The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: veebass on March 28, 2019, 07:00:56 PM
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Hey guys! Anyone here have a Gibson Shortsale TBird? A friend is after some details for a build he is doing.
What is the neck width at the nut, neck width at the 12th, neck width at the treble end of the fretboard, neck thickness through at the nut, neck thickness through at the 12th?
Also is the neck a laminate like a full scale Gibson TBird?
Is it set neck or neck through?
Thanks in advance.
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It is set neck.
The rest of the questions can/will be answered by Uwe, no doubt. He owns one.
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^ Eggscellent!
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In the course of the day ...
Sensible metric measurements or that crappy inches stuff?
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Wait what - there was a short scale TBird?
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You can see it against the wall in this pic of our esteemed Herr Hornung. I was lucky enough to get to play the little fellow before sending it to join it's larger brethren.
(https://i.imgur.com/GCjFCnV.jpg)
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Cool - tell me more: vintage or modern, weird one off or a prod run and I just missed it? No doubt Uwe thinks the long scales are better as the short scale would be floppier and less assertive/agreesive like a TBird should be.
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Well, it certainly plays very nicely if you like T Bird necks (which I do), small and easy to move around on, the headstock is small and it balanced quite easily too. The pups are the usual and in this application played finger style I recall liking them. It was enjoyable to play upstairs in my rehearsal room and I'm sure there are some great band situations for it too - With The Nasty Habits at rehearsal it was not the right bass, but I don't consider that a failing on the part of the instrument. Horses for Courses.
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Cool - tell me more: vintage or modern, weird one off or a prod run and I just missed it? No doubt Uwe thinks the long scales are better as the short scale would be floppier and less assertive/agreesive like a TBird should be.
As with most Gibson bass guitars it was a shortlived affair. The shortscale Thunderbirds were introduced (and abandoned) in 2011. I'm guessing only a couple of hundred were made.
(https://www.thegibsonbassbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Shortscale-Thunderbird1000.jpg)
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From 2011: Gibson Announces Thunderbird Short Scale Bass (https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/Gibson_Announces_Thunderbird_Short_Scale_Bass)
The article says MSRP was $1549, that was before Gibson went to single MAP pricing. IIRC the street price was $1199. You see a used one for sale now and then, the asking price is usually about the same as it was new.
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I've been lusting for one of these SS Birds for a couple of years now, but they somehow keep evading me... :sad:
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Come on guys, a short scale TBird is about as sensible as a Corvette with a trailer hitch or a submarine-launched nuclear ballistic missile with reverse gear. Everything about a TBird cries LONG SCALE.
Size matters, as if we hadn't known all along.
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Come on guys, a short scale TBird is about as sensible as a Corvette with a trailer hitch or a submarine-launched nuclear ballistic missile with reverse gear. Everything about a TBird cries LONG SCALE.
Size matters, as if we hadn't known all along.
Yes, size does matter.
But, it's certainly an interesting little bass that, in the right setting would be fine. :-*
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OK I am dealing with some serious GAS right now. Lucky for me it's all black hardware and set vs thru neck without the raised middle, so that takes the edge off, but still.
I've been lusting for one of these SS Birds for a couple of years now, but they somehow keep evading me... :sad:
Same problem with the mandobirds (esp the 8 string); people hold on to them.
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In the course of the day ...
Sensible metric measurements or that crappy inches stuff?
Sensible metric by preference, please.
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Everything about a TBird cries LONG SCALE.
Size matters, as if we hadn't known all along.
Yep. And I've passed on several very nice Birds over the years because I simply can't handle the ergonomics of a full-size Thunderbird. The very same reason I haven't bought an absolutely pristine Series I Alembic from its original owner, which was probably the best sounding bass I've ever had in my hands...
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Hey guys! Anyone here have a Gibson Shortsale*** TBird? A friend is after some details for a build he is doing.
What is the neck width at the nut 39 mm, neck width at the 12th 53 mm, neck width at the treble end of the fretboard 58 mm, neck thickness through at the nut 23 mm, neck thickness through at the 12th same?
Also is the neck a laminate like a full scale Gibson TBird? nope, one piece maho, no walnut strips
Is it set neck or neck through? the former
Thanks in advance.
My discounted hourly rate is EUR 600. Plus VAT and expenses. 8)
*** https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/shortsale.asp
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My discounted hourly rate is EUR 600. Plus VAT and expenses. 8)
*** https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/shortsale.asp
Thank you, Good Sir.
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https://www.ebay.com/itm/BASS-GUITAR-SHORT-SCALE-GIBSON-USA-THUNDERBIRD-GIBSON-ORIGINAL-HARD-CASE/143184202788?hash=item2156718c24:g:v4MAAOSwW4hcbC3l (https://www.ebay.com/itm/BASS-GUITAR-SHORT-SCALE-GIBSON-USA-THUNDERBIRD-GIBSON-ORIGINAL-HARD-CASE/143184202788?hash=item2156718c24:g:v4MAAOSwW4hcbC3l)
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https://www.ebay.com/itm/BASS-GUITAR-SHORT-SCALE-GIBSON-USA-THUNDERBIRD-GIBSON-ORIGINAL-HARD-CASE/143184202788?hash=item2156718c24:g:v4MAAOSwW4hcbC3l (https://www.ebay.com/itm/BASS-GUITAR-SHORT-SCALE-GIBSON-USA-THUNDERBIRD-GIBSON-ORIGINAL-HARD-CASE/143184202788?hash=item2156718c24:g:v4MAAOSwW4hcbC3l)
If it doesn't go far over the opening bid, it's a good deal.
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If it doesn't go far over the opening bid, it's a good deal.
It's been listed twice before at $899 with zero bids. Not sure what the selling strategy is, he raised the price by $100 and the shipping charge $15.
There was another one on the GC website that must have sold recently since it's now gone. That one was listed for $999 if I remember right.
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It's been listed twice before at $899 with zero bids. Not sure what the selling strategy is, he raised the price by $100 and the shipping charge $15.
There was another one on the GC website that must have sold recently since it's now gone. That one was listed for $999 if I remember right.
CME recently sold one that they had listed at $1300. If they discounted it at all, their usual maximum discount is 15%.
The only recent sale on eBay was listed at $1195 + 65 shipping, best offer accepted.
IMHO $999 plus shipping is still a good value.