http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Orville-Gibson-Thunderbird-Bass-/140415651101?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item20b16ccd1d (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Orville-Gibson-Thunderbird-Bass-/140415651101?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item20b16ccd1d)
QuoteGibson were unable to use their own Gibson name in Japan and so chose their founders first name as the brand name, and so produced "Orville" and "Orville by Gibson" guitars in Japan. The latter being the superior range using genuine Gibson USA pickups and hardware.
Does anybody here know about the Orville name? Were Gibson really unable to use Gibson? and if so why not?
I would assume they chose not to use the Gibson name to differentiate the Japanese from the American made Gibsons. Are there any Gibson branded guitars that are not made in America?
Quote from: the mojo hobo on June 21, 2010, 02:15:26 PM
I would assume they chose not to use the Gibson name to differentiate the Japanese from the American made Gibsons. Are there any Gibson branded guitars that are not made in America?
Bingo! They would not put the Gibson brand name on products made in Japan. There was nothing to legally prevent them from using it.
Blurb from the seller...
Quote"It would have been made about 19 years ago ( serial G01xxxx = July 1991) by Fujigen-Gakki as a Japanese made Gibson for the Japanese home market. Gibson were unable to use their own Gibson name in Japan and so chose their founders first name as the brand name, and so produced "Orville" and "Orville by Gibson" guitars in Japan. The latter being the superior range using genuine Gibson USA pickups and hardware."
I think Dave summed it up suitably unless someone knows differently...
It's certainly one of the better Thunderbirds one could buy, regardless of price.
In case anyone's interested, notwithstanding the TRC, that one's an Orville 'by' Gibson.
I would have then thought they would just use Epiphone....
That's a sweetie,, I have a 89 Orville T-Bird and it Rock's!! Stomps all over my buds bran new USA Gibby..
(http://www.jfhproductions.net/gobb_007.jpg)
Quote from: EvilLordJuju on June 23, 2010, 05:56:53 AM
I would have then thought they would just use Epiphone....
That's what mine is.
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/Epiphone%20Thunderbird%20-%20Japan/DSC06291a.jpg)
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/Epiphone%20Thunderbird%20-%20Japan/DSC06288a.jpg)
Quote from: Denis on June 23, 2010, 07:02:44 AM
That's what mine is.
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/Epiphone%20Thunderbird%20-%20Japan/DSC06291a.jpg)
At some point in the 90's Gibson retired the Orville name in Japan and started using Epi. There's a difference though from the Epiphones the rest of the world gets (which were made in Korea and then Indonesia and elsewhere). The Epi Japan models were made just for the Japanese market. I had the same kind of bird Denis has and it was the same bass as the regular Orville bird. The Orville 'by' Gibson was the upgraded model, but they're both nice birds.
Quote from: OldManC on June 23, 2010, 09:14:22 AM
At some point in the 90's Gibson retired the Orville name in Japan and started using Epi. There's a difference though from the Epiphones the rest of the world gets (which were made in Korea and then Indonesia and elsewhere). The Epi Japan models were made just for the Japanese market. I had the same kind of bird Denis has and it was the same bass as the regular Orville bird. The Orville 'by' Gibson was the upgraded model, but they're both nice birds.
Any idea what the upgrades were for the upper tier Orville over the regular Orville or Epi? The history and evolution of T-birds is fascinating!
Mine's a bit different having chrome hardware instead of nickel. Also a custom 2 point and paint job......... Courtesy of Curt (DC10Bass). I played this bass for 1 1/2 hours at rehearsal the other night - very nice! a bit tighter than a Gibson due to the set neck, and the pups had a nice, somewhat modern growl about them.
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/thunderbirds025.jpg)
Quote from: Denis on June 23, 2010, 12:06:34 PM
Any idea what the upgrades were for the upper tier Orville over the regular Orville or Epi? The history and evolution of T-birds is fascinating!
U.S. pickups and (I think) hardware. They also came without pickup rings.
Chrome covers aside, the pups on mine look very contemporary Gibson, dual coil.
I'll say something contentious now :rolleyes: and you may then crucify me: I think an Orville sounds pretty much like any set neck Gibson bass with those pups would sound, but it does not sound - or feel and respond - like a true neck-thru TBird. There, it's out, I said it. Same applies to all Epis, Grecos, Ibanezes and what have you. They look the part, approximate general sounds, but they lack the neck thru tone and feel which to me characterizes a true TBird (or Firebird) tone much in the same way a Ric 4001/4003 is characterized by its neck-thru construction. It is beyond me how anybody who has ever played a real TBird - and it may be an off-the-rack modern one - unplugged can find the same feel on one of those set neck cripples.
Accept no substitute - buy American.
This public message is fully endorsed by Henry J.
I don't disagree with what you're saying at all, what's pleasant about it is that the many variations of construction/pickups really do change a basses sound. That's one reason to own the 'Birds I do, a Greco Thunderbird II sounds more like a really angry P bass than a Bird - So I get "that" tone and, thank god I don't have to buy a 7ender to get it.
How would you (Uwe) rate the thru-neck Epi pro's against the genuine article...?
Oh, I forgot those. They do in fact "have it", the five string even loads of it due to the greater neck-thru mass. Pick one up and play it unplugged, you notice it immediately.
tsk tsk... can't see the forest for the trees... well, I did offer my services as curator... ;)
Sold for £600 - obviously took an offer (not from me, before someone is silly enough to speculate)
I'm like those English goal keepers, don't always have a grip on things ...
What is the difference between English goalkeepers and sneezing gardeners?Not much really. It's just that the gardeners have Green hands AND can catch a cold.
Silly English food boilers ;)
Any speculation on a score line...? ;D
Who's the USofA playing next...?
Oh yeah... I don't envy the Italian's their welcoming comittee...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_sIixgC8Eo
Hell, the French team slinked back to Paris on a little out-of-the-way field and dispersed quietly.
England will very likely surrender unconditionally before the game on Sunday ... Our propaganda radio signal "wait until ze penalty shooting - beep! - wait until ze penalty shooting - beep!" has demoralized them ...
Henry, I now own your 89 Orville by Gibson thunderbird that i just got from KEBO!!!!! Just unpacked it today. Very nice.
Congratulations Baz! 8)
Thanks Terr! Any luck on your bass??