The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Barklessdog on July 25, 2009, 04:57:39 AM

Title: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Barklessdog on July 25, 2009, 04:57:39 AM: http://cgi.ebay.com/Epiphone-Thunderbird-Pro-5-Electric-Bass-Guitar-5-Strng_W0QQitemZ320403284537QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item4a99862239&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1205%7C293%3A2%7C294%3A50#ht_7005wt_1119

Looks nice, not sure if the ship the the fatherland
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Rhythm N. Bliss on July 25, 2009, 05:04:09 AM: Like new with the plastic protection still on the pickguard. Nice!
She's a beaut! Lucky righty fuggers.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on July 25, 2009, 07:11:23 AM: They said these would come out around this time. They'll come to the fatherland too. I just hope the active electronics won't dilute the wood sound beyond recognition.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Dave W on July 25, 2009, 07:15:22 AM: Looks like they do ship internationally, and since this is classified as used, they wouldn't have franchise restrictions.

They're in stock at US online stores, new price is $599. Don't know about this finish, though.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: TBird1958 on July 25, 2009, 08:18:04 AM: I went to GC looking for one of those yesterday, they didn't have them yet.....

Epi necks and me don't exactly work together nicely, this is a bass I'd like to try out but my girlishly small hands will make the decision. Oh, and I don't like the black hardware either......... ;)
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Nocturnal on July 25, 2009, 08:48:56 AM: Guitar Center has them available online. $500 for a neckthru 4 stringer seems like a good price to me.

Mark, the 4 string is 1 1/2" at the nut. Don't remember about the 5er, but someone at TB said it seemed super wide. But you know not everything you read there is very accurate. ;)
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Dave W on July 25, 2009, 04:12:29 PM: It says it has Epi's version of a slim taper neck. OTOH even slim front-to-back fives are just too wide for my comfort, and the specs say this one is 1.93" at the nut.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: EvilLordJuju on July 26, 2009, 10:07:18 AM: I ordered one of these back in February (from imusician).... then I pretty much forgot about it.

Anyone seen one in the UK yet? I'm suddenly all interested again
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: PhilT on July 26, 2009, 01:51:38 PM: Quote from: EvilLordJuju on July 26, 2009, 10:07:18 AM
I ordered one of these back in February (from imusician).... then I pretty much forgot about it.

Anyone seen one in the UK yet? I'm suddenly all interested again

Gear4Music says 21st August, their credibility not helped by showing a picture of a 4-string.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Barklessdog on July 27, 2009, 05:01:14 AM: The reviews of the 5 string have been unfavorable about the B string over at Talkbass from those who have tested them.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: EvilLordJuju on July 27, 2009, 06:31:45 AM: ok, I think I ordered a four string actually. Can't even be sure what colour I ordered though.

Oh well another month. Plenty more time to forget all about it again :-\
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Dave W on July 27, 2009, 07:28:33 AM: Quote from: Barklessdog on July 27, 2009, 05:01:14 AM
The reviews of the 5 string have been unfavorable about the B string over at Talkbass from those who have tested them.

And Talkbass was always such a hotbed of Gibson love! :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Barklessdog on July 27, 2009, 07:48:12 AM: It will have to do till they send them to Germany, or someone else here buys / trys one.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: TBird1958 on July 27, 2009, 07:51:04 AM: Quote from: Dave W on July 27, 2009, 07:28:33 AM
And Talkbass was always such a hotbed of Gibson love! :rolleyes:

Hotbed of ignorance ;)
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Barklessdog on July 27, 2009, 08:09:05 AM: Which is usually younger people who just repeat what they have been told or hear or old people who are set in their ways.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: PhilT on July 27, 2009, 08:28:22 AM: Possibly these are all trolls from Talkbass, but ...

http://forums.epiphone.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=11148

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-Thunderbird-Pro-V-5-string-Bass-581656-i1460861.gc

http://rocketlounge.wordpress.com/2009/01/25/preview-epiphone-thunderbird-pro-iv/
(scroll to bottom of comments)
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: TBird1958 on July 27, 2009, 08:36:41 AM: As for the Epi, the more I think about the 5er the less likely I am to get one, Dave (PWV) was kind enough to let me play his Gibson Studio 5er last night. Lets just say it's got a sweet neck and definately no low B output issues.
And I see a nice cherry one on ebay, so no Epi for me.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-Thunderbird-Studio-5-String-Electric-Bass-NR_W0QQitemZ220457411397QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item3354492345&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on July 27, 2009, 09:06:01 AM: There you go telling everybody and his siter about your alleged "girlie hands" and then call the flight deck fretboard of a Studio V "sweet"? The mind boggles ... :rolleyes:

