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Gibson Thunderbird vs Precision American Vintage '62(as construction and convenience)

F

fbass87

Dec 19, 2008
47
0
#1
Gibson Thunderbird Vs Fender Precision American Vintage '62.

In your opinion:

what is the bass built better?
which sound prefer?
Who wins as value for money?
agrees to spend more money on the fender or the thunderbird is a great tool?

Excuse for the questions and for the english not correct..sorry

thank you
 
#2
2 completely different basses.

If you like one, you probably don't like playing the other (or not nearly as much).


Everything about them is opposite besides the number of strings they have.




I own a 1997 Gibson Thunderbird, so that should tell you a little about which side I am on.

I also PERSONALLY feel like Gibson>Fender as for as consistency in quality control, materials, and construction techniques. Also Gibson>Fender in the sound department (for my style).

I am not knocking P-Bass or hating on it. It is great for what it is (I used to have a MIM Fender P Bass)... but the 2 basses are just completely opposite ends of the spectrum, that's the best way to describe it.
 
#3
Both are pretty good and both Thunderbirds and the Precisions are popular in heavy metal, classic rock, punk...etc

But, if you look at different genres like Jazz, I don't think you will ever see a bassist playing Thunderbird. And you can probably guess which one I prefer. :)
 
#8
Was never a fan of Gibson QC. They recently lowered the price of the T-Bird to $1500 because no one was buying them.

Ergonomically, I'd get the P-Bass too. Its easier to play up and down the neck (as in access to all the frets) and aftermarket parts are readily available.

I'd also suggest buying used.
 
#10
Got my '97 with a repaired headstock for $660. Some people on here act like a cracked headstock makes the bass a throw-away. Fender's necks make for far worse problems than Gibson's angled headstock...

I would never buy something new anyways... the neck isn't broken in, the wood isn't aged, the instrument is still green, it has no character.... I mean, its all personal preference, but... who buys brand new anyways?

I honestly won't play anything but a Gibson. What QC myths are you guys talking about? It seems like every other week there is a thread on here talking about how so-and-so's Squire plays better than their MIA 60-something re-issue.

Don't give me that B.S. about Gibson quality. I have seen my fair share of Thunderbirds and I have never seen one that isn't worth it's price tag.
 
#11
Mastermold said:
I guess it's harder to break a P-bass than a T-bird, if that's the concern?
Click to expand...

Body-wise I would say the opposite. Like I said, if you let your bass fall and you break the headstock.... first... DON'T DO THAT. Second... it can easily be re-set.



But back to the original post.... why aren't you concerned with the sound? They are COMPLETELY different!

Quality wise they are going to be pretty close, with some people thinking one way and other another way.... heh. They are both top of the line name-brand basses.
 
#12
$Lindz$ said:
I honestly won't play anything but a Gibson. What QC myths are you guys talking about? It seems like every other week there is a thread on here talking about how so-and-so's Squire plays better than their MIA 60-something re-issue.

Don't give me that B.S. about Gibson quality. I have seen my fair share of Thunderbirds and I have never seen one that isn't worth it's price tag.
Click to expand...

They aren't myths. I own and have owned several Gibsons in the past.

My biggest gripe is Gibson's CEO. His business model is "If you charge them more for it, they'll think its better" The first thing he did when he got the job was fire all the management and double the prices.

Aside from that little things like:
Misaligned Bridges
Improperly cut nuts
Improperly seated frets
Improperly placed frets
Shoddy pick up routes
Finish defects and finish flaws

Whats the difference between defects and flaws? A flaw is maybe there is a bit of overspray in a burst model. A defect is when my friend buys a $2,500 Les Paul and there is a human hair sticking out of the finish.:rollno:
 
#13
In your opinion:

what is the bass built better?
As far as ruggedness is concerned, no question it's advantage Fender. The Thunderbird is a comparatively delicate instrument. It's extraordinarily rare to see a broken headstock on a Fender bass, where it's not uncommon at all to see a broken headstock on Gibson basses. The Thunderbird also has the problem of neck dive.


which sound prefer?
Sound is subjective, but any objective study will tell you that Fender is the winner here. Both basses have been around forever. Take a look at the list of people who choose a P-bass vs. those that choose T-birds. The Fender list is far far longer.
T-birds have a good sound for metal and hard rock, but beyond that those instruments are pretty limited in appeal.



Who wins as value for money?
They're both nice, well made basses. It's a tie here.



agrees to spend more money on the fender or the thunderbird is a great tool?
I don't know what this means. The only thing I'd suggest is buy used. You'll save hundreds.
 
#15
Fenders are easier to set-up, and the bolt-on necks vs. the neck-through construction means you can replace a body or a neck if necessary. Many Gibson bass H/Ss are a weak point, too.

I agree Gibson QC is random at best, that said the 96 T-bird I bought used sight unseen was perfect with no flaws and no neck dive, either.

Didn't Gibson recently knock down their prices?

In any case, value is relative to the buyer- if you want that sound a Thunderbird in great shape for $1200 is easy to come by used and IMO you can get a whole lot of great bass for that money.

Ergonomics is another issue you don't mention, and might or might not be important to you. I find Fenders infinitely more comfortable, and I'm not crazy about the distance a 'Bird puts between me and the first position when on a strap. sitting with one isn't perfect, either.

Sound is your call, my opinion don't mean squat. That said, I love the sound of Thunderbird IV, and I would love to own a non-rev or a Fenderbird.
 
#16
despite what lindz said,i'm a fan of both.
i'd honestly rather use a thunderbird though cause i think it feels better and gives a better tone than a P.but the P is still very nice and is easier on your wallet.that being said,you might wanna go with a p.but if you have the extra cash,and like the bird then buy it.
 
#17
I would say that you cannot make a Fender sound like a Gibson but, you can make a Gibson sound like a Fender (with eq).
There is nothing like Gibson pickups IMO. They have a certain dynamic quality to them that no other pickups have (except the Lull T-bass pickups).
 
#18
IMO each one has its pros and cons. Im not a big fan of either (i love gibson Rippers, Long-scale EBs and vicorys and I also love Fender Jazz Basses). I have the mindset that you can use ALMOST any bass for any style of music but T-bird might confine you to rock because many other musicians see T-birds as "Rock-only" while a p-bass can really be used in any genre without sticking out. Personally i think their pretty similar tonewise but as people have said and will keep saying get what you like.
 
#19
madmanbass said:
IMO each one has its pros and cons. Im not a big fan of either (i love gibson Rippers, Long-scale EBs and vicorys and I also love Fender Jazz Basses). I have the mindset that you can use ALMOST any bass for any style of music but T-bird might confine you to rock because many other musicians see T-birds as "Rock-only" while a p-bass can really be used in any genre without sticking out. Personally i think their pretty similar tonewise but as people have said and will keep saying get what you like.
Click to expand...

+1
Make sure that you think about the playing situations that you will be in.
 
#20
Just me, but I'll take the Thunderbird every time................No P for me.
The only fenders at my house are on the Subaru, where they belong.


thunderbirds006.jpg
 

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