Thunderbird Club

[Dadagoboi]

Chevy made a small number of El Rancheros with a straight 6 in 1976.

So rare they're called El Caminos. Rancheros are Fords.

 

[Gaolee]

So rare they're called El Caminos. Rancheros are Fords.

Desirability is something that comes and goes. Back in the '70s, you could barely give away a 7ender that was a couple years old. Now, a 1976 7ender is some kind of vintage thing or another. I still don't want one, but it seems like a lot of people do. Gibson got Thunderbirds absolutely right when they started making them again, at least in my opinion. Balance is great, sound is thunderous, and they look and feel like Thunderbirds. A 2015 was priced too high, but it's different enough that it may develop a bit of a following in time, once the right people find them. They are different sounding from an EB that uses the same electronics, but just as versatile. I'm very happy to have one. The specific one I have has its quirks and flaws, mainly a pronounced dead spot on the G string that I haven't been able to dial out yet, but other than that, it can do all kinds of things and has a range of sounds that no other bass I own, save the EB, can approach.

Will that make it collectible someday? Probably not. But, I don't expect to lose money on it over time. I got it used, and if you discount inflation, I expect it to retain its value.

 

[veebass]

How good are the 90s Orville by Gibson TBirds? Do they sound much different to the more recent pre 2015 Gibson TBirds. If so, how are they different? I expect they would because I understand the pickups are different, the neck pickup is in the vintage spot and they construction is different (set neck, non laminated).
Views appreciated. I have a short opportunity to pick one up at a good price.

 

[Haji]

So rare they're called El Caminos. Rancheros are Fords.

Nobody wants those with a straight 6, either.

 

[Haji]

Ever notice that talking about sound is much like describing how colors feel?

 

[Christine]

I think even if Gibson do reintroduce the T Bird it will probably be back in something closer to the 2014 spec than the 2015. I suspect the problem for Gibson is that the epic classics are so good and so cheap they could well put an end to the Gibson bird. In my experience the last of any product often gets to be collectable eventually even if it is for curiosity value. It would be better if T Birds are really at an end if they issued a limited edition with 60s spec chrome hardware and a two piece bridge similar to the badbird

 

[veebass]

I know the love you guys feel for TBirds extends more broadly to Gibson basses in some cases.
Here is a quite rare colour Ripper for sale on US eBay. The "Long Way To The Top" Cherryburst. Very few made.
Zero Feedback and an electrical problem though.



1973-75 Gibson L9-S Ripper Bass Guitar Cherry Sunburst ***RARE*** With Case!

 

[Haji]

Rippers always reminded me of a cute girl that has a HUGE ass.

 

[TBird1958]

How good are the 90s Orville by Gibson TBirds? Do they sound much different to the more recent pre 2015 Gibson TBirds. If so, how are they different? I expect they would because I understand the pickups are different, the neck pickup is in the vintage spot and they construction is different (set neck, non laminated).
Views appreciated. I have a short opportunity to pick one up at a good price.

They're really good basses, Japanese QC is awesome on them. The differences from the pups and construction are exactly the reason to own one - They're a bit different!

 

[veebass]

They're really good basses, Japanese QC is awesome on them. The differences from the pups and construction are exactly the reason to own one - They're a bit different!

Thanks, window of opportunity unfortunately closed a bit sooner than I had hoped. Anyway still on the lookout for another 'Bird. Casually, looking for a white 'Bird at a good price and the Orville was a Burst, so no great disappointment.

 

[Dadagoboi]

How good are the 90s Orville by Gibson TBirds? Do they sound much different to the more recent pre 2015 Gibson TBirds. If so, how are they different? I expect they would because I understand the pickups are different, the neck pickup is in the vintage spot and they construction is different (set neck, non laminated).
Views appreciated. I have a short opportunity to pick one up at a good price.

Same pickups as Grecos, better tuners. Five piece body. This is an 89, the pickup covers were black when I got it. The covers are nickel silver under the black. Few minutes with paint remover and instant vintage.

Sold mine for what I paid (1000 US) after I bought my two 60s Reverses. Orville by Gibsons are great basses but IMO there is NOTHING like an original 60s Thunderbird, including Bicentennials.

 

[ThaCoast]

Rippers always reminded me of a cute girl that has a HUGE ass.

Best analogy to a bass guitar ever! & pretty soon, i'll own one, built by me

 

[RedVee]

Collectability is a function of desirability, not just rarity. Chevy made a small number of El Rancheros with a straight 6 in 1976. They're rare, they're not collectible. Remember why the 2016 is rare: few wanted that bass at that price.

So rare they're called El Caminos. Rancheros are Fords.

Nobody wants those with a straight 6, either.

Interesting. In Oz, Holden (GM-H) made the first two series (1968-76 approx) with lower grade models including small 6 with 3-on-the-tree manual (or Auto) tranny.
The V8 have the racing heritage and get the love... But, unmolested base 6s have a fan base and are searched out by some for saving. Most have had a career of engine changes to V8s, either Holden or Chev (mice & rats); and a lot written off in smashes and other misadventures.

 

[TBird1958]

Rippers always reminded me of a cute girl that has a HUGE ass.

On LBO they're called Fat Bottom Girls

 

[Korladis]

I think even if Gibson do reintroduce the T Bird it will probably be back in something closer to the 2014 spec than the 2015. I suspect the problem for Gibson is that the epic classics are so good and so cheap they could well put an end to the Gibson bird. In my experience the last of any product often gets to be collectable eventually even if it is for curiosity value. It would be better if T Birds are really at an end if they issued a limited edition with 60s spec chrome hardware and a two piece bridge similar to the badbird

I don't think I'm the only one who likes recent neck through Epis better than recent Gibsons. If they're going to charge three times as much, they need to be noticeably better.

Chrome everything would be at least a very visible difference.

Rippers always reminded me of a cute girl that has a HUGE ass.

So, amazing, in other words?

 

[Klondike]

I'm not a huge fan of chrome. Both Ol Blue(ungothed) and my Ibby have chrime hardware and I like the way they look and I'm REALLY not a fam of gold hardware. Now Black Chrome might be a different story.

Anyone ever seen blue or red hardware??

 

[Korladis]

I'm not a huge fan of chrome. Both Ol Blue(ungothed) and my Ibby have chrime hardware and I like the way they look and I'm REALLY not a fam of gold hardware. Now Black Chrome might be a different story.

Anyone ever seen blue or red hardware??

I do like chrome, but blue or red hardware I think would be a bit much for me.

Aged brass hardware would look cool, I think. Like a dull sheen more than a mirror shine.

 

[Klondike]

I do like chrome, but blue or red hardware I think would be a bit much for me.

Aged brass hardware would look cool, I think. Like a dull sheen more than a mirror shine.

Im not sure if I would like blue or red. I was imagining a shiny chrome/esk blue/red btw. Probably on the right build.

 

[Christine]

I don't think I'm the only one who likes recent neck through Epis better than recent Gibsons. If they're going to charge three times as much, they need to be noticeably better.

Chrome everything would be at least a very visible difference.


So, amazing, in other words?

The Epis should be twice the price really from Gibsons point of view of selling new basses. I just don't see how the new Epiphones were allowed to be as good as they are and the classics using Gibson pups as well as the 9 ply neck. The only downsides are the poly finish and the tuners which are a bit lumpy

 

[Mike A]

I previously had an Epi Les Paul Special (sounded GREAT... horrible "tilt" for me) and one of the 90's Epi Rippers (sounded like a P to me... and also had some neck dive.) Both solid basses, but they went away quick after buying my first Tbird.