Thunderbird Club

[BklynKen]

The deed is done
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I was gonna say that you could always paint the headstock to match the old one, but that grain is beautiful.

 

[TBird1958]

Why? Their lack of marketing has kept them well behind Fender in the bass market so far!

I honestly don't think that's their intent with basses - seriously. I'm certain that if they wanted to they could have aped a 7ender design long ago, instead for those of us that appreciated walking an alternate path Gibson has made over 80 different basses over the decades, something I'm very glad they did. Obviously the money is in guitars for Gibson, I do wish they'd be a bit more creative about what they do for us bass players, but the new NR is a start and I like it.
Perhaps we could convince them to transplant all of the new hardware and colors back to the Reverse, I do think that would sell quite well.

 

[dagrev]

I guess it is... Tough to understand how Nikki Sixx doesn't make that list. One could also argue the same for Pete Way, Martin Turner...

Good names. Ones I would have also put in the place of some on the list. While not a Sixx or MC fan (just not my thing), he put Thunderbirds under a massive spotlight as likely none before.

 

[dagrev]

Nice, I'm a big fan of the Chinabuckers. I do recommend CTS volume 500 pots, 250 tone pot, wired VVT. Series/parallel is also nice to get the P vibe for even more versatility.

Jumping off your post.... Wonder any have both CB and ProBuckers to compare? The CBs seem a worthy option.

 

[dagrev]

Uh oh. Don't let @MCF see this. His girlfriend isn't on there.

But clearly another viable possibility.

 

[dagrev]

Just about ready to give up on the neck on this. Been playing c shape P necked basses since my post RE this issue, no problem. 20 minutes on it yesterday and my fretting hand is still a little sore. Sigh.... Thinking I'll put my HIGHLY flamed CS neck on it. Probably best to sell it, since it won't look good on anything else I have
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This has to be the best looking and best sounding "Jazz" bass I've ever seen. You knocked it out of the park with this.

 

[dagrev]

forget those 4 bozos, it’s the absence of Plaid that ticked me off!!

Indeed. How long has he been consistently rocking a Thunderbird? Longer than some on the list have been alive (I'm guessing).

 

[dagrev]

I most definitely should've been in the list of coolest left-handed Thunderbird players. Gibson had better get their priorities straight.

Yet another great point. You have my vote!

 

[TBird1958]

Jumping off your post.... Wonder any have both CB and ProBuckers to compare? The CBs seem a worthy option.

I have both, they sound pretty similar.

 

[dagrev]

OK, Boomers.

Stinkin' kids with those clanky strings.

 

[Nocturnal]

Anybody else going to swap positions for the tone pot and the input jack?
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If I buy one I would change the location.

Sorry if this has already been posted (it musta been), but just in case, thought you guys would enjoy it.

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Funny that Simmons is on that list from 2014 and now is supposed to have a signature Tbird. There is probably more footage of Jackie Foxx playing a Bird than Gene, at least back in the 70's.
Sixx was an odd oversight. He has probably sold more Birds for Gibson than any other name player. This was probably written when he was leaving for Schecter so they were pissed.

The deed is done
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I am not a big fan of maple fretboards but that entire neck is beautiful.

 

[dagrev]

Which kinda put me off buying one for many years....
Now I rarely play anything else

Same here. When I got back into playing again years ago I was a little hesitant to play mine out not wanting be seen as a copy cat. When I fact I was likely playing a Thunderbird way before he was. Eventually I did because I love the sound an can work up that "I don't care what people think" attitude fairly easily.

 

[dagrev]

I have both, they sound pretty similar.

Thanks. I got to thinking after posting that I think I asked this before.

 

[GBassNorth]

All wrapped up at 5 over par, that should put me in the money. On my way home now, I hear a Tbird callin me.

 

[Engle]

dig it! looks great, maple Fingerboards rule….

Right? I think I need a maple fingerboard!

 

[dagrev]

Right? I think I need a maple fingerboard!

This my favorite chunk of maple!

 

[GonePlaid]

This my favorite chunk of maple!

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If it didn't have all that dang metal in it, we could chop it up and smoke some ribs.

 

[dagrev]

If it didn't have all that dang metal in it, we could chop it up and smoke some ribs.

There's that too.

 

[GonePlaid]

I s'pose everyone's seen this(N.A.): Gibson Late 60's Thunderbird II "Non Reverse" -Golden Mist Poly- | eBay

 

[69'Vette]

You have to know that George and Scott go back at least 15 years - Gibson bass forum on The Dudepit, what a wild and wooly place that was!

It'll be 20 years next Spring. I saw this EB on eBay and went searching online to see what model it could be because I'd never seen one like that. I stumbled onto the Dudepit and the rest is history. Scott jumped in and answered my questions and we bonded over both Thunderbirds and Gene Simmons, among many other things.

I ended up missing out on this thing and being super disappointed, but a few years later (maybe 2004 or 5?) it popped up again and I was able to snag it then. Turned out to be a modded EB4. In the meantime, (through that site) I'd made friends with many awesome guys all over the U.S. and even internationally, and those ties continue today, with this thread feeling somewhat similar to what we had there.