And no, absolutely no B string issues. If anything, the Studio V has E, A, D and G issues because the B strings sounds so unrelentingly domineering ... :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: TBird1958 on July 27, 2009, 09:14:06 AM: That was a pretty sweet playin' bass, in fact a very pleasant surprise to me!
It felt nice on the fretting hand side of things, my bigger problem would be getting used to the tighter string spacing.
I stoutly maintain my "girlie hands" status herr Moderator, they're small and only have calouses from Bass playing and Ermm.......certain "other" activities ;)
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Dave W on July 27, 2009, 12:12:11 PM: Quote from: PhilT on July 27, 2009, 08:28:22 AM
Possibly these are all trolls from Talkbass, but ...

http://forums.epiphone.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=11148

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-Thunderbird-Pro-V-5-string-Bass-581656-i1460861.gc

http://rocketlounge.wordpress.com/2009/01/25/preview-epiphone-thunderbird-pro-iv/
(scroll to bottom of comments)

Whoever it is, and wherever he's from, it's obviously the same person using different names in all three places. Too many similarities in his writing. Has he taken it to an Epi dealer to see if it's a setup issue or other correctable problem? Doesn't seem like it. Looks like plain ol' trolling to me. He always mentions reading about the same complaint elsewhere, without saying that he's the one who posted about it elsewhere under a different name.

Who knows, there may be an issue, but I wouldn't take this guy's word for it.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on July 27, 2009, 12:25:17 PM: The pups sure look wide enough to cover the B string well and a neck-thru construction shouldn't cause issues either. Perhaps the factory B string has a cheap quality and went dead early (as B strings tend to do in any case). When my dealer has them, I'll give the 5-stringer a try. No Gibson 5-stringer I own has issues with the B string, but the Epi Non-Rev TBird did until I changed the pups. But that was a model from 15 years ago, they should have learned from the past hopefully ... If the B string doesn't sound right, then the Pro V is not going to be around for very long.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: amimbari on July 27, 2009, 01:05:06 PM: Quote from: TBird1958 on July 27, 2009, 07:51:04 AM
Hotbed of ignorance ;)
you got that right...the ole' "if it's not a Fender then why was it made" attitude always makes me laugh.

and Mark, when I talk about Jacksons they say "Jackson?, I never heard of an AndrewJackson guitar before, what's that look like".. :bored: :-\
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: PWV on July 27, 2009, 06:57:38 PM: Quote from: TBird1958 on July 27, 2009, 08:36:41 AM
As for the Epi, the more I think about the 5er the less likely I am to get one, Dave (PWV) was kind enough to let me play his Gibson Studio 5er last night. Lets just say it's got a sweet neck and definately no low B output issues.
And I see a nice cherry one on ebay, so no Epi for me.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-Thunderbird-Studio-5-String-Electric-Bass-NR_W0QQitemZ220457411397QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item3354492345&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Thanks for letting me play your AMAZING T-Bird collection Mark! I'm GASsing for a Nikki Sixx now - it was cool hearing the Studio 5 through your G-K rig too. There is something special about that particular 5ver, and I don't think I'll ever be a full convert to the extra string. Hope to hear your band here soon too!
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: OldManC on July 27, 2009, 07:01:09 PM: Mark, that V will look great in your collection. Now you just need to find come chrome covers that will fit those pickups! ;)
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: TBird1958 on July 27, 2009, 09:54:23 PM: And maybe a 5 string chrome 3 point! ;D
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on July 28, 2009, 02:41:15 AM: The 5er already has chrome hardware, don't be so retro!

It's not just the B string that makes the 5er attractive, it is how the surplus of neck meat affects the sound of the other four strings as well. It's a mucgh phatter sounding Bird.

Uwe

PS: At this confidential get-together, was Mark in stage gear and what were other participants wearing or not wearing? :o
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: TBird1958 on July 28, 2009, 01:58:16 PM: Quote from: uwe on July 28, 2009, 02:41:15 AM
The 5er already has chrome hardware, don't be so retro!

It's not just the B string that makes the 5er attractive, it is how the surplus of neck meat affects the sound of the other four strings as well. It's a mucgh phatter sounding Bird.

