Epi Thunderbird Classic-IV Pro now on their site ...

[Highlander]

(a plaintive voice from the marketing department)

Infamy! Infamy! They've all got it in for me...!

[TBird1958]

I know I'm new here etc. but I took a look at the Epiphone and Gibson website blurbs and pulled images down of both Thunderbirds and the basses are identical barring headstock tweaks to accommodate the Epiphone (or Gibson) trussrod cover.  Don't believe me?  Take a look.  The little white dot on the lower horn, the identical reflections on the control knobs and the end of the headstock.  This is soooo lazy!



...also the NAMM shot shows <shudder>chrome hardware</shudder>.



P

NAMM shots are definately not Gibsons tho..... So at least two exsist. Let's hope they are male and female and create many offspring - I belive the dominant chrome gene will eventually supplant the weaker black one 

[OldManC]

Good catch! You may be new but you fit just fine. 

[Dave W]

Even though Gibson may not allot enough money to R&D, it's nice to see that they haven't cut their Photoshop budget.  

[Psycho Bass Guy]

Even though Gibson may not allot enough money to R&D, it's nice to see that they haven't cut their Photoshop budget.

Isn't THAT the entire R&D department for bass anyway?

[iamthatguy32]

While it'd be nice, I'm willing to bet there won't be any chrome on these when they hit the marketplace.

[Dave W]

While it'd be nice, I'm willing to bet there won't be any chrome on these when they hit the marketplace.

No reason why the bridge shouldn't be. I wouldn't expect chrome pickup covers.

[iamthatguy32]

Maybe the bridge, but I doubt we'll see tuners. Also, it's nice to see the input jack on the side instead of the top. 

[TBird1958]

 An update for Uwe and all as of 8/06/2012 Sweetwater won't confirm an arrival date.....tentatively early Sept.

And our esteemed Herr Hornung is #1, top of the list, first one to get shipped out.

[uwe]

Gibson has now used the chrome three point on so many recent basses (Grabber and Ripper II, Flying V, RD, SG, Explorer, EB-0 Junior), it casn only be a matter of time until they take this archaic step on the TBird too. Just wait, my cavemen.

[TBird1958]

 I'm one happy knuckledragger!



In the lighting industry, black as a finish is almost dead, most manufacturers don't offer it all. Chrome on the other hand, and to a lessor extant polished nickel are very much on the rise - Happy Days   

[Dave W]

Gibson's bass department may finally be leaving the 80s. Oh wait, a separate bass department? What was I thinking?

[TBird1958]

Gibson's bass department may finally be leaving the 80s. Oh wait, a separate bass department? What was I thinking?

 At least they didn't bring out a reversed Jaguar.

[TBird1958]

 Update here is for 9/20/2012 from Sweetwater.

[iamthatguy32]

I've been back and forth with Sweetwater since I ordered it, and they keep apologizing and changing their projected shipping date. This is the fourth time I've been told a different date now, and they're very careful not to bad mouth Gibson. But the fact of the matter is that Gibson is totally giving them the runaround. There is just a flat out lack of communication on Gibson's part. I've heard that these haven't even gone into production yet, and we'll be lucky to see them by the end of the year.

I ordered one as soon as they went up on the Sweetwater site, and I've already got a drawer full of parts to toss on as soon as I get it. Gibson needs to hurry the hell up.