The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: lowend1 on April 28, 2020, 07:08:46 PM

Title: Bicentennial Thunderbird ?? on the 'verb
Post by: lowend1 on April 28, 2020, 07:08:46 PM
 What up with that serial number?:o
https://reverb.com/item/32291994-1976-gibson-thunderbird-bass-guitar
Title: Re: Bicentennial Thunderbird ?? on the 'verb
Post by: Dave W on April 28, 2020, 07:18:40 PM
That's a '76 serial number.

Pretty rough shape, I'd call that fair condition at best.
Title: Re: Bicentennial Thunderbird ?? on the 'verb
Post by: Ken on April 28, 2020, 07:44:46 PM
That poor Thunderbird. Meanwhile, for $500 more:

https://reverb.com/item/3377471-gibson-thunderbird-bicentennial-bass-1976-tobacco-burst
Title: Re: Bicentennial Thunderbird ?? on the 'verb
Post by: ajkula66 on April 28, 2020, 11:38:57 PM
That poor Thunderbird. Meanwhile, for $500 more:

https://reverb.com/item/3377471-gibson-thunderbird-bicentennial-bass-1976-tobacco-burst

Yep. That pawn shop will be sitting on its beaten-up Bird for a while, especially at $3K.
Title: Re: Bicentennial Thunderbird ?? on the 'verb
Post by: Chris P. on April 29, 2020, 01:44:55 AM
My '76 Tbird has a 00 s/n too. But no Limited Edition on top of it. Mine has the all black headstock, but I think there are also '76ers with only the raised part of the headstock in black.

That makes two questions:)
Title: Re: Bicentennial Thunderbird ?? on the 'verb
Post by: doombass on April 29, 2020, 07:50:35 AM
My '76 Tbird has a 00 s/n too. But no Limited Edition on top of it. Mine has the all black headstock, but I think there are also '76ers with only the raised part of the headstock in black.

That makes two questions:)

Black and sunburst had all black headstocks. White had all white headstocks. My white one is a refin and has the raised section in black and outline in white, so you may have seen refins Chris.
Title: Re: Bicentennial Thunderbird ?? on the 'verb
Post by: godofthunder on April 29, 2020, 09:10:02 AM
   I have been watching this with some intrest.  Put a chrome cover on that Model G and you've got something. I have been messaging with the seller,  he is very slow to respond but he does eventually. I have asked for a look at the truss rod,  I'm still waiting for a reply. We shall see.
Title: Re: Bicentennial Thunderbird ?? on the 'verb
Post by: Pilgrim on April 29, 2020, 11:39:34 AM
What up with that serial number?:o
https://reverb.com/item/32291994-1976-gibson-thunderbird-bass-guitar

That sucker looks like a bear clawed it in the front.
Title: Re: Bicentennial Thunderbird ?? on the 'verb
Post by: Alanko on April 29, 2020, 01:46:34 PM
That looks like fire damage, or like it was near an arc flash or something. Very unusual damage?
Title: Re: Bicentennial Thunderbird ?? on the 'verb
Post by: lowend1 on April 29, 2020, 02:15:56 PM
My '76 Tbird has a 00 s/n too. But no Limited Edition on top of it. Mine has the all black headstock, but I think there are also '76ers with only the raised part of the headstock in black.

That makes two questions:)

The "Limited Edition" stamp is the part that puzzles me. My '76 just has "Thunderbird" and "Made In USA" above the number.
Title: Re: Bicentennial Thunderbird ?? on the 'verb
Post by: doombass on April 30, 2020, 01:28:41 AM
The "Limited Edition" stamp is the part that puzzles me. My '76 just has "Thunderbird" and "Made In USA" above the number.

I've never seen it before, but they might have applied it on the first few they made? I'm thinking they may have intended to make the Bicentennial run limited to let's say 200? '76 on scratchplate is one indication besides the anniversary. They could have settled with only using red/white/blue for the bird. When the orders started pouring in they'd rather build as many as demanded. IIRC that build run started late summer 1976 with a majority of them actually made in 1977.
Title: Re: Bicentennial Thunderbird ?? on the 'verb
Post by: JZumbro on July 30, 2020, 01:32:31 PM
$3000 for that?!?!?!? Wow. My '76 in excellent condition must be worth a fortune then......


And hello to everyone. I used to post here (and at the Dudepit) years ago but haven't been around for a long time. Good to be back. I'm on TB as Showdown, you've probably seen me there in the Thunderbird Club.
Title: Re: Bicentennial Thunderbird ?? on the 'verb
Post by: Basvarken on July 30, 2020, 01:43:01 PM
Welcome back!
Title: Re: Bicentennial Thunderbird ?? on the 'verb
Post by: JZumbro on July 30, 2020, 02:12:42 PM
Welcome back!

Thanks! Good to be back. I'll try to stick around.
Title: Re: Bicentennial Thunderbird ?? on the 'verb
Post by: Alanko on August 03, 2020, 02:29:03 PM
Yep. That pawn shop will be sitting on its beaten-up Bird for a while, especially at $3K.

Three months later and it is still for sale.