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Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Denis on July 08, 2015, 06:46:04 PM

Title: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: Denis on July 08, 2015, 06:46:04 PM
I sure wish I could pick this fellow up but someone here OUGHT to take a look at it. I didn't know Greco made single pup Tbirds.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MIJ-80s-Sunburst-Greco-TB900-Thunderbird-Bass-1-PickUp-Japan-Gibson-Strings-/181794037311?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a53c4de3f
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: daan on July 08, 2015, 10:24:28 PM
How do these compare to a "real" one? All of the "import copy" guitars I've had were just vaguely shaped like what they were copying, different materials/electronics/hardware, etc. Are these a more faithful copy then?
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: Dave W on July 08, 2015, 10:30:29 PM
These were made in the same factory as the Orville by Gibson 'birds. Very well regarded, but I'd pass on anything with a neck twist unless I could evaluate it in person.
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: uwe on July 09, 2015, 02:55:10 AM
If it ain't neck thru, it won't sound like a true Rev, nuff said.  8)
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: TBird1958 on July 09, 2015, 08:29:06 AM

 Since it's unlikely I'll ever own an original Gibson I consider mine a great stand in, I don't know the design of the pickup as it's sealed up. QC is great, way better than Gibson, neck is more like a P bass, as a set neck bass it probably is closer to an NR in tone. I love mine, it RAWRS very nicely. 
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: OldManC on July 09, 2015, 10:49:40 AM
If it weren't for the twisted neck that would be a steal of a price. Hard to say now though without knowing what condition the neck is really in.
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: FrankieTbird on July 09, 2015, 11:38:48 AM
Here's my Greco next to my '64 Gibson.  Great bass but, to me, the biggest issue is the neck width.  The T-bird is 1-1/2" at the nut, the Greco is more like 1-11/16".  I highly prefer the smaller neck.  The Greco pickup does sound very good, although not quite as good as the '64.  That is a great price for that bass, although the neck twist is a bit of an unknown factor.
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: daan on July 09, 2015, 02:26:29 PM
Well good to know, I prefer "baseball bat" necks, so I'm glad the "real" ones (that I'll never be able to afford) have small necks.
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: Aussie Mark on July 09, 2015, 04:27:05 PM
The Greco bird pickups are outstanding
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: steveonbass on July 09, 2015, 10:34:18 PM
I sold my Greco Bird to a friend to buy a 77 Gibson Bird that i later sold to the same person but i got the Greco back in the deal.  I prefer the Greco in both feel and sound.  I wouldn't take a chance on this one.
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: slinkp on July 09, 2015, 11:14:11 PM
I really really like my 2-pup Greco.  It is my second favorite bass after my LPB-2, and I like the neck on the Greco better (and the lighter weight).  I've always been really happy that the old Pitters here turned me on to Grecos whenever that was (ten years ago? more?).  I've never touched a real 60s bird, but I can do a pretty good impression of tones from Who's Next, or from Tbird-era Mike Watt stuff.  I am given to understand that 60s bird pups (and Thunderbuckers) have a bit more top end.

I think the reason I've come to prefer the LPB-2 is a combination of things. I slightly prefer the ebony board to rosewood, and I am still really loving the look of a yellowburst les paul bass, and - most importantly - I've gradually come around to preferring the TB Plus pickups, heretical as that may be to many here. I think Uwe's right... they are really great. Somewhat less over the top in the mids, but still punchy as hell and very growly.  I'm still lusting after a set of Thunderbuckers though :)

Some comparisons...

Greco, fingers, mostly neck pickup:
https://soundcloud.com/the-world-record-players/i-said-it
Greco, pick, both pickups:
https://soundcloud.com/the-world-record-players/reliant-k
Greco, pick, more neck pickup:
https://soundcloud.com/the-world-record-players/tailspin

LPB-2, fingers, mostly neck:
https://soundcloud.com/the-world-record-players/cant-stop-living-with-it
LPB-2, pick, both pickups:
https://soundcloud.com/the-world-record-players/walk-away-1

Not really an apples-to-apples comparison as the latter is from a totally different recording session and I was much happier with my amp and the mix engineer.   (Too bad the drum mics were a lot better on the first one. Oh well.)
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: godofthunder on July 10, 2015, 02:19:21 PM
  Wahoo  glad I read the full description!  Twisted neck is a deal killer.
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: uwe on July 10, 2015, 03:43:21 PM
"I've gradually come around to preferring the TB Plus pickups, heretical as that may be to many here. I think Uwe's right ..."

(http://www.highdefdigest.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/planet-of-apes.jpg)
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: TBird1958 on July 11, 2015, 10:33:40 AM
"I've gradually come around to preferring the TB Plus pickups, heretical as that may be to many here. I think Uwe's right ..."

(http://www.highdefdigest.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/planet-of-apes.jpg)

 Please feel free to send all the Thunderbirds with chrome pickups across the Atlantic for a proper repatriation  ;)
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: veebass on July 21, 2015, 11:04:48 PM
This 77 Greco is shipping to me currently. It is not the one one with the twisted neck, nor the other very overpriced one on eBay.

