Pinball Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Hi, I have a drummer buddy who has always fancied playing bass and has a craving for a Thunderbird. He's just waiting to start a new job in the summer and getting the money together to pull the trigger He was looking at Epiphones and is now wondering it it may be better to save up and get a used Gibson. I mentioned that there are other fine used verions such as greco and Tokai but to be honest I don't know much about them. Any recommendations of what to look out for on the used market? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 The high end Epiphones are through neck with Gibson pickups so that would be a good start. Equally T-birds don't hold as high a resale value as Fender so you can get bargains out there. Personally I'd go with the Epiphone. The Tokai ones I tried all weighed an absolute tonne and they are a light bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaytonaRik Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 NancyJohnson is your resident T-Bird expert...I'm sure he'll be along to point you in the right direction Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyctes Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 GASsing for a defretted Epi... partly for perversity value, and partly because I want to know what it sounds like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 I've heard more than one account of people preferring the Epi Classic Pro to the actual Gibson model. Stick a new truss rod cover on and nobody would even know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 (edited) As I have said many times before, the various different Thunderbird models available from Gibson, Epiphone and others have very little in common with each other except for the basic body shape. They vary considerably in construction, woods, electronics and hardware. Because of this, just because you like one version doesn't mean you'll like any of the others. My advice would be to go and play as many different ones as he can, and see what suits him the best. Having said that, there is a new Epiphone model coming out later this year which appears to be the best attempt yet to get close to the original 1960s Gibson version (if that is important to him). Edited February 7, 2017 by BigRedX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 (edited) That does sound interesting, I prefer the older brighter sounding pickups! Edited February 8, 2017 by dannybuoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted February 8, 2017 Author Share Posted February 8, 2017 (edited) Thanks all, that's lots of great advice to pass on. I love the wasy the BC community respond and share info. Personally I never really hankered after a "bird" but remember watching a clip of someone playing Greco on here and thinking that it would be great fun. A tribute to the player as well as the instrument [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1486508666' post='3232432'] Having said that, there is a new Epiphone model coming out later this year which appears to be the best attempt yet to get close to the original 1960s Gibson version (if that is important to him). [/quote] I will be interested to hear how this new/old one plays Edited February 8, 2017 by Pinball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christhammer666 Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Oh my Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fftc Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Thanks very much! Now I'm gassing for a Thunderbird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzodog Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 That new Epi looks stunning. From a playability point of view i still regret selling my pro 4 so may have a look at this when its out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 That July '17 release looks incredible. As much as I love my Gibson, I would prefer the chrome covers on the pickups. I have absolutely no reason to buy it BUT that just isn't the Basschat way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1486512379' post='3232464'] That does sound interesting, I prefer the older brighter sounding pickups! [/quote] This is the version they have in Japan. It would be great if they did a non-reverse TB II (with the single pickup), in this style as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 (edited) I do love the bridge on that new Epi...mine's almost, almost there: [sharedmedia=core:attachments:234381] Actually, looking at it more closely, I couldn't have a two-piece bridge: the saddles are too far forward on mine. Ah well, I'll have to struggle on... Edited February 8, 2017 by Muzz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted February 8, 2017 Author Share Posted February 8, 2017 [quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1486586411' post='3233091'] I do love the bridge on that new Epi...mine's almost, almost there: Actually, looking at it more closely, I couldn't have a two-piece bridge: the saddles are too far forward on mine. Ah well, I'll have to struggle on... [/quote] Niceeeeee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 You need arms like an orangutan to play a Thunderbird! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painy Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 [quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1486586411' post='3233091'] I do love the bridge on that new Epi...mine's almost, almost there: Actually, looking at it more closely, I couldn't have a two-piece bridge: the saddles are too far forward on mine. Ah well, I'll have to struggle on... [/quote] With that maple neck and all that shiney chrome.... OooErr! If that was a fiver I would be robbing a bank to find the funds to make you an offer. Luckily for my local branch of Natwest though I don't really do 4 strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassix Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 That new T-Bird is sexy as! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1486512379' post='3232464'] [/quote] I want! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbartlett Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 (edited) I've just seen this thread. Those EPIs look cool! I have owned both in the past and although they look the same they do play differently and don't have the same sound. I also found the EPI finish on the frets and neck not that great, I'd be interested to play one of these newer ones to compare. My USA Gibson Thunderbird is up for sale if anyone is interested btw....... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/300150-gibson-usa-thunderbird-hipshot-supertone-original-bridge/"]http://basschat.co.u...riginal-bridge/[/url] Edited February 9, 2017 by jimbartlett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EliasMooseblaster Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 [quote name='prowla' timestamp='1486592876' post='3233181'] You need arms like an orangutan to play a Thunderbird! [/quote] This is a very good point - don't know how tall your friend is, but there is something about the way long-scale Gibson-style basses sit that puts the 12th fret a lot further out than it would be on a Fender. Consequently, first-position playing either requires you to hang the bass really low on the strap, or be blessed with long arms! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1486512379' post='3232464'] That does sound interesting, I prefer the older brighter sounding pickups! [/quote] I've been thinking about this a lot, being a fan of the old-style Thunderbirds. Epiphone could be onto a winner here, but I really, really hope they get it right - proper headstock, correct pickup placement. Hopefully they won't just use the current Classic Pro and add the different hardware. It wouldn't be a disaster if they did - and I'd still probably buy one - but this is a real opportunity to put out an authentic 60s Thunderbird and I hope they don't mess up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 (edited) [quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1486492592' post='3232269'] Hi, I have a drummer buddy who has always fancied playing bass and has a craving for a Thunderbird. He's just waiting to start a new job in the summer and getting the money together to pull the trigger He was looking at Epiphones and is now wondering it it may be better to save up and get a used Gibson. I mentioned that there are other fine used verions such as greco and Tokai but to be honest I don't know much about them. Any recommendations of what to look out for on the used market? [/quote] I traded up from an Epi Bird to a 1991 Gibson Thunderbird. Huge difference, I'd say save up for the Gibson. Don't get hung up on whatever this mythical problem called " neck dive ". I've never experienced it. Blue Edited February 9, 2017 by blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Nada Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Phwoor, the new Epi looks great. Is there any indication of £RRP? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 [quote name='James Nada' timestamp='1486667554' post='3233736'] Phwoor, the new Epi looks great. Is there any indication of £RRP? [/quote] I'm not big on Epi Birds, however they do look pretty nice. Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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