Uwe,
I'd be thrilled to give it a test drive, I don't know when it's due but can speak with our contact at Sweetwater whenever you want.
From the traditionalist point of view I get everybody's comments (Hell, I'm one you!) but I can at least see that there may be a younger group of people that have no interest in "their father's Thunderbird"...... God, I never thought I would ever try to justify one Henry J's decisions, please help me!
Given Gibson's inability to consistently produce basses this may be a passing fad that lasts a year? maybe the make 400, who knows?
As many have said , an accurate repro of either of the '60s 'Birds would likely be a bigger hit than Gibson realizes.