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Many Just Don't Get IT, Gibson Thunderbird
- Thread starter bluewine
- Start date
I completely agree, that has made me nervous about my Gibson Tbird. I have seen pictures of the repairs of broken TBird necks that made me want to weep. I think my Epiphone may be less prone because of the laminated neck...
The only Fender product I've bought since my P Bass in 1976 was a polishing kit.
What I really don't get is people saying people don't get this or that when they are all just friggin opinions. 80% of what I read in here are opinions or subjective measurements, likes or dislikes and for someone to make that "you just don't get it" kind of statement leaves me puzzled. You like this, FINE. I like that, FINE. Quit thinking everyone else should think like you.
I love my T Birds as much because the Fender Herd don't like them as anything! But I really do love em, and I never really did like running with the pack so much.
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.
The thread was not intended to be about who's into what type of gear or to rip on anyone.
It was meant to enlighten and exchange thoughts.
The thread was not intended to be about who's into what type of gear or to rip on anyone.
It was meant to enlighten and exchange thoughts.
Nah, man. Black guys don't play Thunderbirds, didn't you know
OK, just waiting for that one:
of, course, he's probably older than 19, so what would he know anyway? (Kinda sounds like this line would fit in the song!)
Haha, ya' got me! Allow me to amend my statement:
Black guys haven't played Thunderbirds since dinosaurs roamed the rock n' roll age
.
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!
When you have to hold the neck up you probably aren't doing anything more complicated that root note rock. Which coincidently thats all I ever found a T-Bird to be good for.
+1.
I play Fender P-basses and they usually dive too. I'm lucky enough to have 2 of them that don't too badly and one that doesn't at all.
My fretless has a warmoth neck on it and I need this huge bridge to even it out. Otherwise its unplayable.
As for the comments about neck dive I've played two very early birds and sold one on here about a year or two ago. They do neck dive like a mother ****er. They sounded pretty all right. I broke the headstock off of one using it as a tremelo.
According to many arguments, ahem discussions, with TBird1958 over the merit of Gibson basses over the years, it seems that the post 88 T-Birds have a smaller headstock and smaller tuners. They still dive but not nearly as bad as the older models.
Up to that point I played a bunch of the newer ones in stores and didn't like them. I still think that many Gibson basses have too many design flaws for me ever to play a stock one. I also dislike Gibson as a company and their QC.
However I was briefly loaned an early 2000s Bird that belonged to a friend. It had a metal bracket that mimicked where a bass side horn would be that greatly helped the balance issues. The bridge was a BadAssII and the pickups were Dark Stars. Sounded and played killer.
This is one of the funniest threads on tb in a while. Even the serious quotes crack me up.
I am by no means a Fender elitist but honestly, I find the look of Thunderbirds to be so lame. I don't think I've ever seen someone rock it and not think, that looks so lame. Classic rock and metal bands included. Then again, I think most of that music is pretty lame so whatever.
FLAME ON DUDES!!!
The only bird I dig is Charlie Parker.
I am by no means a Fender elitist but honestly, I find the look of Thunderbirds to be so lame. I don't think I've ever seen someone rock it and not think, that looks so lame. Classic rock and metal bands included. Then again, I think most of that music is pretty lame so whatever.
FLAME ON DUDES!!!
The only bird I dig is Charlie Parker.
Another youngster.If you really knew your history, you would know that Tom Peterson from Cheap Trick used a ThunderBird alot back in the 70s, he's abig fan too.
Further, I am a big fan of all the bands you listed, but they were not the only rock bands from the 70s.And I was really talking about badass local cats.
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,895
- 142,215
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
G.E you're a Fender P guy thru and thru
I do think you're right about Gibson QC tho, at best its not good. My 'Birds have all visited Lull's shop, he's made them good players.
I do enjoy this clip of Walter Becker playing his '63 'Bird tho.....
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!
Rob I wish I could have articulated the apeal the way you did. A+
I own a epi t-bird pro. While not in the same catergory it still looks/sounds similar. I get alot of compliments on it when I gig out with it. Plus I feel like a badass when I play it
That's because it's baddass and it distinguishes you from all the guys playing the standard and very safe P or Jazz.
Like I said I have several Telecaster basses, Jazz and a Jag.They just will not be getting much use any more.
Yeah, I guess it is too bad for me...But, just for the record, I'm as old as you and STILL have never cared for Thunderbirds...guess that makes me doubly stupid, now doesn't it?
Not at all, it just means you don't get it and don't care for them, they are not for everyone. No shame in that.
dunno, man, I listened to Tbird1958's youtube video and it seems like he's doing a little more than root notes... ...more than Cliff Williams does in the original recording, and sounding d@mn good doing it...
fwiw, I'm not much for root notes in most cases, either...
...gonna dispute this also. My Gibson is one of the most balanced & best sounding basses I own (and I own a bunch of Fenders, in addition to my Tbirds) I don't know much about Gibson as a company, other than they employ American workers, which makes them a cut above all the companies that have outsourced to Asia, IMO. Yes they have Epiphone, (just as Fender has Squier) but they do not put their name on instruments built elsewhere. Yes their management might be a bunch of jerks but what company isn't headed by jerks? Just sayin...
