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Thunderbird style basses on the market

#22
Mastermold said:
What about the new Epiphone birds?
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I had one with a bolt on neck and now have a set neck version. The bolt on version sounded far better than it had any right to, and it was a great bass for the pittance I paid for it as a used bass. I didn't like the Pro IV electronics that much, so the set neck 'Bird is undergoing all kinds of experiments. It was cheap, too, and the quality is better than you might expect. The bridge on the pro version is far better, at least for me, than the three point used on other Gibson or Epiphone 'Birds. The one thing I really miss about the bolt on 'Bird is the neck. It was huge, and I like baseball bats. The set neck feels almost delicate by comparison. I haven't played a new, passive Epi Thunderbird, so I can't tell you what those are like. Given a chance, though, I sure would like to find out.
 
#23
I would avoid the Waterstone, a bolt on Epi will spank it. The new neck through Epi classic is by far the best inexpensive Bird out there. I own 60's,70's and post '89 Gibsons and various custom build Thunderbirds and was so impressed with the new Epi Classic I ordered one. The Jackson Kelly birds are a great bang for the $ also. I endorse Cataldo basses, defiantly not cheap but they are a bargain in the custom build market. I absolutely love my Catatldo siggy NR.
CataldoGOTsignature1.jpg
 
#25
Gaolee said:
I had one with a bolt on neck and now have a set neck version. The bolt on version sounded far better than it had any right to, and it was a great bass for the pittance I paid for it as a used bass. I didn't like the Pro IV electronics that much, so the set neck 'Bird is undergoing all kinds of experiments. It was cheap, too, and the quality is better than you might expect. The bridge on the pro version is far better, at least for me, than the three point used on other Gibson or Epiphone 'Birds. The one thing I really miss about the bolt on 'Bird is the neck. It was huge, and I like baseball bats. The set neck feels almost delicate by comparison. I haven't played a new, passive Epi Thunderbird, so I can't tell you what those are like. Given a chance, though, I sure would like to find out.
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Yeah I agree the old bolt on neck version is a surprisingly good bass--here's mine (in chrome):

T-birdchrome.jpg
 
#26
Not what I would call a T Bird Copy by any means, but the bass I play is called the Reverend Thunder Gun and certainly was inspired by the Thunderbird and shares Several Features. (Set Neck, Raised Center Section, Humbuckers, Cool reversed head stock)
It has a thick aggressive Rock Tone. Street price is under a grand.Link Removed
 
#27
mooreon131 said:
Hey guys. I wanted to know if there are any companies out there making basses with T bird style bodies, but without the conventional T bird features like a thru neck, sunburst, and Soapbars. Basically I want to have a bass that is a throwback to the 80's T Bird copies. It seems like a lot of companies like Spector, and Jackson were making T bird style basses back then, but that market seems to have dried up. I understand why Jackson wouldn't do it after the Gibson buyout, but you would think that someone would be making them. Does anyone have any ideas about who may still be making them? Otherwise, It's just a matter of cruising eBay looking for one the the 80s copies. FWIW, if I can't find a reasonably priced one I plan on taking an Ibanez Gio, using the neck and hardware, and putting it onto my own T bird style body, and doing an electronics upgrade, and using that as my go to metal bass. Thanks a lot for your input guys!
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Spector & Jackson still make their T-bird style basses. The Legend/Forte 4X and Rex basses by Spector are quite popular.
 

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