10TH ANNIVERSARY
GILDED BIRD

Gildaxe Tenth Anniversary - 2017 Epiphone Thunderbird IV VP

To commemorate my tenth ANNIVERSARY of starting Gildaxe,
I made this special gold-leaf finished "Gilded Bird"

What We Have Here Requires Some Explanation

This is a NOS 2017 Epiphone Thunderbird IV VP (MII). These basses are the closest thing to a '63-'65 vintage Gibson Thunderbird IV – and… I know because I've owned a '64 II since 1978. It's well made, and plays and sounds awesome - just like a Thunderbird should.

I know that Thunderbirds are not for everyone, but those who play them love them. They have a unique look and big "angry piano" sound - they rock! Kudos to Epiphone for finally producing a nearly perfect re-issue of the early '60s Gen1 "reverse" Thunderbird.

The Gildaxe Process - Tenth Anniversary Gilded Bird

The base-coat (over factory brown-burst) is red oxide, which is a typical undercoat for gold-leaf used in the centuries-old Decorative Arts technique of gilding (think of gold picture/mirror frames, furniture etc.). After applying the gold leaf, I artistically 'distressed' the finish and applied various patinas. I write "artistically" because my work on it is not about ‘fooling' anyone that it's “player worn”. Instead, I'm visually celebrating the “look” of a well-played road-warrior.

Finishing

Master SoCal finisher Pat Wilkins performed the final finishing. Pat has been my Gildaxe final finisher for all of Gildaxe’s 10 years - he's the best in the biz and he has been so since the mid '80s.

His finish work on this Thunderbird includes a dusting of tiny gold particles under a gloss clear-coat. These minute gold particles are no longer available; Pat saves what he has collected for my finishes only. They are very subtle in neutral light, but activate under stage lighting - it's magical! It is impossible to capture this effect in a photo. Think of it like the aggregate in some urban sidewalks that sparkle under streetlights.

After I reassembled the bass, I sent him these photos. He wrote back to me that this is his favorite Gildaxe finish yet, stating "Like I said... My favorite one to date. It even looks better with the hardware on it. Wow!”

Wow is right. Thank you, Pat!

This bass will turn heads with its sound and looks.

The Tenth Anniversary “Gilded Bird” comes in a new, 'form fit’ interior Epiphone HSC. Also included: a new Levi's 3" wide black suede strap & Dunlop Strap-Lok strap peg system.

Gildaxe Tenth Anniversary Epiphone Thunderbird IV VP 2017 - Gildaxe Gold-Leaf

2023 is my 10-year Anniversary of starting Gildaxe. To commemorate this, I made this special gold-leaf finish.

What we have here requires some explanation

This is a NOS 2017 Epiphone Thunderbird IV VP (MII). These basses are the closest thing to a '63-'65 vintage Gibson Thunderbird IV – and… I know because I've owned a '64 II since 1978. It's well made, and plays and sounds awesome - just like a Thunderbird should.

I know that Thunderbirds are not for everyone, but those who play them love them. They have a unique look and big "angry piano" sound - they rock! Kudos to Epiphone for finally producing a nearly perfect re-issue of the early '60s Gen1 "reverse" Thunderbird.

The Gildaxe Process on this T-Bird

The basecoat (over factory brown-burst) is red oxide, which is a typical undercoat for gold-leaf used in the centuries-old Decorative Arts technique of gilding (think of gold picture/mirror frames, furniture etc.). After applying the gold leaf, I artistically 'distressed' the finish and applied various patinas. I write "artistically" because my work on it is not about ‘fooling' anyone that it's “player worn”. Instead, I'm visually celebrating the “look” of a well-played road-warrior.