Uwe

PS: At this confidential get-together, was Mark in stage gear and what were other participants wearing or not wearing? :o

Naw.......

Just a nice get together after my work on Sunday eve, I was wiped 'cause we had a show at a very hot and humid venue the night before, that and 4 hours sleep plus a workday = 1 very tired Fraulein.
Dave was kind enought to bring his Lull built Red White and Blue Fenderbird, a Money Bass and the Studio 5er, we set my rig up in the living room and rattled the house and neighbors for an hour or so, before heading to a nice local place for Gin and Tonic- with a Fish and Chips chaser ;D

Good times!
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: PWV on July 28, 2009, 04:54:08 PM: I was the Penguin, Uwe - and I was in the Batcave! :mrgreen:

No, it was a nice bass session of A/B'ing Gibson's. Don't know what the weather is like in other parts of the world but we're in the middle of a rare heat-wave up here. So firing off a few humbuckers for the neighbors just seemed to be the right thing to do!

And yes, we learned that there is a state law now that won't allow you to have more than one drink at a time. As well as a recently enacted law that forbids musicians having drinks on-stage now. What is this world coming to - can't they legislate important things?
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Freuds_Cat on July 28, 2009, 08:45:44 PM: Quote from: Barklessdog on July 27, 2009, 08:09:05 AM
Which is usually younger people who just repeat what they have been told or hear or old people who are set in their ways.

yep
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Barklessdog on July 30, 2009, 09:41:34 AM: from TB

Quote
Okay. I just received an update from my local shop. Their gibson rep was in and did state that they are aware of the output issues on the B and they have received numerous complaints. They acknowledged that the output issue related to poor QA on the new pups for the Pro-V.

They have taken my tbird back and have promised a new Pro-V with a working B. BUT it will take a few weeks. I guess I'll exercise some patience. Other than the low B output, I was really impressed with the bass.

If it is BS then He is doing a convincing job.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on July 30, 2009, 09:48:46 AM: That sounds good. At least they're working on it. As we learned from the Ric 4004 experience, even upmarket products can't sometimes get pup response with a 5 string right firat time around. My dealer has a Pro V in stock now too and I'll be checking it on Saturday. My guess is that it will have the same B string issue.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Dave W on July 30, 2009, 01:50:16 PM: Quote from: Barklessdog on July 30, 2009, 09:41:34 AM
from TB

If it is BS then He is doing a convincing job.

Wonder if it's the same guy who posted the same negative review under different names on different sites?

I smell BS. With very rare exceptions, you know pickups are wound as a coil that covers all strings, not one for each string. There have been cases were the field of the pickup isn't wide enough for the outer strings, but an output issue with just the B and not the G? Doesn't make sense.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on August 01, 2009, 03:39:35 PM: I tried a Pro V today. It looks great (I had a natural) and feels great, I like the porous feel of the maho wings. 4 of its 5 strings sound great, lovers of angry piano tone that still has warmth and fundamentals will be in ecstasy at first listen, the sustain is excellent. The brdge state of the art and quite a hunk, but utterly reliable looking. I loved that bass and was heartbroken I could not take it with me. Why? The kid fro Talk Bass is spot on - the B string has issues, big ones. It's not the construction of the bass, the B string vibrates tautly and the string quality is great too when you play the bass unplugged, all very even. But for whatever reason, the pup fails to pick up the B string properly. And it's not just a volume issue. For lack of better description the B string sounds patently out of phase with the signal sometimes even cutting out. I've played bass with weak B strings like the Ric 4003S/5, but whatever deficiencies those basses had that is nothing compared to the Pro V. Which is a pity as everything else on the bass makes it a worthy TBird. Hope they work it out. And while I think its great that Epi employs hearing impaired people, maybe they shouldn't be using only them in acoustic quality control.

And hey, I'm not the kid from Talk Bass in another guise.

Uwe
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Dave W on August 01, 2009, 07:04:05 PM: Too bad. At least we have it first hand from a reliable source. I believe you, of course, I just can't take the word of someone who posts the same negative review in three different places under three different names (although that might not have been the guy from TB).

Since the issue is with the B but not the G, my guess is that the preamp is the problem, not the pickup.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on August 02, 2009, 07:46:32 AM: I thought about the preamp too. The B string did some strange things. One moment it sounded brittle and the next it became increasingly louder, swelling in tone, as if the electronics had issues digesting the B string signal quickly enough. I just discarded that option becuse in my simple non-electronic mind I always thought one way to not have issues with the B string was to have active electronics. ??? But it might be just that.

