I know I'm new here etc. but I took a look at the Epiphone and Gibson website blurbs and pulled images down of both Thunderbirds and the basses are identical barring headstock tweaks to accommodate the Epiphone (or Gibson) trussrod cover. Don't believe me? Take a look. The little white dot on the lower horn, the identical reflections on the control knobs and the end of the headstock. This is soooo lazy!...also the NAMM shot shows <shudder>chrome hardware</shudder>.P
Even though Gibson may not allot enough money to R&D, it's nice to see that they haven't cut their Photoshop budget.
While it'd be nice, I'm willing to bet there won't be any chrome on these when they hit the marketplace.
Gibson's bass department may finally be leaving the 80s. Oh wait, a separate bass department? What was I thinking?