• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Thunderbird Club

Hey guys, I have a modern era Gibson TBird pickguard that has aged and yellowed a bit. It must be pretty old but it matches my 2013's screw pattern. It still has the plastic film on it even though it looks like it was pealed back a bit and laid back down. It definitely wasn't completely removed. I'm going to put it on eBay for $60 shipped, but I'll offer it up here for $50 if anyone wants it. Check out some pics and look at the yellowing. Really nice condition.

View attachment 2769856 View attachment 2769857 View attachment 2769858 View attachment 2769859
OH MAN!!! It looks killer all aged & creamy white!
 
Kinda weirdo Thunderbird history question:

What is the origin of the Thunderbird icon?
Unknown.png

Did somebody dream it up specifically for our basses, or is there more to it than that?
 
Kinda weirdo Thunderbird history question:

What is the origin of the Thunderbird icon?
View attachment 2769895
Did somebody dream it up specifically for our basses, or is there more to it than that?

Thunderbird (mythology) - Wikipedia

The thunderbird is a legendary creature in certain North American indigenous peoples' history and culture. It is considered a supernatural being of power and strength. It is especially important, and frequently depicted, in the art, songs and oral histories of many Pacific Northwest Coast cultures, but is also found in various forms among some peoples of the American Southwest, East Coast of the United States, Great Lakes, and Great Plains.

Probably much like the other thunderbird icons, born from native American iconography and graphic artist(s).
xThunderbirdNativeAmericanSymbol.jpg.pagespeed.ic.j8HMIkqhVF.jpg

th?id=OIP.9zxXJJLLdOai6rI28Kdh6wEsDw&w=201&h=161&c=7&qlt=90&o=4&pid=1.jpg

th?id=OIP.L1w8Qbtxhr75B5C9yA2URAEsBq&w=300&h=106&c=7&qlt=90&o=4&pid=1.jpg

th?id=OIP.w9S0ZJd355S9nZNQEwzX4gEsDZ&w=252&h=178&c=7&qlt=90&o=4&pid=1.jpg

th?id=OIP.E8LCtV8eASUiuJ63ObBkegEsA7&w=300&h=59&c=7&qlt=90&o=4&pid=1.jpg
 
Kinda weirdo Thunderbird history question:

What is the origin of the Thunderbird icon?
View attachment 2769895
Did somebody dream it up specifically for our basses, or is there more to it than that?
This picture is brought to you by the letter 'F' for.... Ford
This is the early Ford logo. I find it eerily similar
413144.jpg
 
Slight side track, that lousy scratchy noise is happening again when the bridge pup is engaged.
Didn't do it at the shop after they did what they did. And i kinda cranked it while i was there.
I don't have any spare cables to swap out to see if that's the problem, but i'm kinda perplexed, the shop said they didn't find any issues internally or electronically.
Now, the Jazz bass doesn't do this at all. i'm miffed.

Any helpful input would be greatly appreciated.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: vandoorn and kat888
Thunderbird (mythology) - Wikipedia

The thunderbird is a legendary creature in certain North American indigenous peoples' history and culture. It is considered a supernatural being of power and strength. It is especially important, and frequently depicted, in the art, songs and oral histories of many Pacific Northwest Coast cultures, but is also found in various forms among some peoples of the American Southwest, East Coast of the United States, Great Lakes, and Great Plains.

Probably much like the other thunderbird icons, born from native American iconography and graphic artist(s).
View attachment 2769906
View attachment 2769907
View attachment 2769908
View attachment 2769909
View attachment 2769910
The Native American vibe was what finally lead me to ask about the origin. It seemed too "specific" to have just been a random thing dreamt up in the mind of some marketing guy.
 
Thunderbird (mythology) - Wikipedia

The thunderbird is a legendary creature in certain North American indigenous peoples' history and culture. It is considered a supernatural being of power and strength. It is especially important, and frequently depicted, in the art, songs and oral histories of many Pacific Northwest Coast cultures, but is also found in various forms among some peoples of the American Southwest, East Coast of the United States, Great Lakes, and Great Plains.

