Thunderbird Club

[godofthunder59]

Yup. There are lots of ABGs not worth the space they take - there was another thread just yesterday about a Kramer Ferrington "exploding". And I'll admit, an ABG could be completely useless to you and still quite useful to me.

Well of course! It's just my experience and opinion lol with a hefty dose of dry sarcasm. When it comes to ABGs I would just asume bring a bass I like and a small amp, I am going to need the amp anyway ; )

 

[JIO]

A Fender Bassman would be an alternative. You can find those for a reasonable price.

Fender Bassman 100 Head 1970's Silverface

I have a hot-rodded 70's 100 - it sounds very good but is big and heavy and not what I'd call gig portable. My Mesa (in gig case) is also heavy, but it's portable.

 

[wolfkeller]

Absolutely, but those specific ones look great, too.

Thanks. Last min thing. Piece of wood, tape and handles. I had zip ties, spray paint and felt pads for the bottom. $25

 

[Gaolee]

Thanks. Last min thing. Piece of wood, tape and handles. I had zip ties, spray paint and felt pads for the bottom. $25

The price makes it even better.

 

[Gaolee]

Well of course! It's just my experience and opinion lol with a hefty dose of dry sarcasm. When it comes to ABGs I would just asume bring a bass I like and a small amp, I am going to need the amp anyway ; )

I could never figure out what those things were for, either. A guitarron makes perfect sense if you are in a mariachi band. One of those might be kinda fun to play with, but their uses are limited. An acoustic bass is about six feet tall and has f-holes. Anything else is just another bass guitar only with a big hollow body. I have no opinions. Only facts.

 

[mistergoats]

pass

Hahaha! I'm guessing it's a really big list?

 

[D.M.N.]

The only ABG worth its salt is an Upright.

 

[mistergoats]

Leaves the door wide-open for someone compiling a (guitar/bass geek) book called "Case History" - (I'll take a small commission for coming up with the title)

That would be interesting. There's a whole sub-genre of guitars in the cases themselves. My 2006 bird was shipped with the case from a completely different Thunderbird (it was mad thrashed). There was a sticker on it at the head of the case that said "2001 Gibson Thunderbird Black". It was a dealer sticker of some kind. Brown case with pink inside and the shroud.

JIO, I'd totally read that!

 

[JIO]

That would be interesting. There's a whole sub-genre of guitars in the cases themselves. My 2006 bird was shipped with the case from a completely different Thunderbird (it was mad thrashed). There was a sticker on it at the head of the case that said "2001 Gibson Thunderbird Black". It was a dealer sticker of some kind. Brown case with pink inside and the shroud.

JIO, I'd totally read that!

Well, Fender cases have more documentation at this point (like this moulded "sunglass case" - 1960's Fender Bulwin "Sunglasses" Case | Rock N Roll Vintage) but I'm not aware of a book dedicated to cases in general - yah, it would be a fun picture book.

I have my '64 HSC (in storage) which was possibly why some of these early birds didn't survive. Not exactly a snug fit, you could nearly stack 2 in there and close the lid. And over time the stitching on the outside edges is disintegrating. After seeing what people are asking for them - selling mine may be a consideration. Only a "collector" would be interested. Vintage Original 60's Thunderbird Case | York Music Shop

 

[JJR58]

Well, Fender cases have more documentation at this point (like this moulded "sunglass case" - 1960's Fender Bulwin "Sunglasses" Case | Rock N Roll Vintage) but I'm not aware of a book dedicated to cases in general - yah, it would be a fun picture book.

I have my '64 HSC (in storage) which was possibly why some of these early birds didn't survive. Not exactly a snug fit, you could nearly stack 2 in there and close the lid. And over time the stitching on the outside edges is disintegrating. After seeing what people are asking for them - selling mine may be a consideration. Only a "collector" would be interested. Vintage Original 60's Thunderbird Case | York Music Shop

My goodness, that's the price of a used Bird.

 

[dukeorock]

Are those sample banks?

The buttons have different functions, depending on which mode you’re in...I’m slowly learning it

Always wondered how then newfangled touchpad thingies are used.

