Tonight should be fun

Lightyear · October 01, 2009, 07:40:41 PM

Quote from: godofthunder on October 01, 2009, 02:59:28 PM
geeze I feel like chopped liver.

Somebody pegged the good Doctor as a well heeled older fella

Meaing someone there thinks he's got some dough

drbassman · October 01, 2009, 09:00:51 PM

Here you go. It was a bear trying to get good pics of that black finish. They didn't have a natural one. The Triumph II is nice. A typical Epi bass. This was a prototype, not for sale, that's why the showing by invite only. It sounds pretty good, but I thought the pup set up sounded thin, but very clean and clear. It has a nice hollow tone, but no projection at all unplugged. The finish is a mile deep, poly. The neck is a minus for me. Very wide like a p-bass, but at least its somewhat flatter, not too thick.

Will I buy one? If the final production models, due in by November 15th., have a smaller neck, I just might!

A fiver too.............

And the coolest guitar.............

TBird1958 · October 01, 2009, 09:37:35 PM

Thanks for the pix!

I don't think I'd need a Triumph, as my Washburn AB20 scratches that itch pretty well, but it cool no the less....................

The Firebird = Sexiest Guitar - ever!

Dave W · October 01, 2009, 11:52:39 PM

Thanks for the pics. I can't say I'm surprised by your description, given what we know about Epi necks and finishes.

Cool looking Johnny Winter Firebird, looks like it's over 50% off. What a bargain!

drbassman · October 02, 2009, 05:15:46 AM

Quote from: TBird1958 on October 01, 2009, 09:37:35 PM
The Firebird = Sexiest Guitar - ever!

If I had the money to invest, that Firebird would be sitting right next to me now. I really liked it. Well done. Maybe Gibson should specialize in relics!

drbassman · October 02, 2009, 05:23:38 AM

Quote from: Dave W on October 01, 2009, 11:52:39 PM
Thanks for the pics. I can't say I'm surprised by your description, given what we know about Epi necks and finishes.

Cool looking Johnny Winter Firebird, looks like it's over 50% off. What a bargain!

Yeah, I forgot to mention the neck was a satin finish, not the usual glossy. It felt nice, but way too wide. I will say that access all the way up to the 20th. fret was a breeze with the deep cutaway. Not to suggest one do this but, if I bought one, I'd build a more comfortable neck. Heck, I guess I could just build one altogether anyway.

If I were going to buy a more contemporary HB bass, I'd consider a likely competitor to this bass. The old discontinued Yamaha BEX series is an excellent 34" bass and you can cop one off eBay for less than $400 typically. It has a piezo and a regular pup, which gives it a much fuller sound IMHO. The neck is much smaller too.

I've never told my BEX story here. I bought it as my second bass 5 years or more ago and that's the one that got me hooked on hollow body basses! I wouldn't mind having another one. If only they didn't put that "Yamaha" logo on the headstock. I can't get the motorcycle image out of my head!!!

Aussie Mark · October 02, 2009, 06:20:02 AM

If I went back to guitar full time a Firebird would be top of my list. That "Triumph" thing - no way!

Barklessdog · October 02, 2009, 07:23:47 AM

Did you try the Epi Pro bird?

They have a full page ad in the latest Musician's Friend Cat. I just got in the mail.

Highlander · October 02, 2009, 10:17:08 AM

That Firebird...

The Triumph irks me a bit, Bill... considering it is a prototype, you would think they would make a bit of effort and would have properly "book-ended" the top... just me I guess...

Chris P. · October 02, 2009, 10:35:02 AM

Quote from: drbassman on October 02, 2009, 05:15:46 AM
Maybe Gibson should specialize in relics!

Gibson made quite a few of 'relic' guitars.

nofi · October 02, 2009, 01:28:09 PM

many things gibson makes seem to become relics sooner rather than later.

not a huge gibson fan but i have owned a few. their business model never ceases to baffle and amaze.

drbassman · October 02, 2009, 02:38:54 PM

Quote from: Kenny Five-O on October 02, 2009, 10:17:08 AM
That Firebird...

The Triumph irks me a bit, Bill... considering it is a prototype, you would think they would make a bit of effort and would have properly "book-ended" the top... just me I guess...

Yeah, not very much attention to detail, huh? Actually, I wouldn't spend $799, even if they improved the neck. I actually got to fill out a sheet telling the rep what I'd like to see improved. I wrote a bunch of stuff about the neck. I figured the top matching was just their rush to turn out a prototype.

yeah, that Firebird.........

drbassman · October 02, 2009, 02:40:27 PM

Quote from: Barklessdog on October 02, 2009, 07:23:47 AM
Did you try the Epi Pro bird?

They have a full page ad in the latest Musician's Friend Cat. I just got in the mail.

Yes, and I liked it. I'm considering the 4-string model. Nicely done matt finish and construction. Sounds really good for an Epi! Definitely better done than the Triumph.

godofthunder · October 02, 2009, 02:56:31 PM

Johnny Winter is one of my all time favorites !

Barklessdog · October 02, 2009, 03:28:02 PM

Quote from: godofthunder on October 02, 2009, 02:56:31 PM
Johnny Winter is one of my all time favorites !

Last I saw him, he was so screwed up they had to lead him out with a band mate holding him on either side & they had to put the guitars on him.

When they brought out his T bird, the crowd went crazy like it was a star in itself. He could still play though.

Tonight should be fun

nofi