Thunderbird Club

[GBassNorth]

Different people mean different things when they say they'd be willing to pay "good money" for somethin'. I don't know where yer at on that scale... but Gibson does have a custom shop. Y'oughta send 'em an e-mail & see what yer up against!

About a year ago I casually inquired with a contact of mine at Gibson about a custom Thunderbird build. He informed me they don't do custom shop basses and that their definition of custom shop is actually geared more towards a limited run vintage reissue business model vs a full on customer spec custom build. A lot of their custom prices are competitive with Fender CS pricing and well below what a custom Alembic build would run (IIRC I think Alembic did build a custom Thunderbird for one of their customers).

As it stands right now it doesn't look like I can have a custom built Bird made to my specs by Gibson. Cataldo, Lull, LDS and a couple other custom shops do great work if you don't mind not having a Gibson name on the headstock. I get closer every day to contacting Carlo about a unique build.

 

[MCF]

So, who here is going to wade in and claim that a Squier with tort is better than a 7ender with rosewood?

Not me. And as some of you may know, I'm an unabashed Fender fanboy. Squiers are fine for what they are. And I've played plenty. But dollar for dollar, the Standard MIM Ps and Js have superior necks, hardware, pickups and fretwork. And the higher end MIMs are excellent values. All that being said, my absolute favorite bass is my Gibby Bird. Hands down. I'm not at all interested in looking at yet another debate about Squier vs. Fender.

 

[MCF]

About a year ago I casually inquired with a contact of mine at Gibson about a custom Thunderbird build. He informed me they don't do custom shop basses and that their definition of custom shop is actually geared more towards a limited run vintage reissue business model vs a full on customer spec custom build. A lot of their custom prices are competitive with Fender CS pricing and well below what a custom Alembic build would run (IIRC I think Alembic did build a custom Thunderbird for one of their customers).

As it stands right now it doesn't look like I can have a custom built Bird made to my specs by Gibson. Cataldo, Lull, LDS and a couple other custom shops do great work if you don't mind not having a Gibson name on the headstock. I get closer every day to contacting Carlo about a unique build.

Me too.

 

[Korladis]

About a year ago I casually inquired with a contact of mine at Gibson about a custom Thunderbird build. He informed me they don't do custom shop basses and that their definition of custom shop is actually geared more towards a limited run vintage reissue business model vs a full on customer spec custom build. A lot of their custom prices are competitive with Fender CS pricing and well below what a custom Alembic build would run (IIRC I think Alembic did build a custom Thunderbird for one of their customers).

As it stands right now it doesn't look like I can have a custom built Bird made to my specs by Gibson. Cataldo, Lull, LDS and a couple other custom shops do great work if you don't mind not having a Gibson name on the headstock. I get closer every day to contacting Carlo about a unique build.

Not really a custom shop, then, is it?

 

[theFixer]

I have many Fender basses, including this one, The Performer. Probably their most radical except maybe the Katana. 1.5" nut pencil neck with 1-7/8" bridge spacing. I especially like the solid white tort.

If I were in a DIO cover band that played everything in the style of a 1970's Country & Western band... this would totally be my bass!
Fender Performer Bass 1985 Sunburst

 

[theFixer]

About a year ago I casually inquired with a contact of mine at Gibson about a custom Thunderbird build. He informed me they don't do custom shop basses and that their definition of custom shop is actually geared more towards a limited run vintage reissue business model vs a full on customer spec custom build. A lot of their custom prices are competitive with Fender CS pricing and well below what a custom Alembic build would run (IIRC I think Alembic did build a custom Thunderbird for one of their customers).

As it stands right now it doesn't look like I can have a custom built Bird made to my specs by Gibson. Cataldo, Lull, LDS and a couple other custom shops do great work if you don't mind not having a Gibson name on the headstock. I get closer every day to contacting Carlo about a unique build.

I think you'll regret it one day if you don't.

 

[GBassNorth]

I have many Fender basses, including this one, The Performer. Probably their most radical except maybe the Katana. 1.5" nut pencil neck with 1-7/8" bridge spacing. I especially like the solid white tort.

Very nice non bird with white tort you've got there. I have this Fender oddity that is one of my non Gibby favorites...

Early 1990's P Bass Plus (Boner Bass) in a reverse black Pearl burst with that same wonderful white tort.

 

[GBassNorth]

Not really a custom shop, then, is it?

Not really. Some beautiful stuff and reasonable prices but not exactly built to customer specs. Here's a peek at some of their CS stuff...
Categories of Gibson Guitars and Basses

 

[RedVee]

I would be happy to have a Fender P, but that feeling has been declining since joining TB. Some of the threads, or even just posts, I've read have really turned me away from joining that team. The crap that gets posted every time someone has a NBD or question on a Gibson or whatever non-Fender bass is mind boggling to me.

So much so that I find myself wondering if a Yamaha BB or an Aussie Maton JB4 would be a preferable way to a P.
Not to mention a EB13/14 as an affordable US way to get close to that.

 

[KingFace]

For me, I think it'd be a disservice to all the great basses out there to be a one-model/brand purist (and thius coming from an idiot who is obsessed with one model, in once color, from one year!). Recently I'd been playing in a great old-school Country Western group, and I only ever envisioned playing my Tele bass with them. It just seemed so....right. And with flat wounds on it, it gave such a perfect warm bottom that fit so well with old Loretta, and Johnny covers.

As for the Magnum Ovations....I have no explanation whatsoever. None. Though, they sound amazing, they weigh a TON

!

