Thunderbird Club

[veebass]

Sure, as close as a Squier reissue comes to an original '55 Precision.

I get your point but would rate the Greco TB 11 more highly than the Squier 55 RI. I would say it is on a par with the Sting 54 P, which is not a bad bass in it's own right. I have an all original '56 Precision and a Sting and have played a number of the Squiers.

 

[dmac1961]

Orvilles and Grecos would be kin to Non Reverse Thunderbirds at least in terms of construction, - set neck. Of course the pickups are very different. To my knowledge there are both set neck and bolt on neck Elitiest, but don't quote me on that. So really other than a one off Alembic no one has made a neck thru multi ply version other than Gibson, for traditionalists that's an important part of the overall tonal vision.

The Elitist is set neck as well, but solid mahogany, not multi-ply.

 

[GBassNorth]

2006 Gibson Thunderbird Studio V 711106023199 | eBay

Price drop on this Studio V with free shipping. Now it's reasonably priced at $1,250 though it is a bit more beat up than I'd buy.

I'd be interested in the sub $800 range for a V in that condition. It needs a professional paint job that would run several hundred bucks to make it right again after which it would be a $1200 players bass (the refin would destroy any long term collector value). Nothing wrong with player basses as long as they aren't priced like collector basses. JMHO

 

[Dadagoboi]

I get your point but would rate the Greco TB 11 more highly than the Squier 55 RI. I would say it is on a par with the Sting 54 P, which is not a bad bass in it's own right. I have an all original '56 Precision and a Sting and have played a number of the Squiers.

I owned a '55 Precision and also own a MIJ 51 RI (same bass as the Sting but no contour or stupid inlay). IMO the '55 was far superior: neck, body (weight and material), and sound IMO.

I've owned an Orville by Gibson which is a notch above an Orville, which is a notch above a Greco. They all use the same pickups with varying levels of hardware (cheaper gotohs on the Greco) and were all made in the same factory. They are all set neck with three point bridge and inferior body work to the original.

You may like them and they may be excellent basses but why compare them to an original, especially one you've never seen or played.? Better to compare them to the bass they were designed to emulate: a Bicentennial or late 20th century TBird, cost cutting reissues of the original.

This subject seems to pop up every few weeks or so. Why is that?

 

[Larry V]

I'd be interested in the sub $800 range for a V in that condition. It needs a professional paint job that would run several hundred bucks to make it right again after which it would be a $1200 players bass (the refin would destroy any long term collector value). Nothing wrong with player basses as long as they aren't priced like collector basses. JMHO

For me as a player's bass I'd not refinish it. Just play the heck out of it and not worry about the finish. As for mine, it's minty and I wouldn't consider selling it for less than $1,500 plus shipping. On second thought, $1,200 is a bit high for as beat up as it is but I don't think $1,000 including shipping is out of the question. The shipping on that beast w/OHSC is high.

 

[TBird1958]

I've owned an Orville by Gibson which is a notch above an Orville, which is a notch above a Greco. They all use the same pickups with varying levels of hardware (cheaper gotohs on the Greco) and were all made in the same factory. They are all set neck with three point bridge and inferior body work to the original.

You may like them and they may be excellent basses but why compare them to an original, especially one you've never seen or played.? Better to compare them to the bass they were designed to emulate: a Bicentennial or late 20th century TBird, cost cutting reissues of the original.

This subject seems to pop up every few weeks or so. Why is that?

I should have finished my post up with something like what you're saying here Carlo, I really like my Greco and Orville, they're fun, cool basses in their own right, but they certainly aren't "the real deal" when it comes to tone. Play what you love, love what you play.

 

[veebass]

I owned a '55 Precision and also own a MIJ 51 RI (same bass as the Sting but no contour or stupid inlay). IMO the '55 was far superior: neck, body (weight and material), and sound IMO.

I've owned an Orville by Gibson which is a notch above an Orville, which is a notch above a Greco. They all use the same pickups with varying levels of hardware (cheaper gotohs on the Greco) and were all made in the same factory. They are all set neck with three point bridge and inferior body work to the original.

You may like them and they may be excellent basses but why compare them to an original, especially one you've never seen or played.? Better to compare them to the bass they were designed to emulate: a Bicentennial or late 20th century TBird, cost cutting reissues of the original.

