It's one of the top ten iconic basses...made by Gibson...what's not to love? I would take one in a second if I could afford it!
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Many Just Don't Get IT, Gibson Thunderbird
- Thread starter bluewine
- Start date
Now you're changing your tune, Kwesi. You didn't make a comment about ergonomics and playability. You said it (Gibson Thunderbird) "plays like crap, sounds like crap and smells like crap." That is a very different thing. Whatever. Play a Squier if you like. I'll play a T Bird. I never said anywhere everyone else should. If I did, please specify where.
Ok, I think we've both misunderstood each other here. With that particular line I was talking about any bass, not the Thunderbird specifically. For the record I think they play like crap, sound ok and smell pretty good
. To me, in your post, you sounded like you were upset with people for complaining about T-birds and telling them to just deal with it. And my post was trying to illustrate that no one should have to deal with a bass that they don't like for whatever reason.
Well, this thread has taken an interesting turn... Then again, the OP was trolling a bit, so why be shocked...
I too feel that they aren't exactly ergonomic (one of the great characteristics of Fenders is just that Ergonomics) and are fairly limited, they certainly have a place... Just not in my kit. I have never seen a band that had a T-bird strapped bassist that wasn't playing either the Who or *METAL* - and I'm not doing either these days (was I ever...?). I think you can make the case that having a T-bird as your primary or single instrument is limiting - Use it in Funk/CW/Soul/Jazz setting? Seems hard to envision...
I too feel that they aren't exactly ergonomic (one of the great characteristics of Fenders is just that Ergonomics) and are fairly limited, they certainly have a place... Just not in my kit. I have never seen a band that had a T-bird strapped bassist that wasn't playing either the Who or *METAL* - and I'm not doing either these days (was I ever...?). I think you can make the case that having a T-bird as your primary or single instrument is limiting - Use it in Funk/CW/Soul/Jazz setting? Seems hard to envision...
I am a late arrival to T-Birds. I've been playing since 1973, and have mostly played various Fenders and a couple of Rics. I am a huge Who and Entwistle fan, and just got the urge to learn more of his stuff than I have up to now. My son sold me his Epi T-Bird to buy a laptop he needed, and the more I play the T-Bird the more I like it. It just suits my playing style, and I'm sorry I didn't pick up the Gibson version years ago.
It does have a long neck, it does dive, and it sounds like a brick hitting a storm pipe. But that sound is unique, to my ears anyway, and it's what I like about it. I don't consider it better or worse than other bass tones, just different. It doesn't have a lot of treble response, but I'm going to try and put some Rotos or DR Hi-Beams on there and see if I can approximate that Who's Next / Quadrophenia tone, at least a little.
It does have a long neck, it does dive, and it sounds like a brick hitting a storm pipe. But that sound is unique, to my ears anyway, and it's what I like about it. I don't consider it better or worse than other bass tones, just different. It doesn't have a lot of treble response, but I'm going to try and put some Rotos or DR Hi-Beams on there and see if I can approximate that Who's Next / Quadrophenia tone, at least a little.
Leon Wilkeson (Lynyrd Skynyrd) played a T-bird on many occasions. Just sayin...
Cool. The world could use some changes. I hate to admit this, but I've never even picked up a T-Bird. So, bluewine, I'm gonna' do it. I'm gonna' play the next Bird I can get my hands on. And it's all because of you.
I've only played a few minutes on a Ric, a t-40 or a Hofner Beatle, too. I live a pretty sheltered life, I guess.
Bad neck dive, not much useful variety in sound, awkward playability due to both neck dive and the way the bodys rear is done. Owned gibson 1970's bicentenial tbird back when they first came out. Best thing it could do was create infinate sustain via feedback ted nugent style. Which was a fun thing in its own way for me. Doing ted nugent guitar like things on bass. Lol.
The neck isn't actually longer, but the lack of top horn makes first position reach a long longer the way they hang off the strap. Long horn basses bring the headstock in way closer, making the first position reach shorter.
Yeah It allways seemed like a further reach to the nut compared to other basses. Which added to its awkward playability.
Ok, I think we've both misunderstood each other here. With that particular line I was talking about any bass, not the Thunderbird specifically. For the record I think they play like crap, sound ok and smell pretty good
Understood and I agree. And the OP was provocative. I think each musician should play the instrument that suits them best. That's all. And my T Bird does smell nice! I am not sure what they put in those hard shell cases, but DAMN!!!
Bridge and strap button placement can really work with you or against this particular goal.
On the opposite side of the spectrum of a T-Bird might be something like a Rob Allen. With the saddle about as far back as I've ever seen on a bass and the top horn to the 12th position, I was almost baffled with how short the reach was. At 35" scale and with the given dimensions, it felt about the same as my 32" scale Fender Urge.
My fascination with Thunderbirds began when I saw "the cure".
I have never been "washed over with bass" like that before.
I grabbed a '76 bicentennial in mint condition. I have yet to see a production bass designed and built with such quality. Can feel the love when you pick that thing up. Hats of to the old Kalamazoo plant! I also picked up a 2007 zebrawood "guitar of the week", which now has a Lull Pickup in the neck. It's my main bass, feels perfect, Neck dive = zero, In fact, my vintage 1975 P-bass dives way more!
I do play slap sometimes, and unlike the metallic slap of a P or J, the thunderbird has this super cool deep thump that is very unique and percussive in its own way. Most t-bird players slung them a bit "side-saddle". Played like that they are very comfortable.
I have never been "washed over with bass" like that before.
I grabbed a '76 bicentennial in mint condition. I have yet to see a production bass designed and built with such quality. Can feel the love when you pick that thing up. Hats of to the old Kalamazoo plant! I also picked up a 2007 zebrawood "guitar of the week", which now has a Lull Pickup in the neck. It's my main bass, feels perfect, Neck dive = zero, In fact, my vintage 1975 P-bass dives way more!
I do play slap sometimes, and unlike the metallic slap of a P or J, the thunderbird has this super cool deep thump that is very unique and percussive in its own way. Most t-bird players slung them a bit "side-saddle". Played like that they are very comfortable.
I have em on all my basses but 1 and I am going to order for that one too. Helps my old tired eyes on stage find where i need to be!
