Thunderbird Club

[Ringhammer]

As there seems to be a community that really loves them, are there particular features/finishes/years that are particularly desirable? I’ll be honest and say that the body styles and headstock puzzle the heck out of me. I’m not enamored with their appearance, but I’m wondering if they’r an acquired taste kind of thing…it’s not a “love at first sight” kind of thing for me. The look mentally and physically awkward- but still I hear a small voice inside my head that says “hmmm…could be interesting”.

I’ll add my 2¢ (valued at 1¢ at this point):

I have six standard (reverse) Gibson ‘birds, one short scale Gibson ‘bird and one first year (2017) Epiphone VP. Not one is a “non-reverse”. And at the moment not one of the Gibsons contains the original TB+ ceramic pickups. I did recently get some trim rings to fit the TB+ pickups so I may put some back into the one Gibson ’bird (1995) that still has black hardware. All of the other Gibsons are now wearing nickel or chrome hardware. I personally love the look with the nickel or chrome pickups with trim rings and I prefer the sound of Alnico V pickups.

The Epiphone VP I have is all original still and is a fantastic bass that I snagged for $350. It is the least “bassy” of all of them but it has its place and gets played frequently in my three pice band. It’s the biggest feeling one with the oversized headstock, which I guess is meant to emulate the originals from the ‘60’s? But it’s still a good introduction to the Thunderbird world at a low price. But it does not sound like a much more common Gibson from the ‘90’s to now.

Further, I have a number of P-basses and J-basses from the ‘70’s, as these were my favorites for years. One struggle I always had as a hard rock player was getting the notes played on the thinner strings to push through while playing with loud(er) guitar(s) and hard hitting drummers. The Thunderbirds solved this problem completely. They have a nice full warmup tone that “pushes” through in the mix.

 

[AllieCat]

I would definitely play one before buying.
I'm not sure if anyone mentioned it, but the 60s Gibsons had a 1.5 nut width. The modern Reverses are the same, but the NRs have a wider nut and beefier neck.

I can 2nd the beefy neck comment. I like it, but that's a matter of taste.

 

[Ringhammer]

And any neck dive issues can be solved by moving or adding a bottom pin here:

Since I use the Dunlop strap locks, and they offer a flush mount, this works well for me and you can’t even tell anything has been changed when viewed from the front.

 

[Engle]

I can 2nd the beefy neck comment. I like it, but that's a matter of taste.

To me, Thunderbirds should have skinny necks and it threw me off when I played the reissue NR in a store.

 

[Ringhammer]

To me, Thunderbirds should have skinny necks and it threw me off when I played the reissue NR in a store.

…and yet another reason for me to stick with the standard “reverse” ‘birds. I will say my Epiphone VP neck is a bit more stout than any of my Gibsons, but probably a bit shy of describing as chunky/beefy.

 

[MCF]

I would definitely play one before buying.
I'm not sure if anyone mentioned it, but the 60s Gibsons had a 1.5 nut width. The modern Reverses are the same, but the NRs have a wider nut and beefier neck.

Yep. The current NRs have a 1.6 nut and a little chunkier neck. I love my ‘21. Especially the tone from the vintage reissue pickups.

I also have a ‘12/‘13 NR reissue. In a beautiful Pelham Blue with a slight hint of sparkle to it. These were a limited run and are pretty rare, although the prices have remained relatively reasonable when they do come up. They have a 1.6 width Corian nut with a pronounced volute at the headstock. The neck on mine feels a little more “substantial” than the ‘21’s neck, but that is probably due to it having the volute. They came stock with the ceramic TBird+ pickups. I like it a lot. But then again, I like all of my Thunderbirds a lot.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Funny…I thought the Reversed look was the right look for them, but now I’m kind of taking a liking to the Non-Reversed body. In particular the cherry transparent finished ones they have on Sweetwater right now for $2300 are really kinda nice. Maybe I’ll get one as a retirement gift to myself in a few years…

you have good taste...

 

[dagrev]

Funny…I thought the Reversed look was the right look for them, but now I’m kind of taking a liking to the Non-Reversed body. In particular the cherry transparent finished ones they have on Sweetwater right now for $2300 are really kinda nice. Maybe I’ll get one as a retirement gift to myself in a few years…

Nothing wrong with buying new. But there are some really good deals on used Thunderbirds. People try them and they are not chosen by that Thunderbird, as is often said around here. I bought my Burgundy NR from a store that bought out a music store. The new owner used it a few times while it was listed. Nicely under $2k for essentially a new instrument. Just no warranty since they were not a Gibson dealer. It's a beautiful bass. Stunning in person. But I like the Cherry you mentioned--a lot!

 

[dagrev]

And any neck dive issues can be solved by moving or adding a bottom pin here:

View attachment 7167081

Since I use the Dunlop strap locks, and they offer a flush mount, this works well for me and you can’t even tell anything has been changed when viewed from the front.

And a good strap. Interestingly enough my bottom pin is offset about 2in in that direction from the factory. I don't recall seeing that before on others I have seen.

 

[dagrev]

To me, Thunderbirds should have skinny necks and it threw me off when I played the reissue NR in a store.

