The Last Bass Outpost

Well I finally cracked. I'm not even a huge fan of playing Thunderbirds, but here we are.  ;D 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.

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.

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.

 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! 

(https://i.imgur.com/LLMH8lo.jpg)

Quote from: gearHed289 on March 27, 2024, 10:19:32 AM
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...

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

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

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

(https://preview.redd.it/vi4ldytkeajy.jpg?width=1080&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=7f850973d105038ca9090a4398912d142c9424ea)

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

Quote from: gearHed289 on March 29, 2024, 10:49:56 AM
Set to land Tuesday. Now I need to order a "Gibson" TRC and some black reflector knobs.

Upbadging?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK_PmQOKXS0

Quote from: gearHed289 on April 01, 2024, 08:26:59 AM
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!  :-*

(https://wildlifesos.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Kingsnake-vs-coral-snake.jpg)

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!" ;D 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?  ;)

All Roads lead to Deep Purple!

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

Quote from: TBird1958 on April 01, 2024, 03:57:00 PM

All roads lead to Deep Purple!

(https://cdn3.whatculture.com/images/2016/02/tQfY0RJm.gif)
'Tis always been this way, man cub, the
laws of my jungle kingdom do decree ...

That's quite a gesture.

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVKVzcc9Zno

Hhhhmmmmm............I collect for fins.

https://www.zzounds.com/item--EPIEITB6BBSNH3?siid=348489


https://www.zzounds.com/item--EPIEITB6PRSNH3    This one leads to Deep Purple!

I actually like the blue sparkle better, the purple one is a bit "pimpy".

OK, OK, I'll leave the Epi TRC for now. I'm familiar with the Ric Police, but not the Epi Police.  ;) It's mostly obscured by strings anyway.

So this bass... It's made a T-bird lover out of me. It hangs on my body unlike any other 'bird I've played (which is admittedly few). Very much like my Alembic or former Epi Explorer. No real neck dive to speak of. And it's light. I haven't plugged it in yet, but soon enough. I'll probably bring it to Who's Who rehearsal on Sunday. Love the neck. The guy put TI Jazz flats on it. Those will go to another bass to make room for my usual DR Hi Beams.

Anybody wanna buy a Peavey 6 string bass?  ;D Gotta make room and appease the wife. https://reverb.com/item/81110366-peavey-tl-six-6-string-bass-bartolini-upgrade (https://reverb.com/item/81110366-peavey-tl-six-6-string-bass-bartolini-upgrade)

Quote from: uwe on April 02, 2024, 08:34:46 PM
I actually like the blue sparkle better, the purple one is a bit "pimpy".

Pimpy? 

(https://i.imgur.com/kKdZ2c6.jpg)

Quote from: gearHed289 on April 03, 2024, 08:33:32 AM
OK, OK, I'll leave the Epi TRC for now. I'm familiar with the Ric Police, but not the Epi Police.  ;) It's mostly obscured by strings anyway.

So this bass... It's made a T-bird lover out of me. It hangs on my body unlike any other 'bird I've played (which is admittedly few). Very much like my Alembic or former Epi Explorer. No real neck dive to speak of. And it's light. I haven't plugged it in yet, but soon enough. I'll probably bring it to Who's Who rehearsal on Sunday. Love the neck. The guy put TI Jazz flats on it. Those will go to another bass to make room for my usual DR Hi Beams.

Anybody wanna buy a Peavey 6 string bass?  ;D Gotta make room and appease the wife. https://reverb.com/item/81110366-peavey-tl-six-6-string-bass-bartolini-upgrade (https://reverb.com/item/81110366-peavey-tl-six-6-string-bass-bartolini-upgrade)

The pickups are bright, I'm going to some SIT Power Steels on mine, they have more bass, lo-mid and mid presence. 

Quote from: TBird1958 on April 03, 2024, 08:42:57 AM
 


Pimpy? 

(https://i.imgur.com/kKdZ2c6.jpg)

Yours isn't, the Epi was. Yours has a purdy tone, the Epi looks trailer park.

"OK, OK, I'll leave the Epi TRC for now."

(https://i.makeagif.com/media/12-12-2015/IGBZC_.gif)
Vee belief ze surveilled objekt to coöperate from now on.

