Feature:
Love the bass, wish it had tunning/ volume, but, i prob wouldent change it anyway

Quality:
Quality is amazing. strong, a bit heavy, but I like that.

Value:
Amazing. got it for under $450.00. would have paid ALOT more for this baby!!!

Desirability:
Looks amazing. sexy, sleek, iron cross' really put it over the edge. clear pick guard and logo work really well. flat black and black hardware make it. Its like your playing Sixx himself!!!

Sound:
I LOVE the sound. when I play it, it sounds just like Nikki. I play metal, and it sounds great!!!

Ease of Use:
I love it, feel great, looks great. Plays like a dream!!! really easy to get the sound I want

Support:
Havent needed to do anything. when I got it, it took 2 days to come in.

Overall:
AMAZING!!!! go get on... right now.... i mean it, GO!!!!!

Feature:
I love that this bass has nothing but an on off switch! it adds to the looks of it! Louder is better!

Quality:
People complain of stain drips on the neck but I had no problems with mine!

Value:
This bass is totally worth each and every penny!

Desirability:
Yea, Im a chick and I love each and every part of this bass! It has a nice smooth feel, its not too heavy and it looks great!

Ease of Use:
Its very easy to play

Overall:
Love it

Feature:
I REALLY like the fact that is has no knobs. In a rock/metal band do you really need them?

Quality:
I'm REALLY surprised at the quality of the instrument. Like I said earlier, I was hesitant about purchasing an Epiphone but it can definitely hold its own against higher priced basses. I work in a music store and get to play new basses every day and I can honestly say the Blackbird is just as good, if not better than, many higher priced instruments. The sound and quality FAR surpass the other Epiphone Thunderbird models. This thing might as well say Gibson on it.

Value:
I honestly would have paid a lot more for this bass. The $400 price tag initially made me assume it was a cheaply made instrument but I couldn't have been more wrong.

Desirability:
I bought this bass because I'm a big Motley Crue fan. Even if you're not, any rock/metal fan will love the look and sound of this instrument.

Sound:
I was initially hesitant to purchase an Epiphone but after plugging it in and hearing the sound, I was sold. It is honestly one of the best sounding basses I've ever played. I can't wait to record with it. It's definitely an instrument for rock/metal. VERY solid sounding.

Ease of Use:
The only complaint I had was the balance when wearing a strap. Like all Thunderbirds, it's a little neck heavy. I moved the top strap button to one of the screws on the neck plate and problem was solved. Simple fix.

Support:
I've had NO problems with the instrument. I'm VERY happy with my purchase.

Overall:
I've been playing for over 20 years, played MANY basses, thousands of gigs, made a few records, toured the east coast, and I REALLY like this bass. Don't let the lower price fool you. This bass is AWESOME!!!!

Feature:
I'm very happy with the features on this bass, even though there aren't that many. Basically, it just has an on/off switch, and a personal installation by Nikki, called the opti-grab, which is a small u-shaped hardware mount that allows you to hold the bass with your pinky while playing pick style; works pretty well. Other than that, there's no volume or tone controls on the bass. Personally, I like that fact.

Quality:
When Nikki Sixx and Epiphone get together, you know good things are bound to happen! Even though this bass was originally released as a Gibson and later downgraded to Epiphone, don't let that scare you away! This is a beautifully crafted instrument, the quality is commendable. The finish on the blackbird is a flat black, which really wears nicely. Also note that the fretboard has iron cross inlays throughout it, very cool.

Value:
The blackbird is my pride and joy. I really can't recommend it enough if you're a metal fan. I would say this is an excellent bass for the price, but that's simply not true. It's an excellent bass period! It will give some of the higher end instruments a definite run for their money. Also, note that although cases and gigbags are scarce for this instrument, the blackbird DOES have a Thunderbird IV body style and will fit the epiphone hardshell case perfectly.

