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Thunderbird Club

#27,701
Dr_Feelgoood212 said:
They used to make set neck Thunderbirds. It was the studio model. They're heavy as hell. Solid piece of wood as thick if not thicker as the middle portion of a neck thru
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All the Non Reverse are as well, I don't currently own one so I can't speak about the weight.
 
#27,707
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#27,710
BklynKen said:
When do you guys think the Gibson build quality started suffering?
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Seriously, in the 1960's. There were inconsistent aspects back then too. Carlo had mentioned that pickups used to be wound on a timer at one point quite some time back. The original Thunderbird bridge doesn't intonate properly (Thus, Scott's brilliant BadBird replacement) There is one bridge design that's rather lovingly referred to as "Evertilt". It goes on and on, they've just managed to succeed every now and then in spite of themselves.
 
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#27,711
TBird1958 said:
Seriously, in the 1960's. There were inconsistent aspects back then too. Carlo had mentioned that pickups used to wound on a timer at one point quite some time back. The original Thunderbird bridge doesn't intonate properly (Thus, Scott's brilliant BadBird replacement) There is on bridge design that's rather lovingly referred to as "Evertilt". It goes on and on, they've just managed to succeed every now and then in spite of themselves.
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Hah! Well I'm perfectly happy with mine, but I'm in a unique spot.
 
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#27,713
wolfkeller said:
I would not expect Gibson to ever do a lefty run again.
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Why so? It's not unusual in their production history to have 5+ years in between runs of lefty basses. And I think that we're well within that time frame now. It's also worth noting that up until a few months ago, their marketing team had already released a campaign with lefty production- both basses and guitars. And they have gone forward with new production on the guitar side, only deciding to NOT move forward with bass production.

I understand that there are financial issues going on with Gibson now, but to go from marketing new lefty production on basses just months ago (and yes, I'm aware they didn't go forward with that) to then say you, "would not expect Gibson to ever do a lefty run again" is a bit of an extreme stance. I'm curious why you feel that way? Do you have some insight into their production that we don't? What leads you to believe they would halt production on a product they have produced off and on for the last 50(?) years?
 
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#27,717
suededoesit said:
Why so? It's not unusual in their production history to have 5+ years in between runs of lefty basses. And I think that we're well within that time frame now. It's also worth noting that up until a few months ago, their marketing team had already released a campaign with lefty production- both basses and guitars. And they have gone forward with new production on the guitar side, only deciding to NOT move forward with bass production.

I understand that there are financial issues going on with Gibson now, but to go from marketing new lefty production on basses just months ago (and yes, I'm aware they didn't go forward with that) to then say you, "would not expect Gibson to ever do a lefty run again" is a bit of an extreme stance. I'm curious why you feel that way? Do you have some insight into their production that we don't? What leads you to believe they would halt production on a product they have produced off and on for the last 50(?) years?
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I say that because 13 was the only year they ever made them and it was limited at that.
 
#27,720
Gaolee said:
Why is Epiphone any bigger problem for Gibson than Squier is for 7ender? By all accounts, a Squier is generally high quality and holds its own even with US made 7enders. So, who buys MIA 7enders, anyway, and why? I don't know. I buy Gibsons, but I buy them used, so that probably doesn't count.
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Since you asked, I will give you my two cents, on the Fender lines and their flanker brand. First, they do some fun things with Squier (Classic Vibe series). They also do a fair number of artist models here. I think that just within Squier, there are about 3 lines (at different price points). They have cheap tuners but do the job. And some of them even have a decent "high mass" bridge (actually better than on MIM). No gig bag. Swap out the cheap pups - decent axe that you could gig and wouldn't kill you if it got dropped or stolen. I got my Classic Vibe J for around $300 - cool Inca silver with matching painted headcap.

MIM - great value at half price of American made. Probably the Epi of Fenders. Same parts as MIA in most cases. Electronics not top shelf but not crap. The bridge is pretty cheap and no string-through option, as on MIA. I have a P and a J. They are good basses and nobody could probably tell the difference, at gig or recording. They also make a Deluxe P or J that is active (but can't switch). No bag or case. Around $550 give or take the sale (and tax).

They have rebranded their American line. They are now called "pro" and "elite". I have older version of P that is now called "elite". It has P and J pups, with option to run active or passive. Comes with nice case. $1700 when not on sale. Prices jump up from here, as you get into limited runs of classic reproductions and then into custom shop.

Both the MIM and MIA give you a variety of colors and choice of maple or rosewood fretboard. Most bodies are alder. You have choices between P, J, Jag and Dimension in Squier, MIM and MIA (and the occasional Tele or Tele headstock for good measure).

One thing that I noticed is that, if it looks like Squier is eating into other sales, they raise their prices. I noticed that they bumped Classic Vibes up about $50 in past year, to around $400.

Gibson obviously offers very few choices by comparison. The 2015 Tbird was priced insanely high at retail. As others have noted, something must exist in the space between Gibson and Epi. Gibson was offering a scaled down Firebird this year, for under $600. I bought my Les Paul Tribute for under $800. Couldn't they do something similar with T-bird?

PRS guitars offers a Korean-made line and two different American lines. The lower tier MIA has 3 models and is about $1k or so. The other MIAs seem to be around $2k and up (and the company has expanded into selling basses).

So many people on here are drooling over the new Epi that is rolling out this summer. What about a scaled down Gibson for under $1k and do limited runs in a couple of cool colors (NR and R)? Some folks like to joke about the tort thing. How about Gibson learning that there are other finishes besides sunburst (Zzzzzzzzzz)? And are their pups, pots and wiring so state of the art that they couldn't offer some different (cheaper) options there? And they don't need to include coil tapping.

I saw a review of the new EB and they compared it to a Tobias because of body shape. It might be me but it doesn't look very rock and roll. It looks like it should come in a six string, to do Jaco solos. The 2013 (?) EB body looked cool.

I know that we like to joke around on this list that 7enders all look and sound the same. But they don't (just as all 7ender owners do not ask questions, like: is a P or J better when wearing black?). Consumers like variety. We like to sound AND look bitch'n, when we rock our basses. That 2014 cherry colored T-bird that was recently posted is very cool. So is the Pelham color or red, orange, purple, etc.

It is nuts that they have cannibalized Gibson bass (T-bird) sales by offering a quality alternative (Epi) at over 1/2 the price, with nothing in between.

I think that Gibson has just punted on basses. That or they don't know how to conduct focus groups.
 
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