I picked it up this afternoon! Having fun setting it up and playing it. Feels nice sets up great. Introducing it to the gang(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/chairsandbabybird001.jpg)
Doesn't it smell good!
Uwe's has been keeping my upstairs practice room quite aromatic over the past few days.
While it does smell good it isn't pungent and I think it is from the case and not the bass it certainly isn't stink'n out the place. I am very happy with this purchase. A few more observations................... The frets are dressed flat not crowned, fine by me but I think it is in a effort to keep the cost down. I had my choice of two basses this one had especialey lively MOP dots, both examples played fine out of the box not bad for a factory set up. Once home I was able to get the action super low with out any trouble or buzzing. I love the slab body and sharp radius on the body edge along with the set neck it has some NR vibe to it. Definatley not neck heavy, sort of a odd sensation for playing Thunderbirds for 30 plus years. I'd really like to see a one pickup long, scale version of this in the worn cherry or walnut finish..................a guy can dream right ?
Looks great! It only comes in black???
Yep only black......................as far as I know. As for the arrivals of the LP bass and others in this series Bruce says when they show up they show up, no rhyme or reason. I'll be checking the store a couple times a week.
Quote from: godofthunder on March 23, 2011, 05:47:00 AM
.......... The frets are dressed flat not crowned, fine by me but I think it is in a effort to keep the cost down.
That's not good, whether it's intentional or got overlooked. That's a defect in workmanship that should be fixed under warranty.
What kind of bridge does it have . Cant see ,not 'nuff chrome ! :mrgreen:
The 'ol three point bridge, what else would you expect? As for the frets the bass plays fine and in tune I'm not that worried about it.
I really haven't had much time to spend with Uwe's yet, just about 30 minutes using the practice amp, while I think it needs a proper set up it's quite playable. I will use it with the band this weekend at rehearsal thru the GK - I'm looking forward to it ;D
I am taking mine to rehearsal next Mon. I was able to get nice low action on mine with very little effort, the neck is almost flat very little relief (that's how I like it). As always with me the bridge pup gets screwed right down so it is out of my way.
Quote from: TBird1958 on March 23, 2011, 03:13:53 PM
I really haven't had much time to spend with Uwe's yet, just about 30 minutes using the practice amp, while I think it needs a proper set up it's quite playable. I will use it with the band this weekend at rehearsal thru the GK - I'm looking forward to it ;D
Don't rub her the wrong way!
Quote from: Barklessdog on March 23, 2011, 03:25:08 PM
Don't rub her the wrong way!
More images I could do without at bed time. :o
Quote from: PhilT on March 23, 2011, 06:58:03 PM
More images I could do without at bed time. :o
;D It's ok once in a while!
Convenient too at times.
Sliding on to less sticky subjects, gentlemen, Gibson has now made it official:
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Bass/Gibson-USA/Thunderbird-Short-Scale-Bass.aspx#
They do advertise it a little as if it were primarily for the physically and otherwise (guitarists) handicapped though:
"New from Gibson USA, this bass blends iconic styling with legendary Gibson tone, in a package that is perfect for players looking for something different than the same old long-scale basses out there. The Thunderbird Short Scale Bass (which at 30 1/2" is still somewhat larger than a full-sized guitar) is perfect for players with shorter arms and smaller hands, beginners and students, or those who are more familiar with 6-string guitar scale lengths. But the short-scale bass isn't merely an "alternative" or a "student" instrument by any means. Two of the world's most famous bassists, Paul McCartney and Jack Bruce, played short-scale basses at the most influential points their careers, and countless others have used them to make legendary rock, pop and blues recordings. The Thunderbird Short Scale Bass brings weighty tones and easy playability to a package styled for the 21st century, and suitable for every variety of music."
I Like how they shoehorn Paul in there :rolleyes:
One of the more prominent Gibson bass players no doubt.
Like Stanley Clarke?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/Musicians/stanleyclarkeG3.jpg)
Well, didn't Stanley play an EB-2 initially?
At least Stanley held the darn thing! I think SC played a EB3 early on. Show me a picture of Paul holding a Gibson bass.
Why do they imply its an entry level bass . They are good at pushing potential customers away like " Money Bass".
