Thunderbird Club

[suededoesit]

Anyone have any insight on Gibson's production with the lefties? There was a super big tease earlier this year that they were going into production once again. I understand that is no longer the case and they are not, as I've last heard. Anyone heard anything to the contrary?

 

[TBird1958]

Anyone have any insight on Gibson's production with the lefties? There was a super big tease earlier this year that they were going into production once again. I understand that is no longer the case and they are not, as I've last heard. Anyone heard anything to the contrary?

Given their poor financial status I don't see Gibson doing much with basses of any kind let alone lefties anytime soon. The one new model for 2017 will, no doubt, ride off into oblivion like so many before it.

 

[kat888]

That's a big ol' Acoustic Control amp, too. Sonic nirvana. Hauling around a gigantic, heavy beast like that is worth the effort. If you ever get a chance to play through one of those, you will find that it takes a little while to figure out how to use it. Then it's bliss.

I really like your single-minded devotion to vintage Acoustic amps and enjoy your descriptions of them. They fall into the 'not really for me' category (like most other amps) but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate them in other contexts.

 

[Gaolee]

But, if you have a left-handed and a right-handed one, and can play both in the correct orientation, perhaps you should get palindromic numbers?

When I was racing motorcycles, my number was 383. So, there you have it. I might have to learn to play lefty now. I can do a lot of things right handed or left handed already. Like sign my name. What did you think I meant?

 

[Gaolee]

I really like your single-minded devotion to vintage Acoustic amps and enjoy your descriptions of them. They fall into the 'not really for me' category (like most other amps) but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate them in other contexts.

They are their own thing. Kinda like Thunderbirds. I know what they sound like, how to get what I want out of them, and which ones I prefer over which ones I don't. I had a 370 head. That's some people's idea of the iconic Acoustic Control amp. I didn't like it that much. It had an arid, ragged sound that I think of as more like what Ampeg sounds like. Too much red and yellow. 360s have a bigger, juicier, rounder sound with more blue and green in the tone. The new one is just a tad drier than the old one, and it has a HF horn. It can sound modern if I want it to. The other one I really like is a 320 head through a 408 cabinet. That's probably the most versatile of them all. Biggest, too, although not the heaviest. Four 15 inch cones are a lot of acreage. The old 360 has a fantastic fuzz circuit and a really weird noisemaker they call an electronic tuning fork. The tuning fork is useless for anything practical, but it sure is fun to play with. The fuzz circuit on the new one is called growl, but it does pretty much the same thing. As an experiment, I played the P90 equipped archtop through it with the growl circuit adjusted different ways. It can sound very much like the same guitar through a little Gibson BR-9 amplifier that was made in the late 1940s. Except exponentially louder. Playing the upright through a 360, right at the edge of feedback, is one of those things you can't put into words. So, yeah, I love 'em. I don't mind schlepping them even though I'm well into my 50s.

 

[Gaolee]

Given their poor financial status I don't see Gibson doing much with basses of any kind let alone lefties anytime soon. The one new model for 2017 will, no doubt, ride off into oblivion like so many before it.

Way before it's time, too. I'm amused by the people crawling out of the woodwork to sing the praises of the previous EB, once it got discontinued. I thought Gibson had a winner with that one, and all that needed to happen was for them to make those long enough for them to find their market. Oh, well.

 

[RedVee]

To revert to Bonamassa for a momentary off-topic diversion.

I was on a family visit on Sunday as my cousin is in palative care now. Anyway, at his sisters house and her partner showed me the house, including the music room. What a collection of guitars, and a couple of nice amps as well.
Bonamassa? Well Rod's cheap electric is the 2015 Epi Les Paul Joe Bonamassa Sig (with Bigsby) in Inverness Green. One of only 2 solid body guitars he has.

Well, I picked it up as they kept saying 'pick it up' ... Heavy! Heavier than my Goth easily. Anyway, I will say that it a great looking, well put together guitar. I can see why anyone would like it, it looks 'grand'.

 

[ubernator]

Apparently the quality of the epihones for much lower cost has hurt Gibson. In the high price bass world, gibson users are a minority, or play models no longer sold like grabber and rippers so they just influence the vintage market.

And the pros playing thunderbirds have most of their fans in the epiphone Thunderbird IV price range, the classics and pros for those with a little more discretionary income.

Gibson isn't going anywhere as long as les Pauls, sg, v and explorers stay relevant. (Guitars)

Thunderbird is definitely the most relevant of the Gibson basses, but epiphone is killing the market by being so good for so much less.

