Gibson Thunderbird or Fender Precision?

[thewickedcool]

P Bass, but I'm biased

 

[Xren]

Have we come to a decision yet?

I got me a Gibson Thunderbird Have it about three weeks now. Love it!

Tried it next to a Precision and a Jazz... It was a pretty easy choice for me really.

Thunderbird >>> Jazz > Precision.

The sound is really deep and that's what I'm looking for. The Jazz came closer to this sound than the Precision, but still, the Thunderbird won by a landslide.

I also really like the slim neck, and, of course the looks.

I'm really happy with it! Even now, when I see it standing on a stand, I can't help but smile. Great bass and really don't need anything else Best bass in the world for me personally.

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[Flintlock]

GAS.

Why did Epiphone have to release those pro models? They make it so cheap and available.

 

[bluewine]

Get the Bird, a decent one is hard to come by.It will fit in perfect for the type of Music your Band plays.Plus you are going to feel ultra hip standing on stage with a "bad ass" Gibson TBird.


You can always get a P and it won't be that expensive.As a matter of fact a saw a really cool Squire Vintage series Lake Placid Blue (Maple Neck) P Bass for 250.00.That thing is really cool and I am not big on Squire.

Actually I like Squires, I am just one of those fools that gets hung up on brand names.

 

[xray]

I have both: Bird gets to perform - the pbass looks good in its stand (primarily a collector piece). But my musical genre is similar to yours and the Tbird will rock.

 

[bassplayer8953]

Find a P with a J style neck. The P is the best overall bass there is (IMO) and, as you get used to the narrower neck, your hands will become prepared for the feel of a t-bird, if and when you want to add to your collection.

I have both, & both styles are great, but if I were to only have 1 "keeper" it would have to be the Fender...

...actually, I use the t-bird very little, always worried about something happening to that ultra-fragile neck/headstock. Newer models (mine is a '90) came with a multi-lam neck that is probably stronger & less prone to breakage. If you go shopping, look for a t-bird with some stripes down the neck.

 

[Xren]

I got one with the stripes.

The thin neck never really worries me, really. Doesn't seem that fragile to me.

 

[Joe164]

Both the arctic monkeys bassist and the strokes bassist use precisions, kings of leon bassist uses a thunderbird - to be honest i'd go with a precison as you can acheive some awesome sounds with it, a big variety. this has all been said, but the thunderbird lacks variety in sound to me.

I think fender's generally have a better feel too, their made to be played, and shaped practically.

Precision all the way!

 

[bazzanderson]

I've played jazzes and Ps. Wife just got me a Gibby Tbird...I have to say I like the feel and tone of the bird better. Yeah...they are a bit darker sounding, but if you know anything about eqing it'll cut through just fine with plenty of highs (for pick or fingerstyle). Plus....I didn't think I'd find a neck more comfortable than a jazz but the neck on the Thunderbird beats it. I use a GK1001RBII, SWR Goliath 6X10 and a Behringer BDDI through the effects loop. Fingerstyle tone kills. That Behringer BDDI really helps it cut through (put some drive on it and bass and treble at 12).

Not that Ps or Js are bad....they of course are great rock basses as well!

 

[Rob Martinez]

I got me a Gibson Thunderbird Have it about three weeks now. Love it!

Tried it next to a Precision and a Jazz... It was a pretty easy choice for me really.

Thunderbird >>> Jazz > Precision.

The sound is really deep and that's what I'm looking for. The Jazz came closer to this sound than the Precision, but still, the Thunderbird won by a landslide.

I also really like the slim neck, and, of course the looks.

I'm really happy with it! Even now, when I see it standing on a stand, I can't help but smile. Great bass and really don't need anything else Best bass in the world for me personally.

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Congrats! I have that same model!!

I own a Gibson T-bird and a Fender Highway One P-bass. Both are killer. But in a pinch, I'd keep the T-bird.

 

[Sharp Objects]

I love my little SX P, and the sound is great, but I love the darker sound of the T-bird (granted it is an Epi, but still).

I think that you'd be happy with either, and you'll be totally satisfied with the Thunderbird.

 

[snakesandarrows]

I own both basses myself. I also play and listen to the same type of music as you. So here is my rundown:

T-bird
Not as versatile a tone
major points when it comes to impressing fellow musicians
everyone plays something fender'ish, so be different
Way too expensive and some QC issues with the finish
slimmer neck at the nut
balance issues with t-birds (relocating the strap button helps, but then the fretboard will tilt a bit towards the ground)
somewhat uncomfortable to play but you get used to it
T-birds definitely have a mean look to them
black plastic pickups (dont like IMO)

P-Bass (2008 model)
more versatile tone
more thick bottom end
looks like every other bass ever made
2008 finish is nitro, which means major mojo in a few years
more affordable
very little QC issues
very comfortable to play and great balance
fatter neck at the nut
looks good in any playing environment (if you have other gigs)

Option 3
If you are set on a t-bird, dont get a Gibson. Get the better quality and cooler look of an Orville, Greco or Epiphone Elitist. These were made in Japan and are identical to Gibson's but better IMO. Superior finish, cool nickel U.S.A. pups, less expensive. If you want it to say Gibson on the front, a neck plate will cost you only about $20 and 5 min. of your time. I wouldn't be ashamed anyway, as they are actually an improvement on what Gibson has been doing. However, you will have to search around, and you will buy used. I got mine for $900 bucks with a gibson hardshell case (retails $300) and the gibson neck badge. I'll put it to the test of any real Gibson. The only major difference is that the early 2000's models like mine were set neck construction, but there is no way to tell with the finish job they did. Some suggest this is better for the guitar over time anyway.

Check it out:

So what brand is this bass actually? and are the pickups vintage?

 

[your idol]

P

 

[Baird6869]

I own both and they are completely different basses.

A Precision is a better "utility bass" IMO and if I had to own only one high end bass, I would go P (or maybe a Jazz...).

I really enjoy being able to own TBird, Precision, Jazz and Stingray basses and I seem to have almost any tone covered. But just owning a TBird? Likely not my first choice for ANY kind of music.

 

[Aspidites]

P-Bass by a mile.

 

[Thorsoundcore]

thunderbird.i like p's but they really bore me after a while.besides,there will me billions of p basses left on the planet long after we die out...

 

[TBird1958]

So what brand is this bass actually? and are the pickups vintage?

Pretty sure that's an Epi Elitist with a Gibson TRC,( Nice Bass BTW) stock pick ups, it reminds me of my Orville.

 

[Holy War]

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.

i agree with this

 

[bassplayer8953]

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.

Agree also. Gotta have a P, it's the standard by which others are measured. And then a bird, and a Ric, and a Spector, and a .............

...@ 13 basses and counting, I live by this creed.

 

[Stumbo]

Zombie thread....

He already got a Tbird.