I recently tried out a Gibson Thunderbird 2015. Was not in the market for a new bass, just came into the local GC to get some strings. Picked up the bass amd sat down with it to see what these and the price was all about. Well impressed with the balance, weight and craftsmanship/QC ( somethings really hit and miss with Gibson for the last ....10+ years). The pickups were another take on the TB+ so I am assuming they had good reason to try something different. also the single coil option was interesting, but not sure if necessary. In any case overall liked the bass and the feel of it was quality. However one thing I did notice was that one you get up to the 12 th fret the notes were no longer as focused on all strings...? It sounded liked they were slightly on a chorus pedal or something. I checked the setup and the strings were a little high ( but that is usually ok with me as I approch the strings from a more upright style anyhow and do not like the click of frets) perhaps the pole pieces were reacting differently to the closeness of the strings as opposed to lower down.. It almost sound like 2 different basses, which did not sit well. So before I entertain anymore thoughts on an aquisition of one of these, that issue would have to be solved. I'd have to try out another on and compare. I immediatly picked up a 120 TBIV that was on the wall next to,it and the notes were focused all the way up and down. I have to mention here that I have owned several TB' s before so they are not new to me. Any of you whomhave acquired or tried one out of this 2015 have any thoughts?
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Gibson 2015 Thunderbird
- Thread starter copacetic
- Start date
I've played three of them, to date, at three different shops and there wasn't a decent one in the bunch. All three that I played sounded like loud mud. I hope this was a fluke, as I've noticed the dramatic price increase this year.
Epiphone Thunderbird Classic IV.
Quality as good if not better than quite a few of the Gibson T-Birds.
Looks great in white.
Gibson pickups, too.
I'd buy one before I bought a new Gibson Thunderbird any day of the week and still have plenty of money left over to buy an Epiphone Jack Casady bass.
Quality as good if not better than quite a few of the Gibson T-Birds.
Looks great in white.
Gibson pickups, too.
I'd buy one before I bought a new Gibson Thunderbird any day of the week and still have plenty of money left over to buy an Epiphone Jack Casady bass.
If I recall correctly, the pickups in the 2015 Thunderbird are the same ones used in the EB bass for 2013 and 2014 (now discontinued, I think). Link Removed They certainly look the same, and I recall reading from reliable sources that this was Gibson's plan. Link Removed
The chorus effect you describe when playing up high has also been experienced by many on the EB bass. It's due to the pickups being quite strong and being too close to the strings. This effect will happen on any pickups if the strings are too close (as is sometimes the case when fretting up high). It's a setup issue, and should be alleviated by adjusting the pickup height once you have your action/intonation setup all done.
The chorus effect you describe when playing up high has also been experienced by many on the EB bass. It's due to the pickups being quite strong and being too close to the strings. This effect will happen on any pickups if the strings are too close (as is sometimes the case when fretting up high). It's a setup issue, and should be alleviated by adjusting the pickup height once you have your action/intonation setup all done.
I keep trying to like the Thunderbirds as they are, IMHO, the best looking basses out there. Unfortunately, every one I tried also sounded like mud. Playing heavier or with a pick helped, but not a lot.
Interested in hearing how these new pickups change things because I really liked how the EB Bass sounds.
Since I last posted my response, I've played three more of them. I was hoping this was an isolated case of "Gibson inconsistency," but it seems to be a pattern. It's mud, but loud, due to the pickups being hot. I will admit that I do like the sound with both pickups tapped, though.
Handled one at the local GC yesterday. Very impressed with the balance and finish...and weight. The big question is why Gibson can make decent pickups when Lollar, Lull, Thunderbucker and others seem to have nailed the tone we all want.
I was in a similar position. I generally play short or medium scale basses, but have always coveted a Thunderbird. I tried several, and was a little underwhelmed. The big issues were: the price, the lack of color options, and the overall weight/balance. So I decided to apply roughly the same amount of money I'd have spent on a 2015 Gibson to a very lightly used Lull T4. For me, the difference is significant -- the Lull is more pleasant to play when seated, the neck is really fast and friendly, and the pickups are just from a different planet.
Tone has never been a big deal to me. I buy instruments based on ergonomics and feel because I have a physical disability and arthritis. The pickups in the Lull, though, are just bonkers. I'm not a fan of the control knobs, as opposed to a 3-way switch, but the first time I turned the neck pickup to 10 and turned down the bridge pickup, I couldn't stop giggling. I've owned some offbeat basses with nontraditional pickups, like a TV Jones-equipped Gretsch and a Jerry Jones Longhorn with his proprietary pickups, and the Lull sounds like nothing else. Not being in a band, I don't know how it'd "cut through the mix" or anything like that, but solo, the Lull is killer, especially when played with a pick.
Of course, buying a used Lull instead of a new Gibson meant that I had very little choice regarding color and neck finish. I ended up with options that wouldn't have been my first choice -- 2 tone burst and a gloss neck -- but even with these compromises, the used T4 really felt worth the money in a way that the Gibson didn't. I've always liked a satin finished neck, but even with a gloss finish, the T4 is so smooth and easy to play that I'm not going to satinize it. And the friendly people at Lull's shop provided me with an aged pearloid pickguard that makes the bass look quite sharp.
