Gibson Thunderbird Short Scale Bass?

Misterwogan · #1 01-30-2013, 10:51 AM

Does anyone know what this sounds like?

Maybe it's just an SG Bass in a tuxedo. I've got an SG (love it) but don't need a tux.

trevorguns · #2 02-02-2013, 05:25 PM

I own it. It sounds like a thunderbird to me! It's just easier to play. I don't have experience with the SG though, but I've considered one.

petrus61 · #3 02-02-2013, 09:04 PM

It's my understanding that the modern SG (formerly EB) basses are voiced to be much closer to the contemporary T-Bird pups. They even share a name, TB-Plus, with Gibson not seeming to want to make any distinction between them. I can't see how they can be the same, with the neck SG having screw poles and a mini humbucker and the T having soapbar housing, but they can put anything under a soapbar.

wagdog · #4 02-03-2013, 02:04 PM

I own both the SG and T-bird shorty. Apples and oranges really, they sound nothing alike. I actually prefer the T-bird. It has that lovely lower midrange growl and smooth high end that I associate with T-birds but with a little bit of tubbyness from the short scale. A unique combination. The SG is cleaner and more full range than the bird. The bridge mini-bucker is quite good and can stand on it's own, nothing at all like it's EB bretheren. Not sure what's under that pseudo mudbucker but the pole pieces appear to be purely cosmetic. Hope this helps.