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Gibson Thunderbird or Fender Precision?

X

Xren

Jun 1, 2008
22
1
#1
I've been googling a lot the last couple of weeks. I want to buy my first 'professional' bass. It's come down to these two: Gibson Thunderbird or Fender Precision.

The Thunderbird is pretty rare here I believe, but I won't be buying a Precision if I know I really want the other.

The music my band plays is similar to:
- Arctic Monkeys
- The Strokes
- Kings of Leon
- bit of Muse

I'd love to try both out but I don't know where I can find a Thunderbird right now... Until then, this will have to do.

The Precision seems to be a right choice - Great sound, readily available, good for rock... But the Thunderbird has it's awesome looks and deep sound.

At the moment I'm leaning towards the Thunderbird. What are the opinions here? Please keep the style of my band in mind when commenting :)
 
#3
I play both. The P-bass has a much more versatile tone, but the T-bird has ... well T-bird tone, which is pretty awesome. To me the big difference is the neck. The neck on a Gibson T-bird is deep but very narrow at the nut. The P-bass neck is much wider all the way down. If your hands are smallish, you'll find the t-bird easier to play. Another thing to consider, if you're gigging out much, is that T-birds are relatively fragile (see thin neck above). It's very easy to crack the neck at the headstock. My P-bass, on the other hand, has seen some pretty hard knocks and it's still solid. A very strong guitar.
 
#7
T-Birds don't balance real well if you move around on stage. They don't sit on stands or lean against amps very well.
Why not consider a Jazz? Neck profile is close to a T-Bird, more Midrange than a P.
A lot of the tunes I play are similar to the bands you mentioned, and I play a Jazz more often than not.
 
#8
RickenBoogie said:
This is an easy one. Get the P bass first, and then start saving up for a Tbird. At some point in the future, you'll have both.
Click to expand...
Haha, that would be the solution obviously, but I really just want to buy one now and use it for the next X years basically.

That T-birds don't sit on stands is a real bummer... As that's what I use a lot with gigs.

The versatility might be a problem too. Kings of Leons bassist has one though and I don't think it's a problem with them.

I think from my respons you can read that right now, I'm thinking 'P-bass is the obvious, safe choice right now. But that T-bird just has that cool vibe to it.'

Fragility is another big concern indeed.

Thanks for the responses so far! I have pretty big hands btw ;)
 
#11
since you are asking specifically GibsonBird-vs-Fender P:

I do own 3 Birds, but not one of them is a Gibson, because I have found others that IMO ARE better.

and as far as P bodied basses in different configs... I got a bunch of those also, and never was happier.

( YES the Tbird is a nightmare on a "standard" guitar stand ), but they do make stands that hold mine perfectly with no fear of tipping over.
 
#12
get an american p deluxe. seriously my favorite long scale bass i've ever played; and i have played many, including vintage legend basses that left me fairly disappointed.
used they'll commonly go for 500-800bucks and they are super versatile, comfortable, and look great too. i recommend a 90s model if you can find it since i haven't played one of the new new ones yet but they look pretty good too.
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#14
Me wants to tell you that the T-Bird is the best choice... But I wont. The P-bass would be better for your style of music, and it's an easier-to-maintain overall bass, with more tonal range and better fret access.

On the other hand; nothing, IMO, beats a T-Bird. I play higher on the frets too, but my hands have found a way of compensating for the poor access (mind you it'll one day be the end of my wrist, lol).

What's odd though, is that I've never had a problem butting my Bird in a regular guitar stand. Just put the strap peg against the left arm of the stand (on a right handed bass, obviously) so that the "Y" arms of the stand (you know, the cradle that holds your basses body) tilts down to the left, and then lean her back into the neck rest. In fact, I rarely even have trouble putting it into a standard 5-guitar rack. :D
 
#15
Just me but I'd own the Thunderbird.......
They certainly fit on a stand (at least all 9 of mine do!)
They have their own idiosycrasies that make them a great bass, hopefully youi'll get to try one.
 
#18
Think about what makes the Thunderbird so cool.........not everybody has one! If you want to separate yourself from the average player, then strap on something that stands out. The tone of both basses is similar, dark, midrangey, nice low-fundamental. Remember that while some say the T-Bird is a one-trick pony, it actually has two pickups, which can equal lots of different tones. Dont get me wrong, the Precision is great and in a perfect world, I would get both, matter of fact, I have both, and use them both, myself. But if you want to be an individual, then go for the T-bird. They do fit on stands, BTW. They are fragile, that is true, but its wood, its repairable, so if you want a trophy to hang on your wall, dont get one, but if youre gonna go play the crap out of it, dont worry about snapping the neck, cause it can be fixed! Hope this helps!
 
#19
listen to me and no one else. Go play both and decide ;)

Both are great rock, pop, blues, metal and punk basses. One of them is more versatile than the other due two pickups although both are called one trick ponies.

If you have a good, powerful amp both are going to deliver the goods.
 
#20
Since this is gonna be your first higher level bass I have to say go with the P. I have had two Thunderbirds and got rid of them both. Im sure I will pick up another one day but it will never be my main bass. The P will have a better fit and feel for you. They balance better and have more usable tone options. They also have a better build quality.
 
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