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Gibson Thunderbird IV

I

InRodweTruss

Mar 21, 2008
62
0
Chicago, IL
#1
I see this being used by more and more Indie bassists. (i.e. girl from Silversun Pickups). I'm not too fond of the overall shape and look, but the question is, does it perform??

p34962h-6c457898bc34542c7175a183b5451529.jpg


Opinions....
 
#7
I've only played the Gibson version at a store. I played an Epi version at a gig once & thought it was OK, IMO it gave pretty much a P bass sound.
As I only played the Gibby for 1/2 an hour in the Bass room at the store I had a good look at it-tho couldn't test it in a band environment-the REAL test for ANY bass imho. As far as Quality goes I was disappointed w/ the Gibson. There were flaws in the paintwork & the neck joint, while tight, had a poor paint job in it. there were "folds' of paint in the neck join area. Overall(I tested the EPI T-Bird also the same time) I found it HARD to tell THAT much difference in price. The Gibby was at least 3x the Epi's price. & IMHO- definately NOT 3x as good. Maybe better overall-possibly 1.5x as good- pushing it to be even 2x as good tho.
Bottom line- Sure I would've LOVED the Gibson, coz I DO love the shape, & it DID have a "ballsy" sound. BUT as I aint a rich boy-by a LOOONG shot- My P-bass will do the sounds the T-Birds did pretty well!
 
#8
I've got no problems with mine! It takes a little bit of getting used to, and it does have its flaws... it's expensive, upper fret access is difficult, and overall the sound is a little bass-heavy. Notice I'm not mentioning neck dive? With the heel-mounted strap button it's not a problem.

All that said, spend a little bit of time to get used to it, and apply some judicious EQ - and it's a monster.

When played pickstyle, it has an *amazing* attack, and cuts through a mix like a chainsaw through butter.

In my 15 years of playing, I have never gotten as many comments on tone as I've had in the 8 months playing the 'bird. Your mileage may vary ;)
 
#15
InRodweTruss said:
I see this being used by more and more Indie bassists. (i.e. girl from Silversun Pickups). I'm not too fond of the overall shape and look, but the question is, does it perform??

p34962h-6c457898bc34542c7175a183b5451529.jpg


Opinions....
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T-bird, groundshaker and wallbreaker. BIG stopper here would be that you're "not too fond of the look" If it's look didn't grab you right off? You won't be happy with it. Let's not even get into the Neck Dive thread. It's also a large instrument, if you play small venues? you could be a danger to bandmates foolish enough to incur on your airspace.
 
#16
RED5 said:
It's also a large instrument, if you play small venues? you could be a danger to bandmates foolish enough to incur on your airspace.
Click to expand...

HA!

One of THE classic, rock basses around. Screams rawk 'n' roll! I love the looks of them. I had an Epi T-bird but IMO the pick ups were weak and I did not like the feel of the neck. I would like to try a Gibson T-bird though. :)
 
#19
I only play Thunderbirds, both from the 70's and post '88 production. They're quite different in how they sound....The pick ups are completely different between those two variations of them....along with neck profile and size of the headstock. Classic versions are all 9ply neck thru construction, the now discontinued "studio" is a set neck instrument.
I've owned an Epi 'Bird too, not a bad bass for the $$$....however it's NOTHING like any Gibson for tone. The only thing that's the same is their body shape, all the materials used ( neck, pickups, bridge, body wood, bolt neck vs. neck thru) make them very different basses.
If you don't want to spend the big $$$ for Gibson I'd look at a Greco 'Bird, they're Japanese production very nice quality, set neck basses. I own one and really like it.
In this photo the 76's have chrome hardware, post '88's are black, I used to own Fenders, Musicmann and Rics....Now just 'Birds, for Rock with a pick they're great basses.

Basses2.jpg


Here's my single pick up Greco 'Bird, @ $750.00 a great bass!


77Greco.jpg
 

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