I know I'm comparing apples and bicycles, because you could always buy a used Gibson for even less than a used Lull, but if you're planning to spend what it costs to buy a new Gibson that's not on blowout sale, I'd suggest taking a look at a used Lull T4, too. If you're really set on a neck-through, or a Gibson, the Lull simply won't meet your needs, but otherwise, you might be happily surprised.
If you have any specific questions about the T4, just let me know.
This thread still alive? I just got a 2015 discontinued for $1400 ... love it. I'll post more if there are still people interested.
I know this thread may be dead, but I just wanted to add a review of the 2015 Gibson Thunderbird cause there isn't any in depth owner based review about it. I bought mine used for 1250$, which was an amazing price. First thing I noticed when looking at it was a few blemishes in the finish, but personally I don't need a PERFECT bass and they were pretty minor so I don't care.
Tone - Playing through a Genz-Benz head and Gallien Krueger cab. Outstanding, the low end shakes the ground and the highs cut through beautifully, I EQ the bass by heightening only the low mids and cutting a little of the lows. I don't get any muddy tone, it sounds growly and dark. It's definitely not a bright sounding bass, and it's not as growly as a Rickebacker, but it has a unique sound that make it stand out. Ive played it in a lot of different styles of music and I can alter the sound pretty easily with flipping the toggle switches to gain a more trebly tone, or to roll down the tone and get a deeper motown sound.
Appearance - Like I said, a few blemishes but overall the look is fantastic. I'm a big fan of the shape and I don't have too much of a hard time reaching up to the 20th fret, the 21st is difficult but to be honest I'm not too concerned about lacking that 1 note. The feel of the neck is different from a natural neck, the nitro does feel glossy and it took some time to get used to but now I don't notice it.
Neck dive is not an issue for me, I don't understand why so many people complain about this, I feel a decent strap and keeping the bass at a normal height (which I think everyone should do) eliminates any chance of this. One of the pickups did need foam underneath to bump it up, but apart from that I find the craftsmanship excellent. I believe small problems can arise from any bass, and if you can use youtuve or google, for the most part you should be able to fix it yourself.
Conclusion - My favourite bass of all time, I've played lots of Fenders, some ibanez, ricks, epi's, etc, and honestly this is the most fun I've ever had with a bass. The precision bass has a special place in my heart, but the thunderbird is my top pick.
Tone - Playing through a Genz-Benz head and Gallien Krueger cab. Outstanding, the low end shakes the ground and the highs cut through beautifully, I EQ the bass by heightening only the low mids and cutting a little of the lows. I don't get any muddy tone, it sounds growly and dark. It's definitely not a bright sounding bass, and it's not as growly as a Rickebacker, but it has a unique sound that make it stand out. Ive played it in a lot of different styles of music and I can alter the sound pretty easily with flipping the toggle switches to gain a more trebly tone, or to roll down the tone and get a deeper motown sound.
Appearance - Like I said, a few blemishes but overall the look is fantastic. I'm a big fan of the shape and I don't have too much of a hard time reaching up to the 20th fret, the 21st is difficult but to be honest I'm not too concerned about lacking that 1 note. The feel of the neck is different from a natural neck, the nitro does feel glossy and it took some time to get used to but now I don't notice it.
Neck dive is not an issue for me, I don't understand why so many people complain about this, I feel a decent strap and keeping the bass at a normal height (which I think everyone should do) eliminates any chance of this. One of the pickups did need foam underneath to bump it up, but apart from that I find the craftsmanship excellent. I believe small problems can arise from any bass, and if you can use youtuve or google, for the most part you should be able to fix it yourself.
Conclusion - My favourite bass of all time, I've played lots of Fenders, some ibanez, ricks, epi's, etc, and honestly this is the most fun I've ever had with a bass. The precision bass has a special place in my heart, but the thunderbird is my top pick.
Glad you like it!
GuitarCenter was blowing them out pretty cheap at one point. I remember playing one and being really impressed by it. The Fretboard was a really thick, dark slab of rosewood. Sounded really good too. I like that the neck of gibsons are a little narrower at the heel, their really comfy for me. If i had a little more cash at the time i woulda jumped on it
- Mar 13, 2008
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- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
There are a couple of guys in the Thunderbird club that own both types you mention = You're more than welcome to ask the question on the thread.
Well... Since TBird1958 is not only a Staff Member, but the moderator of the Thunderbird Club (and our Queen) as well. So, I think you just did - sorta...
Another way would be to log on to the club thread, and post your question directly. If you want to join us, just post a picture or two of your T-Bird, and request a number. We're a chatty group, and sometimes talk at length about things that, to the uninitiated, seem to have nothing to do with T-Birds. Regarding your... plight? I'd like to help, but I've never played a '15 T-Bird. I'm one of the very few lefty T-Bird owners in the club, and Gibson wasn't making lefty 'Birds that year. They did in 2013 and 2018; I have one of each. If they stay with that schedule, I expect the next lefties in 2023. Anyhow... As I recall, the reception of the features Gibson added to the '15 basses was... mixed. Some liked the new features; some viewed them as heresy. And, some of us never got the chance to find out whether we'd like them or not...
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