Reverse vs. Non Reverse Thunderbird… how similar?

[DaveParker39]

So, the Gibson Thunderbird is one of the basses I have been considering.

Unfortunately no one nearby has a Thunderbird in stock, apart from a non-Reverse. This is a new model, non-CS. I realize the non-reverse has a set neck vs. neck-thru.

Question is simple… if I dig the two pickup non-reverse Thunderbird (in terms of tone/feel) is it logical I would like the standard version?

 

[Haans]

I was about to ask the opposite. I love the non reverse, but can only find the regular one locally. Subbed.

 

[Goatrope]

I’ve got the 2021 NR and a 2018 reverse.

I like the new NR pickups better than what came in my 2018 reverse. I changed those out to Lollars, but the NR pickups I’ve kept.

My 2018 reverse has a thinner neck. 1.5” at the nut.

I had to move the strap button to the neck heel on the NR for it to balance to my liking. The reverse came that way and hung perfectly for me.

My reverse is much lighter than my NR.

You may want to check in at the Thunderbird club for more input regarding the current offering of reverse TBirds.

 

[TBird1958]

So, the Gibson Thunderbird is one of the basses I have been considering.

Unfortunately no one nearby has a Thunderbird in stock, apart from a non-Reverse. This is a new model, non-CS. I realize the non-reverse has a set neck vs. neck-thru.

Question is simple… if I dig the two pickup non-reverse Thunderbird (in terms of tone/feel) is it logical I would like the standard version?

They do sound a little different, the Non Reverse' pickups are reasonable repro's of Gibson from the '60s, that and the set neck are going to produce a somewhat "tighter" more focused individual note. The neck of the Non Reverse is notably larger as well, not so much in width as depth. I did write a review of 2021NR awhile back, I really enjoy that bass, it's solid and has a very nice tone, here's a review I wrote and a link to a Youtube as well.
Gibson 2021 Non Reverse Thunderbird - A short review

The Reverse will feel similar, but the neck is slimmer and my preference, so far Gibson has not used the Non Reverse' pickups on production Reverse models, so you'll see them with black plastic covered pickups that are a ceramic magnet type. These don't sound bad, but they're not much like the original Gibson design for tone, a Solid State amp and an articulate cabinet bring out the best of these pickups. I use reproduction pickups in a couple of my post 1988 Thunderbirds and like them quite a lot, they capture the tone of the '60s Gibson quite well.

My Non Reverse, I really dig this bass!

My 1989 Reverse, it has repro pickups, the neck is slim and very fast - One thing I've always liked about Reverse Thunderbirds.

 

[Haans]

My main basses are a Fender P and a Gibson EB2014, played with a pick and tube overdrive. Would the non reverse be a good fit for that grindy rock sound? I know, it's impossible to give a straight answer.

 

[TBird1958]

My main basses are a Fender P and a Gibson EB2014, played with a pick and tube overdrive. Would the non reverse be a good fit for that grindy rock sound? I know, it's impossible to give a straight answer.

The solo'd neck pickup on the Non Reverse is the BOMB, does that "P" thing, only better. What most "Bird" players want from Gibson is a II, single pickup in both Reverse and Non.

 

[FLAT EARTH]

My main basses are a Fender P and a Gibson EB2014, played with a pick and tube overdrive. Would the non reverse be a good fit for that grindy rock sound? I know, it's impossible to give a straight answer.

I have a 2019 American fender preformer pj, a 2021 Gibson NR, and a 2013 Gibson eb, too tell the truth the 2013 kicks both there butts, and the fender has geezer butler pickups. Although I can’t complain about any of them.

 

[Haans]

I have a 2019 American fender preformer pj, a 2021 Gibson NR, and a 2013 Gibson eb, too tell the truth the 2013 kicks both there butts, and the fender has geezer butler pickups. Although I can’t complain about any of them.

I've been underwhelmed by the Geezer so far, but to be fair I put it in a budget P. My AmStd P has a Curtis Novak PB-90 in it, which sounds amazing. I've thought about swapping the Geezer for DiMarzio DP122, but I should probably just get another Novak. The EB 2013/2014 is a monster - I've never for a second thought about changing anything about it. Would you say the NR fits in with them soundwise, or is it very different? I've always found old Thunderbirds to be a bit subdued and dark and the EB mudbuckers to be way to boomy and ill-defined for tight rock'n'roll. My impression is that the new NR is a different beast.

