Thunderbird Club

[GBassNorth]

So far as I know, there hasn't been a non-black solid finish reverse from Gibson since the '90s sometime when they stopped making white ones. Black and white are all fine and good, but they don't call like sparkly shiny colors do.

There was Gold one for the anniversary.

I just got my Epiphone VP in july, and it become my main bass, both for live and studio, the fun fact is that is sounds better than my 3 MIA 7ender P basses and any of my MM basses.
Today I thought about getting another one, in white. My shock is when I see that they are no longer at sale in Europe, they keep the Sunburst and the black one, but the white...
Is this really bad news, maybe the end of that one, or probably the introduction of new colours just like they made with the Jack Casady ???

Anyway, I AM WORRIED !!!

Just buy a $600 used one as a back up, get any color available and for about $500 have it refinished white. At just over $1000 all in it's still a great bass.

Has anyone seen a Gibson Thunderbird with the 3-point bridge mounted significantly off-center, yet the strings are aligned fine going down the neck?

Looked at the pics. If the strings align on the neck correctly you might want to check one other thing before you conclude the bridge was placed off center. Measure the distance from the side of the neck yo the edge of the center block on both the G and E sides. You might find that the bridge location is correct but the neck through block is not symmetrical. That would give you aligned strings but a misaligned bridge (in relation to the center block).

The pic doesn't show it, but the Hipshot is maybe 1/16 hanging over the center block more on the bass side. You have to stare at it but it's a tiny bit to one side. Strings are perfect along the fret board. But the center of the Hipshot seems to align with the center veneer. I suspect there will be some variation with some to get the strings/fret board correct, but the holes may be done automatically by machine and not done individually by a person looking it over to see if they need to be one way or the other.
View attachment 4374991

I found the hipshot bridge to be wider than the center bloc on all my birds with the exception of the Goth which has a 1/2" wider block than the others. My OCD dictates hardware overhang on the center block would drive me crazy, so that bridge is a no go for me on any bird other than a Goth.

 

[BklynKen]

Looked at the pics. If the strings align on the neck correctly you might want to check one other thing before you conclude the bridge was placed off center. Measure the distance from the side of the neck yo the edge of the center block on both the G and E sides. You might find that the bridge location is correct but the neck through block is not symmetrical. That would give you aligned strings but a misaligned bridge (in relation to the center block).

Thanks. Not sure what you mean by "the side of the neck" in this sense.

 

[Tanner5382]

Yes. Thanks! I played it exclusively on two gigs this past weekend. I had my "number one", black 2018 Reverse with me, but it stayed in the bag. Very happy.

Awesome! Is there much of a tone difference between the two?

 

[BklynKen]

Looked at the pics. If the strings align on the neck correctly you might want to check one other thing before you conclude the bridge was placed off center. Measure the distance from the side of the neck yo the edge of the center block on both the G and E sides. You might find that the bridge location is correct but the neck through block is not symmetrical. That would give you aligned strings but a misaligned bridge (in relation to the center block).

Oh, you mean the edge of the end of the fretboard to the edge of the center block? If so, it's within 1/16" difference between the two sides.

 

[GBassNorth]

Thanks. Not sure what you mean by "the side of the neck" in this sense.

The side of the neck - that would be the part of the neck where the side dots are, not the top surface of the neck where the frets are and not the back of the neck where your thumb or palm rest while playing. So down at the body block the side of the neck is basically the left and right edges of the fretboard since the neck is pretty well formed into the body block at that point.

 

[dagrev]

Something makes me think that this was oddly done intentionally in order to get the strings centered along the neck. I emailed the pics to Gibson asking if this was common in 2018. Curious what they say. I don't have high hopes.

Good. It will be interesting to hear back from them.

 

[TBird1958]

Some Non Reverse stuff..................

Of all my Birds, it's closest to the Studio in terms of it's neck dimensions, construction etc. Note, no volute!

Looking down on the headstock, it's 11/16ths thick as is the Studio, my '89 is 9/16ths, so is the Les Paula, a '76 is just over 1/2", so Gibson added quite a bit "meat" here.

