Sapphire Blue Gibson Thunderbird?...

[Rods]

Does anyone know if a sapphire blue thunderbird really exists? I've been searching forever and all I can find is a picture on google that I can't blow up and the All American Rejects Dirty Little Secrets video. Are they custom shop or is it something I might eventually be able to find?

[TBird1958]

Originally Posted by Rods

Does anyone know if a sapphire blue thunderbird really exists? I've been searching forever and all I can find is a picture on google that I can't blow up and the All American Rejects Dirty Little Secrets video. Are they custom shop or is it something I might eventually be able to find?

Yes, as a Custom Shop Limited release for the Japanese market, I'm not sure of the total number produced except that is small - it was called a Yamano 2000 IIRC. I don't own one ( I'd rather refin!) as the go for a lot of money and other than paint color are a stock production T Bird.
Having not seen the pic you mention the bass could also be a Pelham Blue one, as Epihone released them as a Limited Edition color a year or so back.......

Here's an old ebay sellers shot, tho it's not great about showing the true color, which is nice.

[stiles72]

Originally Posted by TBird1958

Having not seen the pic you mention the bass could also be a Pelham Blue one, as Epihone released them as a Limited Edition color a year or so back.......

I have one of the Pelham Blue Epiphone's that Mark mentioned. It's a Korean made "Limited Edition" model and the QC is surprisingly better than most Epi-birds I've played. The body wood is mahogany - not alder - and the finish is on par with a lot of MIJ basses. I pimped mine out with chrome and a few upgrades, and even though it's a different animal than the Gibson - it's still a really nice player.