Thunderbird Club

[dagrev]

Leave it to Mike & Mikes Guitar Bar -

1964 Gibson Thunderbird II Reverse Body Vintage Bass Pelham Blue w/ Case | eBay

You know, '64s that are in near original condition are going/listed for crazy money these days, I'm not so sure if that can be had for a negotiated price it wouldn't be a viable option. A nice refin could make that a excellent player--or left as is. I'd leave it that way and smooth out any rough spots on the neck. I didn't spend a lot of time taking a deep look, but if the seller is reasonable it could become a good option. The problem is, when a seller/shop gets a vintage instrument where a little over 700 (IIs) were made, they think they hit the powerball.

The finish looks really old. Maybe made that way. The odd shading on the from is odd. Light in some places and darker in others. And they don't seem to be where you might think. Other than the chunk missing in the front, it looks solid. No such thing as an affordable Thunderbird these days, even more so when unbroken.

 

[dagrev]

Just in case anyone wants a really clean one.
Gruhn Guitars

 

[Ringhammer]

There's one in the classifieds.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/2023-gibson-thunderbird-g2-1799.1650114/

This seems like a good price for one of these, although the shipping puts a sharp dent in that…


Gibson GENE SIMMONS G2 THUNDERBIRD EBONY | eBay

 

[Rickplaysbass]

There's one in the classifieds.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/2023-gibson-thunderbird-g2-1799.1650114/

That's the exact one that has me thinking.

I'm sure many of you have seen my Blue Mike Lull T5 on Reverb. It's got a high tag on it cuz I'm not really looking to move it, but everything's got a price right? I've turned down 4k and 4500. Had it been 45 on here instead of reverb I would've sold it. Maybe I should be offering it up in here to someone who'd truly appreciate it before fully considering parting with it.

Either way looks like I'm running to check out a G2 at nearby store today. Thanks @5StringBlues

 

[JJR58]

Thursday offerings.

 

[TBird1958]

Thank you for the nice pic of Chuck and I.

 

[JJR58]

Thank you for the nice pic of Chuck and I.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Thank you for the nice pic of Chuck and I.

love the one of Irv….that germanic look and the VU meter and control panel on the amp looks like early Sonar in a U-Boat…

 

[MCF]

This seems like a good price for one of these, although the shipping puts a sharp dent in that…


Gibson GENE SIMMONS G2 THUNDERBIRD EBONY | eBay

Actually the ad indicates "$1799 shipped." That's a good price given the latest $2799 new price. And no tax!

 

[Engle]

Quite a beauty - amber'd to a jade green. Pelham blue would have been a rare colour then - most in '64 were brown-burst.

It's a relic refinish.

 

[MCF]

That's the exact one that has me thinking.

I'm sure many of you have seen my Blue Mike Lull T5 on Reverb. It's got a high tag on it cuz I'm not really looking to move it, but everything's got a price right? I've turned down 4k and 4500. Had it been 45 on here instead of reverb I would've sold it. Maybe I should be offering it up in here to someone who'd truly appreciate it before fully considering parting with it.

Either way looks like I'm running to check out a G2 at nearby store today. Thanks @5StringBlues

If times were better, I'd bite the bullet and take your Lull. But there is no way to swing that anytime soon.

 

[Engle]

Hey @Engle ,

I don't recall if we've talked about 54-40. Took a dive down a rabbit hole. They're doing a Canadian tour starting this month. I wish I could go.

They are locals. I've heard all the hits too many times on the classic rock stations!
My cover band recently started playing Ocean Pearl. It's got an interesting rhythmic thing going on I never heard before I played it.

 

[Engle]

There's one in the classifieds.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/2023-gibson-thunderbird-g2-1799.1650114/

That's a good deal!

 

[WillyW]

Any of y'all have any experience with or opinions or the Gibson Thunderbird G2s (Gene Simmons)???

There's one in the classifieds.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/2023-gibson-thunderbird-g2-1799.1650114/

I was actually kinda excited to get one, but hadn't gotten over the sting of getting an Al Cisneros Rickenbacker...

I still wouldn't mind having one, but I just got two of the sparkly epimophaoms....

I really would LOVE the Gene Simmons EB, but the price is WAY out of reach....

 

[MCF]

They are locals. I've heard all the hits too many times on the classic rock stations!
My cover band recently started playing Ocean Pearl. It's got an interesting rhythmic thing going on I never heard before I played it.

I've liked them for years. Got into them back in the day along with the Tragically Hip. TH got big down here, but 54-40 was the victim of a horrible lack of record company support. They have a huge catalog with a lot of great music. And some that is sort of mediocre. Ocean Pearl is one I like.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Thank you for the nice pic of Chuck and I.

you just want that NR....

 

[MCF]

I was actually kinda excited to get one, but hadn't gotten over the sting of getting an Al Cisneros Rickenbacker...

I still wouldn't mind having one, but I just got two of the sparkly epimophaoms....

I really would LOVE the Gene Simmons EB, but the price is WAY out of reach....

They seem like an updated Studio to me, what with the set neck, the flat top, the Tbird+ pickups, etc. I like the binding and the inlays. But the silly graphic on the pickguard looks ridiculous to me and would have to go were I to ever get one.

 

[JIO]

It's cool how they change color with age. I've also seen LPB 7enders that have done that.

Yep - "amber-ing" is yellowing and yellow + blue = green. How dominant it becomes depends on time, heat & UV rays.

Here's a good example of varied time/condition-related amber-ing. Olympic white, seen above the pu in its original state, under the pg with some yellowing, and the body more amber-ing.

Not sure what blocked the sun/heat from the back...

 

[JIO]

You know, '64s that are in near original condition are going/listed for crazy money these days, I'm not so sure if that can be had for a negotiated price it wouldn't be a viable option. A nice refin could make that a excellent player--or left as is. I'd leave it that way and smooth out any rough spots on the neck. I didn't spend a lot of time taking a deep look, but if the seller is reasonable it could become a good option. The problem is, when a seller/shop gets a vintage instrument where a little over 700 (IIs) were made, they think they hit the powerball.

The finish looks really old. Maybe made that way. The odd shading on the from is odd. Light in some places and darker in others. And they don't seem to be where you might think. Other than the chunk missing in the front, it looks solid. No such thing as an affordable Thunderbird these days, even more so when unbroken.

My guess all of it was more recently made to look old. Relic-ing/artificial distressing can be done very well, or like that. The goal is to convincingly/approximately allude to how player interface creates wear. The back of the neck and lower G-side of the body would never be gouged like that from constant playing for years, unless you were the Creature of the black Lagoon! And amber-ing is replicated by shooting amber clear lacquer (Stew Mac sells it) over Pelham blue (available at a few sources) The fact it was Pelham was a bit of a giveaway as I noted earlier that it would be a rare colour for '64 and if real would be way more expensive.

Prices are crazy, so for today's asking prices it being under $10k would be worth a nice refinish.

'61 Jazz bass refinished and still going for crazy money - it is very nice...

1961 Fender Jazz Bass "Stack Knob" in a beautiful see-thru Ash Body Blonde WOW ! | eBay

This is a prime example of how NOT to do relic-ing...

 

[JIO]

It's a relic refinish.

Yah, I failed to read the copy on it.