The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: godofthunder on March 01, 2009, 08:09:41 AM
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Musicians Friend is clearing these out in ebony for 1,154.00 and I am thinking of taking the plunge. Any reviews comments etc would be appriciated.
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No bargain IMO. Seems like MF retailed these for $1049 when they were originally carried so I don't see how $1154 is a clearance price. ???
I got mine off of Ebay over a year ago for about $600 and it was virtually new - true I got a hell of of a deal but I still think that if you're patient you can pick on up used for less than $700.
As for the bass itself I really like it - light and has the nice warm growly tone you expect from a Tbird. The headstock appears to be bit delicate though.
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Yeah, they sure have a funny idea of what "clearance price" is.
These did retail for $1049. After Gibson discontinued them in January 2008 I expected a big clearance price drop from MF and Music 123. Instead, a few months later, they raised the price by 100 bucks! No wonder they still have them in stock.
I've never played one or even seen one in person. The price would have to be a lot lower for me to even consider it.
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What about the SG RI? At one point it was even less than $1,000 and now it's $1,400. Prices seem to be going up a lot more at MF than going down. Of course this pretty much applies to most other places like that, too. The worse the economy gets, the more prices go up. Because all those people losing their jobs or about to lose them like nothing more than paying hundreds more for a bass now than what they would have paid for the same bass not even that long ago.
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Before I bought my first bass I looked at all kinds and went through Craigslist and "completed auctions" on eBay to see what T-birds were generally going for and since early December I've only seen one Gibson T-bird go for less than $1000.
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Let's put it this way: That bass is worth that price (Studios were underrated), but you could get it cheaper somewhere else.
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I know I could get it cheaper, wish I bought one at the HOG when they first came out, I could have got one for a lot less than 1K :( Whats pushing me is that the bass is discontinued, always want what you can't have. :-[ I know the price isn't that great but 12 months no interest no payment sure is attractive, maybe if I wait a bit they will drop the price.
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I agree. It's too high, discontinued or not.
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Your right to much thanks for being the voice of reason guys.
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Good basses they were, but they won't be collectible for a long time, if ever. Others will come along.
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I would think the reason to get one is to have a 5 string bird.
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I must confess I bought one just for looks in 2006 when they were still in production, the 4 string model in ebony. I dig that slightly more streamlined looking headstock, the curved, rounded body. It sounds nice, and it plays nice for sure – though I lack comparison to an actual (neck-through) Thunderbird. Mine is a little noisy, I'll have to have someone look after this sometime...
But, again, I think that price is a little too high.
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I think it's an attempt to sell off old stock at a "bargin" price before the new Epi Pro's arrive.
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I think it's an attempt to sell off old stock at a "bargin" price before the new Epi Pro's arrive.
I think you've hit the nail on the head. Especially since Gibson has trimmed back their current bass offering (minus the addition of the new Grabber).
I agree with everyone else; that price isn't much of a bargain, you could definitely find it cheaper on the 'Bay. Then again, if its the financing you're needing then I don't guess it matters as much. I think the studios are awesome basses though, I love mine.
Mine is a little noisy, I'll have to have someone look after this sometime...
I recently had mine checked for the noise level as well (mind you, the 'luther' wasn't that great which I didn't know at the time) and he seemed to think the noise was just the nature of the pickups. Though he did shield the pickup cavities.
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I still think the design of the Studios was a credible attempt of bringing the TB into this millenium. A bit more rounded and hence more current, but with a pleasantly strong nod to the past.
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I still think the design of the Studios was a credible attempt of bringing the TB into this millenium. A bit more rounded and hence more current, but with a pleasantly strong nod to the past.
I agree. Gibson just didn't market it well to potential new TB customers, and most existing TB fans weren't looking for an update.
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I still think the design of the Studios was a credible attempt of bringing the TB into this millennium. A bit more rounded and hence more current, but with a pleasantly strong nod to the past.
That and make it simpler more affordable in non reverse fashion.
The Epi pro seems to doing a much better job of modernizing the spirit of the bird
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It baffles me it didn't do better. Of all the new models Gibson brought out a few years ago (SG RI, Doublecut/Money, Continental), this seemed the surest winner to me. An affordable Thunderbird with a Gibson logo and all the ingredients that makes a good Gibson maho bass plus not looking like a guitar (like the LP basses). More ergonomic too. I thought we'd see loads of them low-slung on kids playing in Green Day, Korn, etc flavor-of-the-week type bands.
Tells you that I'm not any better than Gibson's marketing dept dorks either. :-\
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The Epi Pro sure seems to be pushing the right buttons
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/n_tbirdprointro2783.jpg)
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I'm cautiously excited about those Epi Pro's, I'll try a Fiver to see if it fits my hands, it be kinda cool to have one, even tho I don't really have a use for it in the band.
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You guys could go metal or mental
Have to work on your growling though
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4rzTFR3X2g
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The Epi Pro sure seems to be pushing the right buttons
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/n_tbirdprointro2783.jpg)
That top one is a beauty! I'd like that black pickguard for my Epi.
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I really like the Gibson Thunderbird Studio bass. It was my first T-bird, I got one in cherry, a 4 string, and I still have it. I liked it so much I also got one in ebony! First one I paid $1000 for, the second $900.
I think they are great basses, and am not sure why they were discontinued. Solid, cool looking, and sound very similar to the IV bass, though a little darker to my ears. My ebony bass has a chunkier neck than the cherry, which is a little fatter than the IV version.
I believe the Studio version has the same PUs as the IV, and the bridge on the Studio is superior to the tri-pod thing on the IV, IMO.
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Yes, the Studios do sound a little darker and earthier. Above the 12th fret, a IV also sings more, not that that is really relevant to most people.
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Hey Rob,
Thanks for stopping by! :)
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Hey Rob,
Thanks for stopping by! :)
Thanks! THis looks like a good place to be! Thunderbirds!! YEAH!!