That bass was the first non-Gibson TBird I played with a real Gibson feel to it, no doubt due to the neck-thru construction. Great sustain. Once the B string is worked out, I'l gulp it up in a heartbeat.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Dave W on August 02, 2009, 09:18:33 AM: Just buy it for $500 and spend another $250 on a Sadowsky preamp. With shipping and installation, the total shouldn't be more than $1000. There you go. 8)
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: chromium on August 02, 2009, 11:25:34 AM: Did it make a difference playing the B up higher on the neck? You mention the open E (and other strings) ring out strong, so I wonder if the B sounds any stronger at the 5th fret and above? This might help you validate that its a pre-amp issue - specifically, a pre that can't handle frequencies as low as the low B can sling.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on August 02, 2009, 02:01:01 PM: It didn't sound as bad higher uo the neck, but who plays a B higher up the neck than say 7th fret? I certainly don't. Go much higher and the harmonics go all crazy on those things.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: chromium on August 02, 2009, 02:30:29 PM: Yeah but at least that tells you with some amount of certainty that the pre is at fault, and not the pickups. That's an easier fix, IMO. A tech could easily bypass the pre with a push/pull pot like I did for Andy on his LP bass, or wire it permanently passive. Or you could go all out with a new pre-amp, to Dave's point. That is, of course, if you really wanted to go out of your way to fix a new bass that should work right to begin with.

Sounds like the pre-amp they used (probably intended for a four string) can't handle that ultra low ~30Hz frequency of the open B. (http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/smilies/icon_doh.gif)

Bad enginner!

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/smilies/spank.gif) (http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/smilies/splat.gif)
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: TBird1958 on August 02, 2009, 02:46:52 PM: Not to discourage commerce here but I *think* the Gibson Studio 5er Uwe already owns more than obviates the need for the Epi...................... ;)
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Dave W on August 02, 2009, 08:46:37 PM: Uwe is a completist. Pointing out that he doesn't need it won't discourage him at all. :)
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on August 03, 2009, 11:15:24 AM: Quote from: Dave W on August 02, 2009, 08:46:37 PM
Uwe is a completist. Pointing out that he doesn't need it won't discourage him at all. :)

How despicably mean you can be, Dave. :-\ You say "completist" like it has to do with compulsive hoarding instincts, when in fact it's just obsessive hoarding instincts.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Dave W on August 03, 2009, 11:35:05 AM: I didn't think hoarding had anything to do with it.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Barklessdog on August 03, 2009, 11:46:14 AM: The Giant European hamster strikes again
Quote
The Great Hamster, European hamster or Cricetus cricetus is much larger, and prettier, than its familiar domesticated cousins. It has a brown and white face, a black belly and white paws and can grow to be 10in long.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/misc/2818448277_9480bedc08_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Highlander on August 03, 2009, 01:47:42 PM: I smell a rat... :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Dave W on August 03, 2009, 02:52:52 PM: Not a rat, it's a Filigreed Siberian Hamster.

And while we're at it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMO5cj1_DHY
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Highlander on August 03, 2009, 03:00:59 PM: I think I'll not pass that one on to my daughter...!
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: EvilLordJuju on August 07, 2009, 04:40:14 AM: So are any epi pro birds in Europe at all?

The company I ordered from gave me this update today

"I'm really sorry but we are still waiting for our supply of Thunderbirds to arrive from Gibson and Epiphone. Their situation doesn't seem to have got any better over the past 6 months and they still do not have a customer service number or (as Chris has tried on many an occasion) any form of email support available"
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Dave W on August 07, 2009, 07:51:20 AM: That's ridiculous. Production delays and distribution delays happen, but no customer service support by phone or email for a retailer? That's hard to believe. I wouldn't condemn Gibson without hearing their side, but is business so good that they don't care?
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on August 07, 2009, 08:49:56 AM: I don't understand the question. I played a Pro V last Saturday in my shop near Frankfurt which still is Germany. And Germany is still Europe, at least that is the common view. I know that the UK has general aspirations not to see itself as part of Europe, but Germany?

And Gibson does not have a service number or email address for Europe? Except the one that is named on their site of course and generally speedy if not always in depth in their replies. I'm sure that in the Gibson world
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: OldManC on August 07, 2009, 09:06:49 AM: Postus interruptus?
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: angrymatt on August 07, 2009, 09:45:13 AM: Quote from: OldManC on August 07, 2009, 09:06:49 AM
Postus interruptus?

