Here we are....
Long awaited by some, the new Gibson Non Reverse Thunderbird is now out and available, and I have to say it does not disappoint! These basses feature a set neck neck construction, new Hipshot clover tuners, new pickups and chrome hardware throughout. My example came from the folks at Sweetwater, it was nicely set up with low action and was ready to play afetr being tuned up. Some notable differences would be the neck, it's quite a bit beefier than a standard Reverse Thunderbird, with the thickness of the wood increased to 11/16th at the headstock. Post '88 Reverse Birds are 9/16ths and '76s just a shade over 1/2". I have yet to take this bass apart to look at the pickups, they do not sound like any of the previous (5) versions of pickups Gibson has used in Thunderbirds since 1988, they're warm and growly with a nice punch to them, soloing the neck pup is bliss!
Gibson gets slagged for QC often but I've found this bass to be really well done, with nice attention to detail in the finish, especially around the base of the neck, but overall as well. The fret ends are very neatly done with no sprout at all, it's just a good, solid player. It uses a 3 point bridge which some folks don't like....Yada, yada... it works really well on this bass, it's shallow neck pitch and the bridge get along quite well and as I mentioned the action is quite low, and aesthetically it looks like it belongs on the bass.
Anyway, its a very solid and well made bass, so far I'm really enjoying playing it and its tone, a keeper for sure!
Here's pics as well.
Neck comparison to a Studio.
Down on of the headstock, it's 11/16ths thick, standard post '88s are 9/16ths here.
Pretty nicely finished around the base of the neck.
At the nut.
Detail
The much maligned Madame. This one works great!
Gray day photo phun!
