Eiphone Embassy and Thunderbird Vintage PRO Basses

[Carmine]

I totally missed that these Vintage PRO models came out a few months back... I really like these... they seem to be very well executed, and at an excellent price point- a nice development for Epiphone's bass lineup. BUT once again when it comes to Epiphone Basses, it appears that lefthanded= left out.

Given what they've done recently with the lefty Gibsons, what the hell do we have to do to get Gibson to consider offering at least these Epiphone Pro Bass models in Lefty versions- maybe compete with Fender's Squire Vintage stuff in this market segment? It pisses me off that they don't seem to care about lefty bassists, but they do lefty guitars- so is it really that hard for them to do a couple bass models?

Epiphone Embassy Pro Bass $399

https://youtu.be/Der83hUU4Lc

Body Mahogany
Neck Mahogany
Neck Shape 1960's SlimTaper™-D profile
Neck Joint Glued-In, Set Neck
Scale Length 34"

http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Electrics/Bass/Epiphone-Embassy-PRO-Bass.aspx




Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage PRO Bass $599

https://youtu.be/sjoLqo_Dh5Y


Body Mahogany Wings
Neck 7-ply; Mahogany/Walnut Laminate
Neck Shape 1960's Rounded Bass Profile
Neck Joint Through-Neck
Scale Length 34"


http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Electrics/Bass/Thunderbird-Vintage-PRO-Bass.aspx

[bob__johnson]

These look like they fall into the better-than-beginner-but-not-thousand-dollar-pro-level gap that seems to plague lefty offerings. Presumably the market is too small for them. (although I can't imagine a T-bird not selling well, at least initially. I'd buy one.)

[Carmine]

I'm sure that's the logic from their accounting department... but assuming these are being built in Korea or China, the factories are obviously capable of doing it (they're already doing Epiphone lefty guitars, so they can do basses) and you'd have to believe there's enough of an international market that it would make sense from a marketing standpoint for Epiphone to be playing in that intermediate price segment, even if there was a slight up charge for the lefties. I think it's an opportunity missed.

[rdavidson]

I'm sure that's the logic from their accounting department... but assuming these are being built in Korea or China, the factories are obviously capable of doing it (they're already doing Epiphone lefty guitars, so they can do basses) and you'd have to believe there's enough of an international market that it would make sense from a marketing standpoint for Epiphone to be playing in that intermediate price segment, even if there was a slight up charge for the lefties. I think it's an opportunity missed.

+1

[Jeroen]

I've been wondering the same thing. They look great, well-made, and the specs are very nice too. A proper through-neck T-bird in that price range, available left-handed, would have been great news. Instead all we get is the Tokai TB48 with a maple set neck.