When i first glanced at this I thought you said potus interruptus, and that was both confusing and hilarious at the same time.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on August 07, 2009, 09:55:32 AM: Yes!!! Endurance at my age is fleeting ... :mrgreen:

Here we go again:

I don't understand the question. I played a Pro V last Saturday in my shop near Frankfurt which still is Germany. And Germany is still Europe, at least that is the common view. I know that the UK has general aspirations not to see itself as part of Europe, but Germany?

And Gibson does not have a service number or email address for Europe? Except the one that is named on their site of course and is generally speedy if not always in depth in its replies.

From: Stijn Vergeest [mailto:Stijn.Vergeest@gibson.com] On Behalf Of Service Europe
Sent: Dienstag, 4. August 2009 10:49
To: Hornung, Uwe (Litigation-FRA)
Subject: RE: Epiphone Thunderbird Pro V Issues

Hi Uwe,

Thanks for your comments.

I have forwarded your email to the quality control department, so I’ll let you know as soon as I have received more information.

Kind regards,

Stijn Vergeest
Gibson Europe Customer Service
00800-4GIBSON1
00800-44427661
www.gibson.com
service.europe@gibson.com

For schematics, repair tips, FAQs and more, please visit the Gibson Customer Service website at http://www.gibson.com/Service/
For 24/7 Customer Service, call us at 00800-4GIBSON1 (00800-44427661). You can also email us anytime at service.europe@gibson.com
To locate a Gibson Dealer in your area, please visit http://www2.gibson.com/Support/Dealers/Europe.aspx

***CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This communication is considered a private and proprietary exchange between Gibson Musical Instruments and its customers, and is intended for the eyes of the original recipient(s) only. This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. ***

From: Uwe.Hornung@CliffordChance.com [mailto:Uwe.Hornung@CliffordChance.com]
Sent: Monday, August 03, 2009 1:03 PM
To: Service Europe
Subject: RE: Epiphone Thunderbird Pro V Issues

Dear Stijn,

I tried one of the new Epi Pro V TBirds at my shop last Saturday and unfortunately found confirmed what I had already read in the internet on various bass and Epi sites before: There is a technical problem with the transmission of the B string signal which apparently applies to all Pro Vs currently on the market. The B string signal is very weak, almost out-of-phase in character and it even drops out at times while the other four strings work well. Is this something Epiphone is officially aware of and working on to resolve? As the B string sounds fine unplugged, it has to be down to either the magnetic field of the pickup or the preamp's ability to handle real low frequencies.

I was impressed with the Pro Vs quality and feel otherwise, so it was regrettable I had to leave it at the shop due to the B string malfunction.

Kind regards

Uwe

I'm sure that in the Gibson world the UK is regarded as at least a lesser member of Europe or at the very least an island close by (like, say, Iceland or Greenland) that can be served from Europe for convenience reasons.

To sum it up: Jules, if only you had let us conquer you in 1940 as intended, you too would profit from an ordentliches distribution and SService SSystem today! :vader: :vader: :vader: :vader:

(http://www.ww2incolor.com/d/249503-2/Scan2003955)
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: EvilLordJuju on August 10, 2009, 09:41:57 AM: I ordered (and paid) for mine in February. I should have mine now, seeing as they are on ebay and in your local shop. You'd think the first ones ordered would be the first delivered. :-\

If going back in time and altering the course of world war two was a sure way to get my bass, i'd give it a try...

Of course, in altering the fabric of time, you run the risk of returing to find the bass is now a bolt-on. Or made of pine or something.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on August 10, 2009, 04:25:55 PM: Alter history, and that Epiphone would have splinter Luftwaffe camouflage fin.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Dave W on August 10, 2009, 08:53:50 PM: Jules, something tells me that your local retailer isn't giving you the whole story. Like, maybe they didn't actually order it, or they're not current on their accounts with Gibson or a separate importer.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on August 11, 2009, 01:55:53 AM: My GAS is now being handled by a shop in a suburbia town at the outskirts of Frankfurt. They are not even really a bass shop, yes they have a wealth of custom shop LPs (very much a Gibson shop as opposed to a Fender one), but hardly any basses (but among those few at least a Gibson TBird). But the owner, Detlef, is on a personal quest to get everything I want as quickly as possible (and often ahead of much bigger shops). And if that means disturbing his LA holiday to have a chat with a Gibby sales rep to make sure that the first Ripper II to hit German shores goes to me, he'll do just that. And he is also the only guitar shop owner that has ever given a bass to me for free because he thought it would make sense in my collection: an Epi Ripper prototype plus huge prototype case for it. Customer satisfaction, that is me! : - )
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: ramone57 on August 11, 2009, 06:36:20 PM: you live a charmed life, uwe! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Dave W on August 11, 2009, 09:52:32 PM: That's good, but you don't have to have a big collection to develop a good relationship with an independent store.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on August 12, 2009, 03:43:39 PM: Stijn from Gibson Customer Service Europe sent me this:

