• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

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

#81
Showdown said:
Fender and Gibson make it possible for people without a lot of money to own basses and guitars similar to (though not as good as) their US made models. This is a good thing. Back when I started in the 70s they didn't do that. Cheap basses were essentially unplayable and caused a lot of aspiring bassists to give up. Today a young kid getting his first bass can get a P or a J or a Thunderbird that is playable, sounds decent, at a price they can afford. Those kids won't be playing a Ric, and Rickenbacker won't get any of their money. Rics are great basses, but they have a very small market share compared to Fender and Gibson.

I'm glad they make lower priced, decent copies of their US basses. That is good for them and great for the consumer.

By the way, the Epis and Squiers aren't just for kids. I see adults gigging with them all the time. Not everyone can afford an expensive US made instrument.
Click to expand...

I started out on a Conrad (Japanese) as a kid growing up in the 60's. Moving up to a Fender Gibson or Ric (pretty much all the same, back in those days, quality-wise) was a HUGE step up. Not so much so these days. Agree that kids have it better these days...thanks to CNC machines, & cheap Asian labor.

And I just bought my 1st Epi, a Tbird pro. I had a straplock let go the last time I gigged my Gibson bird, & it took a tumble. Kinda freaked me out, it was pristine up to that point. Now it's got a couple of dings. The Epi will be gigging at the bars, most of the time, instead of the Gibson. Not that the Gibson's going anywhere...love that 'bird...want it to stay pretty.

...but if I have a hankering to play my Ric, no other comes close...and I like it that way...
 
#82
humpy thumb said:
Gibson discontinuing the T-Bird???
Never!!!
It's just not possible.Aint gonna happen.
The T-Bird is the epitome of Gibson.
They'd have to be going out of bussiness to stop building it.
Click to expand...

Completely disagree.

I was in Nashville at the Gibson store (right beside Opryland) many months ago and the ONLY Gibson bass in the store was a white TBird (excluding the couple Tobias'). We are talking about a store filled with hundreds of Les Pauls, SGs and acoustic 6 string guitars..... one TBird. Many banjos and mandolins and even half dozen each of Steinberger and Valley Arts guitars.... but one TBird.

Fast forward 5-6 months.... the same white TBird is still there! These things do not move.:confused:

I spent a lot of time talking to Gibson folks in Nashville and my impression is that the TBird is on a very short leash as sales are dismal. Dismal vs. Les Pauls, Acoustics, etc. Point is this IMO from the Gibson side... "why focus on a $1499 bass that barely sells when we can spend the same $$$ and manufacturing resources to produce a $3000 Les Paul that outsells the TBird bass at least dozens but most likely hundreds to one?"

Call me crazy, but IMO Gibson is stupid to continue producing TBird basses. Also, can you imagine a white (rare) TBird collecting dust in Nashville (where tourists buy guitars all day long) while the same bass is being played in Silversun Pickups and Kings of Leon? This should be a HOT bass.

Full disclosure: I bought a brand spanking new Gibson Thunderburd IV last week. In any case, it was one of the last ones available (if not the last) in all of Canada. I love the bass, but really don't think they will be on the long term roadmap.

Just my $0.02.
 
#84
Baird6869 said:
Completely disagree.

I was in Nashville at the Gibson store (right beside Opryland) many months ago and the ONLY Gibson bass in the store was a white TBird (excluding the couple Tobias'). We are talking about a store filled with hundreds of Les Pauls, SGs and acoustic 6 string guitars..... one TBird. Many banjos and mandolins and even half dozen each of Steinberger and Valley Arts guitars.... but one TBird.

Fast forward 5-6 months.... the same white TBird is still there! These things do not move.:confused:

I spent a lot of time talking to Gibson folks in Nashville and my impression is that the TBird is on a very short leash as sales are dismal. Dismal vs. Les Pauls, Acoustics, etc. Point is this IMO from the Gibson side... "why focus on a $1499 bass that barely sells when we can spend the same $$$ and manufacturing resources to produce a $3000 Les Paul that outsells the TBird bass at least dozens but most likely hundreds to one?"

Call me crazy, but IMO Gibson is stupid to continue producing TBird basses. Also, can you imagine a white (rare) TBird collecting dust in Nashville (where tourists buy guitars all day long) while the same bass is being played in Silversun Pickups and Kings of Leon? This should be a HOT bass.

