The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Pete-C on April 09, 2016, 11:48:09 AM
-
Hi new member here ,great site/ forum I've learned a lot just trawling round posts here in a few days:)
I realised after 30+ years of playing I never owned a gibson bass .
I bought a short scale thunderbird and like a lot of things about it but I'm now hankering after a long scale so will have to sell it to get one . Anybody know if there's a going ball park price for them as I can't seem to see any ads for them.
Any info appreciated thanks
Pete
-
Pete, Pete, Pete... just like those school reports... could do better if he tried harder...
Gibson T'birds for sale, right now, on greedbay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xgibson+thunderbird.TRS0&_nkw=gibson+thunderbird&_sacat=0) :mrgreen:
Welcome, btw...
-
Wait, am I missing something - Gibson never made a shortie TBird?
-
Pete, Pete, Pete... just like those school reports... could do better if he tried harder...
Gibson T'birds for sale, right now, on greedbay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xgibson+thunderbird.TRS0&_nkw=gibson+thunderbird&_sacat=0) :mrgreen:
Welcome, btw...
Thanks, i'm aware of how to look for a thunderbird on ebay ...mine is the short scale,satin finish version though 8)
Just to be clear as i re-read my post and its could be taken either way,It's the price of mine i'm after determining to sell it.
I forgot to add i'm in uk....and all my school reports are jolly top-ho old bean! ;D
-
Wait, am I missing something - Gibson never made a shortie TBird?
Here's what you've been missing Granny ??? (never thought i'd be saying that when i posted!)
(http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah130/walplayer2/Thunderbird/image_zps6g0d1n6o.jpeg) (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/walplayer2/media/Thunderbird/image_zps6g0d1n6o.jpeg.html)
-
Jake... a few years back now... Here's a link to one comment... (http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=5166.msg82700#msg82700)
Ah... Pete... Scotland, ma' self... :D
-
Hi new member here ,great site/ forum I've learned a lot just trawling round posts here in a few days:)
I realised after 30+ years of playing I never owned a gibson bass .
I bought a short scale thunderbird and like a lot of things about it but I'm now hankering after a long scale so will have to sell it to get one . Anybody know if there's a going ball park price for them as I can't seem to see any ads for them.
Any info appreciated thanks
Pete
Welcome here!
Hi Pete,
You may not be seeing much for new stock as Gibson has ceased production - Although some retailers likely have some N.O.S. around.
Used on Ebay you'll see Post 1988 'Birds between 800.00 and maybe 1200.00 for a good White one. White usually fetches a bit more as they disco'd the color a few years back. Older than that they get spendy - if you see one listed you can always post it here and get excellent advice.
I'm the least "normal" person here ;)
-
Ah... Pete... Scotland, ma' self... :D
Deep in conversation the other week, between myself, a bloke from Mallaig and my buddy from Ullapool. The general consensus was that because I grew up near Stirling I was considered too posh to be truely 'West Coast', but insufficiently posh for true Edinburgh folk to ever take me seriously. I'm too backward and parochial for Edinbuggers but too aloof and pretentious for Weegies. Big bummer.
Hoots man. Or something.
If Gibson brought out a shortscale T-bird in some fun, fully gloss '60s Dupont finishes and full chrome hardware then they would fly off the shelves. That sort of shit is on-trend right now, and Eyguitars prove that you can make cheap chrome T-bird pickups with relative ease. Having said all that, I feel you would get about as much luck asking fish to walk on land.
-
Pete, welcome. In looking at the Sold listings on eBay, there is a shorty that sold recently for $1300 US (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-Thunderbird-Short-Scale-Bass-/281921691535?hash=item41a3d79f8f:g:rBkAAOSwpzdWqplo). That's more than a typical post-'88 used long scale would fetch, so I wouldn't count on getting that much for yours, but you never know.
Mark, didn't you get one of the short scales for Uwe?
Short scale T-Bird spec page is still up on Gibson's website (http://www.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Bass/Gibson-USA/Thunderbird-Short-Scale-Bass.aspx)
-
Here's what you've been missing Granny ??? (never thought i'd be saying that when i posted!)
(http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah130/walplayer2/Thunderbird/image_zps6g0d1n6o.jpeg) (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/walplayer2/media/Thunderbird/image_zps6g0d1n6o.jpeg.html)
OOoooh. ... though if they made it set neck, why the fudge couldn't it be NR (I know the answer, but still).
Good thing you're so darn far away.
-
Thanks a lot all for the welcomes and info , think i'll ask £650 for it see how it goes .
I love the satin finish and the warmth from this and it doesn't seem or look a small bass ,i'd say its the same length as my opb 54 type p bass.
