Thunderbirds

[DaytonaRik]

All,

as a long time Thunderbird fan I'm hoping that fellow BCers with realworld experience of the Thunderbird can let me know exactly what to look for when buying a used T'bird. I'm aware of some of the the pros and cons of living with one as a main bass but given the repertoire of material that it will be used with is Thin Lizzy/Gary Moore I'm pretty sure that tonally it will cope with the demands but again, I'm all ears to those with experience of living with one.

Everything from sound limitations to what to look for when buying, known weaknesses, worthwhile upgrades etc. Unlike with my guitars, I'm not a brand snob and I'm just as likely to end up with a classic Pro IV as I am a Gibson if the sound/playability is there. That said, the only one I'll avoid is the bottom-of-the-range bolt on neck job!

Thanks in advance

Rik

[Dandelion]

I have my eye on the Epi classic IV. In fact one will be mine in the new year. The Gibson USA pups sell it to me with the laminate thruneck. My only decision is wether to choose the alpine white or the vintage sunburst one. I think I prefer the white, but that will not show of the lovely laminate. But then I fancy the sunburst. Gawd i dont know....

[mr pablo]

The best upgrade you can get for a tbird is a hipshot supertone bridge. FAR superior in every way over the 3 point bridges

[pst62]

[quote name='mr pablo' timestamp='1386183229' post='2296893']
The best upgrade you can get for a tbird is a hipshot supertone bridge. FAR superior in every way over the 3 point bridges
[/quote]
That man is absolutely right!
The most notorious weakness is the neck just behind the nut, a bad knock to the headstock can result in it snapping clean off.
Having said that, if you're careful in your cavorting about, or are not the type of bloke to partake in such actions, I'm sure everything will be fine.

[Conan]

What a disappointing thread. None of the Tracey family, no Parker, no Lady Penelope.... and certainly none of these:

[DaytonaRik]

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1386263137' post='2297940']
What a disappointing thread. None of the Tracey family, no Parker, no Lady Penelope.... and certainly none of these:


[/quote]
Brilliant!

[DaytonaRik]

[quote name='pst62']
The most notorious weakness is the neck just behind the nut, a bad knock to the headstock can result in it snapping clean off.
Having said that, if you're careful in your cavorting about, or are not the type of bloke to partake in such actions, I'm sure everything will be fine.
[/quote]
I guess not unlike Firebirds/SGs in that respect then?

[pst62]

No idea about the SG or Firebird, but I'm guessing the Firebird being the guitar version will more than likely have the same weakness.

[bassmachine2112]

The epi pro 4 active has a good bridge,pity they never fitted it to the classic.
Both are good basses,I,ve played both and I,ve got the active one in black.

[DaytonaRik]

[quote name='bassmachine2112' timestamp='1386279250' post='2298314']
The epi pro 4 active has a good bridge,pity they never fitted it to the classic.
Both are good basses,I,ve played both and I,ve got the active one in black.
[/quote]
I gave the active IV a dabble in York a while back and was impressed with it - felt good, slim easy-to-play neck. I'd like to try an Epi and a Gibson back-to-back and get a feel for the differences before committing the cash.

[Spike Vincent]

As far as copies are concerned, the Tokai is very good indeed,apart from the inherent neck dive.

[NancyJohnson]

I'm presently running a few Gibson Thunderbirds (see Gibson porn thread elsewhere). I'd concur with an a earlier poster and say that if you go for a Gibson or an Epiphone, seriously consider upgrading the bridge to a Hipshot Supertone from the outset. The Gibson three-pointer is just awful. When buying, look for headstock breaks; the neck profile at the nut is barely the size of a small tangerine.

I've tried a couple of the new Epiphone models; I didn't particularly like the colours...the white was too bright (the Gibson white is more creamy/offwhite) and the sunburst is too orangey. Don't be swayed by the image on the Epiphone website either; it's just a doctored version of the one that's been on the Gibson website for years. If you went with a new Epiphone, be prepared for some tweaking too; the store setups I tried were horrendous. The Epiphone neck was a bit fatter and the bottom cutaway is different to the Gibson...it just has a different scoop on it. Setups aside, it sounded OK, but I was just pushing it through a little amp at a local branch of Dawsons, rather than my regular setup.

One thing I would definitely say is to consider the price of a new Epiphone against that of a used Gibson. I recently picked up a 2008 Gibson in vintage sunburst for £700.00 including the case. It had a tiny ding on the end of the headstock, but otherwise it was minty fresh. A new Epiphone is around half that and it's likely the Gibson will hold that price if you decide to sell it.

Aside from the reverse model, you could look at non-reverse models. I will admit mine was a dog and I've had too do a ton of work to it to get it up to speed, but it's fine now.

If you've got any other questions, post here or shoot me a PM. No idea where you're at, but if you're local (Reading), feel free to pop over and have a noodle.
P

[BigRedX]

It all depends what you want in terms of sound.

IMO the current crop of Thunderbirds from both Gibson and Epiphone have little in common with the original Gibsons from the 60s except for a similar body shape. AFAIAC the last "proper" Thunderbird was the Gibson anniversary model from 1976.

Of course you might be after something entirely different and like the modern Gibsons, in which case the Epiphone Classic Pro is most definitely worth a look. Me? I'd be off down to Bass Direct to try out one of the their Mike Lull T-Basses.