"From: Stijn Vergeest [mailto:Stijn.Vergeest@gibson.com]
Sent: Mittwoch, 12. August 2009 19:27
To: Hornung, Uwe (Litigation-FRA)
Subject: RE: Epiphone Thunderbird Pro V Issues

Hi Mister Hornung,

Thanks for the reply.

There appears to be an issue with the pickups of a batch of this guitar model.

Could you please send me a copy of the proof of purchase and the serial number of the guitar?
I’ll place a warranty request in the US for new pickups straight away.

Kind regards,

Stijn"

Ok, he has forgotten that I didn't buy it and left it at the shop, but still, I honor the effort. Things can go wrong and the proverbial things happen. If this is how Epi deals with it than I'm ok with it. I've passed the email on to my shop, I guess they will know how to handle this with the distributor.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Dave W on August 12, 2009, 09:39:12 PM: I still doubt it's the pickups since it only affects the B. For frequencies to be shorted or absent I still think it has to be in an external circuit. Unless the pickups have an internal preamp like EMGs, maybe that's the case.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on August 13, 2009, 12:04:26 AM: I dunno. What I can say is that the electronics - ignoring the B string effect - sounded hi-grade as opposed to a cheap sound electronically inflated. There was some real sparkle, but nothing harsh, and mids and bass were ample without ever being overpowering.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Blackbird on August 13, 2009, 05:53:35 AM: Quote from: uwe on August 12, 2009, 03:43:39 PM
Stijn from Gibson Customer Service Europe sent me this:

"From: Stijn Vergeest [mailto:Stijn.Vergeest@gibson.com]
Sent: Mittwoch, 12. August 2009 19:27
To: Hornung, Uwe (Litigation-FRA)
Subject: RE: Epiphone Thunderbird Pro V Issues

Hi Mister Hornung,

Thanks for the reply.

There appears to be an issue with the pickups of a batch of this guitar model.

Could you please send me a copy of the proof of purchase and the serial number of the guitar?
I’ll place a warranty request in the US for new pickups straight away.

Kind regards,

Stijn"

Ok, he has forgotten that I didn't buy it and left it at the shop, but still, I honor the effort. Things can go wrong and the proverbial things happen. If this is how Epi deals with it than I'm ok with it. I've passed the email on to my shop, I guess they will know how to handle this with the distributor.

I'm kinda curious as to how this works out....I've got a metal band that may want me to join (not that I play it, but now I'm playing nothing at all), and I'd need a 5'er...and a Gibby studio 5 likely isn't an option....but this sure would be.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on August 13, 2009, 05:59:24 AM: I could see that working fine in a metal band, both visually and soundwise. The look is cool, it's a beast of a bass, and the active electronics will allow you to dial in a sparkly sound with lots of bottom with not too much in between so as to not get in the way of the guitar barrage. That Ian Hill sound.

I really don't have much use for a 5er, but I liked the sustain of this particular one and would imagine that the wider neck plays a role in that so I will most likely get it once they've fixed the B string issue. Apparently, the IV string versions are not even out yet.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: EvilLordJuju on August 13, 2009, 06:06:40 AM: Quote from: uwe on August 13, 2009, 05:59:24 AM
Apparently, the IV string versions are not even out yet.

apparenntly not... I passed on the email details for customer service to my shop, and they said they have no info at all. Stijn is unable to track their orders and can not help. They said I might not get anything for another 3 months....

