Thunderbird Club

[dagrev]

I have no reason to doubt that what you have sounds great, just as you say, Jeff I'm sure it's true for Marshall and Chuck as well.
This was the "Norlin" era at Gibson and the mid '70s wasn't always considered the "high point" of U.S. manufacturing.

Well said in this one and the one above.
Poor manufacturing in the 70s seems to have been a common problem for many sectors in the US. Came back to bite many/most of them as well. Many Fenders were pretty sloppy back then as well. I have one ('71 J) but from what I remember back then I was shocked that people in recent years were highly valuing Fenders from the 70s as much as they were. Heck, I'd go as far to say some near junk. But now they are "vintage." Not that there were not some good basses. I just never personally got the fascination with 70s Fenders. (No shade intended on those who have them and love them.)

 

[dagrev]

Unless some long lost rich relative dies and leaves me an unexpected inheritance, I doubt I'll ever really know what magic resides in those real sixties pickups.

You never know. Being such a devoted and true Thunderbird fan, I hope you do.

 

[MCF]

No, but hooked a bunch, anyway.

I thought, “uh oh.” Here it comes. But pleasantly surprised at the mostly kind replies.

 

[MCF]

View attachment 7198218
You don't say!

My MIL had a silver one when I met my wife. Total POS.

 

[BuddhaFingas]

I have about 38% of one scattered across work table and garage.
In progress again now that metric drill bits have been acquired.

 

[Count Bassie]

...but from what I remember back then I was shocked that people in recent years were highly valuing Fenders from the 70s as much as they were. Heck, I'd go as far to say some near junk. But now they are "vintage." ...

This. Funny how memory is, and the desire to see, or even invent, the good about certain things gone by.

 

[MCF]

This. Funny how memory is, and the desire to see, or even invent, the good about certain things gone by.

There are times I think it would be fun to have my old Kasino (the Kustom sans tuck and roll) 200 and matching big 215 cab. It was LAF. But in reality, it wasn’t all that great.

 

[Engle]

Trolling for trolls?

Hah! I'm surprised at how many people that don't own a Tbird put comments in that thread.

 

[MCF]

Hah! I'm surprised at how many people that don't own a Tbird put comments in that thread.

Pretty tame replies. Thankfully the post started in the middle of the week.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

No, but hooked a bunch, anyway.

This. Funny how memory is, and the desire to see, or even invent, the good about certain things gone by.

or the unnecessary bitchin' at the time.....

 

[BklynKen]

Hah! I'm surprised at how many people that don't own a Tbird put comments in that thread.

I guess it's human nature to feel the need to participate with a comment, regardless of how useful or topical it is.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I'm learning to say "Huh?" in 3 languages(bedsides English): Espanol [my keyboard doesn't have the "~" to put over the "n"], Creole, and Yiddish.

had a work colleague in Seattle who used to go "You want to kiss my what?!" to people he didn't understand.......really tried to ignore the humor in that....

 

[Thumper]

Poll time!

Thread 'How many Thunderbird basses do you own?'

Apr 9, 2025

This is in reference to Gibson Thunderbirds and similar basses. This does not include Grestch Thunderbirds, which are different beasts entirely.

• Miles_ONeal
• Replies: 122
• Forum: Basses [BG]

• 

I assume this only applied to Thunderbird shaped basses, not non-Thunderbird body Embassies or Fenderbirds? If so:

3 Eppiphone Thunderbirds
1 Fenderbird with Eppiphone T-Bird body and 2015 pickups
1 2014 Thunderbird

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

4 Gibbys, 2 BaCH, 1 Greco...

 

[dagrev]

or the unnecessary bitchin' at the time.....

Also true!
But seems most fenders I got in the 80s, which were from the 70s I yanked the pickups out and put DiMarzio's in them. After the first DiMarzio Fender pickups seems bland. But in fairness, bold was what DiMarzio was shooting for. But replacing Fender pickups seemed to really take off in the 80s as options came out. Needed or not was a def a preference.

 

[Stealth57]

IV, CP, VP, Willbird, CS LE, 2015, 1964

 

[dagrev]

IV, CP, VP, Willbird, CS LE, 2015, 1964

No, no. Not here. Go over there and whine about the metal only bass with neck dive and exploding headstocks.

 

[Stealth57]

Facebook Market Place has a made in Indonesia burst VP/60s...with triangular case for $600. Looks new. Located in Livermore, CA.

 

[Stealth57]

No, no. Not here. Go over there and whine about the metal only bass with neck dive and exploding headstocks.

Already did.

 

[Gaolee]

1991 Gibson (Flamingo)
2001 Gibson (Pixie Dust)
2015 Gibson
20?? Epiphone Pro IV fretless/passive conversion, now GM Rallye Green nitro
P-Bird assembled from parts

So, total of five, assuming the P-Bird counts. It is a 7ender Precision in all but shape.