Doomed For Extinction: Is the Gibson Thunderbird's days numberd?

[Gibenbackerbass]

What do you think. Is the T-bird headed for extinction? It seems less and less people are buying it, so the story goes (according to dealers I've talked to). Gibson has lowered its price while Rickenbacker has increased it for the 4003.

If the T-bird is on its way out what do you think Gibson should do to keep it alive?

What would it take to get to get you to lay down your hard earned bread for this bird of a different feather?

 

[garmenteros]

I dont think it's going anywhere. Its a standard. I even see people rocking it down here where you can't get any gear unless you bring it from the states.

 

[PSPookie]

I don't think I'd pay new prices for a T-bird unless I won the lottery but it's definitely on my list of basses I'd like to check out.

Certainly it's a classic design but I think Gibson may be pricing itself out of the market, especially with the stiff competition coming from the recent MIA Fenders.

 

[Ankhanu]

I would LOVE to have a Thunderbird... but they're so damn expensive. Only thing they have to do to get me to buy one is lower the price.

 

[your idol]

... but they're so damn expensive.

gibson as a whole has gotten too big for their britches. less quality at twice the price. damn shame too because theyre nice but until the get real they might as well cut their production numbers in half. id LOVE a tbirdV, at those prices its not gonna happen

 

[TBird1958]

I dont think it's going anywhere. Its a standard. I even see people rocking it down here where you can't get any gear unless you bring it from the states.

I'd have to agree with you.
It's Gibson's best selling bass, produced since 1963 (except for two gaps 1969-75 and 1980-88 tho custom examples were built during those years too.) I doubt they would discontinue it on this reasoning alone. They'll never sell as many as say, Fender or Ibanez but bass guitars are not the large part of Gibson's market.
As for the $$$ they seem to be at $1499.99, same as a U.S made Jazz bass, labor cost here is a factor in instrument pricing. Folks buy what they can realistically afford, thus you have them at several price points Epi, Epi Pro and Gibson.
I got my 10 tho......

 

[Rezdog]

Greetings from the North,

Gibson could take some pointers from Lull and perhaps do a quality reissue of their mid 1960's Thunderbirds with old style pups and bring back all of the chrome hardware and color choices too. And strengthen the neck/headstock while they're at it.

Rezdog

Hey TBird 1958

 

[TBird1958]

Greetings from the North,

Gibson could take some pointers from Lull and perhaps do a quality reissue of their mid 1960's Thunderbirds with old style pups and bring back all of the chrome hardware and color choices too. And strengthen the neck/headstock while they're at it.

Rezdog

Hey TBird 1958

Yo!

I loves me some chrome! Right with ya here, Pelham Blue and Chrome? They'd get one outta me

 

[Ric5]

The T-bird will be around for those who want a bass that excells at neck dive.

 

[smcd]

Greetings from the North,

Gibson could take some pointers from Lull and perhaps do a quality reissue of their mid 1960's Thunderbirds with old style pups and bring back all of the chrome hardware and color choices too. And strengthen the neck/headstock while they're at it.

Rezdog

Hey TBird 1958

Definitely. The T-bird is too much of an icon to discontinue (again). In fact, it's THE classic Gibson bass. If T-bird sales are in a slump, I can only imagine how other Gibson models are selling.

But reissuing the classic 60's bass is the best solution to jump start T-bird sales. I can't understand how Gibson hasn't figured this out yet.

 

[bassplayer8953]

Greetings from the North,

Gibson could take some pointers from Lull and perhaps do a quality reissue of their mid 1960's Thunderbirds with old style pups and bring back all of the chrome hardware and color choices too. And strengthen the neck/headstock while they're at it.

It seems they've tested the waters on the Epi models, offering bright hardware on selected models. But it seems Gibson themselves is too conservative with their version of the 'bird, offering only the tobacco sunburst finish, and the Sixx model. They could do so much more, simply be offering some color, & hardware options.

...and I'd bet that the the new Epi pro is offering the original 'bird some serious competition, with new finishes and neck through features, at a fraction of the price. I own a Gibson 'bird, and just acquired an Epi pro, myself. The new model is a viable alternative to the original, at a price a working man can afford. In that sense, Gibson is their own main competition.

 

[emblymouse]

This bass has already died and come back twice before most of you were out of diapers.
You know what's going to disappear? Fake T-Birds like the Lull. Beautiful bass, not a T-Bird. :scowl:
Like the front wheel front engined VW Bug, it makes modern sense but it missed the ENTIRE POINT.
Neck dive? Boo hoo. Play a Steinberger.

 

[D.M.N.]

Yeah, I agree, it's not going anywhere. And I don't get why everyone is saying it's so expensive, it's the same exact price as some of the American made Fenders. It's NOT ridiculously priced. Really. Just because the crud pop bands that are currently popular aren't using them doesn't mean they're going to disappear.

 

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Neck dive? Boo hoo. Play a Steinberger.

Neck dive is the very last problem I'd associate a Steinberger with.

 

[Showdown]

The T-bird will be around for those who want a bass that excells at neck dive.

Fortunately for you no one is forcing you to buy one. Fortunately for the rest of us that leaves more for us.

I'll never understand why some feel the need to come into a thread about a bass they don't like and make negative comments.

By the way, mine doesn't neck dive. Even with the slippery strap I use with it. I just relocated the strap button.

 

[zagralin_arf]

Ummm...how can the bass William Murderface plays possibly be facing exctinction?

 

[TBird1958]

Man up!
If sissy me can play one for 3 one hour sets.......

 

[Thorsoundcore]

I'll never understand why some feel the need to come into a thread about a bass they don't like and make negative comments.

it's cause they suck...


i'd love a thunderbird,but i don't have the money or time for it right now.

 

[steelhead2]

have a large wet spot for a non-reverse version(i guess that's custom shop only?)

fondled an Epi version a couple days back,,i thought the neck felt stellar!

i'd love to have one(or two) and am in fact looking at a couple Epi.Firebirds on sleazebay(since i like the style although,once again a non-reverse `Gibson' would be better

money is tight right now with property taxes due chickens need plucked cows need hay and uh,,oh yeah,tags are about to expire on my truck,,all i need is money!=i love em!

hey! they look great on stage!(3 of us posted at once it seems,thought i'd add=guy had one on eB sez they are the Cadillac of basses and he played for 30 years utilising them only so possibly he's going to work for Gibson as a district sales rep or?

 

[Thorsoundcore]

Ummm...how can the bass William Murderface plays possibly be facing exctinction?

it already did...he plays what i'm pretty sure is a five string studio thunderbird,which have been discontinued(extinct)for quite a while now.maybe i'm wrong,but it's certainly not the thunderbird we're talking about,the thunderbird IV.