Completely agree. Once I get playing I don't think about it, but at first it does seem weird. And I don't mind a big Pbass neck. I'm not sure what is it about the shape but there's something odd to me about it.

 

[Bulltrout]

Nothing wrong with buying new. But there are some really good deals on used Thunderbirds. People try them and they are not chosen by that Thunderbird, as is often said around here. I bought my Burgundy NR from a store that bought out a music store. The new owner used it a few times while it was listed. Nicely under $2k for essentially a new instrument. Just no warranty since they were not a Gibson dealer. It's a beautiful bass. Stunning in person. But I like the Cherry you mentioned--a lot!
View attachment 7167100

Nice boots.

 

[dagrev]

As for TB+ pickups. LaBella Black Nylons sound fantastic on this '06 (which feels and plays 98% as good as my '64). Chuck hit a home run when he tried these with that pickup.

 

[dagrev]

Nice boots.

Thank you, Sir. Have a pair on today, just not those.

 

[dagrev]

Nice boots.

Thank you, Sir. Have a pair on today, just not those.

 

[dagrev]

Always a good reason to post Thunderbirds. I need to get them all together for a complete pic.

 

[Bighouse]

Now I’m wondering if the Thunderbirds ever played Thunderbirds.

 

[Bighouse]

HUGE missed opportunity….
The Shadows…from “Thunderbirds Are Go!”

 

[Gaolee]

As there seems to be a community that really loves them, are there particular features/finishes/years that are particularly desirable? I’ll be honest and say that the body styles and headstock puzzle the heck out of me. I’m not enamored with their appearance, but I’m wondering if they’r an acquired taste kind of thing…it’s not a “love at first sight” kind of thing for me. The look mentally and physically awkward- but still I hear a small voice inside my head that says “hmmm…could be interesting”.

You get chosen by a Thunderbird. That's the only way I can describe it. I bought one on a whim, a ratty bolt-on bottom of the line Epiphone. It was intended as a stand-in for my EB-2 which I had discovered to be a fairly valuable vintage bass guitar. The Thunderbird was absolutely dirt cheap when I bought it. I played it for about a year, then gave it to my son and bought a Precision, which I like a lot. But, the Thunderbird never left my mind, and I ended up buying an Epiphone Pro IV, the active one, because I had never had an active bass. It was also dirt cheap because I put in a losing bid on eBay and won anyway. It eventually got modified to passive and fretless, but that's a different story.

Then I had a Ric for a while, but still was thinking about Thunderbirds. I sold the Ric and bought the first of three Gibson Thunderbirds that I now own. Finally, I built a P-Bird that is a Fender Precision in all but shape.

What's the point of this story? I didn't set out to play a Thunderbird. I found the shape amusing, but that's all. It wasn't a shape I was initially drawn to. Now, it's a shape I have come to love for a number of reasons. It is the most comfortable bass shape I have ever played. Once you understand a Thunderbird, you can move the neck up and down, depending on where you want it to be for the technique you are using.

They balance very well, but only if you understand them and they choose you. For whatever reason, if you aren't chosen, a Thunderbird will fight you until you sell it. For a person they choose, they sound great and are incredibly versatile. For people who haven't been chosen by a Thunderbird, they will be impossible to dial in.

There's no shame in being a Thunderbird person or not a Thunderbird person. If you are one or the other, a Thunderbird will let you know after a while. If you try them, give it a little time, because it may take a little time. They do have different ergonomics than just about any other bass except maybe an Explorer.

 

[dagrev]

You get chosen by a Thunderbird. That's the only way I can describe it. I bought one on a whim, a ratty bolt-on bottom of the line Epiphone. It was intended as a stand-in for my EB-2 which I had discovered to be a fairly valuable vintage bass guitar. The Thunderbird was absolutely dirt cheap when I bought it. I played it for about a year, then gave it to my son and bought a Precision, which I like a lot. But, the Thunderbird never left my mind, and I ended up buying an Epiphone Pro IV, the active one, because I had never had an active bass. It was also dirt cheap because I put in a losing bid on eBay and won anyway. It eventually got modified to passive and fretless, but that's a different story.

Then I had a Ric for a while, but still was thinking about Thunderbirds. I sold the Ric and bought the first of three Gibson Thunderbirds that I now own. Finally, I built a P-Bird that is a Fender Precision in all but shape.

What's the point of this story? I didn't set out to play a Thunderbird. I found the shape amusing, but that's all. It wasn't a shape I was initially drawn to. Now, it's a shape I have come to love for a number of reasons. It is the most comfortable bass shape I have ever played. Once you understand a Thunderbird, you can move the neck up and down, depending on where you want it to be for the technique you are using.

They balance very well, but only if you understand them and they choose you. For whatever reason, if you aren't chosen, a Thunderbird will fight you until you sell it. For a person they choose, they sound great and are incredibly versatile. For people who haven't been chosen by a Thunderbird, they will be impossible to dial in.

There's no shame in being a Thunderbird person or not a Thunderbird person. If you are one or the other, a Thunderbird will let you know after a while. If you try them, give it a little time, because it may take a little time. They do have different ergonomics than just about any other bass except maybe an Explorer.

Well said!

 

[Gaolee]

you have good taste...
View attachment 7167098

Looking at the pickup covers, I would say that one has a whole lot of playing time.