AndyTravis Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Totally Skint at the moment, but circumstances will change soon enough i'm sure. But I keep looking at these And Drooling. I'm let to believe these are pretty expensive, just wonder if anbody had tried one? Now, BigRedX will be along to tell me that they have a Fender-Style non angled headstock, and it's a bolt on neck, and something else...(sorry mate, just sayin like, I've read you're after them and these issues put you off) But I Play a CS Fender Jazz mainly, so these little niggles don't apply to me. These are the two which have pricked my interest... Still got a bit of sorting of finances, but I'm assuming he operates a 'Pay A Deposit, wait a year..' lead time like most custom builders. And Yes, I can buy a Gibson, and pay for a respray, and the pickups and harware and have change left over, but this is all theoretical at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Mike Lull has some good players using his Tbird. I've never seen a used one for sale so I guess you'll have to put an order in. I think they'll be around the £3000 mark including import costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnozzalee Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Jaw dropping, we definately have the same taste in basses. How much are these??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 I've had my eye on a couple of his pickups for a while now. I've never played one but it sounds like they're a fairly authentic copy of the originals, and if you want a complete original T.Bird, it might easily cost you more than a new Lull, vintage prices being what they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocco Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 JAEbird anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc2009 Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Now, Andy, I'm not sure whether it's explicitly written in the forum rules, but I'm fairly sure it's an unwritten rule that you don't post pornographic pictures like that, I've a good mind to get a mod in to see this.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted July 18, 2011 Author Share Posted July 18, 2011 Yeah, the one with the pickguard and cover is the dream short of the cheapy looking white controls... But i'd survive. £3k eh? So that's how far off the mark I am, hopefully he doesn't stop doing them any time soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc2009 Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 [quote name='AndyTravis' post='1308538' date='Jul 18 2011, 10:43 PM'] Yeah, the one with the pickguard and cover is the dream short of the cheapy looking white controls... But i'd survive. £3k eh? So that's how far off the mark I am, hopefully he doesn't stop doing them any time soon.[/quote] I think it wants a nice ashtray bridge cover too tbh still - porn is not cool on this forum, my god those are pretty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 It all depends what kind of a Thunderbird you want. The modern Gibson T-Birds do not sound the same as the Classic 60's models. The Mike Lull T-Bass is designed to be a substitute for the 60s version with what he considers the shortcomings of the original fixed. Some of these are definitely improvements such as the bridge and the balance. Others such as the neck joint are completely subjective. If you're used to Fender-style basses and like the classic 60s T-Bird tone then you should definitely be investigating the T-Bass. Shop price for a 4-string model is around $4000. However there's no UK dealer for Mike Lull so it might be possible to buy direct and get a better price. Alternatively you could look at a [url="http://cataldobasses.com/"]JAEbird[/url]. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc2009 Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 [quote name='BigRedX' post='1308552' date='Jul 18 2011, 10:47 PM']It all depends what kind of a Thunderbird you want. The modern Gibson T-Birds do not sound the same as the Classic 60's models. The Mike Lull T-Bass is designed to be a substitute for the 60s version with what he considers the shortcomings of the original fixed. Some of these are definitely improvements such as the bridge and the balance. Others such as the neck joint are completely subjective. If you're used to Fender-style basses and like the classic 60s T-Bird tone then you should definitely be investigating the T-Bass. Shop price for a 4-string model is around $4000. However there's no UK dealer for Mike Lull so it might be possible to buy direct and get a better price. Alternatively you could look at a [url="http://cataldobasses.com/"]JAEbird[/url].[/quote] That white one with the black pickguard and maple fretboard - you owe me new underpants, sir. Seriously though, this thread is my GAS-therapist's worst nightmare.