markdavid Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 (edited) Hi, Ive got real bad gas at the moment for a Thunderbird, however theres no way that I can afford a grand for a Gibson Thunderbird , Ive been considering the Epiphone Thunderbird but am wondering whether I could do better with what I have available to spend ( £400 budget ) , is there any other Thunderbird clones/copies around as I haven't seen any btw it would be cool if it sounded kinda similar to a Thunderbird (Strong lows and low mids) Edited October 11, 2008 by markdavid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 (edited) [quote name='markdavid' post='304519' date='Oct 11 2008, 06:53 PM']Hi, Ive got real bad gas at the moment for a Thunderbird, however theres no way that I can afford a grand for a Gibson Thunderbird , Ive been considering the Epiphone Thunderbird but am wondering whether I could do better with what I have available to spend ( £400 budget ) , is there any other Thunderbird clones/copies around as I haven't seen any btw it would be cool if it sounded kinda similar to a Thunderbird (Strong lows and low mids)[/quote] Try this [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tokai-TB48-Thunderbird-Bass-Guitar-Vintage-Sunburst_W0QQitemZ250306057234QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item250306057234&_trkparms=72%3A1298%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tokai-TB48-Thunderbi...id=p3286.c0.m14[/url] Tokai are reknowned for being good quality (better than Epiphone) although I have not personally played this model £279 + £15 for a gigbag Edited October 11, 2008 by Clarky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrenochrome Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 [quote name='Clarky' post='304522' date='Oct 11 2008, 07:02 PM']Try this [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tokai-TB48-Thunderbird-Bass-Guitar-Vintage-Sunburst_W0QQitemZ250306057234QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item250306057234&_trkparms=72%3A1298%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tokai-TB48-Thunderbi...id=p3286.c0.m14[/url] Tokai are reknowned for being good quality (better than Epiphone) although I have not personally played this model £279 + £15 for a gigbag[/quote] Yup, there's your answer. The Tokai is set neck and it's a better bass than the Epi version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 I tried watching Stingray and Fireball XL5 as an alternative to Thunderbirds but it just wasn't the same..... Team America made up for putting humans in it........ (from TA Script.....) [b]Gary Johnston: [/b]Bak. Derk-derk-Allah. Derka derka, Mohammed Jihad. Haka sherpa-sherpa. Abaka-la. [b]Terrorist:[/b] Ahhh! Derka derka derka! [Allows Gary into terrorist hideout] Brilliant, just f88king brilliant. I pi55 myself every time I hear that ........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 [quote name='The Burpster' post='304539' date='Oct 11 2008, 07:44 PM']I tried watching Stingray and Fireball XL5 as an alternative to Thunderbirds but it just wasn't the same..... Team America made up for putting humans in it........ (from TA Script.....) [b]Gary Johnston: [/b]Bak. Derk-derk-Allah. Derka derka, Mohammed Jihad. Haka sherpa-sherpa. Abaka-la. [b]Terrorist:[/b] Ahhh! Derka derka derka! [Allows Gary into terrorist hideout] Brilliant, just f88king brilliant. I pi55 myself every time I hear that ........[/quote] [url="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bvmeecIlfE4&feature=related"]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bvmeecIlfE4&...feature=related[/url] 2:04 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Yep just wee'd myself again..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzz Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 I'd also +1 the Tokai, don't get me wrong, the epi's are cracking basses for the money (I've just this week bought one 2nd hand after regretting selling the last one) and they sound amazing, but the Tokai comes with a much better bridge as standard (the gibbo 3 point is rubbish) and I've not heard a bad word against them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 The Epiphones are nice basses, but I was also thinking of a review I saw in BGM of the Fret King Blue Label Esprit. That's not exactly a T-Bird, but it is styled similarly & received a favourable review. [url="http://www.fret-king.com/esprit4ta_spec.html"]http://www.fret-king.com/esprit4ta_spec.html[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 The Hamer ones are worth looking out for too. Might be a bit of a search, but you sometimes get a deal on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 buy anything with humbuckers/soapbars and tie a brick to the headstock! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 [quote name='budget bassist' post='304654' date='Oct 12 2008, 12:33 AM']buy anything with humbuckers/soapbars and tie a brick to the headstock![/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balcro Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 [quote name='markdavid' post='304519' date='Oct 11 2008, 06:53 PM']Hi, Ive got real bad gas at the moment for a Thunderbird, however theres no way that I can afford a grand for a Gibson Thunderbird , Ive been considering the Epiphone Thunderbird but am wondering whether I could do better with what I have available to spend ( £400 budget ) , is there any other Thunderbird clones/copies around as I haven't seen any btw it would be cool if it sounded kinda similar to a Thunderbird (Strong lows and low mids)[/quote] If the tone is the thing, why not have a look at basses with mahogany bodies, a la Gibson. Ibanez do a few in the SR, SRX and BTB series. The official web-site has its own selection, while Nevada Music appears to import other models. SR500, SR530, SRX690DX and