The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Bionic-Joe on January 06, 2014, 01:51:31 PM

Title: Unbroken 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV!!!
Post by: Bionic-Joe on January 06, 2014, 01:51:31 PM
http://www.vintageguitars.net/products/dispProd.cfm?id=230379

The only issue is that there was some funny business....some type of repair on the top of the body near the control cavity..between the vol/tone knobs and the jack. Otherwise, unbroken.
Title: Re: Unbroken 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV!!!
Post by: Highlander on January 06, 2014, 02:08:46 PM
Cardinal Red (?) '67 TBII NR

Don't tell Scott... (http://www.vintageguitars.net/products/dispProd.cfm?id=231774)  ;D
Title: Re: Unbroken 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV!!!
Post by: Bionic-Joe on January 06, 2014, 02:19:15 PM
Yeah...but the pickguard and tuners aren't right...Refin/broken headstock????? Who knows...Love them Thunderbirds!!!
Title: Re: Unbroken 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV!!!
Post by: Dave W on January 06, 2014, 04:20:59 PM
You have to make your own judgments about anything on GC's website. Chances are slim that you'll be able to talk to anyone who can give you an accurate answer.
Title: Re: Unbroken 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV!!!
Post by: Bionic-Joe on January 06, 2014, 08:23:36 PM
That's VERY True. It was Like Pulling teeth but I did get some pics texted to me...It looks ok except like I said that repair on the VOL/TONE hack area. No broken Headstock which is a Bonus!! Still...seems like $8,000 is a lot for an imperfect bass in this economy. Thoughts anyone???
Title: Re: Unbroken 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV!!!
Post by: dadagoboi on January 07, 2014, 03:22:54 AM
...seems like $8,000 is a lot for an imperfect bass in this economy.

Especially for someone who never misses a chance to say how broke he is and already owns two very similar basses.
Title: Re: Unbroken 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV!!!
Post by: 66Atlas on January 07, 2014, 07:35:00 AM
I called on that one when it first appeared on the guitar center site too.  At first was told it had no repairs and pushed them on the black painted corner.  Got someone else on the phone and was told it the control cavity had been "repaired somehow" and lost interest at that point not knowing how bad it could have been.  $8K just seems like a lot for damaged bass and a repair that got covered with black paint...who knows whats under there.
Title: Re: Unbroken 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV!!!
Post by: Denis on January 07, 2014, 10:52:15 AM
$8k is ridiculous in any case...

That red NR was posted here before so GC has had it for a while. The only way I'd be tempted for that kind of money is if it was an original paint Inverness Green NR.
Title: Re: Unbroken 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV!!!
Post by: Pilgrim on January 07, 2014, 03:32:56 PM
That's VERY True. It was Like Pulling teeth but I did get some pics texted to me...It looks ok except like I said that repair on the VOL/TONE hack area. No broken Headstock which is a Bonus!! Still...seems like $8,000 is a lot for an imperfect bass in this economy. Thoughts anyone???

$8K isn't a bass, it's a used car.  Ridiculous in any economy.
Title: Re: Unbroken 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV!!!
Post by: westen44 on January 07, 2014, 04:38:25 PM
Definitely ridiculous in the post-2008 economy. 
Title: Re: Unbroken 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV!!!
Post by: pilgrim9 on January 07, 2014, 04:51:37 PM
This looks like a much cleaner 64 http://www.ebay.com/itm/1964-Gibson-Thunderbird-II-Bass-/171097217960?pt=Guitar&hash=item27d6305ba8 and a II
Title: Re: Unbroken 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV!!!
Post by: TBird1958 on January 07, 2014, 05:52:02 PM


 And it's a II, yummy!
Title: Re: Unbroken 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV!!!
Post by: godofthunder on January 07, 2014, 08:47:43 PM
Where the heck have I been? That nr looks familiar has it been for sale for a bit?
Title: Re: Unbroken 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV!!!
Post by: pilgrim9 on January 07, 2014, 09:01:34 PM
It has been teasing me on e bay for a month at least.
Title: Re: Unbroken 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV!!!
Post by: godofthunder on January 07, 2014, 09:32:40 PM
 Think I was hot for this before I bought Bazs '69. I have been sear ebay haven't seen it. Got a link?
Title: Re: Unbroken 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV!!!
Post by: pilgrim9 on January 08, 2014, 12:03:21 AM
$7500 is a few used cars, I can not believe the price of vintage gear now days.
Title: Re: Unbroken 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV!!!
Post by: dadagoboi on January 08, 2014, 04:28:16 AM
$7500 is a few used cars, I can not believe the price of vintage gear now days.

The economy is improving and $7500 ain't what it used to be!

Title: Re: Unbroken 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV!!!
Post by: gweimer on January 08, 2014, 05:58:03 AM
When I played for a living, I used to say that I spent more money on my bass than I did on my car.  I wasn't driving much of a car back then, either.  I've gone through more than 50 vehicles since I got my license, and I've had the same car for 11 years now.  These days, it costs as much for me to replace the lug nut caps on my car as my whole car used to cost.
Title: Re: Unbroken 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV!!!
Post by: Denis on January 08, 2014, 06:46:22 AM
Earlier this year I put a new motor in my '93 240 wagon and I'd do it again. Most of the new cars I'd be willing to buy and drive I can't (or don't want to) afford.
My Dodge W250 diesel is a '91 and if I had to replace it I'd replace it with another '91-93 diesel.

$8000 would get me a replacement for either of those or I could finish both Indians AND an old Ducati I have.

Piffle on spending $8k for a bass!
Title: Re: Unbroken 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV!!!
Post by: dadagoboi on January 08, 2014, 07:39:20 AM

Piffle on spending $8k for a bass!

Here's my line of thought when it comes to basses:

No way would I pay over $800 for a NEW one.  On  the other hand, if I have the money, an OLD bass that I want is worth WHATEVER the market price is plus a small premium.

I'll always be able to recoup the market price and the premium is worth the pleasure of owning it...why not buy something I want if I have the money? 

Of course I already own a pair of '64s.  And judging by the currently escalating prices they'll be worth more than I paid for them if/when I decide to sell.  If not it still won't reduce the joy they've brought me.

Those unbought new basses will generally be worth slightly more than half what they cost new, disregarding inflation.

If you play a GOOD example of an old bass and compare it side by side to a new "Reissue" you might understand why someone would pay 4 times the street price of a new one for it.

Don't get me started on the relatively sound investment of vintage basses vs vintage cars and motorcycles!