The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: godofthunder on December 27, 2009, 09:56:11 AM

Title: Epi Elitest Tbird 650 BIN
Post by: godofthunder on December 27, 2009, 09:56:11 AM
Another Xmas bargain ! I'd snap this up if not for the a fore mentioned Hiwatt deal. I must say I am exhibiting amazing self control (for me anyhow) http://cgi.ebay.com/Epiphone-ELITE-Thunderbird-Bass-4-string-Sunburst-Tbird_W0QQitemZ320467316464QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item4a9d572ef0
Title: Re: Epi Elitest Tbird 650 BIN
Post by: TBird1958 on December 27, 2009, 10:47:23 AM


That's so nice! I want it.................

I may not have it tho  :sad:

My silly German sense of (financial) discipline is kicking in.......dammit!
Title: Re: Epi Elitest Tbird 650 BIN
Post by: chromium on December 27, 2009, 12:38:18 PM
OMG - good deal.  Somebody grab it!  It's a great bass

Here's my old one.  You can see how closely they patterned it off of the 76-79s:

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/thunderbird/DSCF0005.jpg)

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/thunderbird/DSCF0008.jpg)

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/thunderbird/DSCF0007.jpg)
Title: Re: Epi Elitest Tbird 650 BIN
Post by: godofthunder on December 27, 2009, 01:47:37 PM
Joe...........................your not helping
Title: Re: Epi Elitest Tbird 650 BIN
Post by: Dave W on December 27, 2009, 01:51:28 PM
$735 shipped is a reasonable price, not a steal. These sold new for $1000 shipped and there's no collector value. Another one will come up later at a price like this.

OTOH if you could get it for $535 shipped that would be a deal. So just exercise your financial discipline and bid lower.
Title: Re: Epi Elitest Tbird 650 BIN
Post by: chromium on December 27, 2009, 02:04:50 PM
Quote from: godofthunder on December 27, 2009, 01:47:37 PM
Joe...........................your not helping

;D 

Yeah this isn't the first or last at that price, and when you factor the $85 shipping...  The case is huge, though, so the seller probably isn't too far out of line with that (esp. if they're using UPS). 

I just haven't been seeing the Elitist/Japanese Epis/OBG/etc... popping up like they used to, and when they do people seem to want a fortune for them.  There was a gorgeous white OBG local to me on CL, but they wanted something ridiculous like 1200 for it, IIRC  :o
Title: Re: Epi Elitest Tbird 650 BIN
Post by: TBird1958 on December 27, 2009, 02:07:51 PM

I was gonna say it sure reminds me of my Orville a lot.
Title: Re: Epi Elitest Tbird 650 BIN
Post by: Denis on December 27, 2009, 02:47:47 PM
That's a nice Epi for sure! Bet they sound great too!
Title: Re: Epi Elitest Tbird 650 BIN
Post by: Nocturnal on December 27, 2009, 03:11:30 PM
Quote from: chromium on December 27, 2009, 02:04:50 PM


I just haven't been seeing the Elitist/Japanese Epis/OBG/etc... popping up like they used to, and when they do people seem to want a fortune for them.  There was a gorgeous white OBG local to me on CL, but they wanted something ridiculous like 1200 for it, IIRC  :o

You're right about the Orville that was on CL, it was $1200. You can get a real Gibson for that much. It was pretty tho!
Title: Re: Epi Elitest Tbird 650 BIN
Post by: TBird1958 on December 27, 2009, 04:01:18 PM


I don't know what Orvilles are supposed to go for but the one I have is easily as good as any post '88 Gibson, better in many regards.......Just my .02 tho.
Title: Re: Epi Elitest Tbird 650 BIN
Post by: godofthunder on December 27, 2009, 04:25:51 PM
The $85.00 shipping is absurd. At 650.00 and reasonable shipping rates I think this bass is a pretty good deal. I do think they will have collector value, maybe not right now but 5-10 years down the road for sure, especially if Gibson continues to ignore that most Tbird players want a "real" Tbird
Title: Re: Epi Elitest Tbird 650 BIN
Post by: OldManC on December 27, 2009, 07:29:55 PM
One thing I think of as a plus on the Orvilles and Japanese Epiphones is the set neck (contra what Gibson or anyone else says). In that way they are their own bird and with the difference in sound (even if small) can be a great addition to one's collection.
Title: Re: Epi Elitest Tbird 650 BIN
Post by: hieronymous on December 27, 2009, 08:43:39 PM
I've never been a huge Thunderbird fan but Joe's pictures got my heart jumping!
Title: Re: Epi Elitest Tbird 650 BIN
Post by: uwe on December 28, 2009, 12:56:49 AM
They sound a little deeper than a modern day Bird would, less obvious mids. And their upper register sustain isn't quite up there with their neck-thru brothers. To the extent modern Epis can have collector's value at all, these probably will one day especially as their production phase was short.
Title: Re: Epi Elitest Tbird 650 BIN
Post by: Highlander on January 01, 2010, 11:37:03 AM
Still no spare greens...  :sad:
Title: Re: Epi Elitest Tbird 650 BIN
Post by: birdie on January 04, 2010, 10:21:59 PM
Always wanted a 2 string bass. Suits my ability!