How many Thunderbird basses do you own?

[Chucky Stiletti]

A legit concern - it was designed by a non-musician. I own a '64 II and ever since acquiring it in 1974, I developed a shift position to address that very concern. The upper nub (no horn) is at my rib-cage and the body-bevel is floating on its own to my side. It puts my left hand comfortably at first position, but... the non-beveled edge digs into my ribcage and created a permanent sore-spot that I still feel every time I play it. I added an upper rear bevel on the Fenderbird I'm playing which really helps.

This pic of me playing one of my Fenderbird's illustrates exactly what I described above. Also note how I wrap the lower strap around the bout. This eliminates any neck dive and pulls the bass into my body. Developed that early on too. FTR, if you sling T-birds low, most of these issues are mute. I point these things out because a T-bird can be made to work for those on the fence about playing one. At the end of the day, the sound/tone of a T-bird is more than worth dealing with aesthetics over function.

View attachment 7198265

who's the guy smoking the cigarette?

 

[JIO]

who's the guy smoking the cigarette?

 

[GBassNorth]

I have many more Thunderbirds than I actually need, but heck, this is Talkbass, we don’t buy on a need only basis.

I’m over 25 Tbirds and still counting, pretty much every brand and style and color you can imagine. There’s still a few out there on my bucket list (vintage ‘60’s reverse and non reverse, a bicentennial, a Gibby Nikki Sixx, and maybe that one Alembic Tbird that was custom built for someone).

I’ve built several of my own Tbirds, one to take the place of my beloved Fender Tele, using all Fender components (except for body and pickguard)…

…and a 4 string I’m currently working on that will hopefully take the place of my beloved Warwick Thumb BO5, using all MEC Thumb spec electronics and pickup locations, Warwick hardware and a Wenge/Wenge neck…

 

[Ostie]

None, and I don’t see that ever changing, unless someone happens to give me one.

 

[ElectricBass72]

No Thunderbirds yet. Once I get my Spector Euro Classic 4 paid off through Sweetwater..... the Rex Brown Signature Gibson Thunderbird is next! I currently own 15 basses... and sadly no Gibsons or Epiphones.

 

[Border]

I own 3, but there is always room for one more!

 

[MCF]

None right now. I'm a Rickenbacker guy first, but I still love the sound and looks of a nice Thunderbird. It's the ergonomics that are a deal breaker for me with Gibson and Epiphone. Maybe I haven't found the right Thunderbird-shaped object yet?

I get that. It’s that way for me with Rics. I have auditioned about ten over ther years. Never played one that felt right. And that’s a lot of money to pay if it won’t get played much because it just isn’t a comfortable fit. We’re all different.

 

[MrAB4003]

I get that. It's that way for me with Rics. I have auditioned about ten over ther years. Never played one that felt right. And that's a lot of money to pay if it won't get played much because it just isn't a comfortable fit. We're all different.

I totally understand! A lot of people feel that way about Rics. I recommend you try one from 2022 or newer because they have the new bridges and single truss rods. Starting this year, Ric put a treble bezel in the 4003s where the pickup cover usually is. That's now a standard feature.

I want to try some more Thunderbirds in a music store after reading this thread, but there are no Thunderbirds around right now.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Allegedly the Midtown has T-bird pickups… 1/2 maybe?

Your call whether to count that one or not!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Only 1, but for me my 1990 is all I need. And I can only play one at a time anyway…View attachment 7198362View attachment 7198363

There is no judgement on the numbers!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I'm right there with you. Thunderbirds made me realize to value ergonomics over looks. I owned multiple T'birds by Epiphone and Gibson but never got over how clunky they felt to me when I played them.

And yet the ergos are perfect for some of us. <shrug>

 

[Miles_ONeal]

If we're counting HLK I got 1, if not delete my vote

HLK?

 

[GBassNorth]

And yet the ergos are perfect for some of us. <shrug>

Certainly better for me than many other basses. The one I struggle with the most is the Jazz bass.

 

[Thumper]

1 2014 Gibson Anniversary Thunderbird
2 Epiphone VP Thunderbirds
1 Epiphone Goth Thunderbird
1 Fenderbird Epiphone Thunderbird body, Gibson 2015 Thunderbird PUPs
1 Fenderbird P, Chinabuckers
1 Fenderbird J, Chinabuckers

 

[ghiggin1079]

HLK?

Hard luck kings

 

[TBird1958]

Never enough!

 

[KohanMike]

I used to have two Thunderbird style non-reverse knockoff 23" scale bass ukes that I had modified by Eric's Guitar and Pat Wilkins Finishes. The burst one, I made the pickguard decal Thunderlele. The mottled green, I had a vinyl sticker made and I added stick-on fret markers. I've let go of them a while back.

 

[sylvanbass]

Only ever owned 1 and it was an early 90's. I LOVED that bass and never played another one like it. i had it until the 2010 Nashville flood when it sadly met it's maker. I've played many other's since then, and even when I still had mine, but they just didn't compare to mine for some reason even vintage ones. I worked hard to buy that one in 92 and at the time was a dream bass that I actually obtained. Could be mental attachment in a sense, but it felt like that one was built just for me and I lucked out and found a diamond in the rough. Since I rarely play now, I wish I could justify trying them out again and had expendable cash to throw at it. If I did, I would.

 

[Dynomuttasaurus]

One. It's a medium scale and still larger overall than any of my full scales. At 5'7" i have to accept that some things are out of reach.

 

[MCF]

One. It's a medium scale and still larger overall than any of my full scales. At 5'7" i have to accept that some things are out of reach.

I’m 5’8” with average arm length. The only Thunderbird I have any issue with is my ‘17 Epi Vintage Pro.