I might just get my money back I think
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on August 13, 2009, 07:41:22 AM: I heard that the four-stringers will only come out in fall, that might not be the fault of your shop. It seems logical to me that Epi would opt for the 5ers first, targeted at a younger audience and with no cannibalizing competition from either Epi or Gibson (those Pros have an overall quality that wouldn't be out of place with a Gibson model and they are priced accordingly).
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Nocturnal on August 13, 2009, 09:42:56 AM: I saw a 4 stringer in sunburst on the wall at the Tempe GC on Tuesday. It was up too high to reach and I didn't have time to deal with a salesperson so I didn't try it out. It looked nice, although I thought the sunburst just looked ok. I will go back and try it out when I have more time. The 4 stringers are also listed as in stock on GC's website.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: TBird1958 on August 13, 2009, 09:50:09 AM: There's some 4 stringers on ebay right now :)
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on August 13, 2009, 10:04:25 AM: "Impülsivê", the new lush fragrance as worn by the unbelievable Fräulein Rômmélle! Traces of black patent leather, Panzer grease, mahogany and model train oil mingle and combust to one sheer sensation ...".

Oh man, who wrote that crap!!! :mrgreen: ;D ;)
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: ramone57 on August 13, 2009, 11:12:49 AM: I saw a 4 string at GC a week or so ago. I wanted to try it but it didn't have a battery installed. the finish was quite fetching and the craftmanship was top notch. it looked much better in person than the online pics. I'm up to my ears with unexpected expenses right now so that was end of it.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: TBird1958 on August 13, 2009, 11:43:09 AM: Quote from: uwe on August 13, 2009, 10:04:25 AM
"Impülsivê", the new lush fragrance as worn by the unbelievable Fräulein Rômmélle! Traces of black patent leather, Panzer grease, mahogany and model train oil mingle and combust to one sheer sensation ...".

Oh man, who wrote that crap!!! :mrgreen: ;D ;)

What?!?! Ya just noticed that ;)
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on August 13, 2009, 12:21:33 PM: I wanted to try it but it didn't have a battery installed.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Way to sell a bass.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Barklessdog on August 17, 2009, 02:48:48 PM: This was posted at TB
Quote
I got my original bass back. They replaced both pick ups. It rips now, But I just need to get used to playing a neck diving bass. This bass reminds me of a 80s Mockingbird bass I sold years ago. I like it. The pick ups look exactly the same. I can not tell by looking at them . But the difference in out put is NIGHT AND DAY.
Place your Order.
Eric
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on August 17, 2009, 04:17:25 PM: That's nice to hear. My shop now has three 4 stringers in all available finishes. Might try one of those.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: EvilLordJuju on August 18, 2009, 06:15:02 AM: Yeaaaahh... mines in the post apparently !!!
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: gearHed289 on August 18, 2009, 08:02:02 AM: I think I need to get myself a cherry Gibson Thunderbird Studio 5 string if anyone has one to get rid of. :)
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Lightyear on August 18, 2009, 08:14:07 AM: Mark was watching one on Ebay a week or two ago? It was cherry and cheap at the point I saw it.

Mark hasn't posted a "look at my new toy!" thead or posted a new pic of the flock so I guess he didn't get it?
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: TBird1958 on August 18, 2009, 08:30:23 AM: I'm still trolling for one!
Been watching a couple black ones on Ebay but like Tom would rather have a Cherry...........

I remember when I lost mine ;)
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Highlander on August 18, 2009, 10:40:05 AM: Still got my cherry (red T'bird), but it's hidden under all that garish paint... ;D
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on October 16, 2009, 09:41:12 AM: As of today, I'm finally the proud owner of a natural Epi T-Bird Pro V! The B string issue has been eradicated. In comparison, the E string still sounds a little stronger (on the Gibson Studio V, the B string dwarfs all other strings as if it came from another planet), but the difference is marginal and not relevant when playing in a band context.

I opted for the nat V because out of all the Pros I tried (IVs and Vs in translucent black and sunburst) it sounded the most responsive. Weaker minds might be deluded into saying that the thinner fin of the natural models - the translucent black and sunburst models had fins as thick as a candy apple - might account for that just a little - is Dave around? :-[ -, but we all know that is nonsense :-X and that Fin(n)ish is a language, not a scientifically relevant sound ingredient. (Let go of my arm now, Dave!) Even here I am, however, at liberty to say that the added beef of the nicely D-shaped 5-string neck adds to the sustain noticably.