I saw someone review this model here (i think it was UWE )and they were spot on with the description ,you can get EB type sounds with the bass pick up being further forward....also great low fundamentals ,though you lose some of the upper harmonic overtones (as with most short scale basses i think?)
I have a couple more t'bird questions as i'm relatively new to gibson basses ,
How are the models with ebony boards ,do they sound much different ? Any issues with shrinkage around frets/fret ends?
Oh and Did they ever make a fretless unlined version?
Thanks all :)
(http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah130/walplayer2/Thunderbird/image_zpsmdxtcklc.jpeg) (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/walplayer2/media/Thunderbird/image_zpsmdxtcklc.jpeg.html)
-
I've heard of fretless versions but never seen an example... as (afaik) they are special order, and seeing other Gibson fretless options, not seen any lined versions, so...
Saw a post on one of the FB pages where one was converted and left lined... asked for a soundbite but not got a response...
My only fretless Gibson is an RD Artist, converted for me by Peter Cook...
I am keeping watches for Epi Pro's as I want to convert one of those to fretless (budget reasons only)...
I don't own a Gibson Thunderbird... the one I have was a custom build...
... and my buddy from Ullapool...
Ah yes, a short hop away from here... :mrgreen:
-
Thanks for the info Highlander,bet that rd conversion sounds sweet.
I played a nos red t'bird full scale the other day ,liked it ,nice weight and i didnt find it cumbersome/neck diver as some say,but wasnt keen on the finish so i might try and find a satin finished one when i sell this. Thanks again
-
Never seen a "satin" 'Bird... anyone else...?
-
Never seen a "satin" 'Bird... anyone else...?
The Blackbird is satin black as well. So was the Gothic Thunderbird I think??
Welcome aboard Pete!!!
-
There you go... never "seen" one... :mrgreen:
(could do better if he tried harder... ;) )
-
The Blackbird is satin black as well. So was the Gothic Thunderbird I think??
Welcome aboard Pete!!!
Thanks Nokturnal i'll bear that in mind :)
-
Used on Ebay you'll see Post 1988 'Birds between 800.00 and maybe 1200.00 for a good White one. White usually fetches a bit more as they disco'd the color a few years back.
Thanks TBird ,think i'll give white a miss after seeing the start price on this! :o
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/gibson-thunderbird-bass-/262373266969?hash=item3d16aa5619:g:NY0AAOSw5VZXBXLD
-
Thanks TBird ,think i'll give white a miss after seeing the start price on this! :o
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/gibson-thunderbird-bass-/262373266969?hash=item3d16aa5619:g:NY0AAOSw5VZXBXLD
Yep, all out of reason, that one.
How are your WWII U.S. Carrier borne fighter aircraft recognition skills? Especially Corsair vs Hellcat?
That's a way inside joke ;D
-
Eli Classic IV Pro - got my whitey used at Sam Ash for $349. Neck-thru, Gibson USA pickups, pretty much like new. I splurged an extra $100 for a hard case.
-
Eli Classic IV Pro - got my whitey used at Sam Ash for $349. Neck-thru, Gibson USA pickups, pretty much like new. I splurged an extra $100 for a hard case.
Wow they look great value ...so it's just the hardware ,electrics and quality of the woods used thats different to gibson u.s. Model?
-
Cheap labor and unfair trade deals.
-
The Blackbird is satin black as well. So was the Gothic Thunderbird I think??
Welcome aboard Pete!!!
True, but the Gibson Blackbird isn't exactly a Thunderbird, with the inlays and pickguard markings (not to mention the opti-grab ;D ). The Epi Blackbird and Goth are bolt-ons and don't have US pickups.
Wow they look great value ...so it's just the hardware ,electrics and quality of the woods used thats different to gibson u.s. Model?
The pickups are US. No reason to think the wood is lesser quality, but I doubt that it's a true mahogany. That's rarely seen in Asian imports. The finish isn't nitrocellulose lacquer like US Gibsons, if that's important to you. It doesn't mean squat to me.
-
True, but the Gibson Blackbird isn't exactly a Thunderbird, with the inlays and pickguard markings (not to mention the opti-grab ;D ). The Epi Blackbird and Goth are bolt-ons and don't have US pickups.
Remember there was a Gibson Gothic Thunderbird; I've got one and I know Uwe has one. I believe they didn't manage to sell that many globally (150?) and unsold models were sent back to Nashville and retooled to become Blackbirds; I'm sure someone will correct me if that's not right.
P
-
How are your WWII U.S. Carrier borne fighter aircraft recognition skills? Especially Corsair vs Hellcat?
Et tu Veronica...? :mrgreen:
-
Yep, Gibson did the cheaper satin unfilled finish on the ss TB. They are nice little basses but I don't see their resale value going up any time soon. I'd like one for my collection, but wouldn't pay over original retail for one.
