• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Thunderbird Club

#193,941
It seems that pickguard placement was somewhat random at the Gibson factory. Check out the II in the photo from the Premier Guitar article:
D530A113-1EE7-4238-BBE7-AF9EAA28B47A.png


This is from the Reverb listing that Scott is looking at:
8F90D7C0-2FE5-4609-8A6E-02A7869C436C.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: Butcherboy, MCF, Miles_ONeal and 9 others
#193,943
Engle said:
It seems that pickguard placement was somewhat random at the Gibson factory. Check out the II in the photo from the Premier Guitar article:
View attachment 4534086

This is from the Reverb listing that Scott is looking at:
View attachment 4534090
Click to expand...

The pg on the bass in the top pic looks wrong. Never seen one so 'off'. Not sure what's going on there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Count Bassie, PillO and 6 others
#193,944
godofthunder59 said:
Usually what I am looking for but right now I am looking for a 64-65 Reverse, though I could be distracted by a nice Nonreverse or EB3.
Click to expand...


I'm still looking for a '64-'65 II as well, we're done with a new roof for the house (44K later!) and have started finishing the basement, so I'm picking up this ball again. There was a really nice '64 on Reverb in NYC that I was eyeballing but I think it got snapped up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Nocturnal, PillO and 9 others
#193,946
Chucky Stiletti said:
nice….great year…considering the one in the middle which would be my second ‘66….candy…
View attachment 4534106
Click to expand...

I see a signature on the strap - anyone 'noteworthy"? Are the frets in good condition? When I saw the one I eventually bought I loved the way it looked and because of the way it looked I figured the frets were shot. When I sat down to play it I saw that the 'cash register' was in "like new" condition. I later learned the shop in Seattle (Mile & Mikes) did a re-fret when they got it. Whoever did the partial re-fret did a great job as you can't see a difference between the ones they replaced and the originals in the nose-bleed section, which are original and in good shape. Once I plugged it in and started playing it - that's when I knew I had to have it.

When I got it home, I took off the pg and found the ES (Enter Special) stamp on the body - a designation for a bass or guitar that was for a special order or was going to be in a trade show so extra care was taken when it was finished. I can imagine the factory stamping a bunch of bodies just in case they'd need it for such as sometimes it's a custom colour and other times (like mine) it was a stock finish.

upload_2022-1-8_10-36-20.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Miles_ONeal, Count Bassie and 9 others
#193,948
JIO said:
Yah, I could never justify the price for my '64 II if it was for sale today at todays going prices. The most I ever paid for a bass was for my '66 P about 8yrs ago. Worth every penny.

View attachment 4534048
Click to expand...
I paid a little too much for the white '76. But it was such a one off (only white with a '76 serial #, but also stamped second). No white '76s were made. It was also in fantastic condition. It's heavy but sounds great. But not '64 great. My wife wanted to get it as Christmas present. She found it and even talked the guy down $500. So there's no way I could have said "No thanks." I appreciate the work she put into it and I do like it. Sounds great with Rotos (currently my fav for it) and nice with TIs and Fender flats.

What strings are you using on the '66? Looks like flats from Louisville!
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Miles_ONeal, Nocturnal and 4 others
#193,949
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Miles_ONeal, Count Bassie and 8 others
#193,950
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Count Bassie, PillO and 3 others
#193,951
JIO said:
I see a signature on the strap - anyone 'noteworthy"? Are the frets in good condition? When I saw the one I eventually bought I loved the way it looked and because of the way it looked I figured the frets were shot. When I sat down to play it I saw that the 'cash register' was in "like new" condition. I later learned the shop in Seattle (Mile & Mikes) did a re-fret when they got it. Whoever did the partial re-fret did a great job as you can't see a difference between the ones they replaced and the originals in the nose-bleed section, which are original and in good shape. Once I plugged it in and started playing it - that's when I knew I had to have it.

When I got it home, I took off the pg and found the ES (Enter Special) stamp on the body - a designation for a bass or guitar that was for a special order or was going to be in a trade show so extra care was taken when it was finished. I can imagine the factory stamping a bunch of bodies just in case they'd need it for such as sometimes it's a custom colour and other times (like mine) it was a stock finish.