For 410 Euros, this is a mighty fine bass, we have to watch those Chinks more closely I tell you! Workmanship is up to Gibson (in its more brighter moments). Woods loook great, making the bass a reverse sister of the GoW Zebrabird, i.e. striped where the Zebrabuird is not and vice versa. Wonderfully grown porous maho wings in a nicely dark tone, much darker than what you see on the official pics or how the other natural specimen looked in the shop. Maple stripes of the 7 ply maple/walnut neck are even a little flamed. Intruders of higher regions will be pleased to hear that Scott, the "Flying Tiger Saw", has obviously given woodworking seminars in the People's Republic, the cutaway is deeper than on a Gibson T-Bird and you can even play the last note with your pinky. Velly well done, Comlades, thank you!

Soundwise, this is a real TBird. It has the same basic characteristics as my Studio V or my Sixxnature with more detail over the whole frequency spectrum (the electronics never sound harsh though) at the expense of some raunch, no doubt due to the active nature of the beast.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Dave W on October 16, 2009, 09:56:40 AM: But does it have lots of chrome? :P
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on October 16, 2009, 10:16:11 AM: No, it's a good-looking, all natural bass. Not tarted up at all.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: OldManC on October 16, 2009, 10:34:39 AM: I'm sitting here gawping in awe at our resident progressive European barrister using the work 'chink' to describe the people who must have made this bass! Wow... ;)
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: TBird1958 on October 16, 2009, 10:37:00 AM: Hey now!

I'm all tarted up ;)

I played a 4 banger at GC acouple weeks ago and was quite impressed with it's build quality and tone, further the neck profile at the nut is much more comfy to me than the standard "stock" Epi bird.
I'd like to check a 5er out if anybody around here gets one.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: patman on October 16, 2009, 11:02:13 AM: That is a temptation...I've been thinking of buying a 5 string

Is it noisy?
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: TBird1958 on October 16, 2009, 11:59:44 AM: You know the black hardware would have go! ;)
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Hornisse on October 16, 2009, 05:22:06 PM: Quote from: OldManC on October 16, 2009, 10:34:39 AM
I'm sitting here gawping in awe at our resident progressive European barrister using the work 'chink' to describe the people who must have made this bass! Wow... ;)

I still refer to the snack food "Cheese Nips" as "Cheese Japs." ;)
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: godofthunder on October 17, 2009, 05:54:13 AM: He is a nice deal one one BIN $379 I'd hit it but I have no use for a 5er http://cgi.ebay.com/Epiphone-Thunderbird-Pro-IV-Bass-Guitar-NICE_W0QQitemZ390105436637QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item5ad41891dd
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: the mojo hobo on October 17, 2009, 06:08:18 AM: Scott, your excuse is not valid. The auction link is for an IV. Go for it.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: godofthunder on October 17, 2009, 07:59:00 AM: Doh how could I have not noticed ?
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: godofthunder on October 17, 2009, 08:27:59 AM: I missed Uwe's compliment completely ;) Scott the "Flying Tiger Saw" LMAO I like it ! ;D
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: godofthunder on October 17, 2009, 09:37:38 AM: Sooooooooooooooo tempted, but I like the sunburst better. Do I buy it because it is a good deal but not the color I want ? I am tetering on the edge I even have a spare Thunderbird case for it.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: the mojo hobo on October 17, 2009, 12:19:43 PM: If it were natural I would have hit it already.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: godofthunder on October 17, 2009, 12:40:19 PM: Color for a vehicle never comes into play for me.............................for a bass ? Yep.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on October 17, 2009, 03:14:55 PM: Patman, the electronics are as quiet as a lubed up virgin. No hiss at all, even with treble up full.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Highlander on October 17, 2009, 04:28:11 PM: I've never known of a quiet virgin... lubed or not...
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: uwe on October 18, 2009, 01:14:15 AM: That must be your inherent qualities then, Ken. I wouldn't know as I don't know of virgins period. Or fullstop. I think - just like finish influencing sound - it's one of those urban myths. Anything that can't be repeated under laboratory conditions twice - loss of viginity falls squarely into this category - doesn't exist.
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: Highlander on October 18, 2009, 09:20:15 AM: The critical part of my statement is , "known of..."

They've been out-of-stock on the open market for years... as you say - "urban myth..."

You can only use the product once, and that's it... doesn't seem like a valid marketing tool... ;)
Title: Re: Epi Pro Bird5 er on Ebay
Post by: PhilT on October 28, 2009, 03:52:14 AM: Quote from: uwe on October 18, 2009, 01:14:15 AM
... Anything that can't be repeated under laboratory conditions twice - loss of viginity falls squarely into this category - doesn't exist.

Never say never, this can be fixed - and as tight as a repaired TBird neck break.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/10/06/egyptians_uptight/