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NBD 1969 Gibson Thunderbird II

godofthunder59

godofthunder59

Life is short, buy the bass.
Feb 19, 2006
9,057
38,405
Rochester NY USA
Disclosures
Endorsing Cataldo Basses, Whirlwind products, Thunderbucker pickups
#1
Most of you know what a Thunderbird nut I am. Back in '06 I sold my two best NRs. to pay some bills and take the family to Disney. I instantly regretted selling my near mint unbroken '67 that I had owned since 1980. As prices climbed through the roof I was beginning to think I would never find a replacement. I just scored this from my friend Baz a unbroken '69 one of seven made that year. Original case, cover, mutes ! I pick it up tomorrow, I am totally stoked!
69thunderbirdfrombaz.jpg
 
#11
porkdog324 said:
Beauty bass, bud.

Silly question though... What does it mean by "unbroken'?
Click to expand...

With Thunderbirds (especially older and vintage models) it's more difficult to find one that hasn't had it's headstock/neck broken. Due to the neck shape/profile/width, angled back/large headstock, and most often neck-heavy tendency.

So it tends to be specified when you're fortunate enough to land an "unbroken" model.:bassist:
 
#14
jason the fox said:
With Thunderbirds (especially older and vintage models) it's more difficult to find one that hasn't had it's headstock/neck broken. Due to the neck shape/profile/width, angled back/large headstock, and most often neck-heavy tendency.

So it tends to be specified when you're fortunate enough to land an "unbroken" model.:bassist:
Click to expand...


It has as much to do with a poor case design, it was quite common to break the headstock with the bass in it's case - Also, when these basses were new there were surprisingly few guitar stands that would correctly support an slightly unconventional shape, thus the bass would get leaned up against an amp and fall, also breaking the headstock. The advent of a better case design and stands means far less of this, I think it's a bit overblown anyway, I've fallen down onstage several times with a Thunderbird - no headstock breaks. Whew!
 
#15
TBird1958 said:
It has as much to do with a poor case design, it was quite common to break the headstock with the bass in it's case - Also, when these basses were new there were surprisingly few guitar stands that would correctly support an slightly unconventional shape, thus the bass would get leaned up against an amp and fall, also breaking the headstock. The advent of a better case design and stands means far less of this, I think it's a bit overblown anyway, I've fallen down onstage several times with a Thunderbird - no headstock breaks. Whew!
Click to expand...

Yeah they're a bit more sturdy than most people give them credit for.

I've managed to bash my headstock into a few cymbals and walls and its hasn't broken off.

It's taken some abuse as you can see:

1D7E746E-B36B-412A-A321-0A25179303B0-1211-0000011B095690A8.jpg


Anyway, congrats on the new bass godofthunder!
 
#16
'65-'69 NRs have one piece necks while the '63-'65 are made up of a nine ply laminate that is inherently much stronger than the one piece. NRs are much more prone to breakage that the Reverse.
 

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