 

[FLAT EARTH]

I've been underwhelmed by the Geezer so far, but to be fair I put it in a budget P. My AmStd P has a Curtis Novak PB-90 in it, which sounds amazing. I've thought about swapping the Geezer for DiMarzio DP122, but I should probably just get another Novak. The EB 2013/2014 is a monster - I've never for a second thought about changing anything about it. Would you say the NR fits in with them soundwise, or is it very different? I've always found old Thunderbirds to be a bit subdued and dark and the EB mudbuckers to be way to boomy and ill-defined for tight rock'n'roll. My impression is that the new NR is a different beast.

Yes it is a different sound for sure, a little deeper but that 2013 just kills it in my opinion. I am lobbying the wife that I need another 2013 that I can paint so far I’m up against some tough resistance.

 

[Warpeg]

So, the Gibson Thunderbird is one of the basses I have been considering.

Unfortunately no one nearby has a Thunderbird in stock, apart from a non-Reverse. This is a new model, non-CS. I realize the non-reverse has a set neck vs. neck-thru.

Question is simple… if I dig the two pickup non-reverse Thunderbird (in terms of tone/feel) is it logical I would like the standard version?

It’s hard to compare reverse models’ tones; there are several iterations out there. For example, my 2015 reverse has hot, articulate, punchy EB pickups from the factory. It sounds far different than the various other stock reverse models out there. T-birds, generally speaking, are probably best played before purchasing.

 

[sc_precision]

The non-reverse have a more trebly sound like most Thunderbirds of that era with the silver chrome pickups compared to modern day Thunderbirds. Tho Epiphone have released vintage pro/60s Thunderbirds with the same chrome style pickups. I'd compare the tone to a Rickenbacker but a bit darker. Lemmy even used a Thunderbird before getting his Ric and putting a t-bird pickup in it. Lemmy said he only liked the Rickenbacker for the shape. Ric eventually made his own custom bass with the updated Ric pickups. Lemmy even moved the strap button on the Ric to the familiar location of Thunderbirds on the back of the neck.

I personally prefer the Thunderbirds. I don't really get on with Ric's after owning many. Too heavy for my shoulder and I find the neck pickup useless. I don't really find the shape all that appealing these days either because Ric made the horn slimmer. If I ever got one again it would be a 4000 or modify a newer one into a 4000.

 

[Goatrope]

Since the thread was revived, @DaveParker39, did you ever end up getting a Thunderbird, and if so, which one, and how has it worked out for you?

 

[DaveParker39]

Since the thread was revived, @DaveParker39, did you ever end up getting a Thunderbird, and if so, which one, and how has it worked out for you?

You know, I never did. I played a few and ended up moving on.

Although seeing some collections on here always makes me wonder.

 

[Goatrope]

You know, I never did. I played a few and ended up moving on.

Although seeing some collections on here always makes me wonder.

That's cool. You may stumble on to one eventually.

 

[Haans]

I, on the other hand, did eventually get one 3 years ago, almost a year after I started this thread. Exchange rates went ballistic, but a German music web shop did a Black Friday deal on a red one, so I went for it. I love it, but the pickups aren't exactly what I was hoping. I've reached out to Curtis Novak about making P90 type pickups for it, but so far it looks like it's not possible to make them small enough to fit as drop in replacements.

 

[Goatrope]

I, on the other hand, did eventually get one 3 years ago, almost a year after I started this thread. Exchange rates went ballistic, but a German music web shop did a Black Friday deal on a red one, so I went for it. I love it, but the pickups aren't exactly what I was hoping. I've reached out to Curtis Novak about making P90 type pickups for it, but so far it looks like it's not possible to make them small enough to fit as drop in replacements.

Did you get the reverse or non-reverse? Reason I ask is, Lollar makes a drop-in replacement for both, but the difference between the recent Gibson Non-Reverse pups and the Lollars is not as pronounced as it is with the Reverse.

On the Reverse, I found the Lollars really opened up the sound with richer highs and more detailed lows, if that makes any sense. With the Non-Reverse, I was happy with the OEM pups until one failed, which I replaced with a Lollar, which is pretty close in sound. Maybe slightly clearer.

Thunderbird Bass Pickups

Check out the deal on Thunderbird Bass Pickups at Lollar Pickups

www.lollarguitars.com

 

[Haans]

Mine is a NR. I really like the massive output and mid forward sound from the Novak PB-90 and Lollar Precision 90. It fits perfectly with the tube overdrives I use.

 

[Haans]

I, on the other hand, did eventually get one 3 years ago, almost a year after I started this thread

Oops, I confused this thread with a similar thread. I didn't start this one at all