I'm putting a fair amount of wear and tear on my Thunderbird, and since I cracked the headstock to my Heritage bass, my only other back up bass is a terrible Aria that was an impulse buy a few years ago (it's not a bad bass, I just don't care for it, it doesn't enthuse me in any way).
What are the opinions of other posters about Greco Birds? I remember from the old site TBird1958 had some positive things to say about them, but... well you know.
Would a decent old greco bird be a good beater bass until the BaCHBird comes out, or my broke ass saves enough cash for another real one?
Heya
I really do like my Greco TB II quite a bit, it's a good player, the pick up absolutely roars. To my mind the average going $$$ on ebay makes them a very attractive alternative to Gibson, I'd also say its way better than an Epiphone for playing and sound. Scott (BassIV) also has a couple if I recall, The neck profile is different from a Gibson and the scale is about 1/2" shorter, thus I always think of mine as the "little" Bird.
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/77Greco-1.jpg)
I have a Greco Thunderbird too. I has a real powerful growly tone.
The (set) neck is a bit chunkier than a Gibson Tbird, but other than that it's pretty close to the real thing.
I bought it in 2003 from Takahiro Nasu in Tokyo through Ebay.
I used it on one of the songs of our new album.
Here's a short sample.
http://www.superfloor.net/Soul_On_Fire_sample.mp3 (http://www.superfloor.net/Soul_On_Fire_sample.mp3)
(http://www.superfloor.net/tbird.jpg)
And I've been using it in another band that I'm helping out till they've found a new bassplayer.
I found out it goes really well with the Orange AD200. The Greco Tbird wakes up the beast inside the AD200.
My Greo T-Bird looks exactly like Rob's. As others have stated, the pickups are excellent. I also like the neck profile.
I've been thinking about selling it, though. I've been on a short-scale kick lately and it isn't getting much love. Plus, I just bought one of those $699 SG Supremes.
Thanks for all the insights guys. I'm hoping to pick one up somewheres around Marchish.
The pickups look to be the same as in this RVL Special:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/Johnny_Crab/Greco1RingsFaceFXd.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/Johnny_Crab/GrecoNeckPickupmountFXd.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/Johnny_Crab/GrecoNeckPickupFXd.jpg)
They do sound excellent and do the T-Bird sound a whole lot better than my Orville does(even thinking swapping the middle pickup to my Orville's front pickup for a test).
There's a black one on evilBay that looks like it was left outside near saltwater for a year(massive amounts of corrosion). I would seriously avoid that one. If the hardware is that hosed, the wood and esp the neck may be questionable.
I LOVE my Greco II. I had a IV but sold it. I'd buy another one though. I never noticed it being slightly shorter in scale, but I do notice the neck meeting the body at a higher fret than the Gibsons (one fret later). It makes the bass feel longer in the first position because it's a long stretch to begin with. Not that big a deal unless you're sensitive to that already with a Gibson. The nut width is more P bass than Jazz, but it doesn't feel clubby to me. My '77 II sounds really nice and has the same character as my '65 II (which, alas, I sold). I can't say it sounds exactly like it because no two Thunderbirds sound exactly alike to me. It sounds closer to the '65 than my newer Gibsons though.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/gcarlston/Basses/Grecos.jpg)
Mark and George, would you please measure the scale length of your Grecos (inside edge of nut to center of 12th fret x 2)? I remember someone did this at DPv.3 but that info is gone. I'm curious, just wondering if all Greco birds are the same scale length.
Don't rule out a Studio Tbird. I got mine about a year ago for a little under $600 - in new condition. I haven't seen the flood gate open on Studio birds like the GOW week stuff and Monkey basses but since they've been discontinued you might find a deal on one.
One of the guys that we get together with at the FDP Ohio jams brought a Studio T-Bird V last summer. It sounded awfully nice.
That one on ebay with all the corrosion appealed to me a little, as with it as beat up as it is I wouldn't stress over abusing it too much. But you're right, too risky. I'd have to play it first before I would hand over any cash.
I've long been a four string devotee, but lately for some reason I've been flirting with some of those more stringy types. If I could get my hands on a fiver t-bird studio I'd be in minor heaven.
And one more question. What about the Epi elitist birds? I assume since they're Japanese their much better than the standard epi birds.
http://cgi.ebay.com/GRECO-86-THUNDERBIRD-BLACK-Japan-Made-Bass_W0QQitemZ320217954749QQihZ011QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/GRECO-86-THUNDERBIRD-BLACK-Japan-Made-Bass_W0QQitemZ320217954749QQihZ011QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
Here's one going for real cheap.....
