Pantera’s Rex Brown has teamed with Epiphone for a new Thunderbird signature model bass guitar — the first Epiphone model in Brown’s partnership with Gibson Brands.
The Thunderbird is considered arguably the definitive rock bass of the ’70s and its classic silhouette features a clean Ebony finish on Rex’s model. The axe touts a 9-ply neck-through-body mahogany and walnut neck with a C-shape profile, mahogany body wings, and a standard 34-inch scale length.
“Sometimes, it’s not about the price, but the quality, and Epiphone has some of the coolest bass designs ever made, IMO,” commented Brown in a press release. “I’ve had Thunderbird’s as long as I can remember! There is nothing cooler looking than a TBird… All my favorite bass players growing up have played them!! From Tom Hamilton to Pete Way…”
Electronically, the guitar houses a pair of Epiphone ProBucker 760 passive bass pickups, which feature nickel covers that complement the otherwise all-gold hardware. There are two volume controls and a master tone control that features CTS potentiometers. The gold pickguard bears the iconic Thunderbird logo along with Rex’s signature reproduced on the back of the headstock and a Rex Brown logo doodle on the rear control cover.
“I worked really hard with the Epiphone guys, to design something that has never been done before!” said Brown. “The pick-ups were made by Richard Aker, who has been with Gibson for 40-plus years. We put the same thumpers that were in the ‘76 Anniversary T-Birds, passive and deadly!”
The signature model comes with a hardshell case and retails for $1,299 via Epiphone’s website. You can also catch Rex Brown and Pantera in person during their 2024 North American tour with Lamb of God. Get tickets here.
Below you can see photos of the signature model Thunderbird and revisit Brown’s episode of “Gibson ICONS.”