NikNik Posted August 12, 2022 Share Posted August 12, 2022 Anyone got one? Comparisons to the Gibbo model? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted August 12, 2022 Share Posted August 12, 2022 9 minutes ago, NikNik said: Anyone got one? Comparisons to the Gibbo model? Depends what you are after in a Thunderbird-shaped bass. The current Gibson Thunderbirds have "evolved" away from the 60s original while the Epiphone version is supposed to be pretty close. This means that the current offering from the two companies have little in common other than an overall similar shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikNik Posted August 12, 2022 Author Share Posted August 12, 2022 Compared to the early '60s model. Never played one, but an EPi has come up at a good price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted August 12, 2022 Share Posted August 12, 2022 (edited) I'd say that the current Epiphone is so good on a price/quality ratio that you'd be a fool to buy the Gibson. Better (to my ears anyway) pickups (how tired and old are those TB+ pickups sounding, Gibson?), better bridge (two piece with tailpiece vs. the dreaded 3 pointer), similar construction (I don't see what going from a 7 ply neck to a 9 ply on the Gibson brings to the table other than being a bigger number) and just look at all that lovely chrome on the Epiphone. Your call, but I wouldn't give a current Gibson Thunderbird houseroom right now. I had a recent Epiphone Thunderbird and thought it was great, just didn't care for the ergonomics so sold it and got an Embassy instead (same pickups, different body, set neck instead of thru). The Thunderbird was fun though and looked great at the gig - I felt quite rockstarish playing it 😎 Edited August 12, 2022 by neepheid 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikNik Posted August 12, 2022 Author Share Posted August 12, 2022 Thanks, guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr4stringz Posted August 12, 2022 Share Posted August 12, 2022 Steve McDonald has been playing these with Melvins now for a couple of years or so as his main basses. It’s a good enough recommendation for me. Plus, there’s no three point bridge on them. Big tick for me! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted August 12, 2022 Share Posted August 12, 2022 I liked my sunburst one so much I bought a white one as well. The spec on epiphone.com states that they are now being made with an indian laurel fingerboard, which won't be as good looking as the blackwood tek used on the earlier ones which resembles bazilian rosewood, and as it doesn't shrink/expand with the seasons, makes the bass immune to fret-sprout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted August 13, 2022 Share Posted August 13, 2022 On 12/08/2022 at 10:11, NikNik said: Compared to the early '60s model. Never played one, but an EPi has come up at a good price. If you're benchmark is an original 60s Gibson, the Epiphone Vintage Pro is a lot closer than anything with a Gibson logo on it made since 1980. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.