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Thunderbird Club

Just got back from a trip to couple of music stores with my daughter.
The first one had a new black Gibson Thunderbird. The neck had so much forward bow the action had to be at least 3/8 inch at the 12th fret! I pointed it out to the sales clerk and she said it wasn’t like that when when she unpacked it the other day. I suppose it did go from Nashville to Toronto to Vancouver.
One of the guys there tightened the truss rod to get it into playable territory and I tried it out.
Pros: nice and light, good fretwork, sounded good
Cons: finish flaws:bored:. (I like Gibson and want them to succeed, but) they hadn’t filled the pores on the edges of the headstock and where the fingerboard meets the body was a mess. The black finish did not help, because you could see every flaw, including a divot (maybe a pore?) in the middle of the back.
That bass is $3k. Yikes!

Onto the next store, no a Gibson or Eppi Tbirds, but they had a couple of Dingwall D-Rocs. I think I played the standard. It was matte black with 3 pickups. That’s a nice Tbird-ish bass! Very light, set up nicely, and a good range of tones.

Hanging in a back corner was a 1963 Gretsch Country Gentleman bass. Easily the fattest neck I’ve ever seen on a bass guitar! And it has an end pin.

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Did a couple of stores myself today. Got to try an Ebony Gibson Thunderbird in one and a VP in the other. Had high hopes for the ebony, but no dice, although I did not notice any flaws, like on the one you tried. The VS I tried last week played and felt much better. VPs... not for me, but they sound amazing. Might try a Pro tomorrow.
 
Simmer down, there!
Swinging that boatpaddle.....er headstock around like that!
You're thinking "Did he whack the wall six times or only five?" Now, to tell you the truth, I've forgotten myself in all this excitement. But being this is a Thunderbird, the most powerful bass guitar in the world and the headstock will blow your head clean off, you've gotta ask yourself a question: “Do I feel lucky?”
 
It seems like the answer should be obvious (and perhaps it is) but I am curious. Is anyone using flats down-tuned? Drop D or D standard? Does it become a problem? What abut BEAD tuning?

I’ve started working on getting used to D standard. My EBCFs feel and sound good for that (105/50s and 105/45s), but they’re near the edge. Any lower I’d want bigger, and wouldn’t mind a bit fatted for D. The bottom 4 of a 5 string set are awesome for BEAD.
 
You're thinking "Did he whack the wall six times or only five?" Now, to tell you the truth, I've forgotten myself in all this excitement. But being this is a Thunderbird, the most powerful bass guitar in the world and the headstock will blow your head clean off, you've gotta ask yourself a question: “Do I feel lucky?”
:roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:
 
Thunderbirds are the best Pbasse and Jbasses around. That being said, they are so versatile. Like you, I have no need for or desire for angry piano, but Thunderbirds come through with plenty of other great tones, like thick, fat and punchy. Darn near magical.

I kept Rotosound Angry Piano strings on the VP for a good while. While I appreciate the sound, I just didn’t want it for anything I play. (I’m no Ox.Maybe in a group with another bass player?) The VP was becoming a case queen. I even considered selling. But then I put the EBCFs back on and fell in love again. She’s the bird for tomorrow.
 
I tried it on my Epi EB-0. Sounded OK, tension was alright, but then the BL put a chord chart in front of me to sight read. Not a difficult tune, but trying to think everything up a step was a major PITA. Never again.
Def takes practice. I am trying to keep one bass tuned to D and spend part of my practice time with it.
 
Just got back from a trip to couple of music stores with my daughter.
The first one had a new black Gibson Thunderbird. The neck had so much forward bow the action had to be at least 3/8 inch at the 12th fret! I pointed it out to the sales clerk and she said it wasn’t like that when when she unpacked it the other day. I suppose it did go from Nashville to Toronto to Vancouver.
One of the guys there tightened the truss rod to get it into playable territory and I tried it out.
Pros: nice and light, good fretwork, sounded good
Cons: finish flaws:bored:. (I like Gibson and want them to succeed, but) they hadn’t filled the pores on the edges of the headstock and where the fingerboard meets the body was a mess. The black finish did not help, because you could see every flaw, including a divot (maybe a pore?) in the middle of the back.
That bass is $3k. Yikes!

Onto the next store, no a Gibson or Eppi Tbirds, but they had a couple of Dingwall D-Rocs. I think I played the standard. It was matte black with 3 pickups. That’s a nice Tbird-ish bass! Very light, set up nicely, and a good range of tones.

Hanging in a back corner was a 1963 Gretsch Country Gentleman bass. Easily the fattest neck I’ve ever seen on a bass guitar! And it has an end pin.

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Nice DK shirt!
 
I kept Rotosound Angry Piano strings on the VP for a good while. While I appreciate the sound, I just didn’t want it for anything I play. (I’m no Ox.Maybe in a group with another bass player?) The VP was becoming a case queen. I even considered selling. But then I put the EBCFs back on and fell in love again. She’s the bird for tomorrow.
Miles,
Unless you need the money to feed or otherwise provide for your family, NEVER SELL YOUR THUNDERBIRDS. EVER.
 
Just got back from a trip to couple of music stores with my daughter.
The first one had a new black Gibson Thunderbird. The neck had so much forward bow the action had to be at least 3/8 inch at the 12th fret! I pointed it out to the sales clerk and she said it wasn’t like that when when she unpacked it the other day. I suppose it did go from Nashville to Toronto to Vancouver.
One of the guys there tightened the truss rod to get it into playable territory and I tried it out.
Pros: nice and light, good fretwork, sounded good
Cons: finish flaws:bored:. (I like Gibson and want them to succeed, but) they hadn’t filled the pores on the edges of the headstock and where the fingerboard meets the body was a mess. The black finish did not help, because you could see every flaw, including a divot (maybe a pore?) in the middle of the back.
That bass is $3k. Yikes!

Onto the next store, no a Gibson or Eppi Tbirds, but they had a couple of Dingwall D-Rocs. I think I played the standard. It was matte black with 3 pickups. That’s a nice Tbird-ish bass! Very light, set up nicely, and a good range of tones.

Hanging in a back corner was a 1963 Gretsch Country Gentleman bass. Easily the fattest neck I’ve ever seen on a bass guitar! And it has an end pin.

View attachment 4337591 View attachment 4337592 View attachment 4337593
That's really sad about the Gibson. Very disappointing. You'd think that as they try to turn things around they would be really paying attention to what goes out the door and want to make great impressions. It seems Epi VPs get better QC.
 
which winery? And if you are looking for input, Ashdown.
Savannah Chennel….yes Ashdown wins….
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Did a couple of stores myself today. Got to try an Ebony Gibson Thunderbird in one and a VP in the other. Had high hopes for the ebony, but no dice, although I did not notice any flaws, like on the one you tried. The VS I tried last week played and felt much better. VPs... not for me, but they sound amazing. Might try a Pro tomorrow.
Didn't you mention some dive and didn't like the poly finish? If you really like the tone, those things can be addressed and mitigated at least some. I'm not crazy about poly either and love the feel of lacquer, but wouldn't want to give up a VP for that reason. Shoot I had a Ric that was sticky and my '76 Thunderbird, and I assume both are lacquer. But if you can't go them I understand, but hate to see you pass on a tone you love over somethings and might be addressed to make it better. But we likes what we likes! And what we don't, just won't work.
 
You're thinking "Did he whack the wall six times or only five?" Now, to tell you the truth, I've forgotten myself in all this excitement. But being this is a Thunderbird, the most powerful bass guitar in the world and the headstock will blow your head clean off, you've gotta ask yourself a question: “Do I feel lucky?”
:roflmao: That's good!