New Epiphone Thunderbirds coming...

[NancyJohnson]

Unsure whether this has been posted, but Epiphone have some new [i]classic [/i]Thunderbirds coming. White or sunburst, neck through, side jack. From the TB thread, they're made in China, but have the same pickups and wiring loom as the US alternative. Andertons have these listed at £359 (although no stock yet). Nothing at Thomann.

For me, I do get a little worried taking mine out to rehearsals, so these may be a feasible alternative at about quarter of the replacement price.
P

Links:
Epiphone:
[url="http://www.epiphone.com/News/Features/Features/2012/Epiphone-Thunderbird-Classic-IV-PRO.aspx"]http://www.epiphone.com/News/Features/Features/2012/Epiphone-Thunderbird-Classic-IV-PRO.aspx[/url]

No Treble website:
[url="http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2012/05/04/epiphone-introduces-thunderbird-classic-iv-pro-basses/"]http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2012/05/04/epiphone-introduces-thunderbird-classic-iv-pro-basses/[/url]

Andertons:
[url="http://www.andertons.co.uk/electric-basses/pid23304/cid682/epiphone-thunderbird-classic-iv-usa-pickups-in-vintage-sunburst.asp"]http://www.andertons.co.uk/electric-basses/pid23304/cid682/epiphone-thunderbird-classic-iv-usa-pickups-in-vintage-sunburst.asp[/url]

Talkbass
[url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/new-epiphone-classic-iv-pro-thunderbirds-880113/"]http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/new-epiphone-classic-iv-pro-thunderbirds-880113/[/url]

[BigRedX]

Interesting...

I wonder why they decided to change the position of the output jack to the side? Also I'm still not entirely convinced by the black pickup covers and hardware. I just think the original chrome is sexier.

Also no 5-string version :-(

[NancyJohnson]

My Gibson has the jack at the side. That said, when it arrived (Ishibashi), the previous owner had wired it with two volume controls and used the tone hole for the input jack!
P

[bassmachine2112]

Pity they never put the pro-4 bridge on it though.
It seems to be a passive pro-4 using the bolt on wings and old bridge to cut costs.I don,t mean the wings are bolted on
Wings are mahogany on the pro-4,wonder what they are on this new one.
Waiting for a review back to back with a gibbo,a pro-4 and the new kid.Should be interesting.

[Billy Apple]

[quote name='bassmachine2112' timestamp='1338796530' post='1679213']
Pity they never put the pro-4 bridge on it though.
It seems to be a passive pro-4 using the bolt on wings and old bridge to cut costs.I don,t mean the wings are bolted on
Wings are mahogany on the pro-4,wonder what they are on this new one.
Waiting for a review back to back with a gibbo,a pro-4 and the new kid.Should be interesting.
[/quote]

[color=#333333]From the Epi site... 'The Thunderbird Classic-IV PRO features mahogany body wings'[/color]
[color=#333333]Plus the Pro IV has mahogany/maple laminate neck. This has walnut/mahogany, just the same as the Gibbo TB. I can't see how this in anyway significantly different to the real McCoy.[/color]

[color=#333333]Finally an affordable white TBird! [/color]

[Ou7shined]

It's a 7ply as opposed to a 9.... but that seems to be about it.

[bigsmokebass]

Looking pretty damn good, hope they sound better

[TomWIC]

Put a deposit down on the white one a few weeks ago with Wembley Guitar Centre, they should be coming in at the start of September

[bigsmokebass]

[quote name='TomWIC' timestamp='1339237242' post='1685664']
Put a deposit down on the white one a few weeks ago with Wembley Guitar Centre, they should be coming in at the start of September
[/quote]
A little while to wait, think I'll ask Santa for one

[Sandmann]

so some time has passed since the last post. has somebody played one yet? i have one on order but no one knows when it will arrive...

[TomWIC]

Nope, not heard a thing about when my one is coming in. Kind of glad in a way, as I'm skint.

[stu_g]

found this on youtube
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGhepfRlfYg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGhepfRlfYg[/url]

[neepheid]

Hmph, it's not set neck, it's a through neck. Tsk tsk, Dr. Epiphone.

[url="http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Bass/Thunderbird-Classic-IV-PRO.aspx"]http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Bass/Thunderbird-Classic-IV-PRO.aspx[/url]

[bigsmokebass]

sh*tty chrome hardware black looked so much better

[such]

I'd prefer chrome if it had the classic pickups in chrome cans. That's what I liked in the looks of the old Thunderbirds. It still is a sexy bass though.

[Billy Apple]

[quote name='bigsmokebass' timestamp='1350760235' post='1843277']
sh*tty chrome hardware black looked so much better
[/quote]

Do you think? I always thought that the classic TBird was all chrome HWare. I was thinking what she needed was chrome Pup covers, but each to their own.

BTW If poor old 'Doc' Epiphone can mistake a through neck for a set neck he must be one of those Homeopathetic Doctors, and a pretty poor one at that.

But you have to admit, this is a very handsome bird.

[bigsmokebass]

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1350763573' post='1843317']


Do you think? I always thought that the classic TBird was all chrome HWare. I was thinking what she needed was chrome Pup covers, but each to their own.

BTW If poor old 'Doc' Epiphone can mistake a through neck for a set neck he must be one of those Homeopathetic Doctors, and a pretty poor one at that.

But you have to admit, this is a very handsome bird.
[/quote]

Nothing wrong with the classic Gibson thunderbirds with chrome. . . . However, my expectations of black 'chrome' hardware on this specific bass is shattered ;P

Ref: www.epiphone.com/Products/Bass/Thunderbird-Classic-IV-PRO.aspx

BSB

[Sandmann]

can´t wait any longer ..... that video makes it even worse!

[hookys6stringbass]

Here's another review [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_liAf9Jp8FQ"] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_liAf9Jp8FQ[/url]

Anyone know when these are available in the U.K.?

[omikin]

Just seen these on the Epi website. Spec seems to be so close to the Gibson as to be well worth a punt.

*GAS*

[jackers]

oooo I regret selling my white t-bird so this is great for me.

[omikin]

Anyone had a go on one of these yet? I saw one today but didn't have a chance to fiddle with it. Looked okay to me, much nicer vintage burst than the standard Epi t-bird. No gibbo to compare it to though.

[TomWIC]

Where did you see it? I keep forgetting to ring Wembley Guitar Centre and ask when mine will be turning up admittedly, part of me doesn't want to as I'm flat broke, but it's been on order since May or June.

[AndyTravis]

Had a few of these through my shop.

They are unbelievable for the money, if you like thunderbirds,

I'm stunned rarely by stuff, but I like these.

Of course if you don't, then you don't.

[Billy Apple]

[quote name='TomWIC' timestamp='1355751118' post='1902135']
Where did you see it? I keep forgetting to ring Wembley Guitar Centre and ask when mine will be turning up admittedly, part of me doesn't want to as I'm flat broke, but it's been on order since May or June.
[/quote]

I was in the Wembley Guitar Centre today, and they said they were expected in November, but they are now quoting February.