(http://i58.tinypic.com/710l08.jpg)
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: Basvarken on July 22, 2015, 12:09:34 AM
Congrats on this score. Greco Tbirds are killer basses.
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: Pilgrim on July 22, 2015, 11:24:54 AM
This 77 Greco is shipping to me currently. It is not the one one with the twisted neck, nor the other very overpriced one on eBay.

(http://i58.tinypic.com/710l08.jpg)

I like it!  The Greco basses are very well-regarded, from what I've heard.
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: TBird1958 on July 22, 2015, 11:27:26 AM
This 77 Greco is shipping to me currently. It is not the one one with the twisted neck, nor the other very overpriced one on eBay.

(http://i58.tinypic.com/710l08.jpg)

 I Love mine, absolutely the Sonic Destroyer of entire worlds! 
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: OldManC on July 22, 2015, 01:54:54 PM
Nice! Between all of us we may end up cornering the market on single pickup Greco birds! I love mine.
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: Denis on July 22, 2015, 06:42:22 PM
Haha, I posted that because I'd never seen one and half you guys have them!
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: Aussie Mark on July 23, 2015, 03:47:05 PM
Haha, I posted that because I'd never seen one and half you guys have them!

Ha!  I bought mine a couple of years ago from the classified on this forum
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: veebass on August 31, 2015, 06:25:34 PM
Greco Bird and my Gibson with the Cruiser.
Used the Greco at the last two gigs- great rock bass.

(http://i60.tinypic.com/2uqyrmh.jpg)
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: Lightyear on September 01, 2015, 04:19:41 AM
Nice!  One of these is on my wish list.

But, I thought it was an unwritten rule that all multiple bass images here at LBO that were taken with the rear of a vehicle as a backdrop had to be either a Subaru or tank?  I'm not sure if a Toyota is allowed - even if Toyota owns a huge chunk of Subaru  ;)
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: Pilgrim on September 01, 2015, 06:11:59 AM
Well, it DOES have all-wheel-drive.
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: veebass on September 01, 2015, 02:32:15 PM
Well, it DOES have all-wheel-drive.

Only if I lock the front hubs- it's a real solid front axle Cruiser. ;)
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: Highlander on September 01, 2015, 03:13:05 PM
I usually use the shed as a back drop... will a Highland glen or maybe a distillery do for the next one I do...?
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: Pilgrim on September 01, 2015, 04:31:20 PM
I usually use the shed as a back drop... will a Highland glen or maybe a distillery do for the next one I do...?

 :toast:
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: Lightyear on September 01, 2015, 07:06:24 PM
I usually use the shed as a back drop... will a Highland glen or maybe a distillery do for the next one I do...?

I'm thinking sheep!  We do know how you love animals! :o
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: TBird1958 on September 01, 2015, 08:22:05 PM
Greco Bird and my Gibson with the Cruiser.
Used the Greco at the last two gigs- great rock bass.

(http://i60.tinypic.com/2uqyrmh.jpg)

 Sweet, my Greco should be getting some new Nickel hardware from Scott, so I'll post a shot of it and my new Subaru soon ;)
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: Pilgrim on September 02, 2015, 06:26:48 AM
We want to see the new Subie!!

(And the newly chrome-enhanced Greco...)
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: TBird1958 on September 02, 2015, 06:42:32 AM

 Parts from Scott are in the mail, I'm excited to do a little work on my Angry Bird!
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: Highlander on September 02, 2015, 05:17:15 PM
I'm thinking sheep!  We do know how you love animals! :o

But you know I'm veggie...! :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: godofthunder on September 04, 2015, 07:17:00 AM
 Should be there any time now Mark! A single pup Greco is defiantly on my wish list :o My wife has a new Subaru does that count? Me I love my Honda!
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: TBird1958 on September 04, 2015, 07:26:09 AM

 They're at my work waiting for me tomorrow Scott, Im pretty excited!
When it snows in your neck of the woods - borrow your wife's Subie, symmetrical AWD rules!
 
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: Pilgrim on September 04, 2015, 11:47:14 AM
They're at my work waiting for me tomorrow Scott, Im pretty excited!
When it snows in your neck of the woods - borrow your wife's Subie, symmetrical AWD rules!
 

Alternate plan, Mark....although the single biggest selling brand of car in Colorado is indeed Subaru...

(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Cars/2008%20BMW%20E91%20328ixT%20Wagon/20150222_135441_zpstuubhgen.jpg)

Dark red metallic, AWD, Cougar colored.  Football starts tomorrow!
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: TBird1958 on September 05, 2015, 11:26:18 AM


Scott, the parts are here today, they look fantastic a real nice upgrade for my Greco - I'll be taking some shots of the replacement process over the next week or so!

 Go Cougs! Subie AWD rules tho, Al  ;)
Title: Re: Single pup Greco T bird
Post by: godofthunder on September 08, 2015, 06:10:45 AM
Great! Glad they arrived safe!