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GIBSON Club. Part II

#1,361
My #1 bass is my 2019 Gibson Thunderbird...gorgeous nitro bird that sounds killer, is a joy to play, and is perfectly balanced...with an amazing case as well. Today I received the bass I'll use as a backup (and keep in my classroom to noodle on when I have time)...the Epiphone Classic Pro IV. The Epi has great Gibby T-Bird pups and is much more affordable ($500ish vs. $2000ish), but the quality between the two is immediately noticeable. If on a budget, the Epi will get the job done...but the Gibson is superior in every way.
 
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#1,362
dmt said:
Nice.

So did you have to do any routing or pickguard cutting or anything like that, or any special specs order on the pickup, etc.? Or was it just pretty much a direct drop-in?

When I first saw those DC Tribute basses, I was immediately eyeballing them for the possibility of a Thunderbird replacement pickup but wasn’t sure how well one would end up fitting in practice. An SG or EB-3-type mini hum was another thought that occurred.

Not that I need another bass(!), but they’re not crazy expensive and seeing yours with the Thunderbird pickup actually in it has me re-intrigued :cool:
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Straight swap. Plopped right in.
 
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#1,363
Here are some photos of the original hard case of my 1964 epiphone rivoli

Of course i bought a new epiphone jack casady case which fits like a glove and protects the bass perfectly.

My question is what to do with the old one that is shattered as you can see.

Should i keep it as is in case of resale or should i throw it away? Do you think that i can have it restored somehow ?

Ps it doesnt smell bad.... but there's a lot wear and tear and even a big portion of wood broken and missing

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#1,364
thanos k said:
Here are some photos of the original hard case of my 1964 epiphone rivoli

Of course i bought a new epiphone jack casady case which fits like a glove and protects the bass perfectly.

My question is what to do with the old one that is shattered as you can see.

Should i keep it as is in case of resale or should i throw it away? Do you think that i can have it restored somehow ?

Ps it doesnt smell bad.... but there's a lot wear and tear and even a big portion of wood broken and missing

View attachment 3692160 View attachment 3692162 View attachment 3692163 View attachment 3692164 View attachment 3692166 View attachment 3692168
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I would keep it for potental resale.
 
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#1,366
vates said:
Whoa!

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scottm said:
I don’t want a second one... but dang.

I seen where they were going to re-release the grabber I think... any news on any other new 2020 models?!

-ScottM
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Crikey, that white LP is a beaut. Love the grain. If I ever have money I'd want this on a Serek Lincoln if we could get pup's close enough to replicate a Grabber/G3.


@scottm where did you read about new reissues??
 
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#1,368
FlyingPigSound said:
Debating pulling the trigger on a deal for a 2018 Gibson RD Artist today.
My #1 is a Gibson Thunderbird (rock n roll covers w/ TI jazz flat strings / finger player)
Please give me any informed input you might have to help me decide if I should or should not buy it...
Yes, I know it's heavy, lol.
Thanks!
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Those pickups rock hard with a pick. I would buy. Black is awesome
 
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#1,369
FlyingPigSound said:
Debating pulling the trigger on a deal for a 2018 Gibson RD Artist today.
My #1 is a Gibson Thunderbird (rock n roll covers w/ TI jazz flat strings / finger player)
Please give me any informed input you might have to help me decide if I should or should not buy it...
Yes, I know it's heavy, lol.
Thanks!
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I expect that this would be an awesome sounding bass purely because I like all the ones I have listened to. If it plays well and sounds great to you, why not.
 
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#1,372
faivy said:
I would keep it for potental resale.
Click to expand...
I’ve been thinking about this one.

Nobody spoke up and said "Just throw it out", and I don’t know much about and have no experience with the vintage market, but that case is in pretty sad shape. How much do you (or anyone else) estimate it may increase the price vs. the bass without the original case?

Also, would restoring the case increase or decrease its value? How about just fixing it up but not not worrying too much about being exactly vintage correct with the pieces chosen for, for example, new latches and hinges and such?
 
#1,373
dmt said:
How much do you (or anyone else) estimate it may increase the price vs. the bass without the original case?
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You are spot on!!! These are exactly my thoughts. I mean the bass is in absolutely great working and cosmetic condition including frets, tuners, nut, neck, all original electronics and great finish. No breaks etc. The hard case is the complete opposite though but already replaced with a high quality epiphone cassady case - perfect fit. Since there's no practical use for the old one is there any point in keeping it just for the sake of a (highly unlikely) bass resale?
 
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#1,374
thanos k said:
You are spot on!!! These are exactly my thoughts. I mean the bass is in absolutely great working and cosmetic condition including frets, tuners, nut, neck, all original electronics and great finish. No breaks etc. The hard case is the complete opposite though but already replaced with a high quality epiphone cassady case - perfect fit. Since there's no practical use for the old one is there any point in keeping it just for the sake of a (highly unlikely) bass resale?
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As I said, I’m no expert, but I think it might be worth keeping it just so that the guy you eventually sell it to will have to deal with it. He’ll be the one that has to worry if he should throw it out, the one that carries it around from house move to house move for 15 years, that argues with his wife but then goes back and forth in his own mind about maybe just throwing the damned thing out - and he’ll have paid you extra for the privilege! :roflmao:

I dunno, man - I’d be sorely tempted to throw that eyesore out. And yet, I would hesitate too, lol. Can you imagine hearing, "Oh my God, you had the original case and you threw it out!!! You idiot!" :D

So I wonder, can anyone put a rough number on this whole "having the original case but in poor condition" thing?
 
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#1,380
I just realized that it's been a while since I've posted updates in this thread...so I'm going to make it concise...a few changes have occurred since I last posted about my own Gibson-related adventures...

I'm not sure if this little guy belongs here since it's not a Gibson but a Gibson-authorized-product...'96 Orville EB-3

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Exceptionally well-made little bass, which is what one would expect from a Fujigen factory product. I wasn't impressed with the stock neck pickup so it has been replaced with a Jerry Sentell Unmudbucker seen in the picture below. The useless (IMO) choke has also been disconnected from the Varitone switch. Hipshot bridge was already on the bass when I bought it so I was spared from performing that upgrade myself.

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Then we had a sour episode with a brand new LP DC Junior Bass...cutie pie, right ?

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Unfortunately it went back the next day since the fingerboard was detaching from the neck in the first fret area...yes, that's a toothpick in there...and ZZ Sounds couldn't offer a replacement in the same colour so I ended up with a refund instead of another Gibby...

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And then we have a '63 EB-0 that got broken on its way to me but recovered beautifully after the surgery...the long version of this particular story is posted in the SG/EB club...

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Finally, my '70 EB-0L was traded in several months ago and subsequently found a happy home with another TB member....:thumbsup:
 
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