Thunderbird rivals

[BassAdder60]

Is there a bass that sounds like a Thunderbird yet isn’t the awkward shape and length !!

 

I love the look and tone especially pick played for rock but I’m seeking something with dual humbuckers and neck around 40 - 42mm and costs less than £750 !! 

[ezbass]

I would have thought that the Epiphone Embassy would get you right in the ballpark for tone, playability and cost.

 

[neepheid]

Beat me to it

[BigRedX]

Mike Lull JT4.

 

Essentially Thunderbird pickups in the correct positions in a Fender-style bass. 

[ezbass]

57 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

Mike Lull JT4.

 

Essentially Thunderbird pickups in the correct positions in a Fender-style bass. 

Maruszczyk do a similar thing with the Jake, but not for less than £750. https://www.public-peace.de/info/jake-tb.html

[neepheid]

Also, the Embassy is usually significantly cheaper than the Thunderbird, the geometry is "better" (in that the tuners are not in the next time zone), and the Embassy I had was super light - great if you like that sort of thing/have back issues.

[ezbass]

1 hour ago, neepheid said:

better" (in that the tuners are not in the next time zone

😆👏👏👏

[JottoSW1]

750 second hand ?

[grenadillabama]

5 hours ago, neepheid said:

Also, the Embassy is usually significantly cheaper than the Thunderbird, the geometry is "better" (in that the tuners are not in the next time zone), and the Embassy I had was super light - great if you like that sort of thing/have back issues.

the embassy is a glue-on neck like gibson use. this disproves my idea that neck-thru was necessary for proper thunderbird tone.

[Happy Jack]

Rival to

 

Shirley, you mean

 

I'll see ya later ...

 

[Lozz196]

Have you had some work done Jack 🤣

[BassAdder60]

I’m tempted back towards a nice Ray 4 string 

[tegs07]

Has anyone tried one of these Schecters?

 

https://www.andertons.co.uk/schecter-simon-gallup-ultra-bass-in-red-black-psch-gtr-2241-1/

[ezbass]

1 hour ago, tegs07 said:

Has anyone tried one of these Schecters?

 

https://www.andertons.co.uk/schecter-simon-gallup-ultra-bass-in-red-black-psch-gtr-2241-1/

That’s rather nice.

 

1 hour ago, BassAdder60 said:

I’m tempted back towards a nice Ray 4 string 

Not a T’Bird by any stretch, but maybe a double humbucker one would get you close in the tone department.

[Intoutof]

As it happens I'm selling one of the above Schecters in Marketplace : )

[Basvarken]

The Gibson IV is basically a Thunderbird in disguise.
It has a mahogany body and neck.
And TB+ humbuckers.
Controls are VVT.




 

[Stub Mandrel]

On 09/07/2024 at 15:27, ezbass said:

I would have thought that the Epiphone Embassy would get you right in the ballpark for tone, playability and cost.

 

 

I was just about to say that!

[PaulThePlug]

On 09/07/2024 at 15:21, BassAdder60 said:

Is there a bass that sounds like a Thunderbird yet isn’t the awkward shape and length !!

No!

 

But i have the Pickups and 2 Band Pre out my Epi Pro IV if ya interested?

(Got to take some pics and list em in FS)

[BassApprentice]

And just in case you need to cover all your bases with one Thunderbird.

 

 

The Brooks double neck should do it

 

[jd56hawk]

I forgot all about Thunderbirds when I discovered this.

[NancyJohnson]

On 08/10/2024 at 13:00, jd56hawk said:

I forgot all about Thunderbirds when I discovered this.

 

The DNA of the Thundergun shares little with an actual Thunderbird; the raised centre block on the body and the word Thunder in it's name... that's pretty much it.  Beyond that it's got more in common with a hybrid Jaguar body and P/MM guts.

 

 

[Woodinblack]

The Gibson EB3 I had sounded just like a thunderbird, which isn't really surprising as it had the thunderbird pickups in the thunderbird position.

[jd56hawk]

48 minutes ago, NancyJohnson said:

 

The DNA of the Thundergun shares little with an actual Thunderbird; the raised centre block on the body and the word Thunder in it's name... that's pretty much it.  Beyond that it's got more in common with a hybrid Jaguar body and P/MM guts.

 

 

Had to look it up but you're right.

I guess I really have forgotten all about Thunderbirds.

[ead]

Much as I like Gibson basses, I couldn't find one that really worked for me so I commissioned one here in the UK.  Sadly a little above your budget 

 

 

[Woodinblack]

On 08/10/2024 at 09:03, BassApprentice said:

And just in case you need to cover all your bases with one Thunderbird.

 

 

The Brooks double neck should do it

 

 

Yeh, would be ok if they did it in a 5 / 15!