Many Just Don't Get IT, Gibson Thunderbird

[bassguitarthund]

I happen to like both Thunderbirds and Fender Jazz Basses! They each have there own unique sound. I also listen to every thing from Jazz, Soul and Funk to Death Metal. One of my biggest heros, Jaco plays a Jazz and my other Billy squire played a Tbird. The reason I picked up the bass in ther first place was because of Gene Simmons. I guess what I am trying to say is I respect what someone else likes to play, listen to or take influence from. Why bash on Tbirds or Gene!?!?!

 

[waleross]

I agree . I have one bought new last year.. You don't need a pedal or any special effects, the bass takes on a life of its own . It is a delicate bass and I don't abuse it like I do my Fenders, however until you play one there is nothing like it. These basses are not for everybody. When I was 16 most kids were using the Gibson's EB3 or the Jack Bruce Bass. Thunderbirds weren't common then and they still aren't. If you want the loud rock sound you've heard on many heavy metal recordings then get one. Like a Corvette vehicle you don't drive it to the corner store for a quart of milk. Same thing for a Tbird bass, it doesn't play weddings or Bar Mitzvah's (maybe a Bachelor Party with strippers !).................That's it , I've said enough...

 

[Dynacord]

Knobs are master tone, pan & master vol --passive.

WHAT IS THIS AND WHERE DO I GET ONE?

Well... I got the bass (a Japanese Fender) for cheap (that finish is not for everyone) - and really like it - nice weight, resonant and present sounding, plays really well and has the usual advantages of a Fender. I was lucky to have a spare set of pickups and had Dan Ransom at Real Guitars (I used to work there) in San Francisco rout the body for the pickups and Gary Brawer wire it. I would have liked to have done a separate tailpiece and bridge but the holes for running the strings through the body would have been right between and not looked good so I put on one of the newer US Fender bridges with 4 saddles (rather than 2) and allows for top loading or string through. It looks even better in 'real life' as the paisley pattern is printed on a silver foil and it goes great (IMO) with the chrome pickups and rings - and I love the clear pg. It's that bass on this recording: http://kiwi6.com/file/h973p8r2l1

I've never had a chance to play a Gibson T-bird. The Epis I've played had huge necks that were difficult to play. Those basses felt powerful though, for sure. I'd love to play a Gibson one sometime.

Yes, the Gibsons are slimmer. Same at the nut as a jazz bass.

Why doesn't Gibson offer more colours?

Good question. I think they look much better in the solid colors (personal taste...) When they were first introduced, it was with a full range of optional custom colors very similar to what Fender offered at the same time.

 

[Greevus]

I get P bass.

 

[Dynacord]

I get P bass.

I do, too. Just other things as well

 

[BluesBear]

Is it my eyes or is there a huge space between the A & D strings? And, it seems to get even wider on up the neck?

 

[Dynacord]

Is it my eyes or is there a huge space between the A & D strings? And, it seems to get even wider on up the neck?

Your eye is good - but it's not a defect - I was just holding it by the neck with one hand (and must have pulled one of the strings to the side in the process) while taking the pic with the other. Spacing on it is 'normal'.

 

[BluesBear]

...Spacing on it is 'normal'.

Good to know. I was worried they crisscrossed somewhere around the 4th fret.

 

[watspan]

Better pic from that same gig:

how many of you t-bird owners play fingerstyle vs. w/ a pick? just curious.

 

[Dynacord]

how many of you t-bird owners play fingerstyle vs. w/ a pick? just curious.

Fingerstyle.
Obviously, lots of more rock oriented players use t-birds to good effect with picks .

 

[BluesBear]

how many of you t-bird owners play fingerstyle vs. w/ a pick? just curious.

95% fingerstyle
05% plectrum

If you want to hear a nice Thunderbird solo listen to the original live version of 157 Riverside Avenue by REO Speedwagon. Greg Philbin picks the heck out of his '63!!!
To me that is THE Thunderbird tone. In fact that's the tone I strive for with all of my basses when I use a plectrum.

 

[tombowlus]

how many of you t-bird owners play fingerstyle vs. w/ a pick? just curious.

Fingerstyle. And over the neck pickup.

 

[godofthunder59]

I use both pick and fingers but I am mainly a pick player YouTube - Dudevision 2011: Summertime Blues - Johnny Smoke

 

[TBird1958]

how many of you t-bird owners play fingerstyle vs. w/ a pick? just curious.

With my band, 99% of the time I'm using a pick with my 'Birds, great tone for Rock!

 

[stiles72]

Finger style here...

 

[PatQ]

Count me in as a Thunderbird addict - 2006 Gibson Thunderbird IV. Mostly playing with a pic because I love that sound.

Link Removed

 

[bassplayer8953]

75% - 80% fingers:

...although I will throw in some pick-playing just to give the fingertips a rest.

Nice thing about a Thunderbird is that I can go back & forth without huge tone changes required. Which is good, because sometimes I go back & forth in the same song.

 

[RickC]

99.99% pick for me

 

[Birdbrain]

Nice UFO t-shirt with Pete Way pants!

 

[bassplayer8953]

Nice UFO t-shirt with Pete Way pants!

UFO tribute band, can 'ya tell?

(now, if I could just be 22 again, like Pete Way, back in the SITN day...)