The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Other Bass Brands => Topic started by: PhilT on September 14, 2008, 03:57:12 PM

Title: 1970s Ibanez TBirds - any good?
Post by: PhilT on September 14, 2008, 03:57:12 PM
Our guitarist helpfully pointed out our mutual guitar tech has a 1970s Ibanez Tbird up for sale. Headline price looks high, but negotiable I think. Going to look at it would mean a trip out of my way and I'm just wondering if it's even worth it. In general, were they any good?
Title: Re: 1970s Ibanez TBirds - any good?
Post by: Basvarken on September 15, 2008, 03:33:28 AM
If it's basicly the same as the Greco Tbird it is an excellent take on the Sixties Thunderbird IV.
Greco is the Ibanez brandname for the domestic market.

My Greco is a set neck. Full Mahogany. The neck is wider / chunkier than the Gibson original.


Title: Re: 1970s Ibanez TBirds - any good?
Post by: PhilT on September 15, 2008, 07:50:01 AM
This is it. Neck does look chunky

(http://www.guitartechnicalservices.co.uk/acatalog/Ibanez_bass.jpg)
Title: Re: 1970s Ibanez TBirds - any good?
Post by: Andrew on September 15, 2008, 08:12:44 AM
Wow, that's a good looking bass Phil.
Title: Re: 1970s Ibanez TBirds - any good?
Post by: Basvarken on September 15, 2008, 08:29:10 AM
Looks good indeed.

But a whole lot different from what a Greco Tbird looks like.
The pickups are different.
The headstock doesn't have a raised plastic overlay.
Is there a raised center piece? Can't really tell from the picture.
Bridge is different. Looks like a two point bridge.

Here's a pic of my Greco:

(http://www.superfloor.net/tbird.jpg)

Title: Re: 1970s Ibanez TBirds - any good?
Post by: shadowcastaz on September 15, 2008, 04:59:03 PM
Both are beauties. Id be curious about the pups in the 1st one & the bridge. It looks nice natural.
Title: Re: 1970s Ibanez TBirds - any good?
Post by: TBird1958 on September 15, 2008, 06:05:06 PM

I *think* George (aka Old Man C or better yet 69'vette) has/had one or more of these, hopefully he'll chime in, I'd like to know too, I kinda want one  ;)
Title: Re: 1970s Ibanez TBirds - any good?
Post by: shadowcastaz on September 15, 2008, 09:14:48 PM
I thought  u wanted a moderne! ???
Title: Re: 1970s Ibanez TBirds - any good?
Post by: TBird1958 on September 15, 2008, 09:52:04 PM

"I thought  u wanted a moderne!"

I do! Are you offering one?    ;)
I'm a total sucker for Thunderbirds tho............I do have a Greco 'Bird already it  could use a 'ho companion.
Title: Re: 1970s Ibanez TBirds - any good?
Post by: Freuds_Cat on September 30, 2008, 06:18:25 PM
Aww man these are fantastic basses. Dennis Kipridis from local band The Streamliners uses one. It feels awsome and sounds awsome.
I spent half an hour playing this bass after a gig one night. I think Dennis was getting a bit nervous about his baby ;)

Contrary to the above comments the neck on this one is quite slim and fast. Not as wide as the latest Gibsons. Same bridge and pups as the ones in Phils photo.

(http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction-viewImage&friendID=134561278&albumID=0&imageID=829873)

(http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction-viewImage&friendID=134561278&albumID=0&imageID=684236)

http://www.myspace.com/thestreamliners   (http://www.myspace.com/thestreamliners)

Title: Re: 1970s Ibanez TBirds - any good?
Post by: Freuds_Cat on October 01, 2008, 11:09:33 PM
Just saw these on ebay.oz figured this was probably an appropriate thread to post them in.

GRECO THUNDERBIRD BASS
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/GRECO-THUNDERBIRD-BASS_W0QQitemZ190255685365QQihZ009QQcategoryZ38078QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/GRECO-THUNDERBIRD-BASS_W0QQitemZ190255685365QQihZ009QQcategoryZ38078QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

(http://i13.ebayimg.com/01/i/001/10/3c/e7cc_1.JPG)(http://i24.ebayimg.com/04/i/001/10/3c/f173_1.JPG)

(http://i15.ebayimg.com/04/i/001/10/3c/eb43_1.JPG)

And


GIBSON THUNDERBIRD bass 1993 Orville Japan

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/GIBSON-THUNDERBIRD-bass-1993-Orville-Japan-road-case_W0QQitemZ290263717608QQihZ019QQcategoryZ38078QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/GIBSON-THUNDERBIRD-bass-1993-Orville-Japan-road-case_W0QQitemZ290263717608QQihZ019QQcategoryZ38078QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

(http://i22.ebayimg.com/05/i/001/0f/b1/314d_3.JPG)

Title: Re: 1970s Ibanez TBirds - any good?
Post by: PhilT on October 09, 2008, 05:59:55 AM
I recognise those flowers. That's Aussie Mark's Orville.
Title: Re: 1970s Ibanez TBirds - any good?
Post by: Dave W on October 09, 2008, 10:02:26 AM
Yep. He got a good price for it, too.
Title: Re: 1970s Ibanez TBirds - any good?
Post by: PhilT on October 12, 2008, 03:57:25 PM
960 aussie dollars, that's 630 USD. Is that a good price for an Orville?
Title: Re: 1970s Ibanez TBirds - any good?
Post by: Dave W on October 12, 2008, 08:37:06 PM
I didn't realize the Aussie dollar had fallen against the US dollar again. I was thinking this was the equivalent of about 850-900 USD. I would think 630 USD is about average, though I haven't been following them lately. Hopefully it's still a good deal for Mark.
Title: Re: 1970s Ibanez TBirds - any good?
Post by: Freuds_Cat on October 12, 2008, 10:38:29 PM
Aus$ vs US$  has been a complete rollercoaster ride for the last few months
Title: Re: 1970s Ibanez TBirds - any good?
Post by: Aussie Mark on October 23, 2008, 10:31:58 PM
From memory I paid US450 for the Orville around 2002, so I broke even when the cost of the flight case is taken into account.  There's not many basses that sell for a profit, so breaking even is a reasonable outcome.  I loved the Orville, but a Thunderbird doesn't always look bitchin' on stage with a 47 year old :-) 
Title: Re: 1970s Ibanez TBirds - any good?
Post by: Freuds_Cat on October 24, 2008, 06:52:01 AM
Jeez I hope Nasty Habits Mark doesn't read that last comment.......There will be words    :mrgreen:
Title: Re: 1970s Ibanez TBirds - any good?
Post by: Bass VI on October 31, 2008, 10:18:02 PM
Quote from: Freuds_Cat on October 24, 2008, 06:52:01 AM
Jeez I hope Nasty Habits Mark doesn't read that last comment.......There will be words    :mrgreen:

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: Could well be.....and if I were to change my username it would be TBird1959!! Kids!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: