Greco Thunderbird, questions?

[karposvt]

Well I finally found one CHEAP! Its a 90 Greco Thunderbird. I had an epi a few years ago, and wasn't really all that impressed. I've been looking for a Orville or Greco for some time now, and can't believe I finally got one! Like I said, I have an epi a few years ago , so I know about the neckdive, blah, blah. Is there any other thing else about these, particuarly the Greco's I need to know about. I've read quite a few posts on here about them, so I know a few of you guys have them. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks


Pic:
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[Barkless Dog]

From what I have heard is that Grecos actually sound better than Orvilles which were Gibson under license. However the Grecos are supposed to have a chunkier neck.

I have only heard very good things about most Grecos

 

[Rush-2112]

From the link:

"We are proffetional seller of Japanese Vintage guitar Bass Amprifire Stomp boxes All range of items was made at Japan"

hahahahaaha

Sorry xD

 

[El Tookay]

I've owned both Greco and Gibby 'Birds, and there are some differences. Greco uses a maple set neck with a P-bass width, Gibson uses the 9 ply mahogany and walnut J-width neck through. The Greco is a bit more neck-divey than the Gibby, and has the original (1963-65) headstock shape. Gibson trimmed down the headstock for better balance when the T-bird was re-launched in 1987. The Studio 'Birds have an even smaller headstock, more like the Victory basses.

Sound-wise, where it REALLY matters, I thought the Greco was more 'Bird than the 'Bird. Greco again uses the original Thunderbirds for inspiration, and as such, you have the nickel cover pickups, and separate bridge and tailpiece sections. The result is a close cousin in looks and sound to the legendary Bicentennial '76-79 Thunderbirds.

The -87-09 'Birds use the 3-point bridge/ tailpiece rig, and smaller, epoxy sealed pickups.

I loved the sound of them both, but would give the edge to the Greco for a more aggressive growly character. i sold them both, because i just couldn't stand playing them live- about as ergonomic as playing a park bench.

One T-bird trait they both shared....they both had busted headstocks.

 

[bassteban]

Why do so many T-Birds suffer from the dreaded broken headstock?

 

[rosstanium]

they dive on you when you aren't paying attention.

 

[BoopersOwner]

Why do so many T-Birds suffer from the dreaded broken headstock?

I would say the mohagany construction, the big honken headstock on them, and way some of the "rockstar" owners throw them around have a big part in the problem.

-Joe P.

 

[RickenBoogie]

Also, the "thinness" contributes to the problem.

 

[TBird1958]

I have a 77 Greco Thunderbird II its a great bass for the money, no comparing it to an Epi, it's far better. The pick up is very hot and growly I love it! They're very nice build quality and most can be had at a reasonable price.....
I don't have any neck dive issues with mine, what's not to love

 

[DanFold]

Tell you what, they look cool as **** them! with the nickel hardware? i hate shiny metal!
I got an epiphone rivoli, same bridge as these t-birds...all nickel barr the machine heads...some tool put shiny ones one :-( was only £200 though! can't really complain!

 

[Johnny Alien]

I have a 77 Greco Thunderbird II its a great bass for the money, no comparing it to an Epi, it's far better. The pick up is very hot and growly I love it! They're very nice build quality and most can be had at a reasonable price.....
I don't have any neck dive issues with mine, what's not to love

I love this bass soooo much.

I had a Greco T-Bird for awhile and it was amazingly good. I never got used to the neck dive or thin width at the nut (I am a P bass freak) so I ended up selling it.


I wish I kept it just for studio work because it had killer tone.

 

[DanFold]

P.S.

What is that pick up in that Greco thunderbird? if it sounds as good as it looks, it's goin on my non reverse firebird when i build it! :-D

 

[TBird1958]

Actually while the Nickel hardware is cool when it's new, it oxidizes - mine definatly has, and thats probably my only issue with this bass. I plan to re-fin it later this year so at that point I'll take it all apart and clean the oxidization off. Chrome is much better, if for that reason alone IMO.

 

[amimbari]

hey Mark dosent somebody on the lastBassOutpost have an Orville?

and don't forget about the little known set neck Dillion Tbird's made from 2003-2005....although I haven't seen one of those lately up for sale.

 

[karposvt]

Thanks for the posts guys. Tbird1958 your single pickup Thunderbird II is gorgeous! Can't wait to get my new bird and have it along my Custom Jazz and Std. P bass, should make a great addition.

Karp

 

[ALRieseberg]

I have a 77 Greco Thunderbird II its a great bass for the money, no comparing it to an Epi, it's far better. The pick up is very hot and growly I love it! They're very nice build quality and most can be had at a reasonable price.....
I don't have any neck dive issues with mine, what's not to love
View attachment 1395698

Zombie revival
How much does your single pickup Greco weigh? That’s awesome your’s doesn’t dive so badly!

I had an 80’s Orville that had the chunkier neck and it had the heaviest neck dive of any bass I’ve played. Do you know of a remedy for that? Looking at getting a Greco Thunderbird II… Thing is they are the coolest looking bass on the planet!

 

[ALRieseberg]

I have a 77 Greco Thunderbird II its a great bass for the money, no comparing it to an Epi, it's far better. The pick up is very hot and growly I love it! They're very nice build quality and most can be had at a reasonable price.....
I don't have any neck dive issues with mine, what's not to love
View attachment 1395698

I know you have a LOT birds, would you say the Greco is more like a bicentennial or more like a 60’s?

 

[TBird1958]

Zombie revival
How much does your single pickup Greco weigh? That’s awesome your’s doesn’t dive so badly!

I had an 80’s Orville that had the chunkier neck and it had the heaviest neck dive of any bass I’ve played. Do you know of a remedy for that? Looking at getting a Greco Thunderbird II… Thing is they are the coolest looking bass on the planet!

For me, strap length has some to do with it, I actually have the bass a little above my waist and my right hand lays across the upper bout - it's just really never been an issue for me.

I know you have a LOT birds, would you say the Greco is more like a bicentennial or more like a 60’s?

Greco's are patterned after a '60s Gibson with some small, but easily noticed changes. The bridge is a three point, the neck is a bit bigger, almost P bass, and the headstock is a little smaller, more pitch too. The amazing thing is the pickup, it's very, very good - has all the rawr and has a very warm, pleasant, bass and lo-mid to it - highly recommended!
Some folks think that the new Epiphone is closest to the original, but a Greco is far better and much more faithful in tone and just overall. I have all three to make the comparison
One thing about '76s, they used to get slagged a lot by purist types, but really, nothing else sounds like a '76, the pickups are unique, no one has ever cloned them. I watch prices on them and all they do is go up, glad I got a couple when they were reasonable!

'64 Gibson Thunderbird II on the left, '77 Greco II on the right.

 

[MattZilla]

@TBird1958 what was special to ‘76 that wasn’t happening in ‘75 & ‘77?

 

[TBird1958]

@TBird1958 what was special to ‘76 that wasn’t happening in ‘75 & ‘77?

Gibson wasn't making Thunderbirds in '75, production had stopped in '69. They reissued starting in '76 and continued until '79, these are casually referred to as '76s, the pickups are same through this span of time, but the pickgard changed slightly after about mid '77. The stylized '76 was removed and as production at Kalamazoo, MI picked up s/n's were stamped into the back of the headstock rather than decais.

Gibson headstock on the bottom, no s/n = a '76 refin. Orville on the top.