Thunderbird Club

[Gaolee]

@Larry V I think this is near your neck of the woods.
He's open to offers, could probably get it for a decent price.
Gibson Thunderbird 1991 sunburst | Lakeshore Guitars
(No affiliation)

That looks like a good one in great condition. My '91 was pounded pretty hard over the course of its life. The case is a little busted up (it did its job). I have no complaints. It balances the best of all of my 'Birds. If that one is simlar, it will be a little on the heavy side, but outstanding to play. I'm curious about the case. That one has a satin cover sheet. My '91's case has a fleece cover sheet. I wonder what the logic and timing for the change was. Actually, I wonder why Gibson puts that extra cover sheet in the case in the first place, because I can't figure out what it does.

 

[JJR58]

That looks like a good one in great condition. My '91 was pounded pretty hard over the course of its life. The case is a little busted up (it did its job). I have no complaints. It balances the best of all of my 'Birds. If that one is simlar, it will be a little on the heavy side, but outstanding to play. I'm curious about the case. That one has a satin cover sheet. My '91's case has a fleece cover sheet. I wonder what the logic and timing for the change was. Actually, I wonder why Gibson puts that extra cover sheet in the case in the first place, because I can't figure out what it does.

That cover is just a nice pretty blanket to tuck her in with.

 

[Larry V]

Actually, I wonder why Gibson puts that extra cover sheet in the case in the first place, because I can't figure out what it does.

The only thing that I could figure is that it keeps the dust off if the case is left open for any length of time with the bass in it. None of my Gibson cases has the slip cover and I'd bet that it's because it was deemed useless.

 

[Gaolee]

The only thing that I could figure is that it keeps the dust off if the case is left open for any length of time with the bass in it. None of my Gibson cases has the slip cover and I'd bet that it's because it was deemed useless.

The 2015 case doesn't have one. The 2001 case does. You could well be right.

 

[JIO]

The only thing that I could figure is that it keeps the dust off if the case is left open for any length of time with the bass in it. None of my Gibson cases has the slip cover and I'd bet that it's because it was deemed useless.

It adds that extra bit of mystery, like a satiny negligé. Actually, I have one of the brown cases w/fushia fur/satin cover sheet and it always made me think of a coffin...

 

[JJR58]

Speaking of mystery, what's this?
I know it's described as an L5, but never have seen such a thing.


Gibson L5 Bass 1970s sun burst | Subway Guitars

 

[Gaolee]

I'm guessing somebody modified the bejeebers out of a Ripper to make that, but maybe there was a factory skunkworks that grew mutants on occasion back then. It probably sounds insane, what with two mudbuckers and one of those at the bridge. I sure would love to hear it.

 

[Matt O]

How much is a quid?

20 bob.

 

[ThunderFox]

How much is a quid?

A quid is British slang for one pound. Similar to a buck being one dollar. There is cockney slang for different amounts of money, but that only applies to some areas in London. Everywhere else usually just says 'quid'. If something is £20, most people say 20 quid.

You learn something every day.

 

[Dadagoboi]

Speaking of mystery, what's this?
I know it's described as an L5, but never have seen such a thing.


Gibson L5 Bass 1970s sun burst | Subway Guitars

Typical stuff from Subway in Berkeley, CA. Incredible place, check it out if you're ever close!

SUBWAY GUITARS: Bargain, Custom, Professional Quality, Retro and Vintage Guitars, Basses & Amps

 

[JJR58]

Typical stuff from Subway in Berkeley, CA. Incredible place, check it out if you're ever close!

SUBWAY GUITARS: Bargain, Custom, Professional Quality, Retro and Vintage Guitars, Basses & Amps

It'll be a while before i'm out west again.
Looking at their site now, wild stuff.

 

[TBird1958]

Speaking of mystery, what's this?
I know it's described as an L5, but never have seen such a thing.


Gibson L5 Bass 1970s sun burst | Subway Guitars

Lots, and I do mean lots of one off stuff came out of Gibson - I don't know if it's legit or not. Need to consult LBO

 

[Larry V]

Speaking of mystery, what's this?
I know it's described as an L5, but never have seen such a thing.


