What bass is this?

[avvie]

Do you have original hardware & electronics or just the husk as shown? Looks like a great start to a cool resto mod project either way. Might be a candidate for a natural finish .

I have pickups, bridge, and three tuners. Knobs also, but they're corroded.
Looks like it was natural originally but probably had some abuse sanded off

 

[Isaac_James]

.which makes it a PITA to do searches on

I was trying to look up the Roman numerals for the numbers 51, 6, and 500 the other day and couldn't get anything useful. Made me absolutely LIVID

 

[avvie]

HA!

 

[_B_E_A_D_G_]

I was trying to look up the Roman numerals for the numbers 51, 6, and 500 the other day and couldn't get anything useful. Made me absolutely LIVID

I started typing what those would be, then I realized what you did

 

[Astronaut]

The huge serif over and under makes it a roman 5, not a V.

 

[CaptObvious]

Wow that is fugly. Even for an 80's bass. Further proof that Gibson doesn't care about bass.

 

[TyBo]

Paging @ajkula66.

NBD x 2... The Twins (warning: Gibson content)

Almost looks like the same neck on both the IV and V. That'd suit me fine, I like a thin spacing. Very cool!

 

[bobyoung53]

Wow that is fugly. Even for an 80's bass. Further proof that Gibson doesn't care about bass.

I have always thought Gibson basses are either beautiful or not and when they have a good looking one they change it or drop it for some unknown reason.

 

[bassbrad]

Those are nice basses, I played one for a couple of years. BB King's bass player was the highest profile player I recall seeing one on stage.




I love when they bow to each other after the bass solo, BB was such class.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

Thunder Series Bass V. I have one in Ferrari red.

 

[Pauly 4001]

Wow
Solid Mahogany body with ebony fingerboard, set neck build with T Bird pickups!
What a beauty and it looks like you've got most of the parts accounted for. Congrats and keep us posted on restoration progress.
The natural finished versions sure look good.

 

[Danny O Danny]

There is a four string version currently for sale on CL here in Austin.

 

[ajkula66]

Almost looks like the same neck on both the IV and V. That'd suit me fine, I like a thin spacing. Very cool!

It IS the same neck......and I love tight spacing...

 

[Ostie]

Okay, somebody got to ask…..weight?

 

[SMG]

If I am not mistaken, these had the same pickups as the Thunderbird of the same period, just more traditional in design, and a set neck. I won't swear to it, but I think all had mahogany bodies and neck. Also, won't swear to it, but I think they came in three colors, Red, White and Black (according to the Blue Book of Electric Guitars); and I don't think there was a natural one, especially one without at least a clear coat. (Realistically, think late 80's Gibson, as this these were in production from 1987-89.) Back in the late 90's or early 2000's one like yours (this one had the finish sanded off, and it was pretty obvious if you looked closely) was for sale in the Charleston, WV area, and I seriously thought about buying it, but then a red 5 string turned up, and got that.

Cool bass but I have trouble with spacing this narrow so mine gets hardly any play time.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

Do you have to give it back to said friend?

 

[avvie]

Do you have to give it back to said friend?

No.