• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Thunderbird Club

#294,081
JIO said:
That post sez' 2 II's in '63. I've also read 3 somewhere - if I'm correct there are 2 '63 II owners on the Thunderbird fb page. (???) ATC I'm feeling like it seems to be flexible historical information.
Click to expand...

I sure couldn't say, I know Jules' site (Fly Guitars) is very reputable, moreso than Gibson's s/n's! I have never read anything that stated what the s/n's of any supposed '63 Bird should be. Mine has a visible s/n but it's not really readable due to the headstock break, for all I know, it's a '63 - though I doubt it!

Interestingly some of the '70s stuff is rarer.
1976 Gibson Bicentennial Thunderbird bass >> FlyGuitars
 
  • Like
Reactions: Miles_ONeal, RedVee, dagrev and 4 others
#294,083
TBird1958 said:
I sure couldn't say, I know Jules' site (Fly Guitars) is very reputable, moreso than Gibson's s/n's! I have never read anything that stated what the s/n's of any supposed '63 Bird should be. Mine has a visible s/n but it's not really readable due to the headstock break, for all I know, it's a '63 - though I doubt it!

Interestingly some of the '70s stuff is rarer.
1976 Gibson Bicentennial Thunderbird bass >> FlyGuitars
Click to expand...
Which is why they have become so expensive as owners now realize it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RedVee and dagrev
#294,084
Happy girl.

IMG_3528.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: ectoflanger, Miles_ONeal, RedVee and 9 others
#294,085
GonePlaid said:
My current band works, partly b/c we all have so much experience in multiple genres. There are some fairly minor personality conflicts, but musically we're all pretty much on the same page. Been together since 2014.
Click to expand...
I play in a band that's lasted since 2009. The drummer and me are the only two original members, but we are still at it. It's entirely for fun, which takes a lot of pressure off. I play in a couple other bands at the moment, and they all work for the same reason.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: ectoflanger, Miles_ONeal, RedVee and 5 others
#294,088
TBird1958 said:
I sure couldn't say, I know Jules' site (Fly Guitars) is very reputable, moreso than Gibson's s/n's! I have never read anything that stated what the s/n's of any supposed '63 Bird should be. Mine has a visible s/n but it's not really readable due to the headstock break, for all I know, it's a '63 - though I doubt it!

Interestingly some of the '70s stuff is rarer.
1976 Gibson Bicentennial Thunderbird bass >> FlyGuitars
Click to expand...

I really wish I still had the postcard I got back from Gibson stating it was a '63 shortly after buying my 1st II in '74. I've searched everywhere for it as I can't image misplacing it. The only place it could have gone is if it was in the original HSC when it was stollen in '78, which ATC is likely. I don't even have a pic of it as easy-pics were not common like now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RedVee, dagrev, JJR58 and 3 others
#294,094
MCF said:
Hard to tell, but it looks like one set is USA and the other licensed? Is so, it’ll be interesting to see if you notice any practical differences as they age. They are mechanically different under the covers.
Click to expand...
Yes I went with USA to match the Drop tuner on my Orville.
I have the LIC version on 6 basses and USA on 2. Some have seen a fair bit of use. The only practical difference I've found is they aren't reversable.
I have another USA Drop tuner. It will probably go on the Ripper - just need to buy 3 matching tuners for it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ectoflanger, dagrev, JJR58 and 1 other person
#294,095
Engle said:
I've had similar experiences talking to some teachers. I think it's good to continually challenge your brain by learning new things.
It's sad (and surprising) to see people who teach children, stagnate intellectually themselves.
Click to expand...
I still enjoy learning new things and good conversations with others...even if we don't always agree.
COVID cheated a lot of students out of a few important years of learning too. Plus learning an instrument at an early age is a good way to expand a young mind too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chucky Stiletti, ectoflanger, RedVee and 3 others
#294,097
  • Like
Reactions: Miles_ONeal, RedVee, Stealth57 and 8 others
#294,099
Gaolee said:
That looks like it had a poorly done poly refinish that's coming apart. I don't think I have ever seen nitro flake off like that.
Click to expand...

I found a post from 2012 here on tb of the current owner who lives in the UK -

Sir Peter Overend Watts Gibson thunderbird is living in London where it is much loved and cared for by me. It is in full working order and very playable. The bad paint job with black headstock insert was done in the post Hoople ‘Mott' era.
The paint has not stuck to the bass and is acting more like a shell, the pieces of the paint that fall off have mahogany dust stuck to the back of them, so maybe it was just badly prepped.
I have put a load of new close up photos of the bass on photobucket and pulled out the pick up (which looks like it’s had a dark star in there at some point) for you guys to have a better look.
Photo Storage

Do you take it for what it is with its battle scars? Or do you refin and wipe out a little bit of Rock ‘n’ Roll history?

I’ve been asking myself that question for the last 20 years.

All the best
Kev.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ectoflanger, Miles_ONeal, RedVee and 5 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back