A buddy of mine has quite a few different ones. He loaned me these to see if I would enjoy the process, which I ‘sort of’ do. Thinking of getting a couple small modular systems, but the learning curve is daunting

 

[mistergoats]

I have my '64 HSC (in storage) which was possibly why some of these early birds didn't survive. Not exactly a snug fit, you could nearly stack 2 in there and close the lid. And over time the stitching on the outside edges is disintegrating. After seeing what people are asking for them - selling mine may be a consideration. Only a "collector" would be interested. Vintage Original 60's Thunderbird Case | York Music Shop

I played a '65 Bird II at Norman's Rare Guitars a couple of years ago that had that exact same case. It was HUGE inside with no padding. I was shocked to see the nice condition on the Bird itself. As far as I know, it's still there. HEFTY price tag.

 

[JIO]

While checking all the early 60's T-bird pics on a google search I came across this (already sold) on Reverb - a rare-as-hens-teeth '63 IV (with hs repair) Gibson thunderbird bass IV 1963 original finish 1963

Also thi$ '64 - 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV Bass “Frost Blue” Custom Color Rarest of the Rare ! - I like the amber'd blue-to-green on the hs face. Interesting how that's the only section that amber'd.

For those looking for high-def pics of the control cavity - both listings have good examples.

 

[JIO]

My goodness, that's the price of a used Bird.

Yes, and it's not even "all original" - it's been there for 8 months so most likely on a fishing expedition. I've seen them sell for around $500 in the past in crappy condition. Seriously tempted to sell mine for the price of a new white Epi Vintage pro! (like I need another bass...)

 

[JJR58]

While checking all the early 60's T-bird pics on a google search I came across this (already sold) on Reverb - a rare-as-hens-teeth '63 IV (with hs repair) Gibson thunderbird bass IV 1963 original finish 1963

Also thi$ '64 - 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV Bass “Frost Blue” Custom Color Rarest of the Rare ! - I like the amber'd blue-to-green on the hs face. Interesting how that's the only section that amber'd.

For those looking for high-def pics of the control cavity - both listings have good examples.

JIO, Did you see that Hayman 40/40 bass that seller has?, i Know nothing about those, but looks super cool, kinda dig how it's layed out. Wonder if it's a dog, or something so strange and unique, that it totally rocks.

 

[JIO]

I played a '65 Bird II at Norman's Rare Guitars a couple of years ago that had that exact same case. It was HUGE inside with no padding. I was shocked to see the nice condition on the Bird itself. As far as I know, it's still there. HEFTY price tag.

My case is in way better shape than that one! When I had my '63, I screwed a section of a leather belt across the neck cradle to keep it from flopping around. I flew with it once to NY and when it got there the strap was ripped in two! Somehow the bass was unaffected - so much for HSC protection. (not to mention airport baggage handling)

 

[godofthunder59]

Kinda bummed , called Sweetwater this morning to order the 8.5 lb. Tobacco Sunburst Vintage Pro Thunderbird. Someone beat me to it.

 

[JIO]

JIO, Did you see that Hayman 40/40 bass that seller has?, i Know nothing about those, but looks super cool, kinda dig how it's layed out. Wonder if it's a dog, or something so strange and unique, that it totally rocks.

Hayman's are more or less collector basses - I mean, some own and actually play them but they are sort of like Burns who they were associated with. Probably more common in the UK.

From "Pearls and Crazy Diamonds - 50 years of Burns Guitars 1952-2002" - Hayman guitars (and basses) were produced between 1970 and 1975. The early models - 1010, 2020, 3030 and 4040 bass - lasted the course and were later joined by additional models. Excluding the 2020, the majority of bodies were constructed of obeche with necks of rock maple. All early Hayman guitars were equipped with Super Flux single-coil pick-ups, Grover machine heads and the Hayman "Microtune" bridge.

 

[hillerup]

Thanks. Last min thing. Piece of wood, tape and handles. I had zip ties, spray paint and felt pads for the bottom. $25

Like your new avatar!

 

[JJR58]

My case is in way better shape than that one! When I had my '63, I screwed a section of a leather belt across the neck cradle to keep it from flopping around. I flew with it once to NY and when it got there the strap was ripped in two! Somehow the bass was unaffected - so much for HSC protection. (not to mention airport baggage handling)

You're lucky the bass was unharmed. I can tell you horror stories of what i saw at Delt.. when i worked there.