• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

New Gibson Thunderbird

#61
I've only skimmed over this thread, but i thought it necessary to point out that the Epiphone thunderbird can EASILY cut through a metal mix. and also, that the t-bird tone lends itself especially well to down-tuning IMO/IME.

i have to agree with the poster that said alot of people are speaking without any real experience with this bass.
 
#62
TBird1958 said:
"PS I also hate Gibson as a company. How could you take faith in a company that blatantly abuses its customers? Their business model is to charge more for the same things since, in a consumer's mindset, if they pay more for the same item, it must be better. "

How is this different from say, Fender?
Do they not charge more for their comprable U.S product than they used to? Mind you I don't personally have a problem with paying for a U.S. built guitar regardless of the company, doemestic wages are higher etc, so I have no problem.
Click to expand...

The difference between a 2k Les Paul and a 2.2k Les Paul is not really that great, but Gibson will still try to sell you the 2.2k one.
 
#63
TBird1958 said:
"PS I also hate Gibson as a company. How could you take faith in a company that blatantly abuses its customers? Their business model is to charge more for the same things since, in a consumer's mindset, if they pay more for the same item, it must be better. "

How is this different from say, Fender?
Do they not charge more for their comprable U.S product than they used to? Mind you I don't personally have a problem with paying for a U.S. built guitar regardless of the company, doemestic wages are higher etc, so I have no problem.
Click to expand...

Look at this

Q:What else did you do?

A: I said we are going to increase prices. Prices were ridiculously low. And people said, the price has been decreasing 20% a year, how can you reverse that? I said I'm just going to double the prices on a lot of models. I actually tested it and got an inverse price curve. Basically it showed that every time I raised prices a certain amount, volume would go up.
Click to expand...

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


EDIT: This isn't even mentioning the shadier things Gibson has been doing in the past few years.
 
#64
Previous to buying mine I had read a lot of negative posts about Gibson's QC, unfortunately the local guitar shop dosen't have them very often so I could not pick & choose. When mine showed up there were minor paint mistakes where the wings joined the body on the back and globs of buffing compound on the fretboard. I didn't want to risk a worse problem so I kept the bass, but I won't buy another Gibson product sight unseen you shouldn't have to wonder if your $1700 bass is going to be flawed.
 
#65
muzikman7 said:
....globs of buffing compound on the fretboard. I didn't want to risk a worse problem so I kept the bass, but I won't buy another Gibson product sight unseen you shouldn't have to wonder if your $1700 bass is going to be flawed.
Click to expand...
Tony's right.
I got a white one in 2006 from a well-known online store. It had a LOT of buffing compound(pink) all around the machine head area. Other than that and the nitro taking a LONG time to dry out, I was more fortunate than others I've read about. If I ever buy another new one(i.e. a used 5'er or something), it will get tried and looked over in person OR have a pictures showing exactly where every "issue" is.

My '76, bought new back then from Sound City in New Orleans, had ZERO problems QC-wise. The 64's I got used back then also had ZERO problems other than fret wear and finish checking.
 
#66
GeneralElectric said:
PS I also hate Gibson as a company. How could you take faith in a company that blatantly abuses its customers? Their business model is to charge more for the same things since, in a consumer's mindset, if they pay more for the same item, it must be better. :rollno:
Click to expand...

now i totally understand your attitude towards the people on here/me....


but GE,you take stuff WAY to seriously. take a chill pill man.
 
#67
I owned a '96 Gibson TB that balanced perfectly and had no QC issues, which is rare IME with them, but not unheard of.

It is one of the coolest looking basses on stage, and has a unique and great tone for rock, at the very least. With Roto rounds it was cutting and sat solidly under the guitars a the same time. The only Gibsons I like more are the non-rev Thunderbirds.

I have no love for the Gibson corporation, but I don't really care one way or the other what they do or why, and I tend to base my judgments on what a bass feels, looks and sounds like in my hands, for a given use. The rest is irrelevant, as I buy used, don't use a company's CS, and as far as I know no one is using slave labour or grinding up babies to use in their basses. Sometimes a bass is just a bass.

As useful as it is to point out an instrument's versatility for different genres or styles of player, its lack thereof is not necessarily a drawback or a flaw. Why can't some things just be good at what they are?

The Epi is truly a different animal than the Gibson 'bird, and has little of the trademark tone I associate with the mahogany ones. I can't believe anyone would lump them together if they had really played both.

Anyway, their quirks are well known, and may or may not be present on a particular Thunderbird or a problem to a given player, but they are a viable option and everyone should have a go on one at least once to know what such an interesting and unique part of bass history is all about.
 
