Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $426
Standard/Professional
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Epiphone Thunderbird IV". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Epiphone Thunderbird IV Bass is an embodiment of a classic charm that offers a unique blend of aesthetics and performance. Inspired by the iconic Gibson Thunderbird, this bass guitar has a more streamlined design with an emphasis on playability and tonal versatility.
It features a distinctive mahogany body coupled with a fast 34"-scale maple neck, resulting in striking looks and unbeatable playability. It comes with two well-positioned TB-Plus humbuckers that offer a wide tonal range, from thick and full to punchy and articulate. The bass has a substantial body shape yet manages to be lightweight and comfortable for holding down the bottom end on stage.
The Thunderbird IV stands out with its unique pickup configuration. Unlike typical basses that position a pickup near the neck, which could muddy up the tone, the Thunderbird IV places the pickups essentially at the middle and bridge. This allows you to dial in everything from growling tones to funky punch. Each pickup has its own volume control, along with a single tone knob for fine-tuning.
Key Features:
- Mahogany body and maple neck for fantastic tone and playability
- Two TB-Plus humbuckers for a wide tonal range
- Unique pickup configuration for a voice of its own
- Volume and tone controls for each pickup for precise tone shaping
- Substantial yet lightweight body for comfortable playing
- Long scale (34") for enhanced tonal clarity
- Classic Thunderbird aesthetics for a distinctive look.
Product specs
| Available since | December 2001 |
| Colour | Sunburst |
| Soundboard | Mahogany |
| Neck | Maple |
| Fretboard | Indian Laurel |
| Frets | 20 |
| Scale | Longscale |
| Pickup System | HH |
| Elektronic | Passive |
| Incl. Case | No |
| Incl. Gigbag | No |
| Pickups | HH |
FAQs
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What kind of tones can I expect from the Epiphone Thunderbird IV pickups?
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The Epiphone Thunderbird IV features HH pickups, delivering a powerful and punchy tone with strong low-end suitable for rock and metal genres. The passive electronics provide a classic, warm sound that complements its aggressive tonal character.
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Is the Epiphone Thunderbird IV suitable for beginners?
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Yes, the Epiphone Thunderbird IV is suitable for beginners due to its straightforward controls and comfortable long-scale neck, which offers ease of playability and a familiar feel for new bass players.
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What is the neck profile of the Epiphone Thunderbird IV like?
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The Epiphone Thunderbird IV has a maple neck with a comfortable profile that facilitates smooth playing, making it ideal for both fast and intricate bass lines.
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Does the Epiphone Thunderbird IV include a case or gigbag?
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No, the Epiphone Thunderbird IV does not include a case or gigbag, so you may want to consider purchasing one separately to protect your instrument.
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What materials are used in the construction of the Epiphone Thunderbird IV?
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The Epiphone Thunderbird IV features a mahogany soundboard, a maple neck, and an Indian laurel fretboard, providing a rich, resonant tone with a solid build quality.
Videos
Reverb
Epiphone Thunderbird Bass | Reverb Demo
Reviews
PROS
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Distinctive, eye-catching design attracts attention
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Deep lows and punchy highs, ideal for rock and metal
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Slim neck enhances playability for many users
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Stable tuning with minimal adjustments needed
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Durable build quality despite some cosmetic flaws
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Offers a powerful sound that cuts through the mix
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Versatile tone range from warm to growling
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Affordable price point for the quality offered
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Great for modifying and personal customization
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Notably quiet pickups, excellent for studio recording
CONS
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Prone to neck dive; requires a thick strap to manage
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Some components may require upgrades (e.g., tuning keys, bridge)
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Neck heavier than body, causing balance issues
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Bridge radius may not match fretboard, affecting playability
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Electronics and mechanics could lack long-term durability
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Not ideal for high-fret access due to body design
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Limited finish options available
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Some reports of craftsmanship flaws, like loose jacks
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Can be uncomfortable to play sitting down
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Potential for truss rod and strap button issues
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Epiphone Thunderbird IV.
Build quality
Setup and maintenance
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Owners recommend getting a case specifically designed for the Thunderbird due to its unique size and shape, as it often doesn't fit generic cases.
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Neck dive is a common issue; using a grippy strap and keeping a hand on the neck helps mitigate the problem when standing.
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The bridge system is criticized as one of the worst in modern times, with unusual height adjustment leading to persistent fret buzz issues.
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User experience
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The neck's longer length requires players to adapt to wider fret spacing, which can hinder quick runs, especially for those with smaller hands.
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Owners report the Vintage Pro has a thicker neck that feels more comfortable and requires less finger strength compared to some slimmer-necked basses.
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Despite its weight, some larger players find the Thunderbird IV's heaviness manageable, showing that comfort can vary greatly with player size.
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Use cases and applications
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The Thunderbird IV excels in deeper tones and sustain, making it suitable for genres like shoegaze and post-rock, but it's less ideal for punchy tones.
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While known for its deep tone, the Thunderbird IV may require a pedal to achieve a more aggressive sound, especially when played with a pick.
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The Thunderbird IV delivers an impressive distorted sound, making it a standout choice for those seeking aggressive tonal characteristics in their music.
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Comparisons
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The Vintage Pro features Probucker pickups, which are praised for their authentic Thunderbird sound, unlike the TB Plus pickups in the standard model, which some find lackluster.
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Value and pricing
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Repainting a Thunderbird IV to match the Vintage Pro's color scheme can significantly reduce the perceived price difference between models.
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Mods and upgrades
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Owners recommend moving strap pins to address neck dive, enhancing playability without altering the guitar's aesthetics significantly.
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4.0 out of 5
Based on 24 Reviews and 92 Ratings
91
Dynamic and versatile bass for indie rock enthusiasts
My perfect bass and that will never change. Its so dynamic, with soaring treble tones to rich bass sounds all by adjusting the tone knob. It just feels right in my hands, and suits my style of indir rock right down to the ground
I'm sure this bass is good, if you actually buy a new one.
I bought this used so it wasn't very high quality. But I have some nice memories with it. P.S it weighs more than an average blue whale.
307
Cool cheapie
A bit neck heavy. Picked up a used one for a Benjamin, even. Mine's actually much better looking than this stock shot. Darker. To me this shape screams "rock and roll."
107
my favorite bass
i have had my Thunderbird since 2009 and its served me very well, being on EVERY 30th album. Usually Kevin and I's main bass live when the Jazz Bass is out of commission or needs a set up
59
great bass with great tone
The bass is a good looking and it has a great tone. it's good for: Punk, rock, metal, funk.
my first thunder bird and for sure not my last.
it has the true feel of a thunder bird and great action on it. mine has an adjustable bridge. i would say its only downfall is that it does not sound the best best for high notes but it is a bass after all. great for if you like playing black sabbath.
132
It was fun while it lasted...
Two words: neck dive. It's a fun bass to play but it may eventually be unplayable. I sold mine while I could.
73
Excelent Bass For The Money
I bought this bass a while back. For what it is, it's an excellent bass! I have since sold it in order to upgrade to the Epiphone Thunderbird Classic-4 Pro. But just because I wanted to. This is awesome!
Artist usage
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Danny Sapko was lent the Epiphone Thunderbird IV bass, and he confirms in a YouTube video titled "I play every single bass I have" that it remains part of his collection.
Oliver Amberg uses the Epiphone Thunderbird IV Bass, as noted on his equipment page. He describes it as an affordable yet excellent bass, mentioning that he has made some hardware modifications to it.
At the beginning of the video, João can be seen playing this bass for the intro of the song.
Ty Anderson used an Epiphone Thunderbird IV Bass while touring shortly after the release of the song "Space Invader," as evidenced by an image available on Equipboard.
Album Usage
The Epiphone Thunderbird IV has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Epiphone Thunderbird IV, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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