• 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.

Show Me Your Thunderbird Bass

#21
1.jpg


2.jpg


3.jpg


4.jpg


Ok, I know a couple aren't 'birds, but the Triumph sort of belongs anyway, the RD is close enough, and the EB has 'bird pickups, so it's an honorary 'birdie. :D

The last pic has the hos including Ibanez, Greco, and Epiphone Japan. The rest are various Gibsons (except for the Epiphone Embassy, which is a 'bird in everything but shape alone).

When I was young I didn't like the natural/sunburst 'birds all that much either, but these days I like 'em all. I still need a 63-64 reverse IV, but other than that I've finally got at least one of each stock model from every era. I guess I could always try to find one of those '91 three pickup customs, but I'd rather get the black twin of my '86 II (second pic on the right). Last I heard it was in Japan, but it was sold in '02 so I'm not sure where it is now. Anyone know?

P.S. I loves me some Thunderbirds!
 
  • Like
Reactions: ac100X
#23
That's a real awesome collection you've got there, I also dig the non-reverse Birds

How do those Greco Brids compare to the real thing, I have heard a lot of good things about those but can you verify?

Check [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] out...
 
#25
FenderHotRod said:
:hyper: WOW :hyper: What is the first bass called in this pic. I saw umm...shoot I can't remember his name right now, but he played on the Gov't mule Deepest End. I think he played a bass just like that. anyway I want one of those. How do ya get one? Bad G.A.S right now
Click to expand...

That would be a Gibson RD Artist bass. also used to good effect by Nirvana's Krist Novoselic. Who credits them for being really sturdy. He once remarked during an interview that he could toss his RD into a wall and didn't need to retune it after picking up.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

They came with an elaborate active system designed by the Moog Synthesizer company, which had a built in Compressor and expender circuit. The general Idea of them was that you plug them right into the desk, no need to bring an amplifier to a gig. If you think of it it IS a rather practical solution. The bass pictured is a very rare RD Custom Bass which had a flame maple top and body binding. This picture also shows the Seahorse headstock inlay.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The RD bass series also came in a simpler version, The RD Standard, with Single coil pickups (as designed by Bill Lawrence) and without the Moog electronics.

Invalid Link Removed
 
#26
page said:
Damn.......if you ever wanna sell one of those..........................
Click to expand...
Duly noted. :D

Blazer said:
That's a real awesome collection you've got there, I also dig the non-reverse Birds
How do those Greco Brids compare to the real thing, I have heard a lot of good things about those but can you verify?
Check [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] out...
Click to expand...
The Grecos are really nice but two things are different: The neck width at the nut is more like a P Bass (1 3/4") and the neck meets the body one fret later than the Gibsons. That might not sound like much but with a bass that long to begin with, you do notice it. I'm 5'11", and it's not uncomfortable, but it is different. The sound is very Thunderbird-like. Not exact, but in the ballpark and would probably be improved with better pots.

I know the guy who owns the red Funderbird and he really likes it. When I can afford it I will definitely be getting one. They look great and sound real good as well.

FenderHotRod said:
:hyper: WOW :hyper: What is the first bass called in this pic... How do ya get one? Bad G.A.S right now.
Click to expand...
RD Artist. They're on eBay a lot and go for between $700-1200 or so, depending on the color and condition. They're heavy (all maple), but sound great and are very different than the normal crop of basses you see out there. I'd really like to get a Standard RD as well. Those have different pickups and passive electronics. They usually cost about the same because they're actually more rare than the artist series.

Oops. I see someone already posted about the RD. Oh well, you get the picture... I like that natural standard!
 
#32
Ok, most of these aren't mine, but I've always been interested in Thunderbird copies as well as Gibsons and have come across all sorts of pictures of various brands that did a Thunderbird over the years. Some cheap, some very high end stuff. Like:

OrvilleThunderbirdwithrcopy.gif

Orville


Orville63Birdcopy.gif

Orville by Gibson


epiphonejapantbird.jpg

Epi Japan


EpiElitistThunderbirdcopy.gif

Epi Elitist


Epiphonewhitebird.gif


EpiphoneNRBird.gif


GothThunderbirdcopy.gif


Epiphone_bird.gif

Epiphone


GrecoBirdscopy.gif


76GrecoSB-850sized.jpg


WhiteGrecoBirdcopyarranged.gif


Greco_TB_IV.jpg


BlackGrecoBirdcopy.gif


whiteupsidedowngrecocopyarranged.gif


GrecoThunderbirdIIincacopy.gif

Greco


ibaneztbirdcopy.gif

Ibanez


BCRichPurpleBirdcopy.gif


BCRichBirdcopy.gif

B.C. Rich


jacksontbirdcopy.gif


94JacksonThunderbirdcopy.gif

Jackson


ESPLeftyBirdcopy.gif

ESP Lefty


Brian_Wheat_art_nabisco.gif

ESP custom non reverse body


benaventeThunderbirdcopy.gif

Benavente


JBThunderbirdcopy.gif

JB


NikkiBirds.gif


nikkilivewSpector.gif

Hamer & Spector


Fenderbird_2.gif

(Entwistle's) Fenderbird


lakland-fenderbird.gif

Lakland


FunderbirdRed.gif


Funderbird_black.gif

Hot Wire


TokaiBirdcopy.gif

Tokai


BriceTBburstcopy.gif


BriceTBwhitecopy.gif

Brice


Gould.gif

Gould


Brian_Wheat_Signature_Baker_Thumper_Bass_5.jpg

Fine Tuned Instruments
 
#34
Damn dude your like the T-Bird Freak.lol :)

Nice pic of Brian Wheat where did ya get that from? ;) .


I Like the ones with the p-style pickups in the Bridge and Neck. I'd like to have one of those bad boys.ummm

Nikki Sixx had a cool spector in the DVD "Motley Crue Greatest Video hits."

Ever since I have pulled my Epi. T-Bird out of the Closet I have become obsessed whit the Thunderbird. :D

I want to know If I replaced the T-bird pickups with EMG-Hz's would it be an upgrade or a downgrade from the stock pickups?


Come on people I know some of you guys bought the SX-copy of the T-bird lets see more. :hyper:
 
#38
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
#39
Nice T-bird collection, Vett-man! It reminds me of my bass cab collection! ;)

Here are a couple of admittedly rather poor shots of my T-bird in action and inaction.

The first is from a while back (must be pre 12/31/1999, because I still had long hair!).



And here's a shot of a rig for a largish outdoor gig (which must also be somewhat old, because that was back when I owned only six EA cabs - 18 and counting right now! :D).
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back