  Bling! 8)

Quote from: uwe on April 03, 2024, 03:40:16 PM
Yours isn't, the Epi was. Yours has a purdy tone, the Epi looks trailer park.

Well, I'm not above bustin' out some Cheeta print, I can be a trailer park kinda girl!  :-*

Quote from: uwe on April 02, 2024, 08:34:46 PM
I actually like the blue sparkle better, the purple one is a bit "pimpy".

The blue sparkle is rad.

They need to start doing some of the Dusty Hill fur coatings.

Quote from: uwe on April 01, 2024, 07:26:49 PM
When Christopher Walken went mobster ape like no one else can.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVKVzcc9Zno

in my line of work I have to watch an awful lot of kids movies, of which Jungle book is a definite sigh of relief when they choose that. and the best bit is definitely Walken channelling colonel Kurtz

Quote from: gearHed289 on April 03, 2024, 08:33:32 AM
Anybody wanna buy a Peavey 6 string bass?  ;D Gotta make room and appease the wife. https://reverb.com/item/81110366-peavey-tl-six-6-string-bass-bartolini-upgrade (https://reverb.com/item/81110366-peavey-tl-six-6-string-bass-bartolini-upgrade)

Wow, I didn't knew you play the harp... :D

You have no idea what lengths and extremes these Proggies will go to ...

Quote from: uwe on April 04, 2024, 07:06:40 PM
You have no idea what lengths and extremes these Proggies will go to ...

Proggies...As if!

You own a six-string Peavey bass too?  :o In your Clark Kent mode when you chiefly listen to Weather Report and Steely Dan?

Quote from: exiledarchangel on April 04, 2024, 01:01:31 PM
Wow, I didn't knew you play the harp... :D

;D ;D I bought it in 2019 as a backup for my 5 string when I started playing in a Peter Gabriel tribute band. I was super impressed with it and ended up using it as my main bass for several gigs. The high C was nice for some of the Stick parts, but not really required. I have since moved over to a Who tribute, so it's time to say so long.

Brought the 'bird to rehearsal yesterday, and it performed nicely. The pickups have a strong output and seem to have more low end than TB+. I thought they looked like they were positioned differently than an actual vintage 'bird, so I decided to take some measurements and compare to George's old non-rev pickup spacing photo from way back (I based my Fenderbird pickup spacing on that). The neck pickup is 1/4'' closer to the bridge, and the bridge pickup is 5/8'' closer to the bridge.

For the Who tribute, I still like my Alembic and P Bass best, but this guy will make some appearances here and there.

I really need to plug into one of these some day.  ;D

Everyone: That Epi trc is still there, I checked.

(https://i.gifer.com/BBcy.gif)

The Epis have more bass and seem fuzzier, the Gibbies sound leaner and more focused, I've heard that before:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qywXvZWmYio

Played side by side in the living room, you might like the Epi more, but in a a recording studio the engineer will tell you to use the Gibson I think.

Headstock onlay on mine got a little color over the weekend.

(https://i.imgur.com/ATFNKsD.jpg)

That looks much better.

That's one cool mother! Nice with the framework on the head.

I didn't realize they didn't do the black on the 64s. Looks much better!

Collecting for headstock fins is another matter!  :mrgreen:

Congrats Tom! Here's my white VP (see the attachement).

I had a lovely tobacco burst VP but I had an accident with it. Luckily I got the white one as a replacement and it plays and sounds as great.
I used it on my latest song and not to sound too big headed I think it's one of the best bass sounds I've ever managed to capture.


https://youtu.be/wJamizdR2ps?si=TI-yRTIRhevAS-ZJ

Is that the tug bar I got for you?

This bass has proven to be a real winner. I've gigged it a couple of times with my Who tribute. Last month I used it at a huge festival (ROCK FEST) in northern Wisconsin. Played through my SVT III and '71 Ampeg 2x15, the tone was dialed in!

Quote from: gearHed289 on August 01, 2024, 09:21:59 AM
Is that the tug bar I got for you?

Indeed it is! And the Thunderbucker Ranch pickup rings too. Thanks again for those.

Oh yeah, I forgot about the rings!

I had dueling birds at the Rock Fest thing. Somebody asked me what year the Fenderbird was.  ;D