Common Thunderbird Bass Mistakes to Avoid

Most of the mistakes people make with a Thunderbird bass are the kind that a bit of advance knowledge would have prevented entirely. Here are the ones that come up most often, and what to do about each.

Mistake One: Ignoring the Neck Dive

The neck dive isn't optional, and ignoring it until it becomes a problem means playing through unnecessary fatigue and developing habits that compensate for the imbalance rather than addressing it. The fix is a proper strap setup: a wide leather strap with grip surface, strap buttons positioned correctly, and strap locks fitted if you're performing. A thunderbird bass played in the right position with the right strap is a substantially different physical experience from one played without that setup.

Mistake Two: Assuming the Epiphone Is Just a Cheaper Gibson

The Epiphone Thunderbird uses set-neck rather than neck-through construction, which changes the sustain and upper-fret feel compared to a Gibson. The pickups are different too. It's a recognisably similar instrument, but not simply a lower-specification version of the same one. If you buy expecting a Gibson-quality experience at Epiphone prices, you'll be disappointed. If you buy expecting a well-made Epiphone in the Thunderbird style, you'll generally be satisfied.

Mistake Three: Not Getting a Setup

Factory setups on most instruments — across all brands and price points — are rarely optimised for individual players. Action, neck relief and intonation all benefit from adjustment after purchase, and the Thunderbird bass is no exception. A professional setup from a qualified guitar technician costs relatively little and makes a meaningful difference to how the instrument plays.

Mistake Four: Not Checking the Headstock on Used Instruments

The headstock is the most vulnerable point on this instrument, and headstock cracks and repairs are common on used examples. Before buying any used thunderbird bass, check the headstock joint carefully in good light for signs of any repair: irregularities in the finish, slightly misaligned wood grain, or visible glue lines. A well-executed repair isn't necessarily a reason to avoid the instrument, but it should affect the price you pay and the questions you ask before buying.

Mistake Five: Incorrect String Length

Standard 34-inch long-scale bass strings fit this instrument, and that's what should be fitted. Where players sometimes go wrong is fitting strings from a multi-pack that includes the wrong scale length, or using strings from a different bass without checking. Using strings that are too long leaves excess winding in the wrong place; strings that are too short may not reach the tuning pegs. Always verify the scale length before buying a replacement set.

Mistake Six: Mismatch with the Amplifier

The Thunderbird's dark, thick tone character means it sounds its worst through amplifiers that are already voiced toward the warm end of the spectrum. A dark bass through a dark amplifier produces an indistinct, boomy result. The instrument suits amps that are voiced with some midrange or brightness — or at least with tone controls adjusted to compensate. This is a common enough mismatch that it's worth testing your rig before a performance if you're using the Thunderbird for the first time with that setup.

For everything you need to know about the instrument itself, the complete guide is the starting point. The buyer's guide covers what to look for when purchasing, and the beginner's guide covers the practical fundamentals of playing one well.

Frequently Asked Questions