SRX 690DX , BTB200 (35" scale), and the JTKB200 (basic electronics). Some models also show the frequency response of the town controls. Happy surfing. Balcro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='304640' date='Oct 12 2008, 12:07 AM']The Epiphones are nice basses, but I was also thinking of a review I saw in BGM of the Fret King Blue Label Esprit. That's not exactly a T-Bird, but it is styled similarly & received a favourable review. [url="http://www.fret-king.com/esprit4ta_spec.html"]http://www.fret-king.com/esprit4ta_spec.html[/url][/quote] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=25141"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=25141[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass_ferret Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 Dont understand the sh*tty bridge on those fretkings. Dean and Vintage do some cheap TB ish basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDarkReaver Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 How about the Goth epiphone model. I really like it, plus it's got a mahogany body like the 'real' thunderbird, plus pretty similar pups I believe. They're only around £170 now as well . I paid nearly £100 more for mine a few years ago. Quite the bargin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 If you fancy a non-reverse one, there is the Gould Stormbird. Also has a set-neck, & is pretty cheap. Maybe good for modding too(?) [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gould-Stormbird-Bass-electric-guitar-NOT-GIBSON-FENDER_W0QQitemZ180273273186QQihZ008QQcategoryZ2384QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gould-Stormbird-Bass...4QQcmdZViewItem[/url] Review [url="http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Electric+Bass/product/G.+Gould/Thunderbird+Copy/10/1"]http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews...rbird+Copy/10/1[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tait Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='304640' date='Oct 12 2008, 12:07 AM']The Epiphones are nice basses, but I was also thinking of a review I saw in BGM of the Fret King Blue Label Esprit. That's not exactly a T-Bird, but it is styled similarly & received a favourable review. [url="http://www.fret-king.com/esprit4ta_spec.html"]http://www.fret-king.com/esprit4ta_spec.html[/url][/quote] shame its fugly though. [quote name='Balcro' post='304674' date='Oct 12 2008, 01:32 AM']If the tone is the thing, why not have a look at basses with mahogany bodies, a la Gibson. Ibanez do a few in the SR, SRX and BTB series. The official web-site has its own selection, while Nevada Music appears to import other models. SR500, SR530, SRX690DX and SRX 690DX , BTB200 (35" scale), and the JTKB200 (basic electronics). Some models also show the frequency response of the town controls. Happy surfing. Balcro.[/quote] having owned both an SR and an epiphone, and played a few different ibanezes i can say they are nothing like a thunderbird, even if they do have soapbars and a mahogany body. IMO the ibanez SR is much, much better than the epi, no competition about it, but its not a thunderbird at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbartlett Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 I don't own one myself but the Dean Demonator is supposed to be really good. It's Deans' version of a Thunderbird and it is supposed to really kick arse. [url="http://www.deanguitars.com/dean_winter_08/Demonator.htm"]Demonator[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 Dont Warwick do a wibbly wobbly assymetric too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass_ferret Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 [quote name='The Burpster' post='305000' date='Oct 12 2008, 08:24 PM']Dont Warwick do a wibbly wobbly assymetric too? [/quote] Not for four hundred quid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 This weekend I tried a Thunderbird for the first time and my god they are the most neck heavy basses ever I don't know how people get on with them. Oh and on the Dean thing the guy who I bought the perspex 5 string off just bought one of [url="http://www.deanguitars.com/demonator_m_metalman.htm"]these[/url], he plays in a soft rock/indie band, he need some guidance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 [quote name='waynepunkdude' post='305092' date='Oct 12 2008, 10:31 PM']This weekend I tried a Thunderbird for the first time and my god they are the most neck heavy basses ever I don't know how people get on with them.[/quote] Easy - I moved the front strap button on mine to the neck heel area - cured the neck dive 100%. A stupid design fault easily cured. No idea why they're not made with the button in the best position by default. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 [quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='305101' date='Oct 12 2008, 10:50 PM']Easy - I moved the front strap button on mine to the neck heel area - cured the neck dive 100%. A stupid design fault easily cured. No idea why they're not made with the button in the best position by default.[/quote] Good plan I couldn't believe it when I put it on. For me it would be a problem because I take my left hand off of the bass when playing open notes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 [quote name='bass_ferret' post='305065' date='Oct 12 2008, 10:01 PM']Not for four hundred quid [/quote] Ooooops forgot that bit..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 [quote name='The Burpster' post='305115' date='Oct 12 2008, 11:03 PM']Ooooops forgot that bit..... [/quote] Am I the only one to have an evil lust for a 5 string headless Thunderbird with the ABM bridge It might just be my next project bass...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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