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Many Just Don't Get IT, Gibson Thunderbird

#25
I got my first bass in 9th Grade, and learned how to be condescending only 3 months later! It helps when other players simply aren't into the same type of gear that I am.

Too bad for you guys that don't get it. ;)

(...I actually *like* T-Birds, but mainly the ones that a) have their serious ergonomic issues fixed by strap button movements and other fixes, and b) actually think the best ones are copies that are lucky enough *not* to have the misfortune to be built by Gibson, much like the modern Mike Lull T-Bass. Plus, I don't believe they contain some "mystical power" for "Serious Rock", nor are they they an "icon bass for ultra cool rock look". Well, at least I'll trade the "Serious Rock" and "Ultra Cool Rock Look" for a neck joint that won't break when you look at it funny... :smug: )

bluewine said:
I have been around playing bass longer than a lot of you, I think I started my first band in 1966, I was in the 6th grade. I finally got to the point where I coud aford a Gibson T-Bird, I traded up from my undesirable Epi Bird to a nice 1991 Gibson Thunderbird.
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So let me understand this - you started your first band in 1966, discovered the "Serious Rock Ultra Cool Rock Look™" Bass and purchased one at least 25 years later sometime in/or after 1991? If it took you that long, we might have found someone better at buying miscellaneous items to put off large meaningful purchases than me!
 
#27
They work very well for me, I have quite a few from various vintages, played thru an amp of reasonable quality (I use a GK 1001) I have no problem getting good tone - Plenty of respected players in various genres use them too, tho they are most commonly associated with Rock, Chris Squire, Horace Panter, and Walter Becker are amongst them many that have used Thunderbirds.
The various vintages all have vastly differing tone as pickups and construction has varied quite a bit over the years, personally I favor '76's but own several post' 88's as well, and they are certainly good players too.


Soundclips?
There's always the ones in my sig but this is my band live with the mix balanced and recorded thru microphones not video camera stuff..........It's a '76 played with a pic.
 
#28
This guy here doesn't really have anything to do with my dislike for Thunderbirds, but he sure doesn't help either...

metal_Playing_Guitar.gif
 
#30
HaMMerHeD said:
This guy here doesn't really have anything to do with my dislike for Thunderbirds, but he sure doesn't help either...

metal_Playing_Guitar.gif
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When did Elmer Fudd go metal?

I've always liked the looks of the Bird and some of them sound great. I bought a nice used one last year and spent several months working on it, trying to get it to balance on a strap and intonate the medieval technology bridge.

Mine really sounded great...only worked in a rock setting, but there it certainly worked well. Ultimately I concluded it was easily the most uncomfortable instrument I have ever played. It literally wore me out trying to keep it correctly positioned for a 4 hour show, stretching for the tuners, and adjusting to the cramped string spacing.

It was more like hanging a shovel around my neck than a bass. But whatever floats your boat...
 
#31
Zoa said:
Who knew old elitists enjoy diving neck-first into a a giant pool of mud? I don't get it either.
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Ian Perge said:
I got my first bass in 9th Grade, and learned how to be condescending only 3 months later! It helps when other players simply aren't into the same type of gear that I am.

Too bad for you guys that don't get it. ;)

So let me understand this - you started your first band in 1966, discovered the "Serious Rock Ultra Cool Rock Look™" Bass and purchased one at least 25 years later sometime in/or after 1991? If it took you that long, we might have found someone better at buying miscellaneous items to put off large meaningful purchases than me!
Click to expand...

LOL!!! I say we make a club for everyone who's against IT and everything it stands for!

Ian Perge said:
Scrub down with Anti-Bacterial cleanser upon leaving this thread... :eek:
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I plan to, this IT sounds like a health hazard.
 
#32
I GAS'd for a Tbird back in the 60's also...until I played one. I was into short scale in those days, & the Tbird seemed huge. So I never bought one, parents wound up getting me a Hofner Beatle Bass instead.

Fast forward 23 years, and my love of the Hofner had long since run its course. Again GAS'n for a Tbird, and saw a new 1990 at a guitar show. The Hofner left me that day, & I've been a proud Tbird owner ever since.

They are great basses, but like a Ric, an acquired taste. Certainly not your average P or J. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Unlike the basses "invented" today, they have a character all their own. I enjoy playing mine, & it's brother, an Epi Pro. People can disrespect them all they want, I just smile & be glad that, as bassists go, I don't see myself coming & going with every band I see...
 
#38
The whole neck dive complaint is so over done. I mean, it's a bass. Play it, and hold on to it. I don't treat my T Bird any different than any other bass. I play it, you HAVE to hold the neck when you play, and between songs, I still hold the neck of the bass, regardless of the brand. It really is a non-issue, unless you wear your bass as a necklace! ;)

The T Bird, like the Rick, is a cool, stylish, iconic bass that is just plain one thousand times more fun and interesting than any boring Fender bass out there! ;) ;)
 

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