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Thunderbird Club

#339,941
Chucky Stiletti said:
yep, that build came to mind when the bass was being described by Scott.....those aren't raised in the center right?....
Click to expand...

That's right, a very simple slab body and set neck bass, in construction it's actually more like a Non Reverse. They had about 3 years of run and of course now are long gone. So much for a "Modern Thunderbird" from Gibson - 99.5% of Gen Pop doesn't even know they exist.
 
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#339,942
WBW (White Bird Wednesday)

1774415396955.jpeg
 
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#339,943
TBird1958 said:
In what way(s)?

We are assuming that we know more than Gibson does about their business, I recall hearing somewhere that they don't really make any money on basses because it shuts down production of guitars.
I don't pay much attention to what 7ender does but there's plenty of evidence here on TB about disco'd basses from the past, I think they're more like Gibson than most folks know.
Click to expand...
When I took the Fender factory tour, like twelve years ago or thereabouts, they could do basses in small runs to fulfill specific orders. For example, Chicago Music Exchange (I think that’s who he said they were for) wanted a few Adam Clayton Jazz Basses. And there they were sitting on the setup rack after the hardware was installed. To me, it seems like Gibson will do a run of so many Thunderbirds all at the same time (400, 800, or whatever) and that’s that.
 
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#339,945
TBird1958 said:
That's right, a very simple slab body and set neck bass, in construction it's actually more like a Non Reverse. They had about 3 years of run and of course now are long gone. So much for a "Modern Thunderbird" from Gibson - 99.5% of Gen Pop doesn't even know they exist.
Click to expand...
The Tbird Plus pickups combined with Power Steels sound super in mine.
IMG_2134.jpeg

IMG_2136.jpeg
 
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#339,947
Thumper said:
Interesting changes to the new Thunderbird, but not for me. If they put the better upper fret access on the origional neck through, added the reissue PUPs, Supertone (or Babicz), Hipshots, did all chrome, and some cooler colors, I really think they'd get more sales.

I really struggle to play For Whom The Bell Tolls/Metallica on my 2014, due to the poor upper fret access, fantastic song to play. I do most of the intro to Anesthesia and transition into Bell Tolls. It goes over really well....
Click to expand...
I’ve been working on this one forever.
 
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#339,950
MCF said:
When I took the Fender factory tour, like twelve years ago or thereabouts, they could do basses in small runs to fulfill specific orders. For example, Chicago Music Exchange (I think that’s who he said they were for) wanted a few Adam Clayton Jazz Basses. And there they were sitting on the setup rack after the hardware was installed. To me, it seems like Gibson will do a run of so many Thunderbirds all at the same time (400, 800, or whatever) and that’s that.
Click to expand...

You do know that Gibson has done the exact same thing for CME, yes?
There were a couple of small runs of SG basses in custom colors some years back, and they have worked with Japanese dealers in the past as well.
 
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#339,951
GonePlaid said:
OK, IDK what's up with the "type in letters" B.S., but if I gotta do that for every post, I'm out. :banghead:
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? Never seen that message. Exit out of everything. Power off the machine completely. Take a shot of whiskey (or whisky). Restart. Take another shot while it goes through startup processes. Try it then. If it’s still an issue, someone else needs to help you.
 
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#339,952
Tim Skaggs said:
Can some
Of you Tbird experts take a look at this please? I should have put it here to begin with;

Tim Skaggs

Thread '‘91 Hummingbird (Gibson Tbird)'

I have a stock / original ‘91 Gibson Thunderbird that has 60 Hz hum like a Jazz Bass with two bridge pickups.

It’s shielded to death with conductive paint AND aluminum shielding tape in the control cavity and the pickup cavities. Everything is grounded and has been checked with a meter to verify good continuity.

The internet says the original ‘91 TBirds have “humbuckers” in both neck & bridge positions. I have my doubts about that. Either one of the pickups turned on, or both on
and it hums to high heaven.

The wires from both pickups are single conductor with a shield, and both the...
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Click to expand...
Can't help, but you should always post here so we can see the great pic of Mel!
 
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#339,953
Even at the ripe old age of 66 you just never know what's around the corner. While I've done instrument repair and restoration for years I've pretty much kept it to myself, never really hanging out my shingle. I have even quietly done work for The House of Guitars but today they made it official. I'm really excited about this new endeavor. I just finished going over this vintage Ripper for the store.
 
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#339,954
TBird1958 said:
You do know that Gibson has done the exact same thing for CME, yes?
There were a couple of small runs of SG basses in custom colors some years back, and they have worked with Japanese dealers in the past as well.
Click to expand...
Yep. For a time Henry was pretty adventurous. I’m not really complaining, more amused by it all more than anything. We’re a pretty passionate lot. I wish I could be more like George and just build what I’d want.
 
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#339,957
godofthunder59 said:
Even at the ripe old age of 66 you just never know what's around the corner. While I've done instrument repair and restoration for years I've pretty much kept it to myself, never really hanging out my shingle. I have even quietly done work for The House of Guitars but today they made it official. I'm really excited about this new endeavor. I just finished going over this vintage Ripper for the store.
Click to expand...

I wish you lived in SoCal! Congratulations!
 
Last edited:
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#339,960
Thumper said:
Interesting changes to the new Thunderbird, but not for me. If they put the better upper fret access on the origional neck through, added the reissue PUPs, Supertone (or Babicz), Hipshots, did all chrome, and some cooler colors, I really think they'd get more sales.

I really struggle to play For Whom The Bell Tolls/Metallica on my 2014, due to the poor upper fret access, fantastic song to play. I do most of the intro to Anesthesia and transition into Bell Tolls. It goes over really well....
Click to expand...
Brilliant.
 
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