Thunderbird Club

[hillerup]

View attachment 950654 My man cave groupie.

What color is that bass?

 

[D.M.N.]

I think they look best in '60s/'70s Muscle Car colors, especially MoPar, but Ford's Metallic Root Beer Brown would be pretty cool................

Plum Crazy........Me Like.

Well in keeping with the car association, I think I found the powder blue I'm looking for:

Mustang Brittany Blue

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Although Indian Fire Metallic and Lime Gold are also pretty sweet:

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What can I say, there's something I really love about pale metallics.

 

[Gaolee]

I think they look best in '60s/'70s Muscle Car colors, especially MoPar, but Ford's Metallic Root Beer Brown would be pretty cool................

Plum Crazy........Me Like.

And now I'm thinking maybe the '91 needs paint again. Decisions, decisions...

Then again, there's Cadillac burgandy mist, the ultimate metallic pink:

I would like the car better if it was a '57 with a single headlight and much more outrageous fins and teeth, or a '59 with the ultimate Cadillac fins, but this one is just fine in that color. Actually, everything is just fine in that color if you have enough polyester in your wardrobe.

 

[kat888]

Very pretty cats.... What race and color are they?

Michael, they're Korats from Northeastern Thailand. Until recently they only came in blue, now there's a lilac variant. They are very active and vocal.

Korat - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[kat888]

And now I'm thinking maybe the '91 needs paint again. Decisions, decisions...

Then again, there's Cadillac burgandy mist, the ultimate metallic pink:

I would like the car better if it was a '57 with a single headlight and much more outrageous fins and teeth, or a '59 with the ultimate Cadillac fins, but this one is just fine in that color. Actually, everything is just fine in that color if you have enough polyester in your wardrobe.

at phone browser size the steps in the background look like they are part of the car

 

[GBassNorth]

at phone browser size the steps in the background look like they are part of the car

LOL - I was thinking the same thing, when did they put an accordion soft top on that car?

 

[GBassNorth]

Well in keeping with the car association, I think I found the powder blue I'm looking for:

Mustang Brittany Blue

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Link Removed


Although Indian Fire Metallic and Lime Gold are also pretty sweet:

Link Removed
Link Removed

What can I say, there's something I really love about pale metallics.

I had a '64 1/2 mustang notchback while I was in high school (1977 grad) it was prairie bronze...

Sold it to buy my first wife's wedding ring. Five years later, no wife and no mustang. I miss the car!
Not so sure I'd like this color on a bass though.

 

[Korladis]

If you look at the business, it seems obvious that electric guitars must be a more lucrative venture than electric bass. It would appear that instrument sales in general have steadily downtrended over the years, Part of this is due to popularity of digital/electronic music, which means fewer kids are trying to roooock (and diffusion of new leisure activities, like video gaming, have crowded other activities out, like taking lessons, practicing and being in a band). But the T-bird is such an iconic instrument, as the folks have noted above, there must be a way to expand product offerings and build upon brand equity (as opposed to cannibalizing sales via the value-oriented Epiphone).

My 2015 T-bird pretty much fell in my lap because I got a insane deal on it. But how can a 2015 model be priced at over $2k (even if the case candy included a dated photo of my Axe on the factory work bench)? And why isn't there something in between the Epi and the $2000+ American version? I know that we aren't supposed to mention F@#*er here but they offer two U.S.-made versions of Jazz and P-bass (American Standard and American Elite) with retail at a couple hundred in between (and neither close to $2k). Below that is the very serviceable Standard (MIM) and then the Squier. They also have a variety of artist models at different price points. You get a variety of choices in color, fretboard and electronics. Heck, now you can order directly from the company and mix/match things to your liking.

Now, do I want to pay $900+ for a MIM because Dee Dee Ramone and Flea (with the new roached out pink Jazz) had one? No. In fact, I don't even think of a jazz bass, when I think of Flea. I don't really think Strat, when I think of the Edge either. But it must move people to buy. And occasionally, an artist model actually improves on the tone and functionality of an instrument (e.g., new Johnny Marr Jag).

Over the years, more people have played a T-bird than Nikki Sixx. Why not try a few new signature models (with artists from different genres) and/or venture away from default color choice = sunburst. I think we would all agree that the vibe, aesthetic or cool factor have influenced our preferences for a bass or guitar at one time or another. It would seem that Gibson could simply differentiate by varying tonewoods, electronics and cases vs gigbag, to offer a greater selection of T-birds at different price points. Just because it is made in the U.S. does not mean it has to cost a couple of grand. Gibson manages to sell American-made Les Pauls for around a grand or under. Rick, F*#@er and even PRS manage to do it too and offer reasonable quality in the process.

Sorry for the rant and if I was Captain Obvious here (not to be confused with Captain Sensible of The Damned). I will go see Nurse Rached for my meds now.

Agreed on most counts. There are plenty of people who could be given a signature model. And plenty of colors to do besides brown sunburst. Not that there's anything wrong with that finish, but options would be nice.

So, now having a Greco en route, I was putting around looking stuff up about them and came across this old ad. Anyone every actually seen one with gold hardware in real life?

They're also referred to here as the TB64-80, and I've seen others refer to them as TB900, was it different names from two different series (TB900 maybe being the older ones and the TB64-80 referring to the same model under the "Super Real" series?).