-
Et tu Veronica...? :mrgreen:
To be fair Kenny, I'd struggle I.D.ing Royal Navy Carrier borne aircraft - those that weren't U.S. planes.........
Plus you get live in Scotland, that rules!
-
This is how you do a ss TB. 8).....................Shame on you Gibson! :bored:
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/60s%20NR%20TB/60s%20SS%20NR%20TB/DSCN1278_zpsr62ppnvs.jpg) (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/drbassman/media/60s%20NR%20TB/60s%20SS%20NR%20TB/DSCN1278_zpsr62ppnvs.jpg.html)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/60s%20NR%20TB/60s%20SS%20NR%20TB/DSCN1280_zpsnqchykue.jpg) (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/drbassman/media/60s%20NR%20TB/60s%20SS%20NR%20TB/DSCN1280_zpsnqchykue.jpg.html)
-
To be fair Kenny, I'd struggle I.D.ing Royal Navy Carrier borne aircraft - those that weren't U.S. planes...
Plus you get live in Scotland, that rules!
I'd probably struggle with some of the stuff we used in those days, but as for proximity to a dram... :toast:
-
To be fair Kenny, I'd struggle I.D.ing Royal Navy Carrier borne aircraft - those that weren't U.S. planes.........
Plus you get live in Scotland, that rules!
I agree. Living in Scotland is about as cool as it gets.
-
This is how you do a ss TB. 8).....................Shame on you Gibson! :bored:
Except for the bridge I agree. Don't recognize the logo; one of yours?
-
Gothbürd (top) and Minibürd (beneath) side by side ...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/DSCF2049.jpg)
The Gothbürd's only dif to a rank and file TBird is that its neck is two-ply all-maho, not 9-ply maho/walnut. They probably just made the Gothbürds on the cheap hence the more simple neck construction (which doesn't really noticeably affect sound).
The Minibürd is a fine short scale, but, let's be serious, the world needed a short scale TBird like it needs a vegan steak knife. If you get a TBird, get a real one in the Ray(mond) Dietrich original design sense and that in my book reads:
- reverse body (non-reverse Bürds are ügly dücklings, no matter what some of the resident ornithologists want to tell you, they are bad company),
- (mostly) maho construction,
- long scale and
- neck-thru (which rules most nearly all Japanese imposters out though we have a hearty pocket of Iwo Jima type supporters/resistance here).
The Minibürd only (barely) checks two of the above boxes (it is not only short scale, but also set neck). "Barely" because, if you look closely, its shape has none of the sleek Art Deco elegance of the original, but looks warped in not a good way. It really has none of the grandeur a real TBird has in your hands.
-
Gothbürd (top) and Minibürd (beneath) side by side ...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/DSCF2049.jpg)
The Gothbürd's only dif to a rank and file TBird is that its neck is two-ply all-maho, not 9-ply maho/walnut. They probably just made the Gothbürds on the cheap hence the more simple neck construction (which doesn't really noticeably affect sound).
The Minibürd is a fine short scale, but, let's be serious, the world needed a short scale TBird like it needs a vegan steak knife. If you get a TBird, get a real one in the Ray(mond) Dietrich original design sense and that in my book reads:
- reverse body (non-reverse Bürds are ügly dücklings, no matter what some of the resident ornithologists want to tell you, they are bad company),
- (mostly) maho construction,
- long scale and
- neck-thru (which rules most nearly all Japanese imposters out though we have a hearty pocket of Iwo Jima type supporters/resistance here).
The Minibürd only (barely) checks two of the above boxes (it is not only short scale, but also set neck). "Barely" because, if you look closely, its shape has none of the sleek Art Deco elegance of the original, but looks warped in not a good way. It really has none of the grandeur a real TBird has in your hands.
Red, black and white..............We Germans do love those colors ;)
-
Except for the bridge I agree. Don't recognize the logo; one of yours?
That's his DocBass logo.
-
That's his DocBass logo.
Well good bloody work then.
-
Yep, Gibson did the cheaper satin unfilled finish on the ss TB. They are nice little basses but I don't see their resale value going up any time soon. I'd like one for my collection, but wouldn't pay over original retail for one.
I might know of one for sale ;)
-
Gothbürd (top) and Minibürd (beneath) side by side ...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/DSCF2049.jpg)
The Gothbürd's only dif to a rank and file TBird is that its neck is two-ply all-maho, not 9-ply maho/walnut. They probably just made the Gothbürds on the cheap hence the more simple neck construction (which doesn't really noticeably affect sound).
The Minibürd is a fine short scale, but, let's be serious, the world needed a short scale TBird like it needs a vegan steak knife. If you get a TBird, get a real one in the Ray(mond) Dietrich original design sense and that in my book reads:
- reverse body (non-reverse Bürds are ügly dücklings, no matter what some of the resident ornithologists want to tell you, they are bad company),
- (mostly) maho construction,
- long scale and
- neck-thru (which rules most nearly all Japanese imposters out though we have a hearty pocket of Iwo Jima type supporters/resistance here).
