Gibson SG Bass VS. Gibson Thunderbird

[Basstreble]

Hey guys! I'm looking to buy a new bass. I've been trying to decide between the SG Bass and Thunderbird bass. I like them both but it's hard for me to decide. I play anything from Rock, Funk, Indie, Alt, worship, and jazz. I'm not too tall and my fingers are a bit short but it doesn't affect me too much. Please give me your opinion on which one you like more, or if you don't like either of them. Thank you!

[smcd]

Kind of an apples and oranges thing going on with those 2 basses. Different pickups and scale lengths, wildly different sounds. Neither of those basses are well suited for funk or jazz, IMO.

[lolmont]

SG bass I think is good for Rock and Indie and for sure classic rock like 60s stuff.

[BawanaRik]

The t Bird is a long bass. It does have a unique growl. From the 4 Seasons to the Runaways and beyond.

[IronLung1986]

i think the thunderbird is a better all-purpose choice. they both have the neckdive issue so thankfully that's out of the discussion. the SG bass is really cool and i've always wanted one but i do feel like the t-bird is going to give you a more useful sound for modern and old-school styles.

[Teacher]

Love the SG neck but hate the overall feel. However, it's been so long since I shouldered a Thunderbird (reverse) that I don't remember. So why am I even posting? Dunno.

[Rocker949]

Originally Posted by IronLung1986

i think the thunderbird is a better all-purpose choice. they both have the neckdive issue so thankfully that's out of the discussion. the SG bass is really cool and i've always wanted one but i do feel like the t-bird is going to give you a more useful sound for modern and old-school styles.

I know the T-Bird has it, but are you really sure the SG RI has neck dive? Not all Gibsons have that. My Gibson EB-0 doesn't have it at all. I'd actually like to know this info because I was thinking seriously of getting an SG RI.

[DrSpunkwater]

The SG has neck dive, but not much. If you're looking to play a wide range of genres, and you're really committed to getting a Gibson bass, I'd probably go with a Thunderbird.

[rockscott]

Both are nice basses, i do think the Thunderbird is more versatile! The epiphone pro 4 is active, this expands the tonel range substantially over passive birds.

[Webtroll]

I love the SG shape but I find the tone to be generally woolly and the short scale tends to throw me off.

[cfsporn]

I'd vote for the Thunderbird. I have played both, and found the Thunderbird to be slightly less undefined and muddy than any EBO/3

[thisSNsucks]

I vote Thunderbird, but they are long basses!

[bluewine]

You want to stand out and with instant stage presence? Go with a Gibson Tbird.

blue

[adamafurious]

That's my SGRI in my av.
I get fond looks from the moment I open the case. Point being, I think either bass will elicit the desired response

I use mine on everything from rock to ambient, psychedelic blues & pop. Last time we recorded, I used it in a blind taste test vs. a vintage P bass. Everyone preferred the SG.

Slap some tapewounds on & you're good to go!

[Misterwogan]

Originally Posted by IronLung1986

i think the thunderbird is a better all-purpose choice. they both have the neckdive issue so thankfully that's out of the discussion. the SG bass is really cool and i've always wanted one but i do feel like the t-bird is going to give you a more useful sound for modern and old-school styles.

The SG, neck-dive, does it?



As you can see, I've relocated the strap lock from the back to the top horn - this seems to solve the problem.

I owned an SG since before Christmas. It is like an pair of old comfortable slippers. At first the tonal range can appear limited, but I use a BOSS GEB-7 to shape the tone before the signal goes to the DI, this results in a huge range if tones, mainly by boosting at 4khz and cutting at 500hz.

The SG is also the best bass that I've played with a pick. It retains its thundering lows but starts to growl in the mids - wonderful tone.

The only downside to my mind, is if you are playing finger-style very close to the neck - things can get very cramped indeed.

[KPJ]

Originally Posted by Misterwogan

The SG is also the best bass that I've played with a pick. It retains its thundering lows but starts to growl in the mids - wonderful tone.

I have an Epiphone EB-3, which is different than the SG but close enough, and I must say that the difference in tone between pick-style and finger style is amazing. Much fuller with the pick. Tone change without touching a knob.

[Misterwogan]

Originally Posted by KPJ

I have an Epiphone EB-3, which is different than the SG but close enough, and I must say that the difference in tone between pick-style and finger style is amazing. Much fuller with the pick. Tone change without touching a knob.

Absolutely. Whereas with my P, J or Ray the tone hollows out with a pick (well with the Ray I boost the bass and cut treble) with the SG the tone looses none of its thickness and really thumps.

[mtdmind]

Originally Posted by thisSNsucks

I vote Thunderbird, but they are long basses!

are they 34" scale basses?

[Rocker949]

Originally Posted by mtdmind

are they 34" scale basses?

Yes.

[DrSpunkwater]

Originally Posted by Misterwogan

The SG, neck-dive, does it?



As you can see, I've relocated the strap lock from the back to the top horn - this seems to solve the problem.

I owned an SG since before Christmas. It is like an pair of old comfortable slippers. At first the tonal range can appear limited, but I use a BOSS GEB-7 to shape the tone before the signal goes to the DI, this results in a huge range if tones, mainly by boosting at 4khz and cutting at 500hz.

The SG is also the best bass that I've played with a pick. It retains its thundering lows but starts to growl in the mids - wonderful tone.

The only downside to my mind, is if you are playing finger-style very close to the neck - things can get very cramped indeed.

Nice solution. I thought about doing the same thing. Does the strap button stay nice and tight in the horn like that?