My Guitar Notes

bass · solidbody

Thunderbird

Thunderbird — video still
Video still: Reverb
MakerEpiphone
OriginUnited States / Korea / China / Indonesia
Typebass · solidbody
Introduced1963+
PriceUSD 749 (2026-09)
Maker founded1873
Statuscurrent

The Epiphone Thunderbird brings the reverse-body bass outline to an affordable price, with current 60s versions using ProBucker bass humbuckers.

Watch

YouTube video Reverb · 2014-06 — Short playing demo of an Epiphone Thunderbird bass.

Why it matters

Epiphone versions give players the shape and general balance of the Gibson Thunderbird without the Custom Shop outlay. The recent 60s models updated the electronics and moved closer to the original specification, making them a more serious proposition than earlier budget runs. It is one of the few affordable basses with a silhouette that is not a Fender copy.

Note

The affordable reverse-body bass; Nikki Sixx and Kim Gordon territory.

Specifications

  • Scale length: 863.6 mm (34 in)
  • Neck shape: unknown

Before you buy

  • Reverse-body balance takes getting used to
  • Confirm which Thunderbird variant is listed, as specs differ
  • A shaped case or bag is worth budgeting for

Other opinions

One video is one opinion. These are the other videos for this entry, most-viewed first. The order is the view count, not a ranking of ours.

  • YouTube video Andertons Music Co · 2016-07 · 301,857 views

    “Head over to the Andertons website to find the products in the video!”

    Head-to-head shootout across several Epiphone Thunderbird models.

  • YouTube video The Bass Channel · 2019-11 · 98,541 views

    “Featured Gear: Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage PRO IV: Darkglass Microtubes 900 v2: Darkglass DG410C Cabinet: Shure Beta 52: TC Electronic Wiretap: Warwick Rockboard Power LT XL: Radial X-Amp: Contributors: Johnnyboy: Josh…”

    Playing demo of the Thunderbird Vintage Pro IV.

Sources

Related models

Same era

Same body shape / configuration

See also