The Epiphone Thunderbird Pro IV in Vintage Sunburst takes the unmistakable Thunderbird bass design and upgrades it with professional neck-through construction, active electronics and a pair of powerful T-PRO humbuckers.

A 7-piece walnut and maple neck-through centre section is combined with mahogany body wings, a rosewood fingerboard and full 34" scale, giving the Pro IV a noticeably more substantial specification than the standard bolt-on Thunderbird models. Its active electronics provide master volume, pickup blend and dedicated high and low EQ controls, allowing the bass to move from deep, rounded lows to aggressive rock tones with plenty of definition.

This pre-owned example is presented in Very Good Condition, showing some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional. A gigbag is included.

At A Glance

Key Detail	Information
Brand	Epiphone
Model	Thunderbird Pro IV
Finish	Vintage Sunburst
Type	4-String Electric Bass
Construction	Neck-Through
Body Wings	Mahogany
Neck	7-Piece Walnut / Maple
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Scale Length	34"
Pickups	Epiphone T-PRO Bass Humbuckers
Electronics	Active 2-Band EQ
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good Condition
Included	Gigbag
Main Appeal	Neck-through Thunderbird with powerful active electronics
Best For	Rock, hard rock, alternative, metal and modern bass playing

Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This Epiphone Thunderbird Pro IV is presented in Very Good Condition.

Under the Fair Deal Music grading system, Very Good Condition means the bass shows some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional and ready for regular playing, rehearsal and live use.

What's Included?

✔ Epiphone Thunderbird Pro IV Vintage Sunburst
✔ Gigbag

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

• Very Good overall condition
• Cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership
• Vintage Sunburst finish
• Gigbag included

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This pre-owned Epiphone Thunderbird Pro IV has been checked for general operation and playability.

Our assessment includes:

• Neck pickup operation
• Bridge pickup operation
• Pickup blend control
• Master volume
• High EQ
• Low EQ
• Active electronics
• Output jack
• Neck condition
• Rosewood fingerboard
• Frets
• Tuning machines
• Flush-mount bridge
• Hardware
• General playability

Service / Setup Work

All pre-owned basses at Fair Deal Music are checked for general setup and playability before leaving the shop.

Key areas assessed include:

• Action
• Neck relief
• Fret condition
• Intonation
• Tuning stability
• Pickup operation
• Active electronics
• Bridge adjustment
• Hardware
• General playing feel

Minor setup movement can naturally occur during transport as wooden instruments respond to differences in temperature and humidity.

What Makes The Epiphone Thunderbird Pro IV Special?

The Thunderbird Pro IV is considerably more sophisticated than a standard Thunderbird IV. Rather than using a conventional bolt-on neck and passive electronics, the Pro model features a 7-piece walnut/maple neck running directly through the body, with mahogany wings attached either side.

It also uses T-PRO bass humbuckers with active EQ, giving players considerably more control over output and tonal balance. Combined with the distinctive reverse Thunderbird body, 34" scale and black hardware, it offers the visual attitude of the classic design with a more performance-focused specification.

Key Features & Benefits

7-Piece Neck-Through Construction

The neck is constructed from alternating walnut and maple laminates and runs continuously through the centre of the instrument.

This provides:

• Excellent structural rigidity
• Strong sustain
• Direct vibration transfer
• Smooth transition from neck to body
• A premium construction method rarely found on entry-level basses

Mahogany Body Wings

Mahogany wings complete the Thunderbird body shape around the neck-through centre section.

They contribute warmth and midrange weight while retaining the instantly recognisable Thunderbird silhouette.

Epiphone T-PRO Bass Humbuckers

The Pro IV uses two Epiphone T-PRO Bass Humbuckers, voiced for a powerful full-range response.

The neck pickup provides substantial low-end depth, while the bridge pickup adds definition and attack.

Blending the two allows the bass to cover everything from thick rock tones to tighter, more articulate sounds.