View attachment 4534180
Click to expand...
Well learned something new. I didn't know (or recall) what ES meant. One of my Fenders has that. Can't recall which one, but I recall seeing it on one.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, PillO, RedVee and 3 others
#193,954
TBird1958 said:
There's always one of these hanging around somewhere!

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

It's an interesting bass with some nice details. (32" scale/Strat-jack on the side/unrestricted access to the lower frets/6-bolt neck/lower strap peg on the backside/painted hs but natural neck) For the price it's probably a great sounding bass. The pu set-up is like Fenders early '90s Stu Hamm signature "Urge" bass - I've never played one but have always wanted to to hear how it sounds. It looks good in yellow/black/gold but personally I wouldn't want a yellow bass. It's also heavy at one ounce less than 10lbs.

When I visit Seattle some day, I want to visit Mike & Mikes. They always have a great selection of vintage basses for sale. When I was doing research on my '66, I learned it was sold by the deceased owners brother to a shop in Portland, it ended up at Mike & Mikes, (where the fret-job was done) and finally ended up in SF at Real Guitars where I saw it. I'm imagining the shops themselves sold it one to the other, possibly as trades for stock that was better suited to sell in their area - like horse-traders.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, PillO, Gaolee and 3 others
#193,955
JIO said:
It's an interesting bass with some nice details. (32" scale/Strat-jack on the side/unrestricted access to the lower frets/6-bolt neck/lower strap peg on the backside/painted hs but natural neck) For the price it's probably a great sounding bass. The pu set-up is like Fenders early '90s Stu Hamm signature "Urge" bass - I've never played one but have always wanted to to hear how it sounds. It looks good in yellow/black/gold but personally I wouldn't want a yellow bass. It's also heavy at one ounce less than 10lbs.

When I visit Seattle some day, I want to visit Mike & Mikes. They always have a great selection of vintage basses for sale. When I was doing research on my '66, I learned it was sold by the deceased owners brother to a shop in Portland, it ended up at Mike & Mikes, (where the fret-job was done) and finally ended up in SF at Real Guitars where I saw it. I'm imagining the shops themselves sold it one to the other, possibly as trades for stock that was better suited to sell in their area - like horse-traders.
Click to expand...


When things are better it's a short flight up the coast, better yet, have @Chucky Stiletti drive his AMX up and you can ride shotgun - The coast of Oregon and Washington will make for a great road trip.

Welcome mat is out!
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Count Bassie, PillO and 8 others
#193,956
dagrev said:
Well learned something new. I didn't know (or recall) what ES meant. One of my Fenders has that. Can't recall which one, but I recall seeing it on one.
Click to expand...

Since it is covered by the pg, it would have had to be designated with a sticker or some such thing once it left the factory for anyone to distinguish it from a stock bass/guitar. So after it was sent to/used for however/whoever it was targeted for, the sticker was removed and unless one took off the pg - it just entered the stream with all the other fish. So it's special, but probably just a little bit special. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Miles_ONeal, Count Bassie and 5 others
#193,957
TBird1958 said:
When things are better it's a short flight up the coast, better yet, have @Chucky Stiletti drive his AMX up and you can ride shotgun - The coast of Oregon and Washington will make for a great road trip.

Welcome mat is out!
Click to expand...

That is an awesome idea! :thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Count Bassie, PillO and 6 others
#193,958
TBird1958 said:
I'm still looking for a '64-'65 II as well, we're done with a new roof for the house (44K later!) and have started finishing the basement, so I'm picking up this ball again. There was a really nice '64 on Reverb in NYC that I was eyeballing but I think it got snapped up.
Click to expand...
44k !!!!!!!!!! For a roof my god you really do live in a palace (eye pop emogi). We just replaced ours and I was choking on 14k
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Miles_ONeal, dagrev and 6 others
#193,959
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Larry V, Nocturnal and 4 others
#193,960
godofthunder59 said:
44k !!!!!!!!!! For a roof my god you really do live in a palace (eye pop emogi). We just replaced ours and I was choking on 14k
Click to expand...

It's a pretty humble place! We had a metal roof put on, thus the cost. Houses are really pricey here and we won't lose money on it should we ever sell and move out to Pt. Angeles. Conversely, if we stay I won't have to deal with getting another roof ever. But, I'm still jonesing for a '64 II!
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Larry V, Miles_ONeal and 10 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back