Quote from: shadowcastaz on March 25, 2011, 07:26:19 PM
Why do they imply its an entry level bass . They are good at pushing potential customers away like " Money Bass".
It's a mystery to me. Henry J thinks he's a marketing genius.
Quote from: shadowcastaz on March 25, 2011, 07:26:19 PM
Why do they imply its an entry level bass . They are good at pushing potential customers away like " Money Bass".
Consider this:
Available only in flat/matte black, cheapest finish there is. Hides most sins and is really difficult to maimtain.
Zero components unique to this model except that hinky looking pick guard.
Undressed frets, not usually considered a high end feature.
I forget whether it's set or thru neck and I guess with a $499 Epi Pro having a through neck it's a toss up as to whether that's a high end feature.
It's a set neck. Funny, I just had a gig yesterday where I marvelled on stage about the huge sustain of my Bicentennial and Korina Birds, the bass player in the other band had a well enough sounding Cort Jazz Bass, but his sustain wasn't even close, my notes (over the same - his - Marshall solid state rig) just stood there and wouldn't go away. Only neck-thru does that.
Back to the topic: It's unfortunate that even Gibson as a once primarily short scale bass maker now seems to relegate short scale into the "for beginners, if you're hands are too small or if you are really a guitarist" corner. And isn't even the street price of this a little hefty for a beginner?
I find that set neck NRs sustain more than the neck through reverse, I think it has something to do with the one piece mahogany body. The reverese Tbirds have like 9 laminations plus the body wings I thing all those glue joints inhibit the transfer of string vibration.
Quote from: uwe on March 26, 2011, 06:26:17 AM
And isn't even the street price of this a little hefty for a beginner?
That's what really doesn't make sense about their marketing. Beginner/student basses in today's are made in China and sell for $100-$150.
But this is the marketing team that gave us the ridiculous Fireturd X unveiling ceremony starring Henry J as Steve Jobs with Dick Butkus' doppelgänger as his sidekick.
BTW, the Fireturd X doesn't just have any old built-in effects processor. The marketing department has renamed it the Turbo Charged "Pure-Analog™" Engine. :rolleyes:
Im 6'3" 350#(thats 159 K Uwe! :mrgreen:) & I find shorties very comfortable to play. I have big paws & sausage fingers from all those years of burns, cuts & hot/cold h2o.
If I were to read that add on their site I would not waste time or spend the money. One of the only basses I had that was like it was made for me was a Ripper. Like a dope I sold it. I have a Guild 302 Im restoring that I think will fill the void
- nothing new or diff
- crappy black finish
-black hardware.
- & a price point that is only geared towards the" Richie Rich's " of newbie players.WTF!
Only the recommendation from you all would prompt me to even look at one.
If it were white or burst Id be on it in a heartbeat & I like a black bass
I think they should throw
"For players with gimpy t-rex arms..." into the ad copy.
"You'll be playin' Crossroads in no time, you stubby armed freak!"Quote from: Dave W on March 26, 2011, 08:33:48 AM
BTW, the Fireturd X doesn't just have any old built-in effects processor. The marketing department has renamed it the Turbo Charged "Pure-Analog™" Engine. :rolleyes:
;D Hey now, that's a "pure analog" effects processor if I've ever seen one! Pure analog gear will always convert the audio path to digital for processing! ???
"We then use high performance ADC chips to convert the audio stream into the digital form on which our sound processor can act with virtually no latency. Inside our engine we maintain the signal stream with high internal precision. What this means is that every effect or operation has such a fantastically high bit depth and resolution that there are virtually no truncation errors or other artifacts, truly preserving the analog quality of the original signal. The signal starts as fantastic analog, and leaves as fantastic analog, using an exceptional DAC. Everything that happens in between is Gibson Pure-Analog™."
I called the HOG and told Kurt to hold the next one in for me to have a look at. I might buy it if I like it. If I were to buy, I would probably refin it. No big loss in value there!!!!
Quote from: Dave W on March 26, 2011, 08:33:48 AM
BTW, the Fireturd X doesn't just have any old built-in effects processor. The marketing department has renamed it the Turbo Charged "Pure-Analog™" Engine. :rolleyes:
How is that any worse than EBMM's "Game Changer WTF that is?