Gibson L5 Bass 1970s sun burst | Subway Guitars

Looks like it'll sound like a muddy fart. Two SG Bass humbuckers... meh. $1,600 plus shipping? No thanks.

 

[Dadagoboi]

Lots, and I do mean lots of one off stuff came out of Gibson - I don't know if it's legit or not. Need to consult LBO

It's 'legit', it's from Fat Dawg.

SUBWAY GUITARS: Bargain, Custom, Professional Quality, Retro and Vintage Guitars, Basses & Amps

From the Website:

"Subway Guitars has an extensive inventory of more than 3000 new, used, vintage, retro and custom-designed acoustic and electric guitars, basses, amplifiers, and parts awaiting you. For 45 years, Subway Guitars has been the choice of professional musicians and beginning guitar pickers.
! The website is somewhat like the store itself: old, weird, full of awesome guitars
but not necessarily the height of modernity. Some of what you will see as you
meander aimlessly through these dusty corridors may have been sold back in 1997 or turned into
post-post-modern planter boxes. However, we have a ton of great stuff, and are always making more.
This site is something of a museum honouring our pre-digital past and giving you some idea of what we're all about.
If you see a 1957 Harmony something or other, we may or may not still have it, but we certainly have others of its ilk. As a used, repair and custom shop, our inventory is changing constantly, so, if you have any
interest or questions just call..."

In the top three of music 'stores' I've ever visited.

 

[JIO]

Typical stuff from Subway in Berkeley, CA. Incredible place, check it out if you're ever close!

SUBWAY GUITARS: Bargain, Custom, Professional Quality, Retro and Vintage Guitars, Basses & Amps

It is a wonderland of mostly odd-ball/eccentric 'stuff' - however, if you see anything you are specifically interested in on their website- call and have someone confirm 100% that it is there as instruments w/prices on the site are not updated if sold. Otherwise wandering in is entertaining if you have time to kill.

 

[JJR58]

Looks like it'll sound like a muddy fart. Two SG Bass humbuckers... meh. $1,600 plus shipping? No thanks.

Not exactly my cup of tea, but it's a real oddball of a Gibson.
Certainly not a fan of those humbuckers.

 

[TBird1958]

It's 'legit', it's from Fat Dawg.

SUBWAY GUITARS: Bargain, Custom, Professional Quality, Retro and Vintage Guitars, Basses & Amps

From the Website:

"Subway Guitars has an extensive inventory of more than 3000 new, used, vintage, retro and custom-designed acoustic and electric guitars, basses, amplifiers, and parts awaiting you. For 45 years, Subway Guitars has been the choice of professional musicians and beginning guitar pickers.
! The website is somewhat like the store itself: old, weird, full of awesome guitars
but not necessarily the height of modernity. Some of what you will see as you
meander aimlessly through these dusty corridors may have been sold back in 1997 or turned into
post-post-modern planter boxes. However, we have a ton of great stuff, and are always making more.
This site is something of a museum honouring our pre-digital past and giving you some idea of what we're all about.
If you see a 1957 Harmony something or other, we may or may not still have it, but we certainly have others of its ilk. As a used, repair and custom shop, our inventory is changing constantly, so, if you have any
interest or questions just call..."

In the top three of music 'stores' I've ever visited.

I wonder if Uwe has one!

 

[D.M.N.]

Speaking of mystery, what's this?
I know it's described as an L5, but never have seen such a thing.


Gibson L5 Bass 1970s sun burst | Subway Guitars

Very similar feature set to the prototype Ripper:

If I remember correctly, Uwe over on LBO has one of these singlecut Ripper/L5s in a different finish.

 

[D.M.N.]

I wonder if Uwe has one!

He does.

 

[theFixer]

You could always wrap gaffa tape around the neck until it felt chunky enough...

Yer startin' to sound like by brother! He's a firm believer that there is no problem that can't be fixed with enough tape & twine