Korean Epiphone Thunderbird IV

[mgauction]

I remember when Epiphone and MIK meant Made in Kalamazoo.

You old 60's guy!

[johnallg]

I remember when Epiphone and MIK meant Made in Kalamazoo.

You old 60's guy!

Easy, Mike, I know your birth date, and it is only 6 months after mine! We're showing our ages!

[rickenbrother]

At least Kalamazoo still has you, John!

[mgauction]

I remember when Epiphone and MIK meant Made in Kalamazoo.

You old 60's guy!

Easy, Mike, I know your birth date, and it is only 6 months after mine! We're showing our ages!

And I'm a grandpa!!

[deaconblues]

MIK instruments seem to be getting better and better. Not quite to MIJ standards yet, but the gap has closed significantly. I'm keeping an eye out for a T-bird to add to the burgeoning herd (or should that be flock?).

I'd agree. The fit and finish of instruments that have come out of Epiphone lately have been a better quality than they were in the past. Now if they would just couple the selection of instruments that they had in the mid and late '90's with the quality that they have going for them these days. If they did, I'd probably be buying at least two more instruments.

I realize I'm responding to this a month later (!), but what Epiphone models did you like from the 90s? I can only really remember the Sorrento - Es-135 style. Of course, I was too young to know what Epiphone was!

[atomic_punk]

Charly, congrats on your "Bird!
I've had 3 of them...same finish as yours, goth, and white. Loved them all. Big thick meaty sound. When they make a 5-string version of it, I will buy it!
Also looking for a '87ish Gibson V bass (not a flying V) if anyone knows where one is.

[whojamfan]

If you're interested, Hipshot makes a 3 point bridge that is supposed to be a drop in replacement. I have an Epi EB-3 with a 3 point bridge I was looking to replace a while back. Might be worth looking in to. My buddy has an Epi like yours and complains it's neck heavy, but he's a skinny little weasel

[kiramdear]

regarding the tone knob, I never used them on the Gibsons I owned and probably should have modded them out. With my 4001 it's another story, though, as I find them actually useful! I have been tempted to buy a TBird after playing one. They're surprisingly good to play and feel, sound, rock solid. If they make a set-neck model I'd have to surrender.

[bassilisk]

I have been tempted to buy a TBird after playing one. They're surprisingly good to play and feel, sound, rock solid. If they make a set-neck model I'd have to surrender.

They(Gibson) do - they're the Studio series. Set neck vs neck thru and they're about $700 less.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... c=3SOSWXXA

I have a standard Gibson '00 Thunderbird and I think it's one of the classic rock basses with a great neck and killer tone. I keep hearing great things about the Epi's too!

[lennon211]

MIK instruments seem to be getting better and better. Not quite to MIJ standards yet, but the gap has closed significantly. I'm keeping an eye out for a T-bird to add to the burgeoning herd (or should that be flock?).

I'd agree. The fit and finish of instruments that have come out of Epiphone lately have been a better quality than they were in the past. Now if they would just couple the selection of instruments that they had in the mid and late '90's with the quality that they have going for them these days. If they did, I'd probably be buying at least two more instruments.

I realize I'm responding to this a month later (!), but what Epiphone models did you like from the 90s? I can only really remember the Sorrento - Es-135 style. Of course, I was too young to know what Epiphone was!

Sorry it took so long to respond here. I was talking about the time around '97 and '98 when they were doing the Rivoli, EB-1, Riviera 6 and 12 in their vintage style (not the newer Valensi version), Sorrento, etc. It seemed like they had a much better selection of vintage-era models.