Ilton White

Precisions and Ric's weren't exactly cheap in the mid to late 70's £400+ quid was a big wedge back then.

I wonder who'll be next? Blind Faith and The Scorpions?

Steve Garvey of The Buzzcocks played one when I saw them in 1978. Also post punk legends Death Cult/The Cult bass player, Jamie Stewart. Dreamtime live at the Lyceum is Stingray heaven.

You could stick the machineheads in a jiffy bag with two 1st class stamps on chuck it in the post box, Job done. Help the lad out!

Really? I'm at work for 6:30AM and finish at 17:00 and I still manage to get things in the post!

I prefer the one on the right, the one on the left is an anti English tw@t!.... Just like most on the left these days!

Bought a Seymour Duncan SPB 2 off of Ordep. The bloke is a total pleasure to deal with, great communication and quick delivery. Thanks again mate. Regards, Pete

R.I.P. Charlie Watts. Another legend has gone.

I never said that the Gibson Thunderbird I tried back in 2012 was bad. I just didn't think it was worth the extra £700, after I'd tried the EPI Classic Pro. In fact the Gibson would be here now if the Epi hadn't been there at the time. IIRC I'm sure Epiphone stopped their Classic Pro run in 2015 at Gibson's request, because it was denting their sales?

I've heard that Epi are on so much of a go slow that they won't be shipping anything before January.

Which onel was it? If it was the bolt on neck model, they are terrible and feel nothing like a Thunderbird.

This ^ exactly! Back in 2012 I went into Hartnoll's in Taunton with all intent and purpose of buying a Gibson Thunderbird, they were £1199 at that time, and like SteveXFR, after the Gibson I tried out an Epiphone, this model being their newly released Classic Pro Thunderbird IV, neck through with the Gibson pups (£499) so little was the difference, (the Gibson had a slightly thinner neck) I saved myself from paying an extra £700 for basically a Truss rod cover with "Gibson" on it!

This man is absolutely right. and I know because one of his looms sits under that pickguard.

It'll be the same run as mine then, made in China, the first two numbers of the serial denotes year of build. This is mine now, only the body and pup remain.

Hi Mass Bridge or BBOT?

Is yours one of latest (2017) 70's CV's or the 2012-2015 series? I love the pup in my 2014, lots of low end warmth.

I wish they'd done that in 1975.

R.I.P. MB1. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Isn't even saying "He who shall not be named" illegal?

He never had any to lose! The only member of that band with any grip on reality was Michael Anthony!

Just like PaulThePlug I'd go with a Black Pickguard (NorthWest's are quality) but if it has to be one of the ones in your post, I'd go for the top one.

It wouldn't surprise me if the real reason is back problems, 40 years of being almost bent double must have taken some toll!