Gibson, if you are listening, my only request would be one of them for the idea, well maybe an endorsement deal, but why not make a satin finish $899 range Thunderbird like the SG bass, chrome hardware, 3 point bridge, same pickups as the upcoming epi classic (or even that same bridge). Faded heritage cherry, natural mahogany stain, and the faded satin black would be the good colors to offer it in, with classic white pickguards. No bursts, no gloss, no heavy poly satin black ala goth/blackbird. Just the no frills thin finish with the wood grain not filled and glossed over. Like the faded series in the early 2000s when Les Paul's and SGs could be had in this way for $500-600. The 2013 SG bass is the inspiration for this idea. A usa made set neck Thunderbird for under a grand. It would not have to be neck through at that price.

Would anyone here bite?

 

[ubernator]

They have all kinds of nuts surprised you didnt know that unless you are talking anout the other side, then I got nothing...

The nut is super thin, almost wafer like, and the thread is pretty wide. Not a common arrangement I would think. They surely are OEM for that purpose.

 

[kat888]

The nut is super thin, almost wafer like, and the thread is pretty wide. Not a common arrangement I would think. They surely are OEM for that purpose.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[vdub75]

Gibson, if you are listening, my only request would be one of them for the idea, well maybe an endorsement deal, but why not make a satin finish $899 range Thunderbird like the SG bass, chrome hardware, 3 point bridge, same pickups as the upcoming epi classic (or even that same bridge). Faded heritage cherry, natural mahogany stain, and the faded satin black would be the good colors to offer it in, with classic white pickguards. No bursts, no gloss, no heavy poly satin black ala goth/blackbird. Just the no frills thin finish with the wood grain not filled and glossed over. Like the faded series in the early 2000s when Les Paul's and SGs could be had in this way for $500-600. The 2013 SG bass is the inspiration for this idea. A usa made set neck Thunderbird for under a grand. It would not have to be neck through at that price.

Would anyone here bite?

spot on!

 

[ubernator]

spot on!

I was gonna go all on mike watt mode few years ago with that SG, but it got stolen when still brand new, 2013. That sounded so good and was super easy to play. I kinda want a shorty again now! Can't afford a $500+ used bass right now. But I do kinda want a 32 or 30" scale jazz bass or PJ, sx with upgraded pickups would probably be good enough for me, but a beat up used Japanese fender medium scale jazz would be awesome.

Not sure how a short scale t bird would look, kinda kills the look if you scale down the body much I would think, since part of the bird appeal is the big body.

 

[kat888]

Today's P vs J thread for anyone who feels like a tinkle.

P vs J for a three piece band...

 

[ubernator]

Today's P vs J thread for anyone who feels like a tinkle.

P vs J for a three piece band...

Read a bit of that earlier. The answer was both

 

[kat888]

Read a bit of that earlier. The answer was both

... or neither.

 

[PillO]

Apparently the quality of the epihones for much lower cost has hurt Gibson. In the high price bass world, gibson users are a minority, or play models no longer sold like grabber and rippers so they just influence the vintage market.

And the pros playing thunderbirds have most of their fans in the epiphone Thunderbird IV price range, the classics and pros for those with a little more discretionary income.

Gibson isn't going anywhere as long as les Pauls, sg, v and explorers stay relevant. (Guitars)

Thunderbird is definitely the most relevant of the Gibson basses, but epiphone is killing the market by being so good for so much less.

Gibson, if you are listening, my only request would be one of them for the idea, well maybe an endorsement deal, but why not make a satin finish $899 range Thunderbird like the SG bass, chrome hardware, 3 point bridge, same pickups as the upcoming epi classic (or even that same bridge). Faded heritage cherry, natural mahogany stain, and the faded satin black would be the good colors to offer it in, with classic white pickguards. No bursts, no gloss, no heavy poly satin black ala goth/blackbird. Just the no frills thin finish with the wood grain not filled and glossed over. Like the faded series in the early 2000s when Les Paul's and SGs could be had in this way for $500-600. The 2013 SG bass is the inspiration for this idea. A usa made set neck Thunderbird for under a grand. It would not have to be neck through at that price.

Would anyone here bite?

I don't have any insight into Gibson's financial position (and I am not sure that anyone here does, as they are a private company and so do not publish their financials). But, manufacturing in the US is expensive, not because of the labour costs, but because of fixed production costs (regulations, taxes etc.). Having said that, I am not sure that Gibson can make a bass economically in the US for $899 delivered. And if they did, all their other US made basses would be devalued and they would have to start chopping prices.

