Is this Bass worth Buying?

[Weirdo]

Hey all,


So, There's a 1991 Orville By Gibson bass im pretty keen on.

The thing is, while i can afford it, it's damaged, Typical Thunderbird problem apparently.

I read about a firebird getting repaired the same way so im a bit more optimistic about it now, which is good.

Basically, the headstocks cracked, and the pickups/electronics aren't there, just the bridge.
How much would you guys say it's worth?
I can pick it up locally, so thats a plus too.. I know Orville by Gibsons arent something you see everyday, so im pretty keen on it.

I've attached some pics, so you can see it's a neck through, but has the input on the front, where as Gibsons have it on the side.. Kinda unusual.



Jackson

 

[lowfreq33]

Cracked headstock, no electronics? I'd say $50. Probably cost you about $250 on top of that to get it functional, and those were cheap basses to begin with.


Sent from my iPad using TalkBass

 

[Splods]

I would just leave it OP. Unless you can get it for a song and a beer, then it's not really worth it.

 

[Weirdo]

I can get it for about 200-250, Keep in mind that EVERYTHING in australia is stupidly over priced... Gibson Thunderbirds are about $2800 brand new.

 

[Splods]

I can get it for about 200-250, Keep in mind that EVERYTHING in australia is stupidly over priced... Gibson Thunderbirds are about $2800 brand new.

Nowhere near worth it, not even in Australia. I would wait for a decent Epiphone to come around, then jump on it.
P.S: Where are you at? I'm in Adelaide.

 

[tbasstreble11]

I can get it for about 200-250, Keep in mind that EVERYTHING in australia is stupidly over priced... Gibson Thunderbirds are about $2800 brand new.

If you just want a t-bird -
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] $711 new

 

[Splods]

I can go and buy a Epiphone Thunderbird for 400 right now. Just wait, and one will turn up for the right price. That bass is too much money for too much work.

 

[Weirdo]

Yeah, I've got a White Limited Epi T-bird, Korean made, Which is really nice to play compared to other Epi t-birds ive played. Made in 07 though which confuses me to this day..
But yeah, I'm in qld.

 

[Splods]

Sounds like you don't even need it. Save your pennies, there is better stuff out there.

 

[tbasstreble11]

But yeah, I'm in qld.

Offer him a slab of XXXX Gold

 

[Splods]

Offer him a slab of XXXX Gold

I was working the bar at a function one night, and we had free drinks. I spent most of the night pouring 4x even though we had some nice Coopers on tap. Queenslanders are weird.

 

[lowfreq33]

If it was 100% functional I could maybe see $250, but it's a broken bass with no electronics that was a cheap POS to begin with. If you're just looking for a project bass and have money to burn, fine, but there are far better deals out there for cheap T-Birds.

 

[tbasstreble11]

I was working the bar at a function one night, and we had free drinks. I spent most of the night pouring 4x even though we had some nice Coopers on tap. Queenslanders are weird.

LOL

 

[MacPark]

Get a Epiphone Thunderbird Classic-IV Pro $499 from Gallins at the moment and free postage anywhere in Australia

Link Removed

I picked up one last week and am very happy with it.

 

[Weirdo]

Ahh, From what i read via wikipedia, I was under the impression these were Gibson Quality instruments under the Orville name, Gonna skip on this one after the replies here, Thanks guys!

 

[PortlandBass77]

Yeah not worth it. You could always buy from ebay.

 

[lowphatbass]

I would take an Orville over an Epiphone any day, that being said the damage looks like it's a bit further up the neck than a typical headstock break and the price isn't exactly a bargain.

 

[tbasstreble11]

Yeah, I've got a White Limited Epi T-bird, Korean made, Which is really nice to play compared to other Epi t-birds ive played. Made in 07 though which confuses me to this day..
But yeah, I'm in qld.

Btw +1 to the Korean epiphone - I had an epiphone regent emperor serviced 4 years and two climate changing moves in and they didn't have to touch the neck. Good gear