Thunderbird Club

[JJR58]

This guy!

This girl

 

[TBird1958]

Man, I see a lot of ppl crapping on this bass. I used it last night and I'll tell ya it is my favorite thunderbird. The balance and playability are amazing. The tone is thunderous, and I just love the neck profile. Comfy Pbass kind of feel. The look and the binding is killer. I got this one for a steal.. Just an amazing bass. View attachment 7038235

I have no doubt that it's a great sounding bass, everything I've read about it posted by people that actually own it is very positive. Set neck and De Cola pickups = a modern Thunderbird, it kind of reminds me of my Jackson TBX in a very good way.
It's a "popular thing" for Hipster types to slag both Gene and Gibson, since these folks commonly don't have any first hand real knowledge about either, I find it helpful to dismiss these folks - Not always politely.
TLDR; It's a really cool bass, don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

 

[Stealth57]

Congratulations. Being a grandfather is the best. My four grandkids call me the hug monster.

Mine call be Bad Grandpa.

 

[GBassNorth]

I am officially in the Tbird Grandfather Club as of a week ago. Meet my granddaughter Clementine Carolynne. I am already planning a Tbird build for her so she grows up knowing the correct style of bass to play. Might be a couple of years before she is big enough to actually play it.

Such a cutie! Congrats Andy.
When you get to the Great Grandpa stage you can join me, I jumped in that club 3 years ago. Now I’m feeling really old.

I just ran across this, thought I'd share in light of some of the conversations that have gone down here about this company.

Ouch! No mixed message there. Did this happen under the current Gibby leadership?

Man, I see a lot of ppl crapping on this bass. I used it last night and I'll tell ya it is my favorite thunderbird. The balance and playability are amazing. The tone is thunderous, and I just love the neck profile. Comfy Pbass kind of feel. The look and the binding is killer. I got this one for a steal.. Just an amazing bass. View attachment 7038235

Actually, I love the looks of that bird as well as the Rex bird. The binding and DeColas really set it off as something much more than just another Tbird in the line up, a very special bass. I always keep a keen eye open on the used market for a sweet deal on this bass. Play it with pride and just smile at the scoffers that know so little about such a great bass.

 

[MCF]

yeah, apparently the two cities hotly dispute the “Music Capital” title…..meanwhile you fly into SFO and all you get is ancient pics of Santana, Bonnie Raitt and Jerry Garcia…….cheapskates..

No Bennett?

 

[JIO]

Thank you Andy. You know my love for BaCHs. It definitely has a good home.

I think you’re right. It makes sense, as it sure looks like the pickup from the LP bass. It’ll likely stay as is. Although I will have the rout modded a tiny bit to allow the pickup height to be adjusted. Scott’s guard is nice.

The guy obviously did some adventuring in the control cavity. He bent the cap into a different position and it looks like he fussed with solder joints.

The main issue is what he did to the headstock. You had the stock tr cover on it and the top hole for it is there. But he put something else on and left a buggerd hole from a top screw higher up.
View attachment 7023018

And I’m pretty sure he used CNA in the nut slot. Ugh. I can’t budge the nut. But it appears to be a Tusq nut, not the molded plastic as came stock.

The hs finish/fogged halo delaminate caused by the screw-hole may be able to be visually minimized by using black-brown stain. It would take finesse using a small art-brush dipped in the stain and gingerly entered at the screw-hole. The stain should seep into the fogged area and minimize it enough to visually disappear. No guarentee it will fix it but it's worth a try.

 

[MCF]

The hs finish/fogged halo delaminate caused by the screw-hole may be able to be visually minimized by using black-brown stain. It would take finesse using a small art-brush dipped in the stain and gingerly entered at the screw-hole. The stain should seep into the fogged area and minimize it enough to visually disappear.

Thanks Geo. I may try that as a temp fix until I have the spare funds for a refin.

 

[JIO]

Epiphone Thunderbird '64 Bass Guitar Ember Red | eBay

GOOD LUCK!

www.ebay.com

 

[MCF]

View attachment 7038259

Thanks.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

WW….

 

[TBird1958]

WBW

 

[dagrev]

Mine call be Bad Grandpa.

For some reason I'm not finding that hard to believe.

 

[dagrev]

Epiphone Thunderbird '64 Bass Guitar Ember Red | eBay

GOOD LUCK!

www.ebay.com

I would bid on it but there is no separate case/bag for the headstock. Count me out.
Would make for a great bird resurrection project for someone.

 

[dagrev]

WW….
View attachment 7038410

I tell myself it doesn't look good...but it doesn't work or help.

 

[Stealth57]

For some reason I'm not finding that hard to believe.

And if they are mad at me, they call me Good Grandpa to make me mad.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I tell myself it doesn't look good...but it doesn't work or help.

Ha!..yeah, just hideous…….]
I try to imagine myself walking into a music store in 68 and seeing that hanging from a rack….what awesome times…..

 

[JIO]

It’s been discussed in several threads. Andy Fields, the current designer of the bass division, ain’t talking. For obvious reasons. It isn’t clear if Randall was fired, formally retired, or his contract that he entered into at the time of the sale expired and they just couldn’t come to terms. He’s a legend. He grew a garage business into one of the most recognized names in the industry. I’m a huge Mesa fanboy. And will continue to be one. The Subway line is phenomenal. At least IMO. And the predecessor 400’s, M-Pulses, Prodigy, Walkabouts, and Carbines pushed the envelope of bass amplification. He was hands on, on both the guitar and bass sides. Mesa will be fine. And continue the legacy.

 

[JIO]

I would bid on it but there is no separate case/bag for the headstock. Count me out.
Would make for a great bird resurrection project for someone.

If the bidding doesn't get stupid - parts and body could be worth it.

 

[MCF]

I would bid on it but there is no separate case/bag for the headstock. Count me out.
Would make for a great bird resurrection project for someone.

I already have a Burst VP with the broken headstock for a project. So I’m out too.

 

[MCF]

WBW!