Active 2-Band EQ

The active electronics provide:

• Master Volume
• Pickup Blend
• High EQ
• Low EQ

This gives much greater control over the bass directly from the instrument than a conventional passive Thunderbird.

SlimTaper Bass Neck

The SlimTaper profile provides a relatively streamlined neck feel despite the Thunderbird's large physical proportions.

34" Scale

The full 34" scale length provides familiar long-scale bass tension and definition across all four strings.

Flush-Mount Adjustable Bridge

The Pro IV uses a fully adjustable flush-mounted bridge rather than the traditional three-point Thunderbird design, allowing accurate action and intonation adjustment.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Thunderbird Pro IV vs Standard Epiphone Thunderbird IV

The standard Thunderbird IV uses a more conventional bolt-on construction and passive electronics. The Pro IV upgrades this significantly with neck-through construction, T-PRO pickups, active EQ and a fully adjustable flush-mount bridge.

Thunderbird Pro IV vs Thunderbird Vintage Pro

The later Vintage Pro concentrates more closely on recreating the early-'60s Thunderbird specification, using passive electronics and vintage-inspired hardware. The Pro IV is the more modern interpretation, with active tone shaping and a multi-piece neck-through design.

Thunderbird Pro IV vs Conventional Double-Cut Bass

A traditional bass such as a Jazz or Precision places greater emphasis on compact ergonomics and familiar passive controls. The Thunderbird Pro IV provides a larger body, distinctive balance and much more aggressive visual identity alongside active tonal flexibility.

Who Is It For?

Rock bassists – Powerful humbuckers and strong low-mid presence make it particularly effective in guitar-heavy mixes.

Hard rock players – The Thunderbird shape and active electronics suit aggressive, high-energy performance.

Alternative musicians – The instrument's distinctive look and broad tonal range work well in less traditional bass roles.

Metal bassists – Active EQ helps add low-end weight or high-frequency definition when needed.

Players wanting neck-through construction – The Pro IV offers a premium structural specification at a comparatively accessible price.

Bassists wanting something visually different – Few bass designs have the instant stage presence of a Thunderbird.

Suitable Genres & Applications

Particularly well suited to:

• Rock
• Hard rock
• Alternative
• Metal
• Classic rock
• Punk
• Grunge
• Stoner rock
• Progressive rock
• Indie
• Studio recording
• Live performance
• Pick playing
• Fingerstyle
• Effects-based rigs

Why Choose A Thunderbird Bass?

The Thunderbird has always been a bass for players who want more than an anonymous background instrument.

Its long body, reverse headstock and distinctive proportions give it unmistakable stage presence, while the dual-humbucker configuration provides a thick, powerful sound ideally suited to rock-oriented music.

The Pro IV takes that formula further by adding active EQ and neck-through construction, giving the player much greater tonal control and a more premium overall build.

Story & Context

The original Thunderbird design appeared in the early 1960s and was developed with automotive designer Ray Dietrich, giving the instrument its distinctive sweeping body lines and reverse-style silhouette.

Epiphone later expanded the concept with several Thunderbird variants.

The Thunderbird Pro IV was designed as a more modern, performance-focused interpretation, retaining the familiar body shape while adding:

• Neck-through construction
• Multi-piece maple/walnut neck
• Active electronics
• T-PRO humbuckers
• Modern adjustable bridge
• Black hardware

The result is recognisably a Thunderbird but with a specification aimed more directly at contemporary working bassists.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	4-String Electric Bass
Brand	Epiphone
Model	Thunderbird Pro IV
Finish	Vintage Sunburst
Body Shape	Thunderbird
Body Wings	Mahogany
Neck Material	7-Piece Walnut / Maple
Neck Construction	Neck-Through-Body
Neck Profile	SlimTaper Bass
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	12"
Scale Length	34"
Number of Frets	20
Fret Size	Medium Jumbo
Nut Width	Approx. 1.50"
Fingerboard Inlays	Dot
String Configuration	4-String
Pickup Configuration	HH
Neck Pickup	Epiphone T-PRO Bass Humbucker
Bridge Pickup	Epiphone T-PRO Bass Humbucker
Electronics	Active
Controls	Master Volume, Pickup Blend, High EQ, Low EQ
Bridge	Flush-Mount Fully Adjustable
Tuning Machines	Premium Die-Cast
Hardware Finish	Black
Output	1/4" Mono
Included	Gigbag
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good Condition

