Thunderbird Club

[Mikaelbass]

Rich has some great Thunderbirds. If it were Tobacco burst, it would be mine by now. But I would probably need to consult one of my divorce lawyer friends. I bought a ‘77 last year and she who must be obeyed was not amused.

Hahaha I am quite fortunate, between modifying cars and basses (which I also always modify), my wife is usually encouraging me to spend money on these kinds of things.

Luckily my business is in aftermarket car parts so I can access parts a lot cheaper for myself.. If anyone out there is into modding their cars we do ship globally (and our warehouses are in the US)

This next bass I get has some significance to its meaning, so a lot less $ concern with it...when I find the right one I will be going all in on everything I want to make it perfect.

 

[godofthunder59]

Thanks, Scott! I actually like the small headstock. I wish they’d left the HS edges burst, though. And I prefer thinner bodies. 1.5” neck? What’s MSRP? I was certain I was done buying new basses any time soon, now not so much.

Nut width is 1.6 I can live with it but I much prefer a 1.5 myself.

 

[Basvarken]

So what are we calling the new Thunderbird? The Non-Non-Reverse Thunderbird?
What a hot mess.
I wonder how long it will take Gibson to abandon this one again. Like they've abandoned almost any bass they've released in the past 30 years.

 

[BuddhaFingas]

So I got to check out the new 2026 Thunderbird earlier this week and I was pretty impressed. In a nutshell it feels like the new Nonreverse but with a Reverse body. I've stopped comparing every new irritation of the Thunderbird to the 60's birds and I am just trying to evaluate them on their own merits. This just a short immediate reaction to the bass having just unboxed it.

Interesting design choices.

Wonder if they'll be making lefty models.

Or selling pickups.

 

[dagrev]

I prolly eat local (FL) beef. Never asked-or cared-where it came from as long as it was medium rare, leaning toward rare.

Well, if you don't need a bra it must be safe to eat.

 

[dagrev]

cockles and periwinkles and all that good freshwater stuff.....the ones on my pic are from the sea..
View attachment 7459064

Cool looking place. Where?

 

[PizzaBall]

So I got to check out the new 2026 Thunderbird earlier this week and I was pretty impressed. In a nutshell it feels like the new Nonreverse but with a Reverse body. I've stopped comparing every new irritation of the Thunderbird to the 60's birds and I am just trying to evaluate them on their own merits. This just a short immediate reaction to the bass having just unboxed it.

I actually poopie my pants when you showed the tuners being HS Ultra Light tuners. Thankfully , I was already on the toilet so the pants part of that is inaccurate.

 

[dagrev]

Cackles and winkles in London are from the Thames. I ate them very happily in the early 1980s while visiting my wife's family. Then I found out they come from the Thames. Um, gosh. No. If anybody in London offers jellied eels, just say no. I will eat almost anything. Not those.

You've mentioned jellied eels before. I get queezy every time.

 

[dagrev]

Five letters, rhymes with bugs.

Yuck. Slugs? No wonder. Who eats those things?

 

[dagrev]

Mike Dumble died about a couple of years ago.....used to build 4 or 5 amps (priced around 160k) a year.....Holy Grail tone machines....started out in Pleasure Point SC and ended up in Malibu...

I've often heard of them. Never heard or seen one that I know of. Maybe on a recording, possibly.
What makes them so special? Using the most expensive parts or unique design, or both?

 

[dagrev]

I agree about a thicker body. It was my '64 II and most '60s Japanese basses that had 1-1/4" thick bodies that convinced me to make all my custom basses 1-1/4" thick. A thin body w/ ergonomic tapers, bevels & scallops conforms to your body and is lighter and far more comfortable to play. A thicker, heavier body wouldn't be a selling point for me.

Agree. Love the thinner vintage bodies.

 

[dagrev]

Hahaha I am quite fortunate, between modifying cars and basses (which I also always modify), my wife is usually encouraging me to spend money on these kinds of things.

Luckily my business is in aftermarket car parts so I can access parts a lot cheaper for myself.. If anyone out there is into modding their cars we do ship globally (and our warehouses are in the US)

This next bass I get has some significance to its meaning, so a lot less $ concern with it...when I find the right one I will be going all in on everything I want to make it perfect.

Cool. Can I get a 426 Hemi for the Ford truck from you?

 

[dagrev]

Interesting design choices.

Wonder if they'll be making lefty models.

Or selling pickups.

It's Gibson. So, the answer is, yes. And no.
Mostly no.
Probably.
Call Fender for more accurate information on Gibson basses.

 

[TBird1958]

killer bass....
View attachment 7459477

Why is this man smiling? 'Cause he's holding a Thunderbird!

 

[Lammchop93]

I like the 1.6” nut width. I was really hoping for a 60’s reissue. So I’ll probably hold off for now. We’ll see though

 

[JIO]

This thing looks incredible.....Would love to hear it

Thanks - it's my 10yr Gildaxe Anniversary IV. (Gilded Bird) As I said, it sounds really good as I'm sure other VP's also do. As is clear, peeps on this thread have collective reference/knowledge of every T-bird pu ever made and can slice & dice the nuanced sonic differences. I only have hands-on experience with a few and the VP holds its own.

 

[JIO]

killer bass....
View attachment 7459477

 

[Mazrak]

Hey folks, not a club member but I'm curious about Thunderbird and basses. Since there's no upper horn and the strap button is set so far up the neck, I am curious if this makes the bass hang awkwardly, like the lower frets would be a farther reach due to hanging point of the body. Does that make sense? Is it a non-issue, or something to get used to coming from a more traditional Fender-style bass background? I know neck dive is a complaint some people have, but I don't see much info about the reach. I unfortunately do not have a Tbird available locally to test the waters.

 

[JIO]

Agree. Love the thinner vintage bodies.

In progress - should be playable by early next week (or sooner)

 

[JIO]

Hey folks, not a club member but I'm curious about Thunderbird and basses. Since there's no upper horn and the strap button is set so far up the neck, I am curious if this makes the bass hang awkwardly, like the lower frets would be a farther reach due to hanging point of the body. Does that make sense? Is it a non-issue, or something to get used to coming from a more traditional Fender-style bass background? I know neck dive is a complaint some people have, but I don't see much info about the reach. I unfortunately do not have a Tbird available locally to test the waters.

Lots of opinions on that topic here - you'll hear all of them soon. It depends how you 'sling' it. If low with a wide grippy strap there doesn't seem to be a problem. If more standard location, unless you have really long arms...