[DaytonaRik]

As I play out and out rock I guess that's a good indication of what I'm after...something that's going to drive a band along with plenty of punch. It doesn't need to be subtle or to be a jack of all trades. My sound has always been similar to Duffs classic G n R tones...quite trebly sitting prominently in the mix. However- before anyone says P-bass I know enough to realise that amplification and an attacking pick style has more to do with that sound than the instrument itself.

I agree re the used Gibson market being the better long term option with plenty of bargains (compared to the RRP) to be had if I'm patient.

Thanks for the heads-up re bridge and neck issues...I guess I'm better armed in the what-to-lookout-for dept now!

I wish I was closer to try yours out NJ

[DaytonaRik]

Just checked out the Mike Lull T-Birds....hubba hubba! Sadly well out of my pay-scale

[BigRedX]

[quote name='DaytonaRik' timestamp='1386596035' post='2301895']
Just checked out the Mike Lull T-Birds....hubba hubba! Sadly well out of my pay-scale
[/quote]

But a second-hand '76 - '79 Gibson Thunderbird will set you back the same kind of money.

What you probably ought to do is get out there and try as many Thunderbirds as you can. There's quite a wide variety of modern ones from Gibson and Epiphone and they are all very different n woods, construction, hardware and electronics, although none of them are IMO a real substitute for the original Gibson model, that might not be what suits you. You may find that the bolt-on neck Epiphone is the right Thunderbird for you.

Then there are copies from Tokai (nothing special and certainly not up to the standards of the classic Tokais of the 80s) and Greco (much better).

Then finally, it's probably also worth having a look at a few of the Thunderbird-influenced models from other makers like the Spector Rex, Cataldo JAEbird, or the Eastwood Stormbird.

Plenty of options for you to try.

[NancyJohnson]

[quote name='DaytonaRik' timestamp='1386586378' post='2301684']
As I play out and out rock I guess that's a good indication of what I'm after...something that's going to drive a band along with plenty of punch. It doesn't need to be subtle or to be a jack of all trades. My sound has always been similar to Duffs classic G n R tones...quite trebly sitting prominently in the mix.
[/quote]

I've tended to use a Sansamp BDDI (and more recently a RBI) as my front end. I find the tone quite agreeable in general; I was looking for a Geddy/Foxton/Burnel clanky-dirt sound and I'm reasonably happy with what I get. It's probably more about owning your frequency than anything else...our guitarist is pretty filthy, so you do lose the dirt when we're both playing.

This kind of demonstrates:
[url="http://www.chevril.com/nancyjohnson/_Wedgie%20(Mastered)/Suitcase%20Pimp%20(PA%20vocal%20demo%20mix).mp3"]http://www.chevril.com/nancyjohnson/_Wedgie%20(Mastered)/Suitcase%20Pimp%20(PA%20vocal%20demo%20mix).mp3[/url]
excuse my vocals!
P

Edited December 9, 2013 by NancyJohnson

[Bankai]

I had an Epiphone Pro IV. Probably my favourite bass to grab and play on. Despite what people might say about Tbirds!

I ended up selling it though because I couldn't deal with the fact it said Epiphone. And yes, I know that's a truly terrible attitude to have but I felt like a fraud not using a proper Gibson one.

[Dandelion]

Has anyone tried a T-Bird with flats?

What was it like?

[NancyJohnson]

[quote name='Dandelion' timestamp='1387361429' post='2311006']
Has anyone tried a T-Bird with flats?

What was it like?
[/quote]

I usually gig in heels.
P

[BigRedX]

[quote name='Bankai' timestamp='1387338631' post='2310891']
I had an Epiphone Pro IV. Probably my favourite bass to grab and play on. Despite what people might say about Tbirds!

I ended up selling it though because I couldn't deal with the fact it said Epiphone. And yes, I know that's a truly terrible attitude to have but I felt like a fraud not using a proper Gibson one.
[/quote]

But you won't get a Gibson Thunderbird that sounds like the Epiphone Pro IV.

[Panamonte]

[quote name='Dandelion' timestamp='1387361429' post='2311006']
Has anyone tried a T-Bird with flats?
[/quote]

My 2005 Tbird had flats on it (possibly Fenders?) when I bought it secondhand. I like flats (I've got LaBellas on my J and Chromes on my P/J), but I found that on the Tbird the voicing of the p/ups was already so dark that with flats it all got a bit muddy, so I swapped them for DR Sunbeams which worked a whole lot better IMO.

Edited December 19, 2013 by Panamonte

[DaytonaRik]

Interested in a few out there...one is a pretty beaten up '93 but only superficial markings. Another is a 79 but it's had a neck break at some point. Guy is looking for £1300 which obviously reflects the damage but is it worth a punt? Would peeps steer clear or take a look? I know it depends on the break/repair but from the shots I've been sent it look on first impressions to be a good job.

Should a '79 have a tri-point bridge or bridge/saddles? Area around the socket looks good

[Shaggy]

£1300 for a '79 (still usually called "bicentennial model" even though technically that was '76) is good if neck repair is decent, as it looks to be - they're much nicer than subsequent models. Chrome 3-point bridge is right, separate bridge / tailpiece is only on '60's models
Good luck!

[DaytonaRik]

Cheers Shaggy - I'm off to take a look at it one eve this week. I'm concerned re neck repair but I'll have a good look and post some pics on here for comments. It also has the original case, albeit a little tired! There was mention of it belonging to a famous muso but no provenance so I'll take that as urban legend! I can get the '93 for a great price and it's has no neck issues, some lacquer cracks/crazing along the neck laminates and some serious gig mojo! There's another near me that I'm waiting on details of...just have to sell some guitar gear now!!!