Sound:
This bass is like no other, the sound quality is truly excellent. The mahogany body gives it a warm heavy tone for starters; definitely a good thing. The prize on this bass really goes to the DeepSixx hummbuckers though, as they are the deepest, and darkest that any metal fan could ever ask for! Personally, I play a lot of Motley Crue, Brides of Destruction, Deftones, etc. and this bass is perfect for it. Take note though, that if you aren't into metal or hard rock, the thunderbird IV may be a better route to go, this one's a beast!

Ease of Use:
This thing sounds awesome, there's really no other way to put it. Once you tune it, the bass pretty much stays in tune.

Support:
Haven't had any problems with it so I wouldn't know! Knowing Epiphone though, you can be sure it will be very professional.

Feature:
There is very good Features on the Nikki Sixx Blackbird Bass which is the toggle switch that is on the bass also the Opti grab which makes the bass lighter so you can rest your hand on it very good

Quality:
This is Bass is tough stuff and very sterty just what you would want in a Bass Guitar.

Value:
It's worth every Penny hands down...

Desirability:
This is a very sexy bass

Sound:
The Sound is Great It has a very nice deep smooth sound when you plug it in and play it works with alot of kinds of music as well.

Ease of Use:
When I used the Blackbird it had a very nice reaction to when I played it I tryed it with a pick and with my fingers and both sounded great.

Support:
I can't Really tell you about this because I had used my freinds when he all ready had it so Im not sure.

Overall:
I don't know but when I get it I will be satisfied for ever.

Feature:
Opti Grab and the toggle tone switch is realy awsome features to put on this bass.

Quality:
It has a nice solid structure and realy heavey dutey.

Value:
Yes this item is realy worth it.

Desirability:
This is the Sexiest bass there is.

Sound:
Sound is nice and deep good for hard rock and metal style music.

Ease of Use:
This bass neck is normaly heavey but Opti Grab that makes the bass realy nice.

Support:
No there realy is no adjustments needed right away but you will have to change the strings after awhile to realy make the sound good.

Overall:
Forever if you take care of it.

Feature:
I personally don't like having all the extra tone and volume knobs on my axe - if I need fixing, I'll adjust my sound equipment. The opti grab is a nice touch as well.

Value:
worth every cent.

Sound:
Beautiful low growl, perfect for all subgenres of rock. If you want a more articulated sound, play with a pick. It's very expressive.

Ease of Use:
It's very easy to use - it's light and a little neck-heavy.

Feature:
I'm going to give it a 7 because it's features are it's features and I knew and accepted that going in. But just know that if you don't love its fixed tone, then don't buy it or you also will likely be bothered by not having tone and volume knobs. And after all, the switch is a feature, right? So is the opti-whatever grab thingamajig, not that I found it to be all that useful. But the switch worked. It turns off, it turns on.

Quality:
The product is made well and I would have definitely kept it if I had been able to get comfortable with its nasal, twangy, whiny tone. Did I just get a defective unit? I do wonder...

Value:
O.k., here's where I have a beef with this instrument. As to value, it is merely o.k. You're paying for the look and musician's name. If you want you can save $100 and get the goth epi thunderbird, and that one even has knobs! Especially compared to other budget to midrange basses on the market -- if you want heavy tone, check out the Ibanex SRX series bass -- this thing is not a good value at all. Sorry Nikki, and yes I still dig you and the Crue.

Sound:
I think the sound is not good on this bass. Believe me folks, I really WANTED to love it. How cool does this thing look!? But unfortunately the sounds was very tinny and trebly, and that just doesn't suit my style at all. It was also very unexpected in light of the Crue sound I was expecting and the "deepsixx" PUPs.

Ease of Use:
I have to give this a low rating because the way the question is phrased, it asks "how easy is it to get great sounds from this product" and I found it impossible to do so. The adjustability of the bridge is pretty good, and the finish and fret dressing is all very acceptable in a budget instrument. Better than expected, actually. So this is an ease of use as to tone score.

Support:
I only owned it for about two weeks, and I never had occasion to call them. I haven't owned any other Epiphone products that broke, so again, I'm just going to throw this review a bone here.

Overall:
I sent it back. Thanks zZounds! I really wish I could have kept it but the sound was just too trebly and there was nothing I could do to change it. Too expensive to keep as eye candy on the wall.