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted July 18, 2011 Author Share Posted July 18, 2011 Yeah, the JAE thing i've seen before, i don't really like the fenderbirds in overall appearance. And it's so heavily linked with The Ox, I don't want people talking to me about The Who all night. I just really wouldn't mind a classic looking T-Bird, with the high build level and subtle mods. The Current Thunderbird is really nice for £1100 new or the £800 used, but i love those big chrome pickups and the retro aesthetic, as well as having fancied something of Mike Lull's stable for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Bass Northwest has a 5 string white Lull T-Bass and a white Tom Petersson sig Lull TPT4. The list price for each is $5150. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc2009 Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 (edited) A white epiphone thunderbird is [s]white[/s] what (sorry, I'm drunk) I'm after at the mo - though a JAE may be on the cards in the distant future now Edited July 18, 2011 by dc2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 I've been massively underwhelmed by all the modern Gibson Thunderbirds I've played since the mid 90s. For me they just don't feel or sound like a 60s model. For some that might actually be an advantage, so if you like the current Gibson T-Bird then one of the older ones (and by extension the Lull T-Bass) might not be right for you. My problem with evaluating Thunderbirds and their clones is that they have match up playing-wise to my [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=66328&view=findpost&p=649564"]Overwater Original[/url] which IMO captures a lot of the vibe of the the T-Bird while being a far superior playing bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted July 18, 2011 Author Share Posted July 18, 2011 [quote name='chris_b' post='1308572' date='Jul 18 2011, 10:59 PM']Bass Northwest has a 5 string white Lull T-Bass and a white Tom Petersson sig Lull TPT4. The list price for each is $5150.[/quote] Yeah, i'll put £3 aside every month or so... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc2009 Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 [quote name='BigRedX' post='1308606' date='Jul 18 2011, 11:15 PM']I've been massively underwhelmed by all the modern Gibson Thunderbirds I've played since the mid 90s. For me they just don't feel or sound like a 60s model. For some that might actually be an advantage, so if you like the current Gibson T-Bird then one of the older ones (and by extension the Lull T-Bass) might not be right for you. My problem with evaluating Thunderbirds and their clones is that they have match up playing-wise to my [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=66328&view=findpost&p=649564"]Overwater Original[/url] which IMO captures a lot of the vibe of the the T-Bird while being a far superior playing bass.[/quote] I'm only talking Epiphone here - they're sturdy, reliably, and relatively inexpensive (and therefore in the same category when fixing and mods come up). I'm too young and not in the right salary bracket (i.e. a student) to be able to only play Overwaters and Gibsons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted July 18, 2011 Author Share Posted July 18, 2011 I don't really enjoy the appearance of the Overwater ones, although their other gear is lovely. I'm not about to put my hand in my pocket and pull out £4k anyhow for the time being, as per the OP. I think my initial point was how pretty they are, and I was curious if anyone had first hand experience. And 'Massively Underwhelmed' isn't what I got from the 10 or so modern Thunderbirds I played, but I see your point, the Ric's/Thunderbirds of this world are rarer beasties and are often held up as the holy grail sometimes, and often lead to a bit of 'aww...not what I thought' feelings. But for a bit over a Grand, I really bloody enjoy mucking around with them. Constant Rumours of a 'Reverse' Gibson reissue have stopped me doing anything just yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 It was never my intention to imply that you need to spend serious money to get a decent Thunderbird. What I was hoping to point out is that all the various Thunderbird-shaped basses are made from different woods, have different construction methods and employ different pickups and electronics. Therefore just because you like one version doesn't immediately follow that a more expensive version will be a step up for you. IMO there is far more variation between the different versions of the Thunderbird (even just those from Gibson) then you would find from a J- or P- style bass, so when you look into the different T-Bird basses all they really have in common is roughly the same body shape. Personally I love the looks of the original 60s Gibson Thunderbirds and their classic rock sounds. However I think there are slightly too many playability issues for some of the music I would want to use one for. I'm looking for something that has the right vibe and sound but improves the upper neck access and reduces neck dive. So far my best compromise is the Overwater, but I'm still after for something that gets me closer to the look of the original Gibson T-Bird. BTW neither of my