NBD. Alpine white Epiphone Thunderbird pro classic IV

[police squad]

I've always wanted a Thunderbird bass. Finally Epiphone have made one much more akin to its Gibson sibling. I found this one on ebay for BIN of £300 including genuine Epi hard case. I also have an Epi Jack Casady bass which is also excellent quality so I thought I'd have to check this Tbird out.
It is immaculate and plays really well. Not sure when I'll get to gig it as it's not really a 'Police' bass.
Comes with Gibson USA pickups and according to the web, 7 ply walnut/maple thru neck with mahogany wings. Although I've seen a review of a sunburst one, online, and it was 9 ply.

Did a deal for £270 inc case. I'm happy with that.

Anyone else got one of these?

[madshadows]

Very nice

John

[police squad]

Just a quick update. This has perfect balance. People say Tbirds have terrible neck dive but not on this.

Any more love out there

[pfretrock]

[quote name='police squad' timestamp='1411489629' post='2559997']
Just a quick update. This has perfect balance. People say Tbirds have terrible neck dive but not on this.

Any more love out there
[/quote]
The neck may be 9 ply? - some of the plys are very thin. Moving the strap button seems to have fixed neck dive. White is a cool colour for any instrument, but I wonder why Gibson/Epiphone put paint on Mahogany? Maybe they don't want to reduce the weight by using a lighter wood (quality seen to be lower, neck dive comes back). Most definitely a Marmite bass. Wish my arms were a bit longer as it sounds great. You got yourself a bargain - enjoy it!

[Dandelion]

These basses are fantastic. They have a really dark sound. Really fun to play with their long necks. I have mine slung nice and low.

[ezbass]

Love 'em, they look so cool (as does the Firebird) and just scream 'rawk'. Enjoy.

[SmallDawg]

That is absolutely stunning mate! Bet it kicks out a really killer tone. Please stick a black pick guard on it though

[police squad]

black pickguard? Has no one suggested tortoiseshell lol.

Slung low yes, very quireboys.

Gibson do paint over mahogany don't they. There are black and white Tbirds.

Where did the strap button used to be then?

[pfretrock]

[quote name='police squad' timestamp='1411540501' post='2560402']
Where did the strap button used to be then?
[/quote]

I think where the upper horn should be, which Leo put there for a reason
I take it yours is back of the neck/heel?

mahogany bodies would look even better without a pickguard - how do I hide those screw holes.
But I do like it, even if the lower frets are hard to reach.

[police squad]

[quote name='pfretrock' timestamp='1411548924' post='2560484']
I think where the upper horn should be, which Leo put there for a reason
I take it yours is back of the neck/heel?


[/quote]

yes it's on the back of the neck/heel

[gafbass02]

Nice, I'm currently desperate to pick up one of the silver ones for a tribute band before they all sell out, but I need to sell an amp first.

[police squad]

what's it a tribute to Gafbass?

[hamfist]

I think those white ones look magnificent !

Unfortunately, I think I'm just starting to get too old to pull off he look on stage with a thunderbird myself.

Edited September 25, 2014 by hamfist

[RichardH]

Wishbone Ash's Martin Turner is still rocking his white Thunderbird...

[allighatt0r]

Crikey, those silver Thunderbirds are pretty.

[police squad]

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1411630771' post='2561251']
I think those white ones look magnificent !

Unfortunately, I think I'm just starting to get too old to pull off he look on stage with a thunderbird myself.
[/quote]

no you're not. Doesn't matter how old you are. If you could pull it off when you were 25 you can do it at 60. It's a state of mind.
Go for it!!!

[hamfist]

[quote name='police squad' timestamp='1411636269' post='2561329']


no you're not. Doesn't matter how old you are. If you could pull it off when you were 25 you can do it at 60. It's a state of mind.
Go for it!!!
[/quote]

Hmmmm. Looks like I'm going to need to wriggle a little bit more to get out of this ....... well, OK, I don't wear my bass low enough for a thunderbird ! There you go, can't beat that. Thunderbirds HAVE to be slung low.

[police squad]

agreed they do need to be lower (ish). I just need to hold the old beer belly in a little bit more (which I do all the time lol)

[gafbass02]

[quote name='police squad' timestamp='1411627293' post='2561214']
what's it a tribute to Gafbass?
[/quote]

Placebo, I know he plays white, but I've owned white before and silver looks so cool and would still fit

[police squad]

[quote name='gafbass02' timestamp='1411714604' post='2562087']
Placebo, I know he plays white, but I've owned white before and silver looks so cool and would still fit
[/quote]

nice

[neepheid]

I must be doing something wrong with my NR Thunderbird then



Nah, I seem happy enough (photo taken by Biz).

[Weststarx]

[quote name='police squad' timestamp='1411489629' post='2559997']
Just a quick update. This has perfect balance. People say Tbirds have terrible neck dive but not on this.

Any more love out there
[/quote]

I had one and sold it becuase of the neck dive.

I was so disapointed because I think the white one is the coolest looking bass ever but it was just impossible to play.

[police squad]

[quote name='Weststarx' timestamp='1411726700' post='2562276']
I had one and sold it becuase of the neck dive.

I was so disapointed because I think the white one is the coolest looking bass ever but it was just impossible to play.
[/quote]

Have you tried the latest version. The Pro IV classic. I've heard that they do balance properly, mine does

[gafbass02]

I've always found that moving the strap button to the heel fixes the balance issue with no worries.

[miles'tone]

Gorgeous bass, congrats.
I wouldn't bother changing the pickguard mate, the white on white looks killer.