Epiphone Vintage Pro Thunderbird "live"

godofthunder · February 09, 2021, 06:48:38 AM

I've been asked quite a bit for live footage of the VP but at this point in time rehersal will have to do. Our first full rehearsal since before Christmas. Felt good to all be together again. It's a bit off to the races but but I am very happy with the bass sound. I love my VP bird!

4stringer77 · February 09, 2021, 07:39:57 AM

Nice. Good to see someone getting their jam on. Sounds good and loving the ambitious driving tempo. Hope you get to take the show on the road soon.

slinkp · February 09, 2021, 12:29:49 PM

Awesome! Glad to see you playing with the band again!

Am I nuts or did you have a white one? I could swear it was white.

Dave W · February 09, 2021, 12:47:18 PM

OldManC · February 09, 2021, 01:49:22 PM

Love it! After seeing what the Bicentennials are going for these days (and even used 87 and up Gibsons), I'm sorely tempted to buy one of these and call it good.

clankenstein · February 09, 2021, 02:35:46 PM

Yeah!!

godofthunder · February 09, 2021, 03:27:19 PM

Quote from: slinkp on February 09, 2021, 12:29:49 PM
Awesome! Glad to see you playing with the band again!

Am I nuts or did you have a white one? I could swear it was white.

Your not losing it I have two white ones.

godofthunder · February 09, 2021, 03:28:35 PM

Quote from: OldManC on February 09, 2021, 01:49:22 PM
Love it! After seeing what the Bicentennials are going for these days (and even used 87 and up Gibsons), I'm sorely tempted to buy one of these and call it good.

A lotta folks ain't gonna like this. My Vintage Pros kill any Bicentennial I ever owned.

OldManC · February 09, 2021, 04:03:26 PM

I hate to admit it, but I'm kinda worried about my OCD tendencies re the body shape and headstock. I can get used to the side (rather than front) jack, but as someone who owns a few, is the difference in body shape (or headstock) super noticeable in person? Does it detract from the overall look? Or am I train spotting to the nth degree?

godofthunder · February 09, 2021, 04:53:31 PM

They are different in shape no denying it, given the way the VP plays and sounds it's a non issue for me. Aside from sounding great they play fantastic, nice low action even with Rotosounds. Every Bicentennial I have ever owned had problems with getting the action low enough. From a playing perspective these basses leave me wanting for nothing. I play Nonreverse Thunderbirds, looks don't matter to me.

OldManC · February 09, 2021, 06:49:33 PM

Quote from: godofthunder on February 09, 2021, 04:53:31 PM
From a playing perspective these basses leave me wanting for nothing. I play Nonreverse Thunderbirds, looks don't matter to me.

Both of these are golden quotes, and the first one says everything that should need to be said. Absolutely perfect.

uwe · February 09, 2021, 07:40:00 PM

"I play Nonreverse Thunderbirds, looks don't matter to me."

Yup, Scott, the eternal woodworker, always SAW it like that ...

I can forgive, I never forget.

OldManC · February 09, 2021, 07:52:25 PM

godofthunder · February 10, 2021, 04:18:47 AM

Ah but I did consider the Nonreverse ugly when I first saw one in the used display case at the House of Guitars way back in the 70s, then I plugged it in and I was forever changed by it's magical tone (not to mention price a reverse II was going for around $650 in '77 a Nonreverse II $400) It took time to tame the ungainly beast and I was questioned more than once about my choice of instrument. Only after I had mastered the NR did I come to appreciate it's not so obvious beauty. My first Thunderbird was a brand new '76 while svelte and sexy it was a complete disappointment. Like a supermodel's less attractive sister the Nonreverse proved to be a far better life partner. All you Johnny come latleys turned your noses up at Nonreverse Thunderbirds for decades, my how things have changed.

uwe · February 10, 2021, 06:42:33 AM

NonRevs are endearingly ugly. They trigger compassion, that is a commendable sentiment.