NancyJohnson

I'd be interested in whether these people who say things are better than the original have just read this somewhere or even been in the same room as one.

This doublespeak logic astounds me. So it's better than the real thing (conjecture; a two part bridge and some chrome hardware does not make it better, or worse, than the real thing), but irrespective, let's put a Gibson truss rod cover on it so it purports to be the real thing, even though it isn't. If these Epiphones are so great, then surely your logic would be that all Gibson owners need to start putting Epiphone truss rod covers on their Thunderbirds, right? Also, just because Epiphone company is part of the Gibson Group, this does not justify changing the truss-rod cover to a Gibson one either.

Sigh. This saddens me and it's just one step removed from people who put Fender decals on Limelights. You all love and want the look of a Thunderbird, but you want to excise the actual manufacturer. Man alive, just step up and buy a Gibson.

Current offers for the shootout below. I think we're up to a good number but would say I'm prepared to bump a couple off, not because they're irrelevant or anything, but just for clarity sake. The shootout idea was always based around bassists being unable to identify an instrument in a blind test; while I've yet to have a standard Fender Jazz thrown into the mix (yet), there's a couple on here where there's no discernable point of reference (my Lull and Aria, Jez's JM4 and maybe Trevor's Aria), but I'll leave them in unless we get a commitment. If you want to have your gear included, please just quote this message and and I'll do a final listing on the 28th. Maybe next year we can extend this to a 12 bass Fender Jazz shootout BASS SHOOTOUT These are the basses lined up to test against your ears: 01) Rickenbacker 4003 (Chis/ezbass) 02) Wal Mk1 (Trev/TrevorR) 03) Aria SB700 (Trev/TrevorR) 04) JR Bass JM4 (Jabba_the_gut/Jez) 05) Spector NS2 (Cetera/Gary) 06) Epiphone Thunderbird - one of the new ones I think (Cetera/Gary) 07) Gibson Thunderbird (SilverfoxNik/Nik) 08) Fender Precision (GraemeR) 09) Fender Jazz Deluxe (GraemeR) 10) Sire Marcus Miller V7 (GraemeR) 11) Mike Lull JAXT4 (mine!) 12) Warwick Streamer DoubleBuck (rodfunnell) 13) 1978 MusicMan Stingray (rodfunnell) 14) MARUSZCZYK Elwood 15) Aria Pro II Primary Bass (P-Bass) (mine!)

He pretty much lost me at, 'I'm a You-Tuber'.

Yes. Next question!

I've snipped your original post, but you know the fast food analogy works better than trying to actually quantifying it from a musical perspective. I shall be retaining this nugget in a dark recess of my brain and will pull it out and use it at some point. Bravo!

The covers band enigma. I've never understood why people go nuts for bands playing other people's songs. It's difficult to quantify without sounding too blunt. I've always felt that by and large the typical covers gig audience aren't the type of people who feel the need to invest time (or money) in bands; they know the hits, they're top 20 savvy, but while they might know Stacey's Mom, they wouldn't know, or even bother, to investigate Karpet King. A combination of drink, mob mentality, people just wanting to hear some songs they know and to have a good night out means Summer of '69 is probably a win-win every time.

Music aside, at 20 I just wanted to distance myself from my parents. Right now (and recently orphaned), I wish they were still about. My only regret from that period is that I didn't at least try and live in the United States or Canada for a while. I was obsessed with the idea.

Get Rob to break out the termites and put some LEDs in it.

Current offers for the shootout below. I've added my old beater P at #15 but will withdraw it if we get a regular Jazz or a Jakes or Elwood (perhaps their owners are bricking it). BASS SHOOTOUT These are the basses lined up to test against your ears: i) Rickenbacker 4003 (Chis/ezbass) ii) Wal Mk1 (Trev/TrevorR) iii) Aria SB700 (Trev/TrevorR) iv) JR Bass JM4 (Jabba_the_gut/Jez) v) Spector NS2 (Cetera/Gary) vi) Epiphone Thunderbird - one of the new ones I think (Cetera/Gary) vii) Gibson Thunderbird (SilverfoxNik/Nik) viii) Fender Precision (GraemeR) ix) Fender Jazz Deluxe (GraemeR) x) Sire Marcus Miller V7 (GraemeR) xi) Mike Lull JAXT4 (mine!) xii) Warwick Streamer DoubleBuck (rodfunnell) xiii) 1978 MusicMan Stngray (rodfunnell) xiv) xv) Aria Pro II Primary Bass (P-Bass) (mine!)

I'm sorry, but this. When I had no money, it was all about boiling up strings to give them a bit more life, but then I was just buying crap strings. Elixirs are brilliant. The set on my Aria have been on there - because I keep a log of these things - since 13th February 2017 (17 months) and they still sound zingy. Just buy better.

This is where we are so far. Want to avoid five stringers at this juncture (thanks for the offers though); I'd love if we could have a non-deluxe/regular Jazz as well and a Stingray. We also have provisional offer of a 60s or 70s Rickenbacker (unconfirmed what/which at the moment). I might throw my old Aria Pro II P in as well. BASS SHOOTOUT These are the basses lined up to test against your ears: i) Rickenbacker 4003 (Chis/ezbass) ii) Wal Mk1 (Trev/TrevorR) iii) Aria SB700 (Trev/TrevorR) iv) JR Bass JM4 (Jabba_the_gut/Jez) v) Spector NS2 (Cetera/Gary) vi) Epiphone Thunderbird - one of the new ones I think (Cetera/Gary) vii) Gibson Thunderbird (SilverfoxNik/Nik) viii) Fender Precision (GraemeR) ix) Fender Jazz Deluxe (GraemeR) x) Sire Marcus Miller V7 (GraemeR) xi) Mike Lull JAXT4 (mine!) xii) xiii) xiv) xv)

Sorry, but there was no leading on or inference of this in the OP. As I've mentioned, I've been aware of this bass for many many years and the price (at $8k was a tad speculative) isn't an issue either. My main point was how the guy was just sweetness and love when he could smell a sale, but did a 180 and became accusatory when I said 'no' to him. The message about being a time waster and just wanting pictures was something akin to the reaction of a seven year old on the playground. All we're trying to do here is share and discuss our experiences both good and bad.

Good grief. I'm sorry, but generally that's how I roll, I'll take photos and send them over. If a deal falls over, it's very unlikely I'm going to start shooting someone messages accusing them of being a tyre-kicker, just wanting photos of the bass. Then a couple of weeks later to send over another message saying it was on sale elsewhere. The seller is a knob. Plain and simple.

"Mr Cadwallader"