Thunderbird Club

[GonePlaid]

there's many ways to 'sling' a bass...

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...or guitar
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[dagrev]

Yes I am.

Who isn't in some ways? I used to think I was normal. I even question that now.

 

[dagrev]

From caterpillar to butterfly. Of course. What kind of question is that?

Did someone say Butterfly?


Always loved that song.

 

[Stealth57]

there's many ways to 'sling' a bass...

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...or guitar
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Or

 

[dagrev]

I never played through it. It was just sitting in the control room. Seems to be used more as a table than a cab.

Some cabs are better that way.

 

[dagrev]

This guy must have owned my '64. There is significant wear (through the finish) right where his thumb would be. It's the most worn place on the bass.

 

[TBird1958]

Yes...exactly...I realize there aren't P90 equivalent pickups, but I was just curious if the Thunderbird went through transitional changes, too, like non-reverse headstockon a reverse body, etc....
Thanks for responding!

There's quite a bit to it as it turns out..
Briefly.
From '63-mid '65 The original "Reverse" shape, multi laminated neck and the original, highly sought after pickup design.

Late '65-'69 The "Non Reverse" design, single piece body, set-neck and original design pickups.

1976-'79 Gibson re-issues the "Reverse" shape from the '60s with a slight change in the body shape, a new "3 Point" bridge and a
new pickup design. It was based on the G-3 pickup designed by Bill Lawrence, these varied wildly in terms of output and sound quality.
Gibson did retain the original multi laminate construction for these basses, production ceased after 1979 and other than a small number of Custom Shop
Birds in 1986, none were produced again until 1988 when they were reissued by Henry J.

1988 saw Thunderbirds reissued and redesigned, the "Reverse" body shape and multi laminate construction of the original were retained, the headstock was made much smaller. Black hardware was used, and a multiplicity of pickup designs ( at least 6!) were used through the '90s and into the '00 with no clear cutoff dates. Sometime after 2000 another running change was added neck pitch.

2006 saw the release of the "Studio" Thunderbird, this is a slab body, set neck bass with a contemporary bridge replacing the 3 Point, a smaller headstock and no raised center block or multi laminate. These were only made for about 3 years.

Gibson reissued the Non Reverse in 2013, like the '60s version they are set neck but these feature the 3 Point bridge, contemporary pickups and the neck has a volute.

2015 The "Reverse" is issued with a factory installed "Babciz" bridge, De Cola pickups, extra switching and coil tapping options, only produced for one year, these are highly regarded modern Thunderbirds.

In 2021 Gibson again reissued the "Non reverse" Thunderbird, new "Reissue" pickups, Hipshot tuners, chrome hardware no neck volute, slab body, set neck.

 

[dagrev]

There's quite a bit to it as it turns out..
Briefly.
From '63-mid '65 The original "Reverse" shape, multi laminated neck and the original, highly sought after pickup design.

Late '65-'69 The "Non Reverse" design, single piece body, set-neck and original design pickups.

1976-'79 Gibson re-issues the "Reverse" shape from the '60s with a slight change in the body shape, a new "3 Point" bridge and a
new pickup design. It was based on the G-3 pickup designed by Bill Lawrence, these varied wildly in terms of output and sound quality.
Gibson did retain the original multi laminate construction for these basses, production ceased after 1979 and other than a small number of Custom Shop
Birds in 1986, none were produced again until 1988 when they were reissued by Henry J.

1988 saw Thunderbirds reissued and redesigned, the "Reverse" body shape and multi laminate construction of the original were retained, the headstock was made much smaller. Black hardware was used, and a multiplicity of pickup designs ( at least 6!) were used through the '90s and into the '00 with no clear cutoff dates. Sometime after 2000 another running change was added neck pitch.

2006 saw the release of the "Studio" Thunderbird, this is a slab body, set neck bass with a contemporary bridge replacing the 3 Point, a smaller headstock and no raised center block or multi laminate. These were only made for about 3 years.

Gibson reissued the Non Reverse in 2013, like the '60s version they are set neck but these feature the 3 Point bridge, contemporary pickups and the neck has a volute.

2015 The "Reverse" is issued with a factory installed "Babciz" bridge, De Cola pickups, extra switching and coil tapping options, only produced for one year, these are highly regarded modern Thunderbirds.

In 2021 Gibson again reissued the "Non reverse" Thunderbird, new "Reissue" pickups, Hipshot tuners, chrome hardware no neck volute, slab body, set neck.

Well done V. True Thunderbird nerds will enjoy every sentence.

 

[TBird1958]

We have a show on Friday this week, local for a change too! Oldest bar in Seattle and we are extremely happy to become part of its history

The Bluie gets to go to a show!

Backup

We will debut two new songs as well - I love this stuff as it's a bit off the beaten path!

 

[JIO]

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[GBassNorth]

@JIO
This came up in my random shuffle today while I was playing bass, thought of your band right away, interesting Tango type take on a heavy Bondesque tune…

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Works for me.

Suspected as much.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Did someone say Butterfly?


Always loved that song.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

We have a show on Friday this week, local for a change too! Oldest bar in Seattle and we are extremely happy to become part of its history

The Bluie gets to go to a show!

Backup

We will debut two new songs as well - I love this stuff as it's a bit off the beaten path!

All great choices!

 

[Nocturnal]

We have a show on Friday this week, local for a change too! Oldest bar in Seattle and we are extremely happy to become part of its history

The Bluie gets to go to a show!

Backup

We will debut two new songs as well - I love this stuff as it's a bit off the beaten path!

Both are great song choices!!

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

We have a show on Friday this week, local for a change too! Oldest bar in Seattle and we are extremely happy to become part of its history

The Bluie gets to go to a show!

Backup

We will debut two new songs as well - I love this stuff as it's a bit off the beaten path!

awesome! what’s the venue called?

 

[dagrev]

 

[Gaolee]

Didn't you always have straps in there? Goes with the whole blacked-out window vibe.

No windows. Even better. But the sign on the side says "Free Champagne." I go for a different demographic.

 

[Gaolee]

We have a show on Friday this week, local for a change too! Oldest bar in Seattle and we are extremely happy to become part of its history

The Bluie gets to go to a show!

Backup

We will debut two new songs as well - I love this stuff as it's a bit off the beaten path!

You are playing in Merchant's Cafe in Pioneer Square? I didn't know there was a stage in that place. It's been a while since I was in there. The oldest bar I ever played at was the Blue Moon in the U-District.

 

[TBird1958]

You are playing in Merchant's Cafe in Pioneer Square? I didn't know there was a stage in that place. It's been a while since I was in there. The oldest bar I ever played at was the Blue Moon in the U-District.

We're at Jules Maes in lovely Georgetown - if you can make it.