Overwater Originals were more expensive than a second-hand modern Gibson Thunderbird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocco Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Are there many overwaters out there with 4 strings? I saw a black one in speed music Cardiff years ago for £350. I've always regretted not buying it. I'd love to get my hands on one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Wile I was looking for a fretless companion for my fretted 5-string a number of 4-string Original shape Overwaters came up for sale on eBay. Overwater were making the Original shape bass over 30 years ago - my fretless 5 is one of the very first 5-string basses that they made and that dates from late 83/early 84 so I guess the majority of basses built before that would have been 4-strings. There's some 4-string Originals in [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=52576"]this thread[/url]. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bankai Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 I've loved the look of a Thunderbird for a long time, and I think System of Down and the Darkness had something to do with that... But a few months ago I bought an Epiphone Pro to see if I actually liked playing one and I certainly do. So now I have that assurance in my mind, I want to get the proper Gibson version. However I don't particularly like Sunburst! But I really, really, really like the white finish. The one they don't make anymore.... Eventually I'll find one secondhand. Eventually... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 (edited) I was going to recommend [url="http://www.digimart.net/inst_detail.do?instrument_id=DS01358693"]one of these[/url] until I re-read your post and saw that it's the Thunderbird Pro that you have. The thing is that the Epiphone Thunderbird Pro has more in common with a standard mid-priced Korean through-neck active bass than it does with the Gibson bass that it's named after. IMO it has a completely different sound and feel so there is no guarantee that just because you like it you'll like any of the Gibsons. Unfortunately the differences between the Epiphone Thunderbirds and Gibson ones is far greater than those between a Squier Jazz bass and a MIA Fender which are pretty much the same and it's just the quality of the materials and the QC that separate them. Of course you could also look at [url="http://www.digimart.net/inst_detail.do?instrument_id=DS01141452"]this[/url], or just get your bass refinished in white! Edited July 21, 2011 by BigRedX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 [quote name='Bankai' post='1311080' date='Jul 21 2011, 06:45 AM']....I want to get the proper Gibson version....[/quote] I owned a Gibson EB0 for about 3 months. That was long enough to put me off Gibson’s for life, but Gibson seem to have a reputation these days for quality, build and reliability issues that would make me very careful before I bought one, new or used! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc2009 Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 [quote name='Bankai' post='1311080' date='Jul 21 2011, 06:45 AM']I've loved the look of a Thunderbird for a long time, and I think System of Down and the Darkness had something to do with that... But a few months ago I bought an Epiphone Pro to see if I actually liked playing one and I certainly do. So now I have that assurance in my mind, I want to get the proper Gibson version. However I don't particularly like Sunburst! But I really, really, really like the white finish. The one they don't make anymore.... Eventually I'll find one secondhand. Eventually...[/quote] The Epi Pro and the standard are quite different sound and playing wise (the standard's could typically do with a bridge and pickup upgrade). Unfortunately (IMO) the white epi's are only available in standard, not pro, and yet I still want one. There's one on ebay at the moment but it's at 250 and I'm fairly sure the guy is shill bidding (I reported it but heard nothing back from ebay). One went not too long ago and I narrowly missed out on it. Despite being very much an Epi TB pro man, a white Epi TB standard is my main hankering at the moment. The only Gibson that would persuade me to part with the cash would be a 5 string studio 5, in black with a white pickguard (product has been discontinued for a coupla years). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinynorman Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 (edited) The white Epis generally go for quite a bit more than the turd brown ones, so 250 isn't unreasonable. I had one and it was a very good bass, but not being the most energetic performer, I just felt silly with it. There's someone on the [url="http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?board=3.0"]Last Outpost[/url] that had a Lull one built and is very happy with it. Search on Lull, a few threads come up. Edited July 21, 2011 by spinynorman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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