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NBD: Epiphone Thunderbird 64 (sparkly)


neepheid

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Snagged one!  It's a Thunderbird, it does Thunderbird-y things (except neck dive, which is apparently a Thunderbird-y thing).  Only had a quick razz in the headphones but it sounds good to me!

 

01_thunderbird64purplefront.jpg.d556a47e9d848b0623bd98acddc0c759.jpg

02_thunderbird64purpleall.jpg.c1b38c5f3a57b93f3347076e6fb615f9.jpg

03_thunderbird64purplebackbody.jpg.82a08897aaf124b71abb09d1a15ed3ea.jpg

04_thunderbird64purplebackall.jpg.ba3785ae31f0477c9573f08b6e69d486.jpg

05_thunderbird64purpleheadstock.jpg.d23ea6ccaaee7fa68e261bc2d67debb3.jpg

 

It's a hard so-and-so to photograph for the camera in my mobile, it only shows the true sparkle when it's pulling focus and I catch it in the act thus:

 

06_thunderbird64purplesparkle.jpg.2dd3cea5b3417e9f173d35b8919e75b0.jpg

 

Sod it, have a video.

 

 

Edited by neepheid
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  • neepheid changed the title to NBD: Epiphone Thunderbird 64 (sparkly)
2 minutes ago, Woodinblack said:

Thats nice.. Would be good with gold hardware but still good. And also good video of the radiator :D

 

 

Really?  That's what caught your eye?  Should have gone to Specsavers! ;)

 

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23 minutes ago, Shaggy said:

Very tasty indeed :i-m_so_happy:

Why can't Gibson put out stuff like this???

 

I wish they did but it would probably put an extra grand on the price! I love my Pelham blue and Inverness green non reverse ones but the whole colour range is not that exciting. Something a little more funky would be nice.

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Well, I had a wee razz through the amp tonight, and even at levels which won't incur the wrath of neighbours it sounds punchy and solid.  Felt like a complete and utter rock god even without an audience, but any T-bird will do that to you :D

 

I reiterate - NO NECK DIVE (caveat this by saying I use a Neotech Mega strap - but it isn't pulling at the shoulder of my jumper either).  It will hold a 40-ish degree angle up from the horizontal, and is quite happy at 20 also, I kid you not.

 

There are a couple of things I might change though.  The electronics mostly - I don't like the taper on the pots - it's a bit all or nothing in the final quarter turn.  Tone pot does very little also, so I think an experiment with different caps may be in order.  Also, I'm not convinced by the stock choice of knobs - there's no context for them to be gold, they're the only gold coloured thing on the entire bass, save for the Epiphone logo on the TRC.  I think I'd prefer black and silver top hats instead.

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19 hours ago, neepheid said:

 

I reiterate - NO NECK DIVE (caveat this by saying I use a Neotech Mega strap - but it isn't pulling at the shoulder of my jumper either).  It will hold a 40-ish degree angle up from the horizontal, and is quite happy at 20 also, I kid you not.

 

I had a white Epi Thunderbird for years, one of the really early ones with the dark fingerboard. No neck dive whatsoever, although loads of people told me I must have been wrong because as everyone knows, ALL Thunderbirds neck dive!

 

I do regret selling it, but in the end that skinny nut was a bit too narrow. It's with a friend so it's in good hands. I do miss the sheer roar of that neck pickup though... nothing comes close.

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2 minutes ago, Cosmo Valdemar said:

I had a white Epi Thunderbird for years, one of the really early ones with the dark fingerboard. No neck dive whatsoever, although loads of people told me I must have been wrong because as everyone knows, ALL Thunderbirds neck dive!

 

I do regret selling it, but in the end that skinny nut was a bit too narrow. It's with a friend so it's in good hands. I do miss the sheer roar of that neck pickup though... nothing comes close.

 

A pox on Epiphone for discontinuing the white Vintage Pro!  Easily the nicest of the original issue.

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4 minutes ago, cetera said:

WANT!!!

I'm guessing you imported it as I haven't seen any for sale in the UK?!

 

Yes indeed I imported it - none of the US retailers carrying it would ship internationally so someone in the US I know bought it on my behalf and forwarded it on.

 

It is supposed to be a US dealer exclusive (zzounds, Long & McQuade) but a few have leaked across the pond - Musicstore/DV247 had a few a few weeks ago but they're sold out now (they still have blue sparkle in stock) and Strumenti Musicali in Italy seem to have the purple one in stock right now...

 

https://www.strumentimusicali.net/product_info.php/products_id/190410/epiphone-thunderbird-64-bass-purple-sparkle.html

 

(apologies to your wallet)

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On 09/12/2024 at 22:14, neepheid said:

Snagged one!  It's a Thunderbird, it does Thunderbird-y things (except neck dive, which is apparently a Thunderbird-y thing).  Only had a quick razz in the headphones but it sounds good to me!

 

01_thunderbird64purplefront.jpg.d556a47e9d848b0623bd98acddc0c759.jpg

02_thunderbird64purpleall.jpg.c1b38c5f3a57b93f3347076e6fb615f9.jpg

03_thunderbird64purplebackbody.jpg.82a08897aaf124b71abb09d1a15ed3ea.jpg

04_thunderbird64purplebackall.jpg.ba3785ae31f0477c9573f08b6e69d486.jpg

05_thunderbird64purpleheadstock.jpg.d23ea6ccaaee7fa68e261bc2d67debb3.jpg

 

It's a hard so-and-so to photograph for the camera in my mobile, it only shows the true sparkle when it's pulling focus and I catch it in the act thus:

 

06_thunderbird64purplesparkle.jpg.2dd3cea5b3417e9f173d35b8919e75b0.jpg

 

Sod it, have a video.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ooh you would wouldn't you‽ 😎

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On 09/12/2024 at 22:14, neepheid said:

 

02_thunderbird64purpleall.jpg.c1b38c5f3a57b93f3347076e6fb615f9.jpg

 

 

 

 

It's a hard so-and-so to photograph for the camera in my mobile, it only shows the true sparkle when it's pulling focus and I catch it in the act thus:

 

Sod it, have a video

 

That is hideous. I love it.
 

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42 minutes ago, PaulThePlug said:

That Purple Sparkle Screams! #PurpleRonnie

Mine is a bit more subtle in appearance and a pleasant change from the Ibby SR's

20241002_171406.thumb.jpg.ab8fba317a0e55bde62e0320992716bd.jpg

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20240921_130530.thumb.jpg.f1d25cf812b9904ac768ba9b1f2f9cc4.jpg

 

 

I do like that mod - DiMarzio Model 1 with single vol control?   Rather reminds me of my old '81 RD Artist which had been "EB3-ised" with mudbucker and mini-humbucker; beast of a bass 9_9

(apologies fir nicking pic from @chenzo_1 who I sold it to....)

 

 

1D803368-8E70-43D3-A088-068F9ADF8378.jpeg

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