This subject seems to pop up every few weeks or so. Why is that?

Not sure why it comes up, Carlo. Just discussion, I guess.
The way I read it, Redvee had asked me and Mark a question, probably because he knows we have Greco Birds, and you had responded before I saw his question. Which is cool, you have greater experience with all the relevant instruments and your opinion is valued.
If I had seen his question before you responded, I would have said I can't compare a Greco TB 11 with an original Gibson TB 11 because I have never seen the latter. BTW it also be difficult for me to compare a Greco TB11 to a Bicentennial for the same reason (only ever seen one of them come up for sale in Australia and I understand it sold and left the country about 10 years ago). I would probably have added that they are quite different in construction and materials from what I understand but that you could probably give a better answer.
The way I took your response was that you likened the comparison of a Greco TB 11 to an original Gibson TB 11 to the comparison of a Squier 55 RI to an original 55 P.
As I said, I get your point and I wasn't actually comparing a Greco TB 11 to an original Gibson TB 11 because I couldn't. As you rightly say, I haven't seen or played an original. Try as I may, they are like rocking horse ...... in Australia. As an aside, if there had been an early 60s TBird available in Australia when I bought my 56, I would have bought the TBird. Also, I sometimes regret not buying the one Bicentennial I have seen here. I bought a 73 Telecaster Bass owned by Steve Kilby instead.
I was simply trying to say I rate the Greco more highly than the Squier 55 P. , more to the level of a Sting. Just my opinion.
The Sting (12th fret insert aside) is clearly a better knock off than the Squier 55 IMO and my old '56 blows the doors off both of them, for all the reasons you mention.

 

[RedVee]

Oops, I created a mess.

I was just trying to get an idea after the fulsome praise the 64 TB II received a post or two above mine. I know the Japanese ones mentioned have fans and I'm not likely to even see an original. I just wanted a comparison on the relativity of them to the original.
I'm a bit fascinated by the single pickup versions at the moment.

I'll crawl back into my hole now.
Enjoy Anzac Day.

 

[willsellout]

Finally back after a couple month deployment and the first thing I did was pick up the T-bird and it was perfectly in tune and sounded like the voice of god...as always. Man I missed that bass!

 

[veebass]

Oops, I created a mess.

I was just trying to get an idea after the fulsome praise the 64 TB II received a post or two above mine. I know the Japanese ones mentioned have fans and I'm not likely to even see an original. I just wanted a comparison on the relativity of them to the original.
I'm a bit fascinated by the single pickup versions at the moment.

I'll crawl back into my hole now.
Enjoy Anzac Day.

Have a great Anzac Day!

 

[Count Bassie]

Finally back after a couple month deployment and the first thing I did was pick up the T-bird and it was perfectly in tune and sounded like the voice of god...as always. Man I missed that bass!

That's cool. I can relate.

 

[Gaolee]

Who's played through an Acoustic 136 combo? How was your experience?

I have had a 126 combo, which is essentially the same thing, only the slightly later version, for more than 35 years. Aside from being bomb proof and way louder than it has any right to be, these are my thoughts. It sounds more like an Acoustic 370 head than a 360 or 320. It's a little drier and doesn't bloom like a 360 does, if that makes sense. I prefer a 360 sound, but given a 126 or an Ampeg, I'll take the 126 unless the Ampeg is a B15.

If you are looking for an amp that will last forever and take a beating, the only thing that comes close is old Peavey solid state. Acoustic and Peavey set the standard for bomb proof, in my opinion. If you have a chance to pick up a 126 or 136 for a decent price, and don't mind the weight, you won't regret it. It won't fill a stadium, but it's plenty for most of what any of us get up to. No DI capability, so keep that in mind. I run pedals through mine without issue. I don't gig with it because I have a 360 for raw power and visual insanity, and a little Carvin combo for venues where rolling in a stack is so inappropriate that even I don't do it.

 

[TBird1958]

Finally back after a couple month deployment and the first thing I did was pick up the T-bird and it was perfectly in tune and sounded like the voice of god...as always. Man I missed that bass!

Thank you for your service!

 

[bylar13]

Here is an interesting one in the TB classifieds:

For Sale - Mike Lull T4 - Excellent condition ++++ !!!