I think that the availability of very good quality Epiphones at very good prices is the biggest hurdle that Gibson faces. Given that Gibson owns Epiphone, they are masters of their own demise.

There are two opportunities to fix Gibson's bass problem. First is straight pricing. The ratio of prices between Gibson and Epiphone is big, more than 2 times. It pushes many to Epiphone. A small reduction in Gibson price (10-25%) could change the ratio enough that many current Epiphone buyers would consider Gibson. The same could be achieved by raising Epiphone prices, although that would result in a decrease in sales that may not be offset by the increased profit from higher prices.

There is another approach that Gibson could take, but may not be as acceptable both within the company and amoungst consumers. Start making Gibson products off shore where fixed production costs are lower...

 

[rodv66]

I don't have any insight into Gibson's financial position (and I am not sure that anyone here does, as they are a private company and so do not publish their financials). But, manufacturing in the US is expensive, not because of the labour costs, but because of fixed production costs (regulations, taxes etc.). Having said that, I am not sure that Gibson can make a bass economically in the US for $899 delivered. And if they did, all their other US made basses would be devalued and they would have to start chopping prices.

I think that the availability of very good quality Epiphones at very good prices is the biggest hurdle that Gibson faces. Given that Gibson owns Epiphone, they are masters of their own demise.

There are two opportunities to fix Gibson's bass problem. First is straight pricing. The ratio of prices between Gibson and Epiphone is big, more than 2 times. It pushes many to Epiphone. A small reduction in Gibson price (10-25%) could change the ratio enough that many current Epiphone buyers would consider Gibson. The same could be achieved by raising Epiphone prices, although that would result in a decrease in sales that may not be offset by the increased profit from higher prices.

There is another approach that Gibson could take, but may not be as acceptable both within the company and amoungst consumers. Start making Gibson products off shore where fixed production costs are lower...

Gibson QC has been hammered by many musicians. Why spend so much more on sketchy workmanship? An Epiphone with Gibson pups and set neck is a logical alternative. I personally find my Gibson to be well made, but it is about 10 years old, before most complaints about QC began. I would not pay more than a grand for a new Gibson Tbird.

 

[Klondike]

The nut is super thin, almost wafer like, and the thread is pretty wide. Not a common arrangement I would think. They surely are OEM for that purpose.

I would take the other piece with. There is a fair chance of finding something that works, even if it isnt the exact thickness.

 

[Klondike]

I don't have any insight into Gibson's financial position (and I am not sure that anyone here does, as they are a private company and so do not publish their financials). But, manufacturing in the US is expensive, not because of the labour costs, but because of fixed production costs (regulations, taxes etc.). Having said that, I am not sure that Gibson can make a bass economically in the US for $899 delivered. And if they did, all their other US made basses would be devalued and they would have to start chopping prices.

I think that the availability of very good quality Epiphones at very good prices is the biggest hurdle that Gibson faces. Given that Gibson owns Epiphone, they are masters of their own demise.

There are two opportunities to fix Gibson's bass problem. First is straight pricing. The ratio of prices between Gibson and Epiphone is big, more than 2 times. It pushes many to Epiphone. A small reduction in Gibson price (10-25%) could change the ratio enough that many current Epiphone buyers would consider Gibson. The same could be achieved by raising Epiphone prices, although that would result in a decrease in sales that may not be offset by the increased profit from higher prices.

There is another approach that Gibson could take, but may not be as acceptable both within the company and amoungst consumers. Start making Gibson products off shore where fixed production costs are lower...

Agreed on most points. I think Gibson would do well to vastly improve their QC, that has to be at the top of the list. The production runs could be made outside the US as Spector has done. Keep a Custom Shop in the US for the extra special runs for people with more discerning income. Then Gibson could make two moddels of their two best sellers. Maybe Birds and SG's. Three years later add a limited edition reissue, three year run of the Ripper, after that a three year limited edition reissue of the Grabber. All of these would be available from the custom shop, hand made, at a higher price. And the QC must be through out the entire company. Let Epi continue but they cant have the same pups as the Gibson. Thoughts? Discussions?

 

[wolfkeller]

Anyone have any insight on Gibson's production with the lefties? There was a super big tease earlier this year that they were going into production once again. I understand that is no longer the case and they are not, as I've last heard. Anyone heard anything to the contrary?

I would not expect Gibson to ever do a lefty run again.