Incoming Vintage Pro Epi 'bird

[gearHed289]

Well I finally cracked. I'm not even a huge fan of playing Thunderbirds, but here we are.  I bought a used Vintage Pro in white with an Epi case. With tax and shipping, it was less than the new 64 version. I'm supposed to be downsizing, and not buying anymore basses just because they're "cool", but you know how that goes... 4 more years and I'm going to be selling off a lot of stuff. That's the plan anyway.

[lowend1]

You won't regret it. You won't lose money on it, either, if things keep going the way they are. The VP, IMHO, has a couple of advantages over the '64, depending on when the VP was made. The earliest ones (2017?) have the large plate Wilkinson tuners, while the 64 has unbranded ones with the small plate. I prefer the rosewood board on the VP as well, over the Indian Laurel they use now. In any case, enjoy - they're great basses.

[gearHed289]

Thanks, I figured I could explain this one as somewhat of an investment, particularly in white. It does have Wilkinson tuners. The case kind of sealed the deal for me.

[TBird1958]

 It's a good sturdy bass, I used mine for most of our shows last year and really liked it -  The only change I made to it was to replace the pickups with the Gibson re-issues, they have a bit deeper voice and lo-mid mid presence, the Epi 760s are nice and it's my intent to leave them in the new Ember Red '64.


I like Betty's butt and i cannot lie! 

[lowend1]

Thanks, I figured I could explain this one as somewhat of an investment, particularly in white. It does have Wilkinson tuners. The case kind of sealed the deal for me.

Yeah, white was the move for me too, with both the VP and CP. All that gawking at Jackie Fox in the Runaways...

[Highlander]

Mine's black... like my soul...

[gearHed289]

Set to land Tuesday. Now I need to order a "Gibson" TRC and some black reflector knobs.

[uwe]

You're not serious about the TRC, are you?

[gearHed289]

Sure, why not? I put one on my former Bachbird as well.

[lowend1]

Set to land Tuesday. Now I need to order a "Gibson" TRC and some black reflector knobs.

Upbadging?

[uwe]

Sure, why not? I put one on my former Bachbird as well.

It would never occur to me to make one brand appear to be another brand. An Epi is an Epi and can be a fine bass in its own right, some Epis are better than their Gibson counterparts (the Epi Explorers vs the 80ies Gibson Explorers come to mind). But why create the illusion it is something else?

That is what non-venomous Scarlet Kingsnakes fearing for their life do when they dress up as poisonous Eastern Coral Snakes, but you're not a threatened species, Tom! 



It's perfectly ok in my book to modify/improve an Epi to a point where you can show off with it and have people say: "This must be the best-sounding Epi bass I've ever heard!" I've done that myself (with an Epi Explorer receiving a spalted maple top, new bridge, tuners, electronics and pups) to then reply: "Well, it sure cost me enough to get it there!" But of course the original Epi trc stayed on. Content over appearance.

It is - shudder the thought! - tantamount to sticking a perfectly fine vinyl copy of Deep Purple's Machine Head into a Led Zeppelin IV album sleeve! Who would do such a heinous thing? 

[TBird1958]

All Roads lead to Deep Purple!

I played my Epi at rehearsal on Saturday, the newer Gibson pickups once again are really nice!

[uwe]

All roads lead to Deep Purple!

'Tis always been this way, man cub, the
laws of my jungle kingdom do decree ...

[Ken]

That's quite a gesture.

[uwe]

When Christopher Walken went mobster ape like no one else can.