#68
Well, I like the firebird/Thunderbird looks but I haven't played any. To those who think the Thunderbird sounds muddy or something and still want a similar looking bass, check out the Gibson RD series. Similar body shape but complete maple construction. I have one and I really like it. It can provide a mighty sound. I know that the Hamer FB Bass (thunderbird body shape) has a nice sound, but it has different construction (no neck-trough) and electronics, so it is just for looks. It is a rare bass anyway.
 
#71
well, i just picked up an epiphone goth t-bird. it sounded good in the store and played well enough. i got it home and detuned it a whole step, which is what i have done for the past few years. i started playing through my m6 carbine w/ a 15" speaker cab and noticed i liked the sound better when it was tuned standard. i pulled out the tuner and went to tune it back, only to find the tunning key on the A string would only get to a bit flat of A then the peg would stop turning, even if i kept turning the key. lame. the bass was brand new, out of the box in the shop, so it hadn't even been abused as a demo model. i'm heading back to GC tonight to see if i can get a replacement, though i'm not sure how i feel about the QC on the product.
 
#72
monsterthompson said:
well, i just picked up an epiphone goth t-bird. it sounded good in the store and played well enough. i got it home and detuned it a whole step, which is what i have done for the past few years. i started playing through my m6 carbine w/ a 15" speaker cab and noticed i liked the sound better when it was tuned standard. i pulled out the tuner and went to tune it back, only to find the tunning key on the A string would only get to a bit flat of A then the peg would stop turning, even if i kept turning the key. lame. the bass was brand new, out of the box in the shop, so it hadn't even been abused as a demo model. i'm heading back to GC tonight to see if i can get a replacement, though i'm not sure how i feel about the QC on the product.
Click to expand...

first issue like that i've heard about them. i would try another one , and i would get heavier strings for it, maybe a .110 or .115 E. the heavier strings should make it sound epic tuned down, IMO
 
#73
Another issue with the T'bird, which hasn't been touched on is crowd reaction!

I'm serious here and I speak as a married man(!) but when I gig my T'bird I get a lot of comments about how the "bass player rocks" and definitely more interest from the opposite sex! If I play my P-bass, exactly the same set, I don't get half the comments!

I've laughed with my band about it and I've stopped not showing up with it 'cause they give me hassle!

What is it about the 'bird? It's naturally a wee bit more phallic than other basses, particularly as I wear it lower than any other of my basses. I say that slightly in jest, but I think the other reason may be that it is just so well suited for pumping out the bass in good rock music, that I actually change a little as a player when I'm playing it. I'm not talking about foot on the monitor stuff, but I'd certainly think I'm probably a little more animated!

Also, because of the 'birds looks, I think folks notice the bassist a little more too!

Anyway, playing live is about entertainment, which can be broken down into many parts, but obviously (for me) the fit of the T'bird works really well.

ps: IMHO it's a bit of a misnomer about the upper fret access. It's a bit like saying my car only does 0-60 in 7 seconds! For me, in a gig situation I'm only above the 14th fret maybe two or three times in 90 minutes!
 
#75
i got the gothic epiphone because it looks like the right choice for my goth/horror/punk/death-rock band Igor Spectre. our live show is an important part of what we do, and we need to "look the part." i played it and realized that it sounded fine and dandy and it played nicely. i just gotta get used to the 4 string coming off the 5 string Spector i've had for years.

El-Bob - thanks for the string advice.
 
#76
Too bad they discontinued the "studio" models. Every bit a Tbird, minus the neck-thru, several hundred bucks less, and also available as a 5 string. Lucky for me, I've got one, and every time I consider trading it off, I play it and fall in love all over again. It's a beast of a bass, and I can find no flaw in mine, ('05 or'06 model).
 
#77
monsterthompson said:
i got the gothic epiphone because it looks like the right choice for my goth/horror/punk/death-rock band Igor Spectre. our live show is an important part of what we do, and we need to "look the part." i played it and realized that it sounded fine and dandy and it played nicely. i just gotta get used to the 4 string coming off the 5 string Spector i've had for years.

El-Bob - thanks for the string advice.
Click to expand...

Not a problem :) string gauge can make a world of difference. :bassist:
 
#78
TBird1958 said:
^^^^^^^^

Couldn't have said it better, playing a Thunderbird in a rock band. Hell yeah!
Click to expand...
thats right --what could look cooler than a solid jet black no pickguard tbird for metal??
P1010109.jpg



hahaha probably your green one huh?..:D
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back