Glenn Cornick bass timeline pre-JT through Wild Turkey and Paris - updated

[Basvarken]

Triumph neck maybe?

[Denis]

That does look a lot more like it! The GC photos shows it with a heavy binding. Were Triumphs offered with a binding like that?

Thanks, guys, these are the kind of comments and improvements I was looking for!

[Basvarken]

No, Triumphs have a white-black laminated binding, with the black on the outside.



I think it makes more sense that a luthier just made this weird bass entirely from scratch.

[Denis]

I was just going to say that, since the binding issue alone leads me away from it being a Triumph neck like those you've posted.
You're right about it being a weird bass though. I'll ask Drew if he knows anything about it.

[gearHed289]

Gibson only built 718 Thunderbird IIs between 1963 and the 1965 discontinuation date due to a lawsuit by Fender, which insanely claimed the Thunderbird looked too much like their Precision bass (one of the great WTF moments in guitar history).

I've heard this may be at least partially urban legend. Maybe a cease and desist? Also, I believe it was to do with the offset Jazz Bass body. Funny thing is, the later non-rev is more Fender-ish than the original!

That reverse V is odd. Only 19 frets?

[Dave W]

Urban legend.

[Denis]

I've heard this may be at least partially urban legend. Maybe a cease and desist? Also, I believe it was to do with the offset Jazz Bass body. Funny thing is, the later non-rev is more Fender-ish than the original!

Whatever the case may be I need to get it right!

[Basvarken]

I thought it was the Jazzmaster

[Highlander]

Remembered this pic from one of the LP's and I may still have it but post a quick search... maybe inner sleeve...





Now you've seen one...

[Denis]

Ooooh, nice pics! That would be from his Paris days, '75ish.
Big thanks for posting these!!!!

[Highlander]

I think it might have been inner sleeve on the 1st Paris... from a Bob Welch site...

[Denis]

Found this one on Bob Welch's site. Your photos and this one confirm then, that this definitely was Glenn's bass.

I want it, hahaha!

[D.M.N.]

Glenn started modifying this bass soon after he bought it. This photo shows a Guild pickup in place of the original Gibson and the pick guard has been removed. This is the only color photo of this bass that I have found so far. I've been in touch with Drew Cornick who offered to try and locate a few more photos of this bass for reference in the restoration of mine.
I feel it's rather important from a documentation standpoint to mention that the sides of the fretboard appear to be unpainted. Many Gibson experts, including some friends who have original NR Thunderbirds, state that Gibson always painted the sides of the fretboards on custom color basses. Knowing how Gibson did things it seems entirely possible they painted some fretboard sides and left some unpainted.

What you can't see in that pic is that in addition to the Guild humbucker, he also added two Jazz bass pickups, side by side like Berry Oakley, at the bridge. He also added a small pickguard to help cover the routes for the wiring. Here's a version that's less cropped:

[Denis]

Wow, I've never seen the uncropped photo! Thanks for posting that!!!

He must not have liked the double jazz pups because the b/w photo I posted of the same bass later showed it with the original pup in place with a more complete custom pick guard in place.

[Highlander]

I want it, hahaha!

I remember this pic too...