Probably much like the other thunderbird icons, born from native American iconography and graphic artist(s).
View attachment 2769906
View attachment 2769907
View attachment 2769908
View attachment 2769909
View attachment 2769910
Don't forget this one:

IMG_5194.JPG


[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] :D:thumbsup:

Named by Chadwick Boot after his favourite magical beast, the Thunderbird, a beast that can create storms as it flies. Thunderbird house is sometimes considered to represent the soul of a witch or wizard. It is also said that Thunderbird favours adventurers.

Only knew about it because the kids got me to take an online quiz which sorted me into the Thunderbird House.

A Thunderbird logo with Shamrocks in it? I'll take it.
 
Slight side track, that lousy scratchy noise is happening again when the bridge pup is engaged.
Didn't do it at the shop after they did what they did. And i kinda cranked it while i was there.
I don't have any spare cables to swap out to see if that's the problem, but i'm kinda perplexed, the shop said they didn't find any issues internally or electronically.
Now, the Jazz bass doesn't do this at all. i'm miffed.
Could it be picking up a weird signal? A couple of my basses pick up weird signals depending where I am in the house and the direction I face.
 
Sorry, I'm not clear on the underlined. Are you asking why the Native American Thunderbird was chosen, or why the iconography?
I got the Native American thang. Now I'm curious about how it got from Native American tradition, to association with a Gibson bass.

When I said "It seemed too "specific" to have just been a random thing", I meant that, if it hadda been dreamt up by some marketing team... it seams more likely that they would've drawn out some big fancy ornate eye-catching fantasy bird that said "You gotta by this bass! All the cool kids have this bass!". To have such a simple black line drawing, with obvious Native American influence, made me wonder. Knowing a little bit about what it meant to the Native Americans, it's no longer a mystery why it would be chosen. I am still curious about who decided this 'new' bass would be called the Thunderbird, and who selected or designed the icon, and that kinda stuff. I haven't researched it at all. My brain just kinda went there...
 
  • Like
Reactions: RedVee
Slight side track, that lousy scratchy noise is happening again when the bridge pup is engaged.
Didn't do it at the shop after they did what they did. And i kinda cranked it while i was there.
I don't have any spare cables to swap out to see if that's the problem, but i'm kinda perplexed, the shop said they didn't find any issues internally or electronically.
Now, the Jazz bass doesn't do this at all. i'm miffed.

Any helpful input would be greatly appreciated.

How/when is it happening? It could be a bit of random muck/carbon in the pot. First thing to check IS cables. Try a known good (borrow or buy) with both basses, and if scratching persists ... well it's time to check wiring and pots.
 
That's actually the Epiphone TBird logo. The Gibson logo doesn't have straight lines used for the feathers. They are curved.

I don't have a clue on the origin of its design. Probably something Dietrich dreamt up.

Didn't even know there was a difference between the Epi and the Gibson bird logos...
 
Well... kinda ALL of it I guess...

The headstock looks like a stylised beak in profile ... and it creates thunder?

EDIT: the question remains, was it already designed and someone said 'hey that looks like a Thunderbird' ... or did they start out using Thunderbird iconography as the basis for the new design?
 
Last edited:
Could it be picking up a weird signal? A couple of my basses pick up weird signals depending where I am in the house and the direction I face.

That is possible, but not happening when trying the Jazz bass.

How/when is it happening? It could be a bit of random muck/carbon in the pot. First thing to check IS cables. Try a known good (borrow or buy) with both basses, and if scratching persists ... well it's time to check wiring and pots.

How/When, when i dial in the bridge pup, it gets this scratchy sound.
Doesn't happen with the neck pup at all. And makes me wonder if the dude at SA really checked anything.
Was thinking of replacing wiring and pots anyway. They didn't charge me anyway.

And much appreciated you two.
I just may take it to Rudy's here in NYC, they've got great techs there, and won't screw me.
 
That is possible, but not happening when trying the Jazz bass.



How/When, when i dial in the bridge pup, it gets this scratchy sound.
Doesn't happen with the neck pup at all. And makes me wonder if the dude at SA really checked anything.
Was thinking of replacing wiring and pots anyway. They didn't charge me anyway.

And much appreciated you two.
I just may take it to Rudy's here in NYC, they've got great techs there, and won't screw me.

It happens when you turn the pot or simply when it's turned up? (if the latter there's a simple fix for that -- hello TBird II!)