No biggie. I am curious if the headstock was recessed where it's currently painted at the factory or at the hands of the painter. Any idea?
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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
- Start date
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- club thunderbird
Hey - the middle of the body does NOT have the raised pickup section. I can't say I've seen that before.
Here is a link to a closeup of the headstock. Looks like it was made that way and someone decided to "get fancy" with it.
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
I now have two Gibson Thunderbirds without the raised center sections. The Studio V and the Short Scale.
The Studio line didn't have the raised center section either because they are set-neck.
Thx, Andy. I feel better now. Lol
Epiphone Thunderbird TV Silver Limited Edition w/OHSC
Epiphone Thunderbird TV Silver Limited Edition w/OHSC
I'm finally letting her go. No dings or scratches and as close to new as it can be.
Never mind the eBay price. We can do better, just PM me. Thx!
Epiphone Thunderbird TV Silver Limited Edition w/OHSC
I'm finally letting her go. No dings or scratches and as close to new as it can be.
Never mind the eBay price. We can do better, just PM me. Thx!
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
And just like that the TV Silver is gone! You snooze, you lose. Bought here, not eBay.
Larry, just curious of what made the TV silver be the odd one out? There is one for sale locally and it looks really nice. I have some stuff to sell and this could be had with the proceeds. Just curious, Thanks!
No an interesting question. I am no "lawsuit" expert. A little internet research. There is some conflicting stuff on the net but it seems.......
The trading company, Kanda Shokai, that traded under Greco was founded in 1948 and still exists. It sold guitars sourced from the same well known (famous in some circles) Japanese factories as Ibanez and other 70s/ 80s Japanese brands. It is often described as a sister brand to Ibanez because the guitars were made in the same factories. It seems Kanda Shokai now sells Greco Zemaitis guitars.
I haven't seen the TBirds we are talking about dated later than 1990 and 1977 seems the earliest. Seems Kanda Shokai was one of the two companies contracted to Fender Japan to oversee guitar production in Japan from 1982 (when Fender moved most of it's production out of the US) and that there ceased to be Greco branded Fender clones at that stage. There are also references that the start of Orville By Gibson production in Japan in about 1988 being associated with some of the companies involved in the MIJ Fenders. All very complicated. But it seems Greco stopped selling Gibson copies soon after in about 1990.
I am not sure what the exact story is with these Greco branded TBirds as they are considerably different to the Ibanez TBirds. They were probably made in the Fujigen Gakki factory from what I can tell.
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It was just the easiest one to sell. It looks great and feels right and sounds right. Heck, it's brand new. Maybe someday they'll be collectible but I wasn't willing to wait that long so I sold it.
I'm also selling my 2014 Gibson SG Bass, Walnut 120th Anniversary Edition. It's on eBay as well but can be had for cheaper if you contact me here.
It was just the easiest one to sell. It looks great and feels right and sounds right. Heck, it's brand new. Maybe someday they'll be collectible but I wasn't willing to wait that long so I sold it.
I'm also selling my 2014 Gibson SG Bass, Walnut 120th Anniversary Edition. It's on eBay as well but can be had for cheaper if you contact me here.
View attachment 864582
Awesome, thanks! I'm looking closely at the one here. Price is fair and it looks to be in good shape. I read the specs and they seem great! I'll keep you posted!
Interesting and thank you. Since you mention Ibanez, did they ever produce Firebird or Thunderbird copies? They really seemed to have Gibson copies mastered in the 70's, I had a couple friends who had Ibanez Les Pauls and I was trying to buy one myself but it never happened.
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
Very nice looking SS...
Is that the same one, that is still listed on Ebay?:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
The EBay listed one seems to have the same headstock with the silver painted beveled edge... Unless it's a reflection of the light, that makes it look like that.
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,894
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- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Ibanez made Thunderbirds, actually a couple different versions. I used to have one, it was very similar to my Greco - the pickups were different and it was a bolt on neck.....
Here's my former......... It was ok but the Greco is worlds better.
Greco with Badbird II
Ibanez made Thunderbirds, actually a couple different versions. I used to have one, it was very similar to my Greco - the pickups were different and it was a bolt on neck.....
Here's my former......... It was ok but the Greco is worlds better.
Greco with Badbird II
There was one like yours on eBay a while back, at a big price.
Thanks for confirming my recollection that it was a bolt on.
Obviously different pickups to the Greco.
Very nice looking SS...
Is that the same one, that is still listed on Ebay?:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
The EBay listed one seems to have the same headstock with the silver painted beveled edge... Unless it's a reflection of the light, that makes it look like that.
Thanks, Michael.
Nope, that's a new listing and I'm watching it to see where it lands price wise.
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I believe what you're seeing is just the bottom edge of the headstock, according to the perspective seen in the rest of the bass (body.) I don't see a definite bevel at all, but it's hard to tell.Very nice looking SS...
Is that the same one, that is still listed on Ebay?:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
The EBay listed one seems to have the same headstock with the silver painted beveled edge... Unless it's a reflection of the light, that makes it look like that.
