Many Just Don't Get IT, Gibson Thunderbird

[My name is Mudd]

I want one. With a D-tuner.

Seriously some badass playing

Agreed!

 

[Kwesi]

Valentine's day is a hassle.

There's a reason Valentine's day and Venereal Disease share an acronym

 

[bassplayer8953]

It's getting a bit late for us old guys, but I do dig a T-bird--neck dive and all!

Too late for some, maybe...others are too stubborn to give up:

 

[A-Step-Towards]

I can honestly say the only thing that worries me about owning a gibson t bird is busting the headstock , the only reason why i sell them when i buy them is I just need a P bass neck, the 1.5 inch nut kills my playing ability.

 

[Grooveman1961]

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.

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.

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

in what ways is your gibson better than your EPI?

 

[Gizmot]

The only GIbson bass I've heard that really does something for me was the Ripper. I know that the T-bird has a lot of low-end weight and if that is what you like, I'm okay with it. To each his own.

 

[bluewine]

You don't strap one on, you sort of climb into a T-Bird, like you would into a Vette. When it's on you are put in the perfect Rock posture. You can't not rock while you've got it on.
T Birds are to bassists what pumps are to women.

Very well put.This guy gets it big time.

 

[bluewine]

So clue us - is it the looks, the sound, or what?

If it's the sound, clips might be convincing.

If it's the looks - meh...

If you need those metrics explained you don't get it.

A lot of this might have to do with age.I think a lot of younger cats (under 55) don't understand the history of this bass and it's place in Rock.

I guess the tone is limiting for some, not for me.

 

[bassplayer8953]

T Birds are to bassists what pumps are to women.

...so that means they make your butt-cheeks pooch out?

 

[A-Step-Towards]

If you need those metris explained you don't get it.

A lot of this might have to do with age.I think a lot of younger cats (under 55) don't understand the history of this bass and it's place in Rock.

I guess the tone is limiting for some, not for me.

I wouldnt go that far, I recently turned 21. I dig birds and the music they helped create like aerosmith, motley crue, skynard, the who, nirvana and many more.

 

[bluewine]

I dunno, I see guys playing them in our local clubs fairly often. One guy has a Nikki Sixx zebra-striped copy. I dont find them attractive in appearance, nor in sound most importantly. But that's just me. To each his own. I don't knock the guys that play them, but when they ask for my opinion, I tell them the truth: that they usually sound dull and muted. One guy plays one with a Moses graphite neck. All flat black. Looks ok, but again, the sound is very muted and unremarkable.

Your opinion is fine, however I still put you into the probably well under the age of 55 age bracket and that's the reason you don't get it.

No problem ,I'm not rippin on you.None of have any control over the year were born in.

 

[queevil]

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!

You only HAVE to hold the neck when you play if your bass is poorly designed and balances like crap. One of my basses that I played for several hours today balances very well and I don't have to support it with my left hand.

 

[bluewine]

I think they're fully badass.
I find that I get the most comments/compliments from non musicians (hopefully most of your audience). I think they just look great on stage and I'm usually asked to play play it over my other basses.
They have that Gibson sound (obviously) so, I understand why some people don't like them.
They're not like Fenders at all.

Somebody ring the bell, this guy gets it.



fully badass Nothing more has to be said.

blue

 

[bluewine]

Yuck, neck dive city. Sorry but I've seen alot of people with em & I had a friends 1979 bird for a week. Did not like anything it did. There are alot of reasons most players use Jazz & P basses... Gibson Thunderbirds is one of them. BTW my names Tbird because I work in the lightning protection industry.

You know what, that whole neck dive thing is total BS. I don't have a clue to what these guys are talking about. You load up on this MOFO and Rock.

Seems pretty simple to me.

Some of it is taste, I have Ps, 2 Telecaster Basses a Jazz and a Jag. None of them will be getting much use at this point in time.

blue

 

[palmann]

It does not look good on me. I'm too small for it. Love how it plays and sounds though. Sold my '91 a few years ago. Never regret it.

Gruesse, Pablo

 

[Antny]

Your opinion is fine, however I still put you into the probably well under the age of 55 age bracket and that's the reason you don't get it.

No problem ,I'm not rippin on you.None of have any control over the year were born in.

You.....you are GOOD!

Yeah, I'm a youngster, my odometer will turn 50 in May. So when does the IT kick in? I want to be ready for IT.

Hey, if you saw my gig bass, pretty sure you'd hammer me really hard. I'm embarrassed to even post a pic of it here. So ANYTHING is going to look better than what I play. Rock on, brother!

 

[bluewine]

I don't like the look, and I haven't heard one that really appealed to me.

I guess I just don't get it. I'm pretty much OK with that.

Another youngster, under the age of 55. Not his fault, he gets a pass.

 

[madmatt]

Apparently I didn't get it either.
Damn.

 

[Kwesi]

55 you say? OOOOoooooooh, I think I understand now! IT must be AARP membership! that's a relief! Right on, old dude, right on!

 

[bluewine]

Whatever IT is, I don't think I want it.

To young to understand, he gets a pass.

If you don't know what a Thunderbird is you might be in the wrong business.