Full disclosure: I bought a brand spanking new Gibson Thunderburd IV last week. In any case, it was one of the last ones available (if not the last) in all of Canada. I love the bass, but really don't think they will be on the long term roadmap.

Just my $0.02.
Click to expand...

You've raised some very good points & I should make it clear that I know more about what my 6 your old son is doing at kindergarten,than I do about Gibson.
I remember in the 80's when shops were similar to how you described,but then it was Fender.They had a bad reputation & it was common belief that CBS had ruined the iconic Fender basses.It was true,up to a point.
A world void of the T-Bird would be like if Levis stopped making jeans.Initial shock would soon give way to acceptance & the world would get over it.
In all seriousness,If I was spending the same amount a new T-Bird commands,it'd be the last bass I'd consider.Luckily for us,there's a hell of alot more available,for similar money.
Cheers mate.;)
 
#85
Basses have never been the major focus for Gibson. They just arent a bread and butter product for them. However, they will keep the T-bird aroundbecause it is such an "icon". If demand drops, then so will production. Bass production has always been up and down with Gibson. Nevertheless, T-birds are desireable instruments, and people do want them. Just follow the trends on Ebay. Even now when times are tough, Tbirds still fetch decent prices and people are willing to pay for them.
 
#86
There are plently of excellent opinions, thoughts, insights, and observations made here. I appreciate everyone chimming in.

I'm sure tings have changed considerably since the first T-bird hit the showrooms back in late '63. But things have a way of comming back around, being revitalized and so on. Sometimes all they need is a little nudge.

I hope Gibson doesn't abandon the Thunnderbird like they did the Firebird Vll, which is no longer a production model. I have one, love it, and I know I'm in the minority.

I can't help but believe that if they reintroduced the T-Bird with the nickel-plated pickups and covers, larger headstock, and have it sound like the originals, that it would see improved sales.

I love my 2004 model, especially the neck, it's PERFECT, there isn't anything they could do to improve it. It just doesn't have the sound and vibe like my '64.

I know if they WANTED TO they could reproduce it like the '64 version. They've domenstrated that technique of replication on many, many other models of guitars and basses.

I suppose there just isn't a demand.
 
#87
No, they won't go away....unless Gibson is real stupid.

They should replace the current one's hardware with the cure for CHROMITIS and submit to the 1960's hardware except put Scott's bridge on them.

The Epi Pro 5 here(got on a 20% off sale) is VERY nice. The only things being done to it are relocating the input jack(it hits one's right leg and the bass cuts out) to the face like the 60's ones and putting a straploc where it should be(on the heel). This bass appears better than the 2006 Gibson here and I don't think Epiphone far east has a problem with doors getting kicked in for using ROSEWOOD on the fretboard like Gibson does.
 
#94
Gibenbackerbass said:
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?
Click to expand...

It is historically the only Gibson bass that has sold well over time. As long as Gibson continues to make basses, they'll continue to make T-Birds.

Of course I could be wrong. I've been wrong before. But this time I'm not. (unless I am....) ;)
 
#96
I see more Gibby Tbirds now more than ever. $1499.00 is a decent price (right up there with MIA Fenders). Yeah....they're gonna be around for a while.

For those naysayers that say they balance bad, sound muddy and are awkward hmmmm :rollno:

Mine balances perfectly, plays effortlessly and the tone is to die for (can be muddy if you have NO idea how to use your eq on your amp). With steel strings (lo-riders) my tone is CUTTING without being too bright (fingerstyle rock).

Amazing bass.
 
#97
bazzanderson said:
I see more Gibby Tbirds now more than ever. $1499.00 is a decent price (right up there with MIA Fenders). Yeah....they're gonna be around for a while.

For those naysayers that say they balance bad, sound muddy and are awkward hmmmm :rollno:

Mine balances perfectly, plays effortlessly and the tone is to die for (can be muddy if you have NO idea how to use your eq on your amp). With steel strings (lo-riders) my tone is CUTTING without being too bright (fingerstyle rock).

Amazing bass.
Click to expand...

Amen brother and thank you for speaking up! :hyper:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back