I don't think Gibson has the market for poor hyperbolye cornered ;)
Quote from: drbassman on March 26, 2011, 12:08:28 PM
I called the HOG and told Kurt to hold the next one in for me to have a look at. I might buy it if I like it. If I were to buy, I would probably refin it. No big loss in value there!!!!
Bill stop by and check mine out if you like.
Quote from: TBird1958 on March 26, 2011, 12:31:22 PM
How is that any worse than EBMM's "Game Changer WTF that is?
I don't think Gibson has the market for poor hyperbolye cornered ;)
It's not just about the hype. The MM Gamechanger claims to have an all-analog signal path with nothing digitized. Gibson calls theirs PURE-ANALOG™ while admitting it's converted to digital and back, i.e. NOT pure analog. To me, that's worse. Typical Gibson BS, like "reissue" guitars that never had a first issue.
It's enough to make you long for the Norlin years.
I'm with Dave. I prefer honesty and accuracy from businesses.
Quote from: godofthunder on March 26, 2011, 12:51:45 PM
Bill stop by and check mine out if you like.
I will. I do have a meeting scheduled in the city, so maybe I can detour out your way. I'll check my calendar and let you know.
Maybe Gibson does their messaging research on eBay - hence short scale = small hands, short arms, beginner, guitarist. They missed out girls.
Maybe they should include a voucher for a Handicap Parking pass with it.
Gibson's marketing department has to be populated by the biggest bunch of boobs since the bozos who came up with the "New Coke" campaign. What a pack of pinheads! :rolleyes:
Yeah but the new coke actually increased interest & exposure in classic coke therefore increasing their market share
Quote from: shadowcastaz on March 29, 2011, 10:23:33 AM
Yeah but the new coke actually increased interest & exposure in classic coke therefore increasing their market share
Too bad they actually didn't plan it that way!
I don't know how Gibson stays in business. Really????
They create demand through haphazard supply to their dealers ....... ;D And they sell a lot of Epi's of course ......
QuoteBack to the topic: It's unfortunate that even Gibson as a once primarily short scale bass maker now seems to relegate short scale into the "for beginners, if you're hands are too small or if you are really a guitarist" corner. And isn't even the street price of this a little hefty for a beginner?
& girls. :P
Yes. That really adds insult to injury given that the only chick here doesn't even like short scales and is always clamoring that size matters. At least she's honest.
:rolleyes: They can't even count right:
"It has a glued-in neck made from superior quarter-sawn mahogany for improved strength and superior resonance, and a rosewood fingerboard with 22 frets. The neck is carved to a comfortable Thunderbird profile and measures .850" deep at the 1st fret and .900" at the 12th, with a width of 1.60" across its PLEK-cut Corian nut."
If only. How can anybody be so careless and sloppy in a description. A high E on a TBird would have been really something - alas!
I wonder if the frets are PLEKed too though? In general, the nut-cutting (come to think of it ... an unfortunate teminology to say the least) is the final stage in the PLEK-process and follows the fretwork, not much sense in cutting the nut without it. That might explain why they are dressed flat and not crowned? While the PLEK machine (at least the new generation) can crown frets you can find reports according to which it tends to flatten frets. That said, Gibson was not above putting out flat-fretted basses in the sixties and seventies too. Some of my vintage pieces could only be called crowned with the best of intentions.
The PLEK cutter supposedly crowns the frets. OTOH it still depends on the operator. I'm sure Gibson only hires the cream of the crap.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG4BOLlKOb4
I saw that too. On the other hand German engineering's penchant for flat silhouettes is amply documented.
(http://www.panzertruppen.org/heer/canones/jagdpanther2.jpg)
Alas!, not a design language shared by everyone on the other side of the pond:
(http://tankstogo.com/United_States/images/USgrant-1.jpg)
I always liked the Lee & Grant tanks, mostly due to the Bogart WWII tank movie.
They were great to hit from the side. Nice target. Bad armour. Undersized guns, low shooting range. Just perfect.
Armoured gum wrapper....... :rolleyes: