Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

My opinion on the "copy" thing is more nuanced than law, or forum rules, may allow for.

Nothing not made by Gibson should say or imply it was.

Copies are art.
Fakes are theft.

& if the original maker no longer produces it, or never did make one EXACTLY like it, then so long as no claim is made that it was made by them, then no harm, no foul.

Just my opinion.

It can get dicey. To me, something like the Dingwall D-Bird was art. No one mistook it for a Gibson Thunderbird. Fanned frets,
and a totally different pickup arrangement. Sadly, it was discontinued after what, about 50 were produced? I guess Gibson saw it as a threat and reportedly made noise, so it is no more. Ridiculous if you ask me.

 

[MCF]

https://reverb.com/item/87812657-gi...are&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=87812657

Weren’t some ppl here looking for one of these?

Excellent price from CME.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

It can get dicey. To me, something like the Dingwall D-Bird was art. No one mistook it for a Gibson Thunderbird. Fanned frets,
and a totally different pickup arrangement. Sadly, it was discontinued after what, about 50 were produced? I guess Gibson saw it as a threat and reportedly made noise, so it is no more. Ridiculous if you ask me.

 

[BuddhaFingas]

It can get dicey. To me, something like the Dingwall D-Bird was art. No one mistook it for a Gibson Thunderbird. Fanned frets,
and a totally different pickup arrangement. Sadly, it was discontinued after what, about 50 were produced? I guess Gibson saw it as a threat and reportedly made noise, so it is no more. Ridiculous if you ask me.

And add to that the reqmt in copyright law that the owner "vigorously defend" their brand to retain their rights. Which fuels, I suspect, a lot of these suits.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

some serious CFM.....

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Don’t tell us that you do that with Smoke on the Water too…..

as a matter of fact yes.....on Satisfaction too....

 

[Thumper]

I don't like putting a brand name on a copy. I made a Gibson TRC for my Orville, put it on and immediately removed it.
IMO as long as nobody is being deceived, I'm OK with a copy. But there's a difference between a copy and a forgery.

I respect that, I would never do it. I mentioned when I got my 2014 Gibson Thunderbird that I got tired of people asking if my VPs were Gibsons, I couldn't in good faith say yes. It cost me $1599 just so I could say yes. Not a status thing either...but I'm glad I did it.

 

[Thumper]

https://reverb.com/item/87812657-gi...are&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=87812657

Weren’t some ppl here looking for one of these?

I was, and actually briefly considered that one, buts it's in rough shape. There's one local to me for $2799 plus shipping, they wouldn't even let me pick it up to save shipping, what Funky Monkeys they are. And it didn't have the original case! Plus taxes! Those finishes don't seem to hold up from what I've seen.

Bass Northwest treated me better, and they're 2 states away.

 

[MCF]

I was, and actually briefly considered that one, buts it's in rough shape. There's one local to me for $2799 plus shipping, they wouldn't even let me pick it up to save shipping, what Funky Monkeys they are. And it didn't have the original case! Plus taxes! Those finishes don't seem to hold up from what I've seen.

Bass Northwest treated me better, and they're 2 states away.

I looked at the pics again. Yeah, that neck wear is particularly odd. But I still think it’s a decent price for these days. It says make an offer…

 

[Thumper]

I looked at the pics again. Yeah, that neck wear is particularly odd. But I still think it’s a decent price for these days. It says make an offer…

I saw cracking and pulling away of the finish on the back of the neck. I suspect Gibson would want $700 or more to fix it (most likely more).

 

[MCF]

as a matter of fact yes.....on Satisfaction too....

Yeah. Nobody but us and Wyman know the difference. But frankly, I think the real Satisfaction bassline is funner.

 

[MCF]

I saw cracking and pulling away of the finish on the back of the neck. I suspect Gibson would want $700 or more to fix it (most likely more).

I’ve only seen and played one. That’s George’s and it is immaculate. Like all of his Thunderbirds. What could have caused that to happen? I have a ‘13 NR and the ‘15 reverse. The finishes on both are still first rate. Same timeframe.

 

[MCF]

I saw cracking and pulling away of the finish on the back of the neck. I suspect Gibson would want $700 or more to fix it (most likely more).

Also what is sad is that some special basses get passed along that had the original owner dealt with the issue through a warranty claim, there wouldn’t be an issue. Gibson would have fixed it for the original owner.

 

[Nocturnal]

My 50th Anniversary came with a black case with white lining, not the brown case with pink lining. Like the case in this listing.

As far as I can tell. my clear coat is still fully intact without issues.

 

[dagrev]

The slippery slope is the risk of a counterfeit being passed off as real. Even in a group where people can probably tell the differences, it only takes one inexperienced buyer to wreck it for everybody, and for good reason. If it were me, I'd disallow the selling of knock offs.

I have used 5 brain cells to wonder if that's why some changes the VP, etc, were made. Like the King Kong headstock. Had they been exact I can imagine some enterprising low life trying to age them and pass them off as older to some unsuspecting buyer. Seems like there are better ways to make money, but people do weird things to avoid a real job. That is the only remote reason for at least for the ginormous headstock. Like I said, only 5 neurons were used so it's likely a stupid thought.

 

[MCF]

My 50th Anniversary came with a black case with white lining, not the brown case with pink lining. Like the case in this listing.

As far as I can tell. my clear coat is still fully intact without issues.

Good point. I’ve only seen photos of them with the black case. But that was a transition period. My ‘13 is the black case. The ‘15 is the brown case. IMO, the cases that came with the ‘13 NR and the ‘11 Short Scale are absolutely the best cases I have. They are extremely rugged. And I have way too many cases. FWIW, I have had issues with the ‘15 case. The brads on the hinges have popped out. A couple drops of Titebond and they’re fine.

 

[dagrev]

Berry was all about the BASS, which ended up being the norm for southern rock. Plenty of other instruments to carry the rest of the spectrum.

No doubt what Leon when BIG and LOW and didn't try to cut through anything. Surround sound for the band. He had 3 guitars, singer, keys, backup singers, drums. Everything but horns to navigate.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Yeah. Nobody but us and Wyman know the difference. But frankly, I think the real Satisfaction bassline is funner.

perhaps..:..

 

[BklynKen]

Good point. I’ve only seen photos of them with the black case. But that was a transition period. My ‘13 is the black case. The ‘15 is the brown case. IMO, the cases that came with the ‘13 NR and the ‘11 Short Scale are absolutely the best cases I have. They are extremely rugged. And I have way too many cases. FWIW, I have had issues with the ‘15 case. The brads on the hinges have popped out. A couple drops of Titebond and they’re fine.

I'm guessing all 2013s had the black case with white interior. Both my Reverse and NR have it.

 

[MCF]

perhaps..:..

There you go!