Thunderbird Club

[suededoesit]

I say that because 13 was the only year they ever made them and it was limited at that.

Sorry, but that was the LAST year they made them, again, which is not long ago by Gibson's standards. I'm looking at a 1974 right now. Just a quick Google search is all you need...

 

[wolfkeller]

Sorry, but that was the LAST year they made them, again, which is not long ago by Gibson's standards. I'm looking at a 1974 right now. Just a quick Google search is all you need...

Please share that, I have NEVER seen, on all my years of searching, found a lefty Gibson Thunderbird or even a reference to one. Please post that

 

[rodv66]

Like "Turning Japanese"? Or "Dancin' with myself?

No just history teacher joke. My mother in law's family was from Germany. They moved to the Dominican Republic in 1933 because the dad was monarchist and refused to stay in a country run by an Austrian corporal.

 

[suededoesit]

Please share that, I have NEVER seen, on all my years of searching, found a lefty Gibson Thunderbird or even a reference to one. Please post that

This is an SG.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

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?

Considering I'm pretty sure Gibson hasn't made a Thunderbird in the past 2 years doesn't help either

 

[wolfkeller]

This is an SG.

Ahhhh well there's the confusion. I thought u ment Thunderbirds only. Either way, I'm hopeful as well but Gibson has shown themselves to be morons.

 

[suededoesit]

Ahhhh well there's the confusion. I thought u ment Thunderbirds only. Either way, I'm hopeful as well but Gibson has shown themselves to be morons.

My bad, I was generally speaking of Gibson basses in lefty production. I probably should've been more focused in the Thunderbird Forum, but I suppose my beef with Gibson is their unavailability of basses for lefties. I for one, would be interested in not only different colors of the Tbird, but other models as well. Its unfortunate.

 

[kat888]

Hello fellow T-birders.

What opinions do you have on Epiphone Thunderbird Pro V fivestring? Seems and plays nicely enough, some setup issues. [...] Any experiences and thoughts?

-Sakari

IME horrible horrible pickups/electronics. They can be removed. The bass itself is sound. There are not a lot of PRO Vs around, so if you want it, buy it and gutting it can be your next project.

[update] @PillO's observation about the output is correct. The passive pickups in my PRO IV are hotter than the actives they replaced.

 

[kat888]

I go to the Bavarian inn. Bavarian Inn Lodge

I'm partial to Thuringian cuisine

 

[Gaolee]

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 there 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.

This is a great analysis, and it's a pretty good road map of what Gibson could do if they wanted to. How much does it really cost to offer more than one color for example, anyway? It couldn't be that much.

There's no point in sugar coating the fact that Gibson is screwing the pooch. If 7ender can charge more than $3K for an industrial product they built in a custom shop, the Gibson should be able to do the same. A Gibson isn't just the end product of a few parts made on a pin router, either. If you look at the complexity of a Thunderbird vs. the complexity of the average P or J, it's night and day. That's one of the reasons I like 'em. They are beautiful designs with beautiful details, not just some industrial product. I don't see why Gibson couldn't simplify the design a bit and hit a lower price point. Use different, less expensive materials and use simpler construction techniques. Then paint it. What's under the paint doesn't matter if it sounds good and feels good to play. And looks good.

One last thing. Until Henry J. goes away, I don't see anything good happening.

 

[Dadagoboi]

Anyone here designed, manufactured or marketed a product in the USA or elsewhere successfully? We seem to have quite a few experts on the subject...MBAs maybe?

 

[Gluvhand]

Anyone here designed, manufactured or marketed a product in the USA or elsewhere successfully? We seem to have quite a few experts on the subject...MBAs maybe?

So the criteria for voicing an opinion is having done it? The Internet laughs at you.

 

[JJR58]

May I interject for a quick moment.

As always, with my dumb luck, there is an Orville in the classifieds here.

And this sorry New Yorker has no dough.
It sure looks nice.......

 

[PillO]

Anyone here designed, manufactured or marketed a product in the USA or elsewhere successfully? We seem to have quite a few experts on the subject...MBAs maybe?

Yes I have, but not a musical instrument.

 

[Gluvhand]

May I interject for a quick moment.

As always, with my dumb luck, there is an Orville in the classifieds here.

And this sorry New Yorker has no dough.
It sure looks nice.......

This New Yorker, and Queens native, is in the same boat.

 

[PillO]

So the criteria for voicing an opinion is having done it? The Internet laughs at you.

I must post urgently - someone on the internet is wrong!

 

[JJR58]

This New Yorker, and Queens native, is in the same boat.

More like sinking ship.

Maybe we can right the boat.

 

[kat888]

Another way of looking at this is Gibson are flat out building guitars, while demand for their basses is very small. Why not farm bass production out to Epiphone and let them use Gibson pickups etc? Bird players are a discerning crowd and know Epis are good ... and there enough 2nd hand Gibsons floating around to satisfy those who really want the label or have the scratch for a vintage Bird.

 

[JJR58]

Another way of looking at this is Gibson are flat out building guitars, while demand for their basses is very small. Why not farm bass production out to Epiphone and let them use Gibson pickups etc? Bird players are a discerning crowd and know Epis are good ... and there enough 2nd hand Gibsons floating around to satisfy those who really want the label or have the scratch for a vintage Bird.

Now let's hope they get that supposed new Bird coming as good as some of the past Epi Birds.

And agreed, why not let Epiphone have there way with it?.

 

[PillO]

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?

Exactly the point I was getting at - there is a wide price gulf between Epiphone and Gibson. With a somewhat tightened price difference, you may b e able to attract aspirational buyers to the higher margin brand.

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.

To be clear, they should not lower the quality of the Epiphone product.

Also note that Epiphone offers a variety of price points, ranging from less expensive bolt-on to neck thru. If the neck thru Epiphones were $200 more and branded Gibson, they could sell as well or better than the Epiphone. I suspect that the market could be segmented - sell the same bass with both an Epiphone and a Gibson label and allow the brand conscious to spend extra (and I would be one that likely would spend the extra).