Quote from: Dave W on February 16, 2008, 07:50:56 PM
Mark and George, would you please measure the scale length of your Grecos (inside edge of nut to center of 12th fret x 2)? I remember someone did this at DPv.3 but that info is gone. I'm curious, just wondering if all Greco birds are the same scale length.
Mine measures 33 3/4" (16 7/8" x 2).
Quote from: rockinrayduke on February 17, 2008, 12:31:03 PM
http://cgi.ebay.com/GRECO-86-THUNDERBIRD-BLACK-Japan-Made-Bass_W0QQitemZ320217954749QQihZ011QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/GRECO-86-THUNDERBIRD-BLACK-Japan-Made-Bass_W0QQitemZ320217954749QQihZ011QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
Here's one going for real cheap.....
HOLY CRAP!! :o :o
That is some kind of corroded! :o This dude must be some type of bass playing super villain that sweats suphuric acid.
Unfortunately, the unmagic words were there - "neck has a slight twist"
He was honest about it, though, and pics seem to verify it.
Sorry, that's what I get for not reading the descrption first. Didn't notice 2 holes in the back of the neck either. Yuck.
I think this came up at Jules too.....here's a paste of my what I came up with...
By my best measurements using Dave's guidelines the distance is 16 11/16ths inches from the fretboard side of the nut to the center of the 12th fret. Should = 33 6/16ths. My 76's are an even 34" Funny 'cause that isn't much of a difference yet the Greco just "feels" smaller and seems to have less string tension too.The neck is 1 3/4" at the nut vs 1 1/2" for a 76. While I really like this bass for its different sound and feel and will be playing shows with it in ' 08, for me its not quite as good as any of my 76's for either sound or ease of playing.......I'm very spoiled
BTW the black one on Ebay right now is nasty.........
To summarize?
By my best measurements of Dave's nut. Should = 33 6/16ths. My are an even 34" Funny 'cause that isn't much of a difference yet just "feels" smaller and seems to have less tension too. The neck is 1 3/4" at the nut vs 1 1/2" for a 76. While I really like this for its different sound and feel and will be playing shows with it in ' 08, for me its not quite as good as any of my 76's for either sound or ease of playing.......I'm very spoiled
BTW the black one on Ebay right now is nasty........
Quote from: gweimer on February 17, 2008, 01:40:57 PM
Unfortunately, the unmagic words were there - "neck has a slight twist"
He was honest about it, though, and pics seem to verify it.
Not that I'd recommend that nasty black Greco on eBay, but I sold a black 77 'bird to Mark that has a more severe twist than that one but it doesn't actually affect playability as much as you'd think. That's one area where the three point bridge comes in handy. Lift one side. lower the other, and your strings are even with the fretboard (though it looks a little wonky sighting down the neck)!
George,
That's an a**kickin' 77! I took it to Mike Lull for a little tweak you'd really have to look to see it, plays like a dream ;)
That one does play nice Mark! Actually, all of yours play nice, but that one was pretty sweet!
Interesting. MattK's is 33 7/8, but Mark's at 33 3/8"is very close to Rickenbacker scale. My fingers can tell that big a difference.
Thanks for measuring.
Hah. I'll re-measure mine tomorrow. I did it in a hurry and I might've gotten it wrong. ;D
I went back and re-read the thread at Jules........this is how Dave suggested I measure the scale length at that time.
"Mark, you measure from the inside edge of the nut (the fretboard side) to the top center of the 12th fret, and multiply by 2."
Just so we're on the same page........ ;D
Sorry, I was thinking it was a thread at the departed DP3. I should have thought to look at Jules' place.
Mark's measurements are correct. .......And I need to learn how to use a tape measure. ;D
Thanks, Matt. Unless someone comes forward with a measured 34" scale Greco 'bird, it looks like they're really 33 3/8". Very close to Rick scale tonality combined with Gibson looks.
Last weekend someone shot some nice pics from me and my Greco T-bird
(http://www.superfloor.net/schillerstonefly-small.jpg)
(http://www.superfloor.net/schillerstonefly2-small.jpg)
(http://www.superfloor.net/schillerstonefly3-small.jpg)
Nice pics Rob, who doesn't look good with a 'Bird! Enjoyed your soundclip earlier in the thread too.
You look VERY angry on the last one, must seen a f****r around or something? ;D
Very nice pics mate! ;)
Quote from: exiledarchangel on February 26, 2008, 02:28:03 AM
You look VERY angry on the last one, must seen a f****r around or something? ;D
Very nice pics mate! ;)
Nah, not angry. Just trying (not) to eat my pick :D