Headstock width..

QC wise this is all very neatly done, the finish and masking is good, even around the base of the neck joint. The fret work is first rate with all ends neat and cleanly dressed, quite impressive.

The much maligned Madame, totally a keeper, this one's set up correctly (Sweetwater), and follows the shallow neck pitch quite well.

 

[dagrev]

did you order one?

No, unfortunately. If I did I think I would have to go with the Burgundy. Maybe one day.....
Just reminding Marshall what's coming his way!

 

[Goatrope]

Awesome! Is there much of a tone difference between the two?

Yes. When I got my 2018, I spent a lot of time switching strings, trying to get some more clarity and highs out of it. I was weening myself off various FSOs that had more up top. Ultimately I put Lollar pups in it, and I was happy.

About a thousand pages ago, I was also lamenting the fact that Gibson went with ceramics on this NR reissue, believing I'd be replacing those pickups when it arrived. But to my pleasant surprise, these NR pups have a much wider freq response than the 2018 had.

The second surprise was the neck. Yes it was fatter on paper, but I don't feel it, now that I got the balance where I want it. And I believe that fatter neck gives the tone a little more meat, but it could all be my imagination.

 

[dagrev]

There was Gold one for the anniversary.


Just buy a $600 used one as a back up, get any color available and for about $500 have it refinished white. At just over $1000 all in it's still a great bass.


Looked at the pics. If the strings align on the neck correctly you might want to check one other thing before you conclude the bridge was placed off center. Measure the distance from the side of the neck yo the edge of the center block on both the G and E sides. You might find that the bridge location is correct but the neck through block is not symmetrical. That would give you aligned strings but a misaligned bridge (in relation to the center block).


I found the hipshot bridge to be wider than the center bloc on all my birds with the exception of the Goth which has a 1/2" wider block than the others. My OCD dictates hardware overhang on the center block would drive me crazy, so that bridge is a no go for me on any bird other than a Goth.

Great advice for Ken.

I don't like it overhanging either, but I try not to think of it, which I don't unless looking for it. I'm not going to change it so...... But I certainly take your point.

 

[dagrev]

Some Non Reverse stuff..................

Of all my Birds, it's closest to the Studio in terms of it's neck dimensions, construction etc. Note, no volute!

View attachment 4375134

Looking down on the headstock, it's 11/16ths thick as is the Studio, my '89 is 9/16ths, so is the Les Paula, a '76 is just over 1/2", so Gibson added quite a bit "meat" here.

View attachment 4375139

Headstock width..

View attachment 4375135

QC wise this is all very neatly done, the finish and masking is good, even around the base of the neck joint. The fret work is first rate with all ends neat and cleanly dressed, quite impressive.

View attachment 4375136

View attachment 4375137

The much maligned Madame, totally a keeper, this one's set up correctly (Sweetwater), and follows the shallow neck pitch quite well.

View attachment 4375138

Sure is a purdy color!

 

[KaraQ]

Unfortunately yes. It's now making me think I'll keep the hardware black since I couldn't even see it until I had a flashlight on it looking for something. Curious how this went at the factory.

View attachment 4374852

View attachment 4374854

I'm also wondering if it's not the center block that's off a bit? On my CP, the G side looks about like your E side....

...but there doesn't appear to be as much of a gap on the other side...

 

[GBassNorth]

Oh, you mean the edge of the end of the fretboard to the edge of the center block? If so, it's within 1/16" difference between the two sides.

Yes, that's the location. All my Gibson birds are exactly 7/8" from neck edge to block edge at the end of the fretboard. A 1/16" difference between the two measurements is huge on runout and could easily explain how the bridge is off center on the block but aligned perfectly on the neck.

As an interesting exercise in geometry - draw a straight line 34" long. That represents the centerline scale of your bass from nut to bridge. Then mark the halfway point. That represents the 12th fret. Now make another mark at 6-7/8" from that mark, that represents the heel end of your fretboard. Now make a mark 1/16" directly above or below that mark (not on the centerline), this represents the offset you might have at the heel. Now draw a straight line from the 12th fret mark through the 1/16" offset mark out towards the bridge mark. Measure the gap at the bridge between the two lines, it's how much your bridge could be off due to runout.

