string?

I love the looks of the Pro 4 in sunburst but a five is what I need now.
 
#16
Two main problems Ive had with tbirds is the neck dive and odd reach. The latter is causes by position of front strap button with no horn makng reach to nut further then with regular bass shape bodies that have horns. You also need to like the stock pups sound as replacement choices arent nearly as plentiful. Due to odd pup dimensions. Also make sure you purchase a fitted case or a gigbag that will fit it since its longer length makes fitting a case/gigbag fo it harder then with most basses.
 
#19
I think the T Bird IV Pro is so Gibson like, pick ups USA, tone, feel, better QC.......

That I've done the unthinkable:bassist:

Look at the truss rod cover..........GIBSON.

Oh Well:hyper:

9230500805_807b9ab9a7_b.jpg
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back