Also, since there's already chips and what not in the tobacco burst finish, I'm thinking of refinishing it (eventually, when I have time/money). My first instinct is either white (I've always loved how clean a really white bass looks, Rickenbackers, Fenders, etc) or Ice Blue Metallic. I know, not a Gibson colour, but I really like light powder blue metallic finishes. The inspiration being this one, but as a metallic paint:

Some thing along these lines:

Other colours in the running would be (pale) Golden Mist Poly, Heather Poly, Pelham Blue and just Shell Pink:

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All those colors look pretty great to me.

The tone on the Epi pros with Gibson pickups is exceptional and very close to the Gbird. But the difference remains in the output...it still doesn't sizzle like a Gibson. If price isn't holding one back, I'd still shell out for a Gbird. For those limited by budget, the Epi pros are one hell of a great purchase. I have 2013 Gbird, an Epi Goth and some others in the quiver...I sometimes keep my peripheral vision open for a white Epi pro just because GAS.

Personally, I've tried Gibsons and Epiphones, and I like the necks on the neck-through Epiphones better.

If the two basses are made of the same woods (they are) and have the same pickups, then the only difference in sound would be due to slightly different electronics... which is an incredibly cheap mod.

 

[Christine]

Personally, I've tried Gibsons and Epiphones, and I like the necks on the neck-through Epiphones better.

I can't tell any difference between mine other than the finish on the Gibson is less grippy on my hand but then we're back to the nitro vs Poly debate, even that could be easily solved with a quick rub with 0000 wire wool

On the subject of colours / colors has anyone ever painted candy apple red? I did the headstock of my jazz a couple of months ago and it struck me after about 2 coats of the red over silver that it would be a fantastic colour for a guitar just like that, however I needed another 12 coats to match the body exactly

 

[Korladis]

I can't tell any difference between mine other than the finish on the Gibson is less grippy on my hand but then we're back to the nitro vs Poly debate, even that could be easily solved with a quick rub with 0000 wire wool

On the subject of colours / colors has anyone ever painted candy apple red? I did the headstock of my jazz a couple of months ago and it struck me after about 2 coats of the red over silver that it would be a fantastic colour for a guitar just like that, however I needed another 12 coats to match the body exactly

Not really a fan of candy apple red.

I see SGs painted that deep red ("heritage cherry"?) all the time. Why don't they ever use that for T-birds? I bet it would look pretty cool.

 

[kat888]

Not really a fan of candy apple red.

I see SGs painted that deep red ("heritage cherry"?) all the time. Why don't they ever use that for T-birds? I bet it would look pretty cool.

You mean like this one?

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[TBird1958]

You mean like this one?

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I have admit that chrome hardware applied to this bass would be an instant classic, I've never understood why Gibson missed the boat so badly on this combination.

 

[Korladis]

You mean like this one?

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Huh, didn't know they'd made one.

But yeah, like that.

I guess I don't get why the finish options for some models are so much more limited than others, in general.

I have admit that chrome hardware applied to this bass would be an instant classic, I've never understood why Gibson missed the boat so badly on this combination.

Yeah. Really chrome would look cool, at least as an option, on most of the colors the T-bird has been offered with. All, actually.

 

[Christine]

I have admit that chrome hardware applied to this bass would be an instant classic, I've never understood why Gibson missed the boat so badly on this combination.

Is it just cost that has stopped the chrome hardware? It still seems that most people would rather have it than the black

 

[Larry V]

If you've wanted a Classic Pro in Alpine White, you no longer have any excuses!

Epiphone Thunderbird IV Pro Classic 2010s Alpine White

$365 shipped!

 

[Dadagoboi]

You mean like this one?

Heritage Cherry on ribbon stripe mahogany:

Not too bad even with black hardware...

 

[Larry V]

Another beauty! drool

 

[Mosstone]

So, now having a Greco en route, I was putting around looking stuff up about them and came across this old ad. Anyone every actually seen one with gold hardware in real life?

They're also referred to here as the TB64-80, and I've seen others refer to them as TB900, was it different names from two different series (TB900 maybe being the older ones and the TB64-80 referring to the same model under the "Super Real" series?).


Also, since there's already chips and what not in the tobacco burst finish, I'm thinking of refinishing it (eventually, when I have time/money). My first instinct is either white (I've always loved how clean a really white bass looks, Rickenbackers, Fenders, etc) or Ice Blue Metallic. I know, not a Gibson colour, but I really like light powder blue metallic finishes. The inspiration being this one, but as a metallic paint:

Some thing along these lines:

Other colours in the running would be (pale) Golden Mist Poly, Heather Poly, Pelham Blue and just Shell Pink:

Link Removed

I vote pelham blue (there aren't enough pb T-Birds in the world). LPB would be cool too (probably cooler). After that, I would say gold. White is good too. Initially, I chose to get the white Classic IV simply because I disliked it less than the traditional brown burst finish, but I've grown to really like it.

 

[GBassNorth]

Heritage Cherry on ribbon stripe mahogany:

Not too bad even with black hardware...

Dang it, stop with the glamour shots!
I made a promise to my wife, no new basses this year and I still have 3 months to go.
You're killin me man

 

[EdO.]

If you've wanted a Classic Pro in Alpine White, you no longer have any excuses!

Epiphone Thunderbird IV Pro Classic 2010s Alpine White

$365 shipped!

I dunno Larry, those cracks at the nut look a bit iffy in the photo. Common? News to me.