 

[Tanner5382]

Yes. When I got my 2018, I spent a lot of time switching strings, trying to get some more clarity and highs out of it. I was weening myself off various FSOs that had more up top. Ultimately I put Lollar pups in it, and I was happy.

About a thousand pages ago, I was also lamenting the fact that Gibson went with ceramics on this NR reissue, believing I'd be replacing those pickups when it arrived. But to my pleasant surprise, these NR pups have a much wider freq response than the 2018 had.

The second surprise was the neck. Yes it was fatter on paper, but I don't feel it, now that I got the balance where I want it. And I believe that fatter neck gives the tone a little more meat, but it could all be my imagination.

I appreciate the detailed response! I'm glad you wound up being happy with the pickups. I really like the neck on these basses too, very very much. I agree with your theory of the fatter neck beefing up the sound. Even unplugged, the sound and resonance are better to me than my previous Gibsons.

 

[BklynKen]

I'm also wondering if it's not the center block that's off a bit? On my CP, the G side looks about like your E side....

View attachment 4375145


...but there doesn't appear to be as much of a gap on the other side...

View attachment 4375148

Thanks, Kara. I'll do more measurements to see if I can find anything about the center block that's not symmetrical.

 

[Mvf]

This is a 2018, which came stock with the Babicz. I think the issue is the mounting holes, not the bridge itself. They're all symmetrical I think.

Definitely seems pretty even on the fretboard. What do you mean about a shift at the E string?

The pickups seem to be off too.. or??

edit…. So actually I think everything is lined up correct, it's probably just the centerblock that is not fully symmetric.

 

[GonePlaid]

Some Non Reverse stuff..................

Of all my Birds, it's closest to the Studio in terms of it's neck dimensions, construction etc. Note, no volute!

View attachment 4375134

Looking down on the headstock, it's 11/16ths thick as is the Studio, my '89 is 9/16ths, so is the Les Paula, a '76 is just over 1/2", so Gibson added quite a bit "meat" here.

View attachment 4375139

Headstock width..

View attachment 4375135

QC wise this is all very neatly done, the finish and masking is good, even around the base of the neck joint. The fret work is first rate with all ends neat and cleanly dressed, quite impressive.

View attachment 4375136

View attachment 4375137

The much maligned Madame, totally a keeper, this one's set up correctly (Sweetwater), and follows the shallow neck pitch quite well.

View attachment 4375138

Extra "meat"? How ya gonna detach the headstock?

 

[Tanner5382]

Some Non Reverse stuff..................

Of all my Birds, it's closest to the Studio in terms of it's neck dimensions, construction etc. Note, no volute!

View attachment 4375134

Looking down on the headstock, it's 11/16ths thick as is the Studio, my '89 is 9/16ths, so is the Les Paula, a '76 is just over 1/2", so Gibson added quite a bit "meat" here.

View attachment 4375139

Headstock width..

View attachment 4375135

QC wise this is all very neatly done, the finish and masking is good, even around the base of the neck joint. The fret work is first rate with all ends neat and cleanly dressed, quite impressive.

View attachment 4375136

View attachment 4375137

The much maligned Madame, totally a keeper, this one's set up correctly (Sweetwater), and follows the shallow neck pitch quite well.

View attachment 4375138

Great write-up and info! You're right, definitely closest to a Studio of all the Gibson basses I have experienced. Your Inverness is outstanding. I think that particular lighting you have in these pictures is my favorite for the Inverness to really show how green it is.

 

[GonePlaid]

Nah, you are normal according to Gibson.

That's depressing.

 

[GonePlaid]

Great write-up and info! You're right, definitely closest to a Studio of all the Gibson basses I have experienced. Your Inverness is outstanding. I think that particular lighting you have in these pictures is my favorite for the Inverness to really show how green it is.

Yes! Gibson's stock pics of PB and IG don't look a lot different. The pics here look much better.