This popped up on Facebook.
(https://scontent-ams4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/s1080x2048/167716571_10160618404200410_3446647552059650999_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-3&_nc_sid=825194&_nc_ohc=Ty7DxIHAWj4AX9dh8ZG&_nc_ht=scontent-ams4-1.xx&tp=7&oh=9ac912025652bb496feca71375e21081&oe=608C5594)
A guy named David Bourke posted it and wrote this:
QuoteA unique opportunity to acquire one of only three (and the only red, the other two were blue) Gibson Thunderbird X prototypes, made and gifted to me in 2012 when I worked at Gibson. Gorgeous pearloid finish, robo-tuners, Babicz bridge, built in digital amp modelling, bass type modelling, player modelling (the Flea preset is spot on!), plus phaser, flanger, echo, distortion, compressor, exciter, eight-string, fretless, and foam mute simulations. USB, midi, 1/4" jack and balanced line outputs. Will work off a car battery if needed. Nothing this beast can't do. Will include custom flightcase, bass is located in Kent, UK. Will ship worldwide and buyer's expense and risk. Serious 5-figure offers only. Will consider p/x for a Warwick Adam Clayton upside-down Explorer, preferably in gold. No timewasters please.
Go for it Uwe!
Oh wow, I certainly would have in my younger years ... Crawled over broken glass to get it, even considered a resumption of the all too soon aborted Operation Seelöwe ...
I always wondered whether they built bass prototypes of the Firebird X. I'm shaken. Utterly cool.
I was reading it with interest this morning, but when I came to Flea and the Clayton sig..... :D
April foolery .
I wouldn't dare... 8)
This ad appeared on the local kijiji ...
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-guitar/bedford/sold-vintage-gibson-les-paul/1558641618
I'm sure someone was just trying to get the local vultures going , that looks like an original first run with the trapeze replaced with a Bigsby ...
Rob's photoshop skills are pretty stellar, hmmmmn....
Too cruel / not cruel enough though. Like that thing is fugly. A bass only Uwe could love.
I will say a bit interesting what they did with the pickup compliment though. ... but that bridge pup is useless; they put it there for purely aesthetic reasons because adding a neck pup to a more typical TBIV config would be crouded/weird, like a 60s euro import.
(https://i.postimg.cc/VsBK6CCq/D0289133-23-C1-4-FFC-9-E25-19-DBFAA8-B236.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dd7ySopIwog/maxresdefault.jpg)
@ Jake: it wasn't me (this time)
I'm holding out for the even rarer model with the propane powered preamp. The Hank Hill signature model.
I have the other red one, just gotta find a blue - I collect for fins ;)
It just dawned on me ... :mrgreen:, I should have put two and two together ... der lügende Holländer ... 8)
To my defense, I was doped this morning with anti-allergy drugs and had my mind on other things. But how rare this thing must be crossed my mind a couple of times today and I might have succumbed for even five digits ...
You know what made me think twice? That you monikered it Thunderbird X. If this thing had existed as a prototype, I would have expected them to retain the Firebird X (XB?) designation.
Good one, Rob, you broke my heart twice, first by having me decide against it, now by my belated realization it doesn't even exist. :rimshot:
Böser Holländer! ;)
Don't shoot the messenger. 😉
I was just passing it on.
The joke was made by David Bourke.
But I figured you would appreciate / take the bait 😂
Not for nothing, those tuning keys look nice on the 2x2 headstock. Kluson should really make those for Gibson basses.
Oh good, the world is safe from such things once more.