Thunderbird Club

[Nocturnal]

Andy, could you do some recordings of your Epi played with a pick with the tone full on and full off before the TBX mod, and after the mod?
I'm quite curious about how radical the changes in tone will be with this mod, and haven't found any good demos online.

I will give it a try Michael. I'm curious as to how drastic the difference will be.

 

[hillerup]

I will give it a try Michael. I'm curious as to how drastic the difference will be.

Cool!

I'll be looking forward to hearing it.

 

[rickwebb]

Price Jump? No thanx, I'm quite happy with my Epi's.

 

[Larry V]

I never payed much attention to the headstock angle. Of my three TBirds only the Goth has the angled headstock.

Here's a pick of my first music room wall art and it had to be Nikki and his TBird ad.

 

[Nocturnal]

^^ I have that same pic of Nikki hanging in my office/music room as well.

 

[mule47]

I just bought this Gibson Thunderbird from a friend who is the original owner, seldom played. It is a 2007 and had never been set up. I am new to bass but thought I would add new strings and attempt to set the intonation (which was WAY off!). It is now bang-on. They say some projects require 10% knowledge and 90% guts. In this case it was about 95% guts and 5% internet. I went to my local music store, where it was initially purchased, for action action adjustment. I am enthused and like it thus far. It adds to a family of Godin SD4, SD5, Ibanez 1005 and a Musicman Sterling5. I think 60% of his original out-the-door cost was a good deal.

 

[Larry V]

Holy smokes! Lucky you! What you have there is a last year production Studio V in Ebony! I have the Cherry. Congrats man, quite a nice pick. They go for $1,500 when in great condition.

 

[Haji]

That looks to be in pretty great condition, too! Very nice score, Mule47. Play the heck out of that thing!

 

[mule47]

According to handwritten information on the back of the pre-pack checklist card, it was made at the Nashville plant on October 3rd, 2007, production number 51. It was made by hand and took 4-6 weeks to complete. I was aware that 2007 was the last production year. I had initially assisted the owner in trying to sell it locally on Kijiji by posting under my Kijiji account but there was little interest other than by one individual. It seemed he was more of a tire-kicker, vague on how an alleged relative might drop by the owner's home to see it. We were both suspicious by the lack of details and vague commitment, although it might have been an authentic interest. Some people are not good at communication. I offered to buy and was grateful to have the opportunity. It is in excellent condition - somehow all basses eventually get a nick or 2 and this is no exception. I think I damaged the input jack by carelessly sitting and putting sudden pressure on the inserted cable but that should be replaced in a couple of business days. I'll be more cautious in the future. Thanks for the encouraging comments.

 

[TBird1958]

I just bought this Gibson Thunderbird from a friend who is the original owner, seldom played. It is a 2007 and had never been set up. I am new to bass but thought I would add new strings and attempt to set the intonation (which was WAY off!). It is now bang-on. They say some projects require 10% knowledge and 90% guts. In this case it was about 95% guts and 5% internet. I went to my local music store, where it was initially purchased, for action action adjustment. I am enthused and like it thus far. It adds to a family of Godin SD4, SD5, Ibanez 1005 and a Musicman Sterling5. I think 60% of his original out-the-door cost was a good deal.View attachment 487452

Super nice! Shall I add you?

 

[mule47]

Super nice! Shall I add you?

Yes, please add me to the list.... and thanks!

 

[TBird1958]

I just bought this Gibson Thunderbird from a friend who is the original owner, seldom played. It is a 2007 and had never been set up. I am new to bass but thought I would add new strings and attempt to set the intonation (which was WAY off!). It is now bang-on. They say some projects require 10% knowledge and 90% guts. In this case it was about 95% guts and 5% internet. I went to my local music store, where it was initially purchased, for action action adjustment. I am enthused and like it thus far. It adds to a family of Godin SD4, SD5, Ibanez 1005 and a Musicman Sterling5. I think 60% of his original out-the-door cost was a good deal.View attachment 487452

Love that bass!

Welcome here mule47! Your club #480 here, at what we all know is the best club on Talkbass.
I'm jelly, a 5er Studio will one day be a part of my humble flock. Play yours for many years in the best of health good Sir!


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[Reservoir Dog]

You guys are gonna have to stop posting pics of those Gibbys. This club has cost me enough already . The white epi classic will take it's maiden gig voyage this weekend. I was having a hard time finding a tone I liked, so I removed the d'addario nickel's ,put on a set of roto 66 ss, big improvement . Still had to boost the 1500hz region and the 3k up slightly. Also backed off the gain a little to clean things up . This is my first time with the TB pickups , any advice is welcome.

 

[TBird1958]

You guys are gonna have to stop posting pics of those Gibbys. This club has cost me enough already . The white epi classic will take it's maiden gig voyage this weekend. I was having a hard time finding a tone I liked, so I removed the d'addario nickel's ,put on a set of roto 66 ss, big improvement . Still had to boost the 1500hz region and the 3k up slightly. Also backed off the gain a little to clean things up . This is my first time with the TB pickups , any advice is welcome.

I like DR 45-105 Stainless a lot, sometimes Ken Smith Rockmasters either will retain their brightness longer than Roto's. I use a GK 700RBII and keep everything at noon except the lo-mids at 1:30.

 

[Reservoir Dog]

Thanks Tbird , I found the brighter strings are better for this bird, I have a genz gbe750, I normally run everything at 12.00 with my other basses. This bass seems heavy in the mids, almost honky sounding, is that common for these? I've only played it in my practice room so it's all nil till I take it to a gig. Just wanted to get a feel of how it reacted to a little EQing . I play with my fingers so I boosted the highs for more attack. And yes , it sounds awesome with a pick.

 

[TBird1958]

You might back off the bass on the amp a little, also/or dialing just a little bit off the neck pup will let the bridge pickup become the dominate which will take out a bit of the bass and give you a clearer, more defined note, especially finger style.

 

[mistergoats]

Who knew that the prices were going to blow out like that?! Wow! That's nuts. It makes me really happy that I got my 2013 when I did, end of model year discounted.

I subscribe to the Gibson newsletter (more like I'm too lazy to unsubscribe) and about two months ago they wrote a lengthy article about increasing the prices across the board by 23% and making the line smaller. It's like 15 Les Pauls, A couple of SGs and a two basses.

I read somewhere else that Gibson is planning a third, 5-string bass for release mid-year at a premium $5,000-ish price point. Something like a really deluxe EB. I was all like "cool, I have no interest in that". I have confirmed that with a dealer. I'll keep you posted if I hear anything else...

 

[Larry V]

I guess Gibson is doing their best to sell American-made Fenders. lol

 

[mistergoats]

I also wonder if the 2015 T-bird will be a colossal flop not because of the changes, but because of a combination of the changes and the massive price increase. I'm pretty old school and I really hate coil-taps. I like the bird because it's a one trick pony (baby bird?) that does one trick really, really well.

 

[Larry V]

I also wonder if the 2015 T-bird will be a colossal flop not because of the changes, but because of a combination of the changes and the massive price increase. I'm pretty old school and I really hate coil-taps. I like the bird because it's a one trick pony (baby bird?) that does one trick really, really well.

Let's just say that at the 2015 prices I'd be looking in the used market for a really nice new-ish TBird .