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Would you recommend the Epiphone Thunderbird IV?
- Thread starter HGS9669
- Start date
I voted that you "no", do not start playing bass =)
lol jk!! But yeah the epi sucks, get a nice Squier Vintage Modified bass, the 70's reissue j and the p-bass are great starts and they arent pricey at all!
lol jk!! But yeah the epi sucks, get a nice Squier Vintage Modified bass, the 70's reissue j and the p-bass are great starts and they arent pricey at all!
don't listen to what everyone says on here,it's just their opinion.what might be a "sucky" bass to them might be an amazing bass to you.if you are just playing pop and punk then i don't see why the hell not..it's honestly perfect for punk i can tell you that,pop...maybe,you might have to do a bit of EQing for that though.
it really isn't everyone's bass though,obviously.it isn't good for slap/pop style at all.it is specifically a rock bass,which i don't see why people have to have such a problem with that.
but if your a begginer then why not? it's not too expensive,and if you know how to EQ right,it can actually sound decent.
(i have one,and HAVE recieved complements on my tone before.)just try your best to find one and give it a whirl.
you might not actually like it.but it's w/e
it really isn't everyone's bass though,obviously.it isn't good for slap/pop style at all.it is specifically a rock bass,which i don't see why people have to have such a problem with that.
but if your a begginer then why not? it's not too expensive,and if you know how to EQ right,it can actually sound decent.
(i have one,and HAVE recieved complements on my tone before.)just try your best to find one and give it a whirl.
you might not actually like it.but it's w/e
From the owner of a Gibson T-bird: 'birds definitely have their appeal, but is about the last bass I'd recommend learning to play on. It's a physically large bass, without typical {anything} about it. These unique characteristics will make it harder to sell if you later decide it's not for you. JMO: start with a P or J style bass, so you know what "square 1" looks, feels, & sounds like. Once you're up & running, you can make a more informed choice of a "character" bass, such as a 'bird, Ric, or someother bass with a unique vibe.
I voted yes because it's cheap enough to try. If you buy from one of the major online stores they have a 30-day return policy if you decide you don't like it.
A friend of mine sent me recordings of his band in Ireland. Their original bassist used a Goth Epi T-bird and it sounded great.
A friend of mine sent me recordings of his band in Ireland. Their original bassist used a Goth Epi T-bird and it sounded great.
i have a goth t-bird and i love it ive had it for 5 years and its what i learned on and i had no problems and i was 10 so i dont think you should have a problem either
just make sure you get straploks
just make sure you get straploks
It's a good bass to start on, however, it's not the best bass to start on. There are better options out there, and I suggest looking around a bit. However, if you must buy blind, T-birds are fairly reliable and consistent in their sound.
I have an EB-3 with the neck dive problem, and i'm ready to sell it after having it for a year. I think the Gibson sound as far as being different from my JBass was a good buy, but not enough to keep such an uncomfortable bass. Get a decent used P-Bass or J.
I think the Thunderbird is one of the ugliest basses I have ever seen. Just... ugh!
However, I have no experience actually playing the thing. Just aesthetically turns me off. So, I bow the the experts on the thread who are saying more important things, such as "neck dive" and soforth.
Anyway...
Good luck with the instrument you do buy, and welcome to the world of bass.
However, I have no experience actually playing the thing. Just aesthetically turns me off. So, I bow the the experts on the thread who are saying more important things, such as "neck dive" and soforth.
Anyway...
Good luck with the instrument you do buy, and welcome to the world of bass.
This is a great post. Epi birds may be lacking in everything compared to the Gibsons, but I still would play it before a lower-end Fender copy. Hell, even high end Fenders are iffy to me. There is a bar I go to and jam with the guys with a MIA Jazz. I just don't like the way a Fender feels. The tone, the neck, everything is weird to me.
My Gibson plays a million times better, but I even think my Epiphone does, too.
Thunderbirds have issues, and they have a lot of detractors, but they are great, and no flaw is too large to overcome. But be warned: Getting an Epi T Bird will inevitably lead to you getting a Gibson T Bird, and that will lead to you getting more Gibson T Birds. It may be an expensive love affair.
I firmly believe in always try before you buy. So if it's an online purchase then I would even waste my time.
If you have the ability to play one then go in and play it. Take your time and don't let anybody rush you. Sit there with it inspecting and playing it for a good hour. This will give you a much better feel for the instrument than just sitting there for it for 20 or so minutes.
Also pick up and play all the other basses in the same price range. You may find one of those better for your needs. Then I recommend picking up at least one bass that's slightly more expensive. Usually just around $200. Then play it. Sometimes its better to be patient forgo the original bass we're and save a little longer and get something slightly better in quality.
If you have the ability to play one then go in and play it. Take your time and don't let anybody rush you. Sit there with it inspecting and playing it for a good hour. This will give you a much better feel for the instrument than just sitting there for it for 20 or so minutes.
Also pick up and play all the other basses in the same price range. You may find one of those better for your needs. Then I recommend picking up at least one bass that's slightly more expensive. Usually just around $200. Then play it. Sometimes its better to be patient forgo the original bass we're and save a little longer and get something slightly better in quality.
I personally love my Thunderbird, but there are problems, Neck Dive being the main one.
But it's not too hard to overcome, I just use strap locks and keep my bass a little higher than normal.
But it's not too hard to overcome, I just use strap locks and keep my bass a little higher than normal.
Hi.
Voted yes (what a surprise
), not a bad choice at all.
I've played both Epi's and Gibsons and while the "real deal" is better, it's not 7 or so times better, if You know what i mean.
I'd like to know that too. That's a statement I see a lot, but no-one ever explains as why.
Regards
Sam
Voted yes (what a surprise
), not a bad choice at all.I've played both Epi's and Gibsons and while the "real deal" is better, it's not 7 or so times better, if You know what i mean.
I'd like to know that too. That's a statement I see a lot, but no-one ever explains as why.
Regards
Sam
I've only played one and it needed a setup, but based on that one experience I wouldn't recommend one for someone's first bass over SX, Squier, Peavey and a host of other more traditional basses.
Some strap locks (like the Dunlop ones) have the button slightly longer than a regular strap button and the strap clips on the end, which extends the strap location out almost an inch. This helps with neck dive somewhat, since the lack of upper horn is what makes these dive a little in the first place.