 

[Gluvhand]

I would be happy to have a Fender P, but that feeling has been declining since joining TB. Some of the threads, or even just posts, I've read have really turned me away from joining that team. The crap that gets posted every time someone has a NBD or question on a Gibson or whatever non-Fender bass is mind boggling to me.

So much so that I find myself wondering if a Yamaha BB or an Aussie Maton JB4 would be a preferable way to a P.
Not to mention a EB13/14 as an affordable US way to get close to that.

You're doing yourself a disservice putting so much credence in what anybody on TB has to say. If you want a P, get a P. Find one you like and rock it. I've had my 71 P since 79. I'll be damned if what, for all intents and purposes, a complete stranger has to say effects me. That goes for my new Epi Classic IV, my Squier Jazz, or my Schecter Ultra.

 

[Stevis]

I have many Fender basses, including this one, The Performer. Probably their most radical except maybe the Katana. 1.5" nut pencil neck with 1-7/8" bridge spacing. I especially like the solid white tort.

Definitely a 7ender "bass oddity"! The body shape and headstock remind me a bit of Parker guitars/basses.

 

[Nocturnal]

You're doing yourself a disservice putting so much credence in what anybody on TB has to say. If you want a P, get a P. Find one you like and rock it. I've had my 71 P since 79. I'll be damned if what, for all intents and purposes, a complete stranger has to say effects me. That goes for my new Epi Classic IV, my Squier Jazz, or my Schecter Ultra.

Exactly right!! Play what you like regardless of the name on it. You are the only one that should matter when it comes right down to what gear you love.

 

[MCF]

I would be happy to have a Fender P, but that feeling has been declining since joining TB. Some of the threads, or even just posts, I've read have really turned me away from joining that team. The crap that gets posted every time someone has a NBD or question on a Gibson or whatever non-Fender bass is mind boggling to me.

So much so that I find myself wondering if a Yamaha BB or an Aussie Maton JB4 would be a preferable way to a P.
Not to mention a EB13/14 as an affordable US way to get close to that.

Yep. Way too much noise on TB. As for a Fender P, they are wonderful basses. Iconic. A MIM Standard, strung with flats (I like Chromes), should be any bassists second choice after a Bird. Between those two basses, you have 90% to 95% of tone covered for any genre of music.

 

[kat888]

For me, I think it'd be a disservice to all the great basses out there to be a one-model/brand purist (and thius coming from an idiot who is obsessed with one model, in once color, from one year!). Recently I'd been playing in a great old-school Country Western group, and I only ever envisioned playing my Tele bass with them. It just seemed so....right. And with flat wounds on it, it gave such a perfect warm bottom that fit so well with old Loretta, and Johnny covers.

As for the Magnum Ovations....I have no explanation whatsoever. None. Though, they sound amazing, they weigh a TONView attachment 1158228 View attachment 1158229 View attachment 1158230 !

I am and am not a purist, in that I have promised no more than three basses (and even that is probing the limits of domestic harmony). Since the correct number of Thunderbirds is always N+1, that will translate to 2 x Reverse + 1 x Non-reverse.

If I could fit in another 'half' I'd happily have a Steinberger 'travel bass', and left to my own devices would go for an EB3L.

Those Ovations have always intrigued me. Barry Adamson (Magazine) played one back in the day:

 

[EdO.]

Only if you think its better than a Fender with rosewood. My Squier doesnt have a pick guard, not sure what argument I'm part of.

It has rosewood too. Is THAT a problem??

 

[KingFace]

I am and am not a purist, in that I have promised no more than three basses (and even that is probing the limits of domestic harmony). Since the correct number of Thunderbirds is always N+1, that will translate to 2 x Reverse + 1 x Non-reverse.

If I could fit in another 'half' I'd happily have a Steinberger 'travel bass', and left to my own devices would go for an EB3L.

Those Ovations have always intrigued me. Barry Adamson (Magazine) played one back in the day:

I have an Epi EB3L (actually, my girlfriend does....really need to get that back one of these days).

The Ovations are pretty amazing. The EQ version is pretty cool to play around with, but the version with the knobs has two input jacks, Rick style. Splitting one pickup to one amp and the other to another is a hell of a lot of fun. All in all, if you get a chance to play one, you'll probably enjoy it, simply because of the diversity of tones. Not to mention how unusual the look and feel.

 

[kat888]

I have an Epi EB3L (actually, my girlfriend does....really need to get that back one of these days).

The Ovations are pretty amazing. The EQ version is pretty cool to play around with, but the version with the knobs has two input jacks, Rick style. Splitting one pickup to one amp and the other to another is a hell of a lot of fun. All in all, if you get a chance to play one, you'll probably enjoy it, simply because of the diversity of tones. Not to mention how unusual the look and feel.

I know all about stereo basses - ran a stereo Ric for years, which annoyed pretty much everyone we had anything to do with.

 

[KingFace]

I know all about stereo basses - ran a stereo Ric for years, which annoyed pretty much everyone we had anything to do with.

Haha!!! I can very well imagine!

 

[theFixer]

For me, I think it'd be a disservice to all the great basses out there to be a one-model/brand purist (and thius coming from an idiot who is obsessed with one model, in once color, from one year!). Recently I'd been playing in a great old-school Country Western group, and I only ever envisioned playing my Tele bass with them. It just seemed so....right. And with flat wounds on it, it gave such a perfect warm bottom that fit so well with old Loretta, and Johnny covers.

As for the Magnum Ovations....I have no explanation whatsoever. None. Though, they sound amazing, they weigh a TONView attachment 1158228 View attachment 1158229 View attachment 1158230 !

drool