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Thunderbird Club

#303,823
MCF said:
To finish the thought:

In the Spring of 2022, Gibson released the reverse Gene Simmons G2 Thunderbird. It had a 1.6 nut width set neck, black chrome hardware, a Hipshot bridge, Hipshot tuners, and “modern” ceramic Tbird pickups

A few months later in 2022, Gibson released the Rex Brown Signature Thunderbird. This reverse had a slightly slimmer set neck, “Rexbucker” pickups (which are said to be untapped Alnico DeColas), a push pull active/passive circuit, gold hardware, Hipshot bridge and tuners with a drop D extender.

The iconic neck through reverse Thunderbird is currently unavailable. It reverted back to the ceramic TBird plus pickups for 2016, but the Babicz bridge continued until around 2018. The most recent of the through neck reverses had the three point. It isn’t clear when Gibson did the most recent run, but they began to show as discontinued on Gibson’s website around 2021-2022. It will hopefully be back soon. And come in a variety of colors with 1960’s style bridges. At least one can dream.

Other Gibson Thunderbirds have come and gone through the years, including a Studio model that was available in IV and V string versions in the mid 00’s. They had “skinny” headstocks and set necks on a contoured slab body and standard style high mass bridges.

There was a short Scale model in 2011 (a run of 400) with a studio style “skinny” headstock, flat body top like the Studio, and the three point bridge.
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If Gibson would build a reverse with chrome hardware, a two piece bridge, and in colors I like, they would probably get some of my money. Which means they won't get any of my money because they won't build what I would buy. Oh, well. So I spend my money refinishing the Thunderbirds I already have. There's only two left unmolested, the 2001 and the 2015. I might get the 2001 refinished one of these days. I'm not sure what color it should be, so it's safe for a little while.
 
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#303,824
Engle said:
I think I got the lacquer checking process almost figured out. New black lacquer is basically the bottom 3rd of the peghead where the repair is, and I sprayed clear over the whole face.
I’m not sweating over the chips above the E-tuner. The idea was to hide the repair and keep the original logo.

Just did some final polishing.View attachment 7042694View attachment 7042695
Click to expand...
That looks great.
 
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#303,825
Gaolee said:
This Friday? Maybe. I wonder if I can get my wife to come along. Probably not, but it's worth a try.
Click to expand...


We're going to open with "Red Skies", I'm really excited to play it - very different from our usual.
 
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#303,826
Gaolee said:
If Gibson would build a reverse with chrome hardware, a two piece bridge, and in colors I like, they would probably get some of my money. Which means they won't get any of my money because they won't build what I would buy. Oh, well. So I spend my money refinishing the Thunderbirds I already have. There's only two left unmolested, the 2001 and the 2015. I might get the 2001 refinished one of these days. I'm not sure what color it should be, so it's safe for a little while.
Click to expand...
Right? It’s almost like they don’t want to be successful. They have obviously sold a good many recent NRs. Because they come in nice colors and are chromed out. They would sell more with a two-point and claw. A reverse would sell as well, if not better.
 
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#303,829
Engle said:
I think I got the lacquer checking process almost figured out. New black lacquer is basically the bottom 3rd of the peghead where the repair is, and I sprayed clear over the whole face.
I’m not sweating over the chips above the E-tuner. The idea was to hide the repair and keep the original logo.

Just did some final polishing.View attachment 7042694View attachment 7042695
Click to expand...
Are you planning on calling it "Jack"?
 
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#303,831
MCF said:
Right? It’s almost like they don’t want to be successful. They have obviously sold a good many recent NRs. Because they come in nice colors and are chromed out. They would sell more with a two-point and claw. A reverse would sell as well, if not better.
Click to expand...
There you go using logic again.

They will have a nice 1964 reissue that is to come out next year. But it's more along a custom shop bass than mass production. (Because that would be too difficult??) "____" played the prototype and told me it was really nice. How many changes have been since then is anyone's guess. I'm guessing they are going to be pretty pricey. Fortunately I have one of the real deals so I doubt I will be paying that kind of money.
 
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#303,837
Throwback Tuesday…

Geo channels a legend as he plays an all Carbon Fiber Rainsong Acoustic Electric bass custom made for John Entwistle…
IMG_1871.jpeg


Striking resemblance…
IMG_0505.jpeg

…well, they’re both right handed at least. ;)
 
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