The Minibürd only (barely) checks two of the above boxes (it is not only short scale, but also set neck). "Barely" because, if you look closely, its shape has none of the sleek Art Deco elegance of the original, but looks warped in not a good way. It really has none of the grandeur a real TBird has in your hands.
the goth looks interesting Uwe ,does it lose any warmth over a regular t'bird with the ebony board or sound any brighter/snappier?
Thanks for all the info everyone, much appreciated :)
-
- neck-thru (which rules most nearly all Japanese imposters out though we have a hearty pocket of Iwo Jima type supporters/resistance here).
Using this criteria, you also banish the Thunderbird Studio >:(
-
The Thunderbird Studio is a fine bass, but not a classic Thunderbird!
Does the Goth lose any warmth? Not really. Is it snappier? Perhaps a little, I always thought that was down to the souped TB Plus pups at the time ("new design"), but it might be the board. But weren't in some periods regular TBirds fitted with ebony boards too?
The Goth looks cool, I can say that for it. Not as cheapish as a Blackbird (though I'm a fan of the Blackbird's lean sound, not knocking that bass at all).
-
The Thunderbird Studio is a fine bass, but not a classic Thunderbird!
So pretty much anything with black hardware is out then - correct??? :vader:
-
Does the Goth lose any warmth? Not really. Is it snappier? Perhaps a little, I always thought that was down to the souped TB Plus pups at the time ("new design"), but it might be the board. But weren't in some periods regular TBirds fitted with ebony boards too?
Yes, I've seen plenty of regular TBirds with ebony boards. Very few in the last 7 or 8 years, though.
So pretty much anything with black hardware is out then - correct??? :vader:
:mrgreen:
-
The Minibürd only (barely) checks two of the above boxes (it is not only short scale, but also set neck). "Barely" because, if you look closely, its shape has none of the sleek Art Deco elegance of the original, but looks warped in not a good way. It really has none of the grandeur a real TBird has in your hands.
Don't forget the crooked knobs. :rolleyes:
-
Except for the bridge I agree. Don't recognize the logo; one of yours?
Why would I put a Gibson logo on it? First, I built it. Second, my QC is far superior to theirs! I wouldn't want their logo on it. :mrgreen:
-
So pretty much anything with black hardware is out then - correct??? :vader:
I'm not even ignoring that.
-
The Gothbürd's only dif to a rank and file TBird is that its neck is two-ply all-maho, not 9-ply maho/walnut. They probably just made the Gothbürds on the cheap hence the more simple neck construction (which doesn't really noticeably affect sound).
The neck on mine little different; it's a three-ply through-neck. There's a central mahogany strip of around 7/8" with laminates each side of that. To be honest, in a live context I don't hear much difference between any of my Thunderbirds, but would say that flat (ie when recording direct) the Gothic is a little fuller tonally...at the end of the day I kind of know what my desired tone is, so I'll just set everything on the bass to 10 and tweak my amplifier to achieve that sound.
-
The neck on mine little different; it's a three-ply through-neck. There's a central mahogany strip of around 7/8" with laminates each side of that. To be honest, in a live context I don't hear much difference between any of my Thunderbirds, but would say that flat (ie when recording direct) the Gothic is a little fuller tonally...at the end of the day I kind of know what my desired tone is, so I'll just set everything on the bass to 10 and tweak my amplifier to achieve that sound.
Thanks for the info planetgaffnet ,again great info on here ,i'm leaning towards that version,shame theyre so rare....and i have to sell this first of course ;D
-
I might know of one for sale ;)
Wish it was in the US. Overseas shipping has gone through the roof. :-\
-
You've already "got one" Bill... deflate that GAS now...! :mrgreen:
-
The neck on mine little different; it's a three-ply through-neck. There's a central mahogany strip of around 7/8" with laminates each side of that. To be honest, in a live context I don't hear much difference between any of my Thunderbirds, but would say that flat (ie when recording direct) the Gothic is a little fuller tonally...at the end of the day I kind of know what my desired tone is, so I'll just set everything on the bass to 10 and tweak my amplifier to achieve that sound.
Shucks, you're right, mine is three ply too (I just looked at it again), sorry for the confusion. :-[ I believe the fullness comes from the pumped-up pups.
-
You've already "got one" Bill... deflate that GAS now...! :mrgreen:
Aww and I've just reduced the price to £550 as well :)
-
You've already "got one" Bill... deflate that GAS now...! :mrgreen:
Always room for one more! Besides, I'd refinish it if it were mine. 8)
-
I need another Tequila-fin in my life... :mrgreen: