Epiphone Thunderbird '64 Silver Mist Original

A Tribute to the 1964 Thunderbirds, with a More "Tour-Ready" and Modern Approach

Born to shake up the visual and sonic codes of its time, the Thunderbird became a benchmark in the 60s: radical lines, massive sonic balance, and a character perfectly suited to amplified music. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of this iconic design, Epiphone offers the Thunderbird '64 with a decidedly vintage spirit, revisiting the aesthetic landmarks and playing feel associated with historic T-Birds.

The idea is not just to "redo the look," but to recapture what defines the model: a bass that responds quickly, holds its note, and delivers firm lows. At the same time, Epiphone adds choices oriented toward reliability and daily comfort (Graph Tech nut, simple and effective electronics, stable tuners) and provides a premium gig bag for more secure transport.

For Which Bassists and Styles?

With its long 34" / 863.6 mm scale length and very assertive sonic personality, the Thunderbird '64 is primarily aimed at intermediate to advanced bassists who want an electric bass with a strong character, capable of carrying a band without being "drowned out" by guitars.

It feels particularly at home in rock, hard rock, punk, and stoner: aggressive pick attack, strong fingerstyle, back-and-forth riffs, tight kick drum/bass grooves... everything that demands a solid and clear foundation. The 2 volume + master tone control layout also allows rounding off the top end for warmer, fuller registers without losing the low-end foundation.

The Sound

The neck-through (through-neck) construction in 9-ply mahogany/walnut is at the heart of the Thunderbird experience: it promotes a sense of continuity along the entire neck length, with generous sustain and a very "immediate" response. Mahogany naturally provides a warm, full, and dense foundation, while walnut contributes better note definition and firmer low-mid control. The result: a bass that sounds wide, with lows that remain structured and an attack that doesn't compress when played hard.

The two ProBucker 760 Bass humbuckers reinforce this character: deep lows, powerful low-mids (ideal for "pushing" a rock trio), and presence that maintains clarity even when guitar distortion thickens. Practically, the neck pickup delivers breadth and body, perfect for round and solid lines. The bridge pickup offers more definition and attack, useful for pick playing, fast passages, and sharper articulations. Blending both yields a strong balance with a well-defined contour.

On the control side, the electronics are straightforward: 2 volumes to precisely balance each pickup, and a master tone to darken the sound when seeking a more vintage and moody grain. The CTS 500K potentiometers provide smooth taper, handy for quick adjustments live: switching from a massive, mellow tone to a more open and biting register happens without surprises.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

Thanks to its 34" / 863.6 mm scale length, this bass is compatible with long scale string sets. A standard gauge (e.g., 45-105) suits most styles, while heavier gauges can improve tension and impact for pick attacks or lower tunings.

Technical specifications

Shape	Thunderbird	Inlays	pearloid dots
Construction	neck-through 9-ply mahogany/walnut	Bridge	Epiphone Vintage Bass Tune-O-Matic
Ribs	mahogany wings	Tailpiece	Epiphone Vintage Bass Claw
Color	Silver Mist	Tuners	open-gear with "Historic Clover" buttons, 19:1 ratio
Neck	9-ply mahogany/walnut	Knobs	gold with reflector inserts
Profile	60s Rounded Bass	Hardware Finish	nickel
Nut Width	38 mm / 1.50"	Neck Pickup	ProBucker 760 Bass Humbucker
Fingerboard	Indian Laurel	Bridge Pickup	ProBucker 760 Bass Humbucker
Scale Length	34" / 863.6 mm	Controls	2 volumes, master tone
Number of Frets	20	Potentiometers	CTS 500K
Nut	Graph Tech	Case	premium gig bag