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Many Just Don't Get IT, Gibson Thunderbird

#581
Ran into this Tbird thread, read a few pages...had to LMAO no doubt....
Good fun! :D

I was or should I say am?
Considering rolling one of my very much loved Stingrays in order to buy what would be my first USA Gibson Tbird......

I do not know if it will really fit though?
I am pretty used to basses with a bunch of tone control and variety.
Like Musicman Stingrays/Bongo/Big Al/Reflex
G&L L-2000
Warwick LE thumb
Alembic Orion
Stuff like that....
So I am guessing I might be a bit bummed with the one way or the highway kinda vibe of the Tbird?
Is this a yes or a no?
I just always thought they have a cool look to them and have never been able to find a Gibson to actually try out.
The stores near me only have Epi's in stock.
 
#582
Based on what I'd read, I thought they'd be a beast to handle, neck diving like crazy etc. Mine isn't, and it doesn't. Feels like home, and it's 'only' an Epi. If you like the look and the sound, then you owe it to yourself to experience how they feel to play. Don't believe everything that you read.
 
#583
I bought my son's Epi T-bird mainly so he could buy himself a computer with the money. I figured I'd just turn around and sell it, but I sat down and played it for a few minutes, and now I don't think I'll ever sell it. I'm a huge Who/Entwistle fan, and even though I'm nearing 60 and have owned about 20-odd instruments, for some strange reason I never thought about getting a bird, which Entwistle used to get some of the best bass tones I've ever heard. I regret not getting one back when I played gigs - it has a big, thick tone that shakes the floor. It does neck dive and the ergonomics are strange, but it has that hammer-hitting-anvil tone that gives it a rather unique sound.
 
#587
I have played a few but dont own one. Gibson IMO has NEVER made a successful bass and the majority of ALL have a neck dive problem. i.e the RD, explorer, LP, grabber, V's etc... all dive. if you insist on playing a Gibson it's a given. an on an "image" note ALL Gibson basses look best slung super low and played with a pick! LOL!
 
#588
It seems the neck dive issue can often be solved by relocating the strap button.

Also, Ric5 built a bass with a T-bird style body, and has what looks like a strap button extender for it to solve the issue. So it doesn't look like it's that big a deal to eliminate that issue.

The reason I don't play a T-bird isn't the neck-dive issue, as I could pretty easily fix that. On the T-birds I've played, I just didn't find the neck very comfortable, and the sound wasn't really what I wanted.

If I can get the money together, I might eventually see about putting together a bass with a T-bird style body, though.
 
#591
Ok, so everyone here is pretty cosmopolitan about respecting other's opinions and taste...but starting a thread where you essentially say that people who don't agree with you don't get "IT" is rather ignorant at best. If you post read as thus:

"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 could aford a Gibson T-Bird, I traded up from my undesirable Epi Bird to a nice 1991 Gibson Thunderbird.
Back east when I was coming up, if a guy came out on stage with a Gibson Thunderbird you knew it meant serious rock. At the time they were the icon bass for ultra cool rock look.
I told a few of my buddies about my new aquisition, and all I got was,"why did you by that" and "I never got into those".
I guess the apeal of thses bass is not universal. I play in a Pop Rock band and the whole experience of using the my new Thunderbird is awesome."

...Then no problem at all, you've expressed that you enjoy the look of your bass and it feels great in your current band, but copping an attitude and being judgmental of those who don't agree with you is grounds for flaming in these parts =/
 
#594
greghol said:
For the haters and lovers. :ninja:

One the best recent performances of Push (1985) from 2005. Simon Gallup of The Cure on a TB. (note TB in reserve)

The Cure - Push - YouTube

Simon's other basses throughout his 30 year career with The Cure: :bassist:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (French but with pics)

Greg
Click to expand...

Good stuff!! I bought my T-bird because of the Cure and Simon. It goes perfect with the dark, melodic grooves they've been laying down for 34 years.

Neck dive? I never even new it was a problem until I came to TB. All these cats can ever complain about is "neck dive". Seriously! It's the bloody tone that set's this bass apart from the rest.
 
#598
I love my Tbird Studio 4 and 5, wouldn't ever part with them. They have an awesome barking, warm, dark sound. They aren't as easy to play as some Fender's I've owned - they aren't hard to play either, but they do take a bit more work. But MAN do they thump. The cool factor is just cream. They fit in so good in my rock gigs, which are primarily what I've been involved in lately.

I will say though that I just picked up a blues/r&b/rockabilly job that I definately will be buying some flavor of Jazz or P Bass for. They are just the right bass for the job, the Tbirds aren't.
 
#599
What I don't "get" are those who think a T-Bird is not suited for certain kinds of music.
:confused:
Since the '70s I have played Gibson Thunderbirds in Rock bands, Country bands, Blues bands, '50s Rock & Roll bands. Whatever music I was playing I could and did play on a Thunderbird.

Now I don't fancy myself as some sort of virtuoso talent.
I'm just a yob who knows how to twist a tone knob or three.
 

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