Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Does anyone here own either a Gibson or Epiphone Thunderbird bass? I was never "starstruck" by the looks of that bass but I heard a few recordings with one and I'm really digging the tone. I'm not talking about a vintage Thunderbird but more in line with the Thunderbird 4.

It's a neck through design and the profile looks pretty damn slim. Very curious as to how they play.

Sepp

JA has an Epi-Bird.

My guitarist has one of the lower priced bolt-on epi's. i am not impressed with it,feels pretty cheep. The necks are slim on most of these,but you will really have to just sling one on to see if you like it,it has a unique feel. I have played some Gibson tbirds,vintage and new,and while they look great,they're not my favorite bass to play or wear. I am sorta curious about playing the new nonreverse Gibson t bird. From what i've read,the best tbird to get is a Lull.

There is a trans orange Lull on eBay right now. Bolt on neck tho. Yeah, there seems to be so many different models between Epi and Gibson. Bolt on necks, Motley Crü no volume control edition , active pups. I was more curious about the 7 ply neck through passive pup type. Not sure how the body style would be for me. I just may have to see if the local Sam Ash or GC has one of the various models to test drive.

Sepp

Is bolt-on a deal breaker Sepp? The Lull's are supposed to be the best because they eliminate the worst part of a T-Bird - the horrendous neck dive.

I find the shape very comfy. I very nearly bought a Studio a few months back. I liked it a lot. Very fast neck. If it had the pickups in the classic position (Like the Lull) I would have pulled the trigger.

John,

Not sure. Neck through is quite attractive, feature wise. I love the sustain and the feel of neck throughs. I guess a bolt on would really have to wow me. I did not mind my P bass for all the years I played it and I don't mind my Modulus Q5 either. Would I buy another P bass or J for that matter? Probably not. The Modulus neck is great. The body, well, it's OK.

Neck dive on a T bird, OK, I can definitely see that. Huge headstock hanging out there. I gotta find a store that has one, so I can judge it. The Lull on ebay, I do not remember the pup set up. I've looked at so many today on the internet. Very attractive color, that trans orange!!

Yeah I know, I should be working on learning "Don't stop" "Ten Years Gone" and "Would?" I have 9 days till band practice. I just got sidetracked.

Sepp

It happens!

Edit:speaking of sidetracked,i had to take a looke at that orange Lull on ebay....verry nice. Mike Lull also makes these out of mahogoney like the 60's models,and has made custom pickups based on the utterly fantastic sounding originals. (I used to own a 60's epiphone Embassy,probably my most regretted bass i sold...greAt sounding bass)

I have played both the 4 and 5 string versions of the Lull-Bird. I was sitting down so I can't speak to the neck dive, but if I had the $$$ one of Mile's basses would be here at home right now. He makes some interesting variations here, too.

Kopfjaeger wrote:Neck through is quite attractive, feature wise. I love the sustain and the feel of neck throughs. I guess a bolt on would really have to wow me.

I think neck-through absolutely changes upper fret access for the better and can do some nice things to tone, but it really doesn't benefit sustain at all that I can tell. Don't be prejudiced about bolt-on necks, give 'em a chance to wow you. Lulls are some of the best basses out there. I nearly bought a Lull P4 for no reason other than it was awesome in every way a bass can be (I had no need of it, in other words, it just caused my jaw to drop when I tried it out). But my disposable income isn't that great.

cassius987 wrote:

Kopfjaeger wrote:Neck through is quite attractive, feature wise. I love the sustain and the feel of neck throughs. I guess a bolt on would really have to wow me.

I think neck-through absolutely changes upper fret access for the better and can do some nice things to tone, but it really doesn't benefit sustain at all that I can tell.

My Martin Keith Elfin 5 has the greatest sustain of any bass I have ever owned or played, it is amazing how long it holds onto notes, especially that great B string.

I have the Epi Pro IV active bass. I got that one because of the tonal differences the active gives you, where I found the Epi IV passive sounded way too close to a Jazz to bother with. It has a slim neck both side to side and front to back.

I had a 1986 Gibson Thunderbird, "Custom shop" model, for about 5 yrs, until 2004. being a big Firebird fan, I was really taken with the body shape and the idea of owning a T'bird. I fell in love with the "thunderous" (ouch!) tone and its looks... but if I'm honest, it was the least practical bass that I have ever owned.

The problem was its sheer size...(see the photo below) compared with my 4001 and Fender P-bass ... I am over 6 feet tall and that first fret was an awfully long way to the left!

Also, it will come as no surprise to you, when I say that it was almost impossible to play sitting-down... and incredibly neck heavy, when strapped on... a problem only partially rectified by wide leather strap.

Bear in mind that the case is massive too... too large for the boot/trunk and the back seat of an Audi A4!! Small details, and possibly irrelevant to you, I know, but all pertinent to life with my T-Bird.

Any bass or guitar 'sold' is a sad experience - but if I am realistic, despite the great sound, the sale of my Thunderbird is not a sale that I regret. Just my honest opinion...

johnallg wrote:I have the Epi Pro IV active bass. I got that one because of the tonal differences the active gives you, where I found the Epi IV passive sounded way too close to a Jazz to bother with. It has a slim neck both side to side and front to back.

Oh, the balance on this is good. The front strap bold is on the heel and it balances nicely.

brew wrote:I had a 1986 Gibson Thunderbird, "Custom shop" model, for about 5 yrs, until 2004. being a big Firebird fan, I was really taken with the body shape and the idea of owning a T'bird. I fell in love with the "thunderous" (ouch!) tone and its looks... but if I'm honest, it was the least practical bass that I have ever owned.

The problem was its sheer size...(see the photo below) compared with my 4001 and Fender P-bass ... I am over 6 feet tall and that first fret was an awfully long way to the left!

Also, it will come as no surprise to you, when I say that it was almost impossible to play sitting-down... and incredibly neck heavy, when strapped on... a problem only partially rectified by wide leather strap.

Bear in mind that the case is massive too... too large for the boot/trunk and the back seat of an Audi A4!! Small details, and possibly irrelevant to you, I know, but all pertinent to life with my T-Bird.

Any bass or guitar 'sold' is a sad experience - but if I am realistic, despite the great sound, the sale of my Thunderbird is not a sale that I regret. Just my honest opinion...

I am having difficulties bonding with my Epi Pro IV, both for the reasons you state and also the sound/feel. Really, it doesn't sound all too different from my Ricks.

I like the feel of my Ricks and Jazz.