 

[Count Bassie]

I have had a 126 combo, which is essentially the same thing, only the slightly later version, for more than 35 years. Aside from being bomb proof and way louder than it has any right to be, these are my thoughts. It sounds more like an Acoustic 370 head than a 360 or 320. It's a little drier and doesn't bloom like a 360 does, if that makes sense. I prefer a 360 sound, but given a 126 or an Ampeg, I'll take the 126 unless the Ampeg is a B15.

If you are looking for an amp that will last forever and take a beating, the only thing that comes close is old Peavey solid state. Acoustic and Peavey set the standard for bomb proof, in my opinion. If you have a chance to pick up a 126 or 136 for a decent price, and don't mind the weight, you won't regret it. It won't fill a stadium, but it's plenty for most of what any of us get up to. No DI capability, so keep that in mind. I run pedals through mine without issue. I don't gig with it because I have a 360 for raw power and visual insanity, and a little Carvin combo for venues where rolling in a stack is so inappropriate that even I don't do it.

Cool. I was hoping to get feedback from a seasoned Acoustic veteran! Seiiling off a few things, and it'll weigh less than what I've been hauling around...

Thanks for the reply, @Gaolee !

P.s. I'm paying $250 for it...

 

[Count Bassie]

Finally back after a couple month deployment and the first thing I did was pick up the T-bird and it was perfectly in tune and sounded like the voice of god...as always. Man I missed that bass!

And likewise, thank you for your good forward energy! I never served... I'm trying to raise citizens who are better than me though....

 

[hillerup]

Not sure why it comes up, Carlo. Just discussion, I guess.
The way I read it, Redvee had asked me and Mark a question, probably because he knows we have Greco Birds, and you had responded before I saw his question. Which is cool, you have greater experience with all the relevant instruments and your opinion is valued.
If I had seen his question before you responded, I would have said I can't compare a Greco TB 11 with an original Gibson TB 11 because I have never seen the latter. BTW it also be difficult for me to compare a Greco TB11 to a Bicentennial for the same reason (only ever seen one of them come up for sale in Australia and I understand it sold and left the country about 10 years ago). I would probably have added that they are quite different in construction and materials from what I understand but that you could probably give a better answer.
The way I took your response was that you likened the comparison of a Greco TB 11 to an original Gibson TB 11 to the comparison of a Squier 55 RI to an original 55 P.
As I said, I get your point and I wasn't actually comparing a Greco TB 11 to an original Gibson TB 11 because I couldn't. As you rightly say, I haven't seen or played an original. Try as I may, they are like rocking horse ...... in Australia. As an aside, if there had been an early 60s TBird available in Australia when I bought my 56, I would have bought the TBird. Also, I sometimes regret not buying the one Bicentennial I have seen here. I bought a 73 Telecaster Bass owned by Steve Kilby instead.
I was simply trying to say I rate the Greco more highly than the Squier 55 P. , more to the level of a Sting. Just my opinion.
The Sting (12th fret insert aside) is clearly a better knock off than the Squier 55 IMO and my old '56 blows the doors off both of them, for all the reasons you mention.

Having the bass that may have played on "The Unguarded Moment" definitely counts for something in my book!

Is that the pink paisley Telecaster featured on the video?

 

[kat888]

Having the bass that may have played on "The Unguarded Moment" definitely counts for something in my book!

Is that the pink paisley Telecaster featured on the video?

Kilbey doesn't know what to do with his hands since he sold it.

 

[JIO]

Here is an interesting one in the TB classifieds:

For Sale - Mike Lull T4 - Excellent condition ++++ !!!

The fb woodgrain is bea-u-ti-ful.

 

[JIO]

I should have finished my post up with something like what you're saying here Carlo, I really like my Greco and Orville, they're fun, cool basses in their own right, but they certainly aren't "the real deal" when it comes to tone. Play what you love, love what you play.

+1

 

[JJR58]

Oops, I created a mess.

I was just trying to get an idea after the fulsome praise the 64 TB II received a post or two above mine. I know the Japanese ones mentioned have fans and I'm not likely to even see an original. I just wanted a comparison on the relativity of them to the original.
I'm a bit fascinated by the single pickup versions at the moment.

I'll crawl back into my hole now.
Enjoy Anzac Day.

No more of a mess that hasn't already been created.