Power Requirements

The Thunderbird Pro IV uses active electronics and therefore requires a battery for normal operation.

No external power supply is required.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Epiphone Thunderbird Pro IV in Vintage Sunburst is a strong choice for bassists who want the unmistakable Thunderbird design with considerably more sophisticated construction and electronics than the standard model.

Its 7-piece walnut/maple neck-through construction, mahogany wings, active T-PRO humbuckers and 2-band EQ give it the power and flexibility needed for demanding rock, alternative and heavier styles.

Presented in Very Good Condition and supplied with a gigbag, this is a compelling pre-owned bass for players looking for strong stage presence, active tonal control and premium neck-through construction.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Buying pre-owned can provide access to discontinued models and specifications while offering strong value compared with purchasing an equivalent instrument new.

Every pre-owned bass at Fair Deal Music is individually assessed so its condition and included items are represented clearly.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Fair Deal Music is Birmingham's largest independent music store, combining a major showroom with nationwide ecommerce and decades of experience buying, selling and part-exchanging new and pre-owned musical equipment.

When you buy from us, you benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987
• Birmingham's largest independent music store
• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews
• Expert musician-led advice
• Extensive experience with bass guitars and pre-owned equipment
• Pre-owned instruments individually assessed
• Clear condition grading
• Competitive prices on leading music brands
• Secure ordering
• Fast UK delivery
• Large Birmingham showroom
• Friendly support before and after purchase

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Your existing bass could help towards the cost of this Epiphone.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and a wide range of other musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and find out what your current gear could be worth towards this Epiphone Thunderbird Pro IV.

Frequently Asked Questions

What condition is this Thunderbird Pro IV in?

It is presented in Very Good Condition, meaning it shows some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional.

Is this the standard Thunderbird IV?

No. This is the upgraded Thunderbird Pro IV, which features neck-through construction and active electronics.

Is the neck bolt-on?

No. It uses a 7-piece walnut/maple neck-through-body construction.

What are the body wings made from?

They are mahogany.

What fingerboard does it have?

It uses a rosewood fingerboard.

What scale length does it use?

It has a standard long-scale 34" scale length.

How many frets does it have?

It has 20 medium-jumbo frets.

What pickups are fitted?

It uses two Epiphone T-PRO Bass Humbuckers.

Are the electronics active?

Yes. The Thunderbird Pro IV has an active preamp and 2-band EQ.

What controls does it have?

It provides Master Volume, Pickup Blend, High EQ and Low EQ controls.

Does it need a battery?

Yes. A battery is required for the active electronics to operate.

Does it use the traditional Thunderbird 3-point bridge?

No. The Pro IV uses a fully adjustable flush-mounted bridge.

What tuners does it have?

It uses premium die-cast bass tuning machines.

Is it suitable for rock music?

Yes. The powerful humbuckers, active EQ and strong low-mid response make it particularly well suited to rock and hard rock.

Is it suitable for metal?

Yes. The active EQ can add additional low-end weight or top-end definition, making it effective for heavier styles.

Does it come with a gigbag?

Yes. A gigbag is included.

Can I request a video demo?

Yes. Our Request a Video Demo service is ideal if you would like to see the Vintage Sunburst finish and individual condition or hear the active T-PRO electronics before purchasing.

Can I part-exchange another bass against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers trade-ins and part exchanges across a wide range of basses, guitars and other musical equipment.