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Thunderbird Club

Serial number data from a lookup, missing the truss rod cover. s/n 21112351273
Sorry to be such a pain but, does this all look ok. Got slightly burned on my last Reverb transaction and I'm a bit gun shy now, lol

"Date: November, 2021

Location: Samick, Indonesia

Info: Instrument no. 51273"

Edit: just got a picture ......

View attachment 5125013
Looks about correct. The knobs might not be original. The pickguard appears to be cracked at one of the screw locations. The bridge pup trim ring is missing screws, which warrants a question to the seller to confirm the pickups are original. On all Tbirds look closely at the headstock. If there’s any Nick or ding damage there look even closer at the side of the fretboard where it meets the nut to confirm there are no cracks in the finish.
If all checks out ok, it should be a nice bird, especially at that price.
 
@MCF opened up your case after a couple months and the bird was still in tune. Played it for about 90 minutes. Compared to my CP it has a lot more bass and good resonance. I think the pickups are too close to the strings as there seems to be some harmonics or a chorus sound. But that’s just setup, which I expect you’ll be doing in short order.
 
Well,
It was missing the black spacer on the bridge pup, screws missing, ugly knobs, and I didn't notice any problem with the pick guard as I couldn't take my eyes off of the finish cracks near the head stock. Super glue all over the area near the nut.

He claimed to have a new nut installed at GC in Phoenix ...... I asked why that wasn't mentioned in our conversation, especially with the super glue mess all over that area.
He was a nice, polite, clean cut young kid but, things were rapidly NOT adding up. I'm wondering if it might have been stolen or something but, I let it go by the way side.

I'll find one, maybe even a Gibson. I love my Gibson's!
 
Last edited:
Looks about correct. The knobs might not be original. The pickguard appears to be cracked at one of the screw locations. The bridge pup trim ring is missing screws, which warrants a question to the seller to confirm the pickups are original. On all Tbirds look closely at the headstock. If there’s any Nick or ding damage there look even closer at the side of the fretboard where it meets the nut to confirm there are no cracks in the finish.
If all checks out ok, it should be a nice bird, especially at that price.
Cracks in the finish aren't a problem. Cracks in the wood are, unless you can get a really good further discount and repair the crack.
 
Well,
It was missing the black spacer on the bridge pup, screws missing, ugly knobs, and I didn't notice any problem with the pick guard as I couldn't take my eyes off of the finish cracks near the head stock. Super glue all over the area near the nut.

He claimed to have a new nut installed at GC in Phoenix ...... I asked why that wasn't mentioned in our conversation, especially with the super glue mess all over that area.
He was a nice, polite, clean cut young kid but, things were rapidly NOT adding up. I'm wondering if it might have been stolen or something but, I let it go by the way side.

I'll find one, maybe even a Gibson. I love my Gibson's!
Sounds like an overpriced mess. The right Thunderbird will find you.
 
Well,
It was missing the black spacer on the bridge pup, screws missing, ugly knobs, and I didn't notice any problem with the pick guard as I couldn't take my eyes off of the finish cracks near the head stock. Super glue all over the area near the nut.

He claimed to have a new nut installed at GC in Phoenix ...... I asked why that wasn't mentioned in our conversation, especially with the super glue mess all over that area.
He was a nice, polite, clean cut young kid but, things were rapidly NOT adding up. I'm wondering if it might have been stolen or something but, I let it go by the way side.

I'll find one, maybe even a Gibson. I love my Gibson's!
Good move. You don’t soak a nut in superglue. Maybe a touch just to hold it in place until you tension the strings. Changing the nut on a relatively new bass is suspicious on it’s own.
 
@MCF opened up your case after a couple months and the bird was still in tune. Played it for about 90 minutes. Compared to my CP it has a lot more bass and good resonance. I think the pickups are too close to the strings as there seems to be some harmonics or a chorus sound. But that’s just setup, which I expect you’ll be doing in short order.
Thanks Dave. Yeah. I do all my own setups. I start at 4mm between the top of the pickup and the strings and go down or a little up from there. It’s a listening and feel thing.

Keep it out and play it as much as you want. The more the better. We want you lusting after a Gibson as your next Thunderbird.
 
Well,
It was missing the black spacer on the bridge pup, screws missing, ugly knobs, and I didn't notice any problem with the pick guard as I couldn't take my eyes off of the finish cracks near the head stock. Super glue all over the area near the nut.

He claimed to have a new nut installed at GC in Phoenix ...... I asked why that wasn't mentioned in our conversation, especially with the super glue mess all over that area.
He was a nice, polite, clean cut young kid but, things were rapidly NOT adding up. I'm wondering if it might have been stolen or something but, I let it go by the way side.

I'll find one, maybe even a Gibson. I love my Gibson's!
Good pass. It didn’t choose you. The damage on the pickup and the possibility that they may not be the original pickups is an issue. Those aren’t the original knobs. After your report, I’d classify it as a project bass worth $150 or thereabouts. It would definitely need to be refinished.

Keep an eye out here. We’ll definitely post anything we see that looks like a good deal. We would be honored to have you join us.

As for Gibsons, are you preferring a reverse like the VP style or are you open to a non-reverse like one of these beautiful Pelham blue ones that chose me?
IMG_2336.jpeg
 
I'd just as soon pay my money up front and not have head stock/neck issues.

This one "could" have been fine but, I didn't feel all warm and fuzzy about it and although I am not a wealthy man, I can afford to buy instruments that are in good condition.

I'd rather practice and play .............. than repair, generally speaking.
Good call my friend.
 
I'd just as soon pay my money up front and not have head stock/neck issues.

This one "could" have been fine but, I didn't feel all warm and fuzzy about it and although I am not a wealthy man, I can afford to buy instruments that are in good condition.

I'd rather practice and play .............. than repair, generally speaking.
My sentiments exactly. There’s too many good deals out there to jump on one that requires fixes right off the bat. To be honest, lately I’m finding the best used deals at Guitar Center and their return policy is beyond generous.
 
I'd just as soon pay my money up front and not have head stock/neck issues.

This one "could" have been fine but, I didn't feel all warm and fuzzy about it and although I am not a wealthy man, I can afford to buy instruments that are in good condition.

I'd rather practice and play .............. than repair, generally speaking.
These look to be in very good shape at a reasonable price, but approaching what you can get them for new on a sale.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Epiphone Thunderbird Bass Guitar (Queens, NY) | Reverb

If you want to spend more money on a Gibson then this one is a very good deal…
Gibson Non-Reverse Thunderbird Bass 2022 - Inverness Green | Reverb
I suspect he’d take a slightly lower offer
 
These look to be in very good shape at a reasonable price, but approaching what you can get them for new on a sale.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Epiphone Thunderbird Bass Guitar (Queens, NY) | Reverb

If you want to spend more money on a Gibson then this one is a very good deal…
Gibson Non-Reverse Thunderbird Bass 2022 - Inverness Green | Reverb
I suspect he’d take a slightly lower offer
Good spot George. Both of those are great deals with exceptionally low shipping charges. For that VP from NY to California would be close to $200.00. I’m not sure how Music Go Round (and GC) do it for $24.00. I’m tempted to, but won’t, buy that NR. I’d love to own the “trifecta” like @Instagator and run different stings on each.
 

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