The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: uwe on August 29, 2011, 05:41:42 AM

Title: Purdy in Red ...
Post by: uwe on August 29, 2011, 05:41:42 AM
Sigh, sometimes not collecting for fins is hard ...

Would work great with some of Fräulein Rommel's more conservative outfits though!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1997-Gibson-Custom-Shop-Thunderbird-Bass-Red-/370537597410?pt=Guitar&hash=item5645c309e2

(http://96.0.12.149/ebay/ebay-pics/97-gibson-thunderbird-red/large/02.jpg)

(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1997-Gibson-Custom-Shop-Thunderbird-Bass-Red-/00/$(KGrHqIOKjQE4nEyLNROBOVt4ObCw!~~60_3.JPG)

(http://96.0.12.149/ebay/ebay-pics/97-gibson-thunderbird-red/large/08.jpg)

How many posts until someone quips "needs chrome or nickel hardware!"?  :rolleyes:

I bought a Custom Shop Bird once. Many moons ago. If only I knew where I put it ...  8)

http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=5269.75



Title: Re: Purdy in Red ...
Post by: dadagoboi on August 29, 2011, 06:03:29 AM
OK, I'll start the quibbling...it's pretty sad that something that was a $10 option at one time now makes a bass a "Custom Shop" exclusive.

That said, nice color.
Title: Re: Purdy in Red ...
Post by: uwe on August 29, 2011, 06:40:37 AM
True!!!
Title: Re: Purdy in Red ...
Post by: Dave W on August 29, 2011, 07:08:05 AM
Quote from: dadagoboi on August 29, 2011, 06:03:29 AM
OK, I'll start the quibbling...it's pretty sad that something that was a $10 option at one time now makes a bass a "Custom Shop" exclusive.

That said, nice color.

The CS sticker costs $10? Must be some pretty expensive decal stock.  ;D
Title: Re: Purdy in Red ...
Post by: dadagoboi on August 29, 2011, 10:16:59 AM
Quote from: Dave W on August 29, 2011, 07:08:05 AM
The CS sticker costs $10? Must be some pretty expensive decal stock.  ;D

It's made of Indian rosewood
Title: Re: Purdy in Red ...
Post by: Bionic-Joe on August 29, 2011, 10:34:12 AM
That is just totally insane. They should make them in every color. Custom shop should be a "Custom" Bass. Since when does a different color make it a custom shop? Ridiculous. Still...IT NEEDS NICKEL hardware!!! Ha! There.....I didn't say the C word!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Purdy in Red ...
Post by: TBird1958 on August 29, 2011, 11:18:33 AM


Okay........I will! It's be gorgeous with CHROME parts  ;)
Title: Re: Purdy in Red ...
Post by: Bionic-Joe on August 29, 2011, 12:05:34 PM
HA!!!!!
Title: Re: Purdy in Red ...
Post by: Dave W on August 29, 2011, 01:08:36 PM
Quote from: dadagoboi on August 29, 2011, 10:16:59 AM
It's made of Indian rosewood

Was it finished in India?
Title: Re: Purdy in Red ...
Post by: Barklessdog on August 29, 2011, 02:46:55 PM
A Nikki Six Pickguard would be a nice addition to the "Red Baron". Love red basses. The black looks good with it as well.
Title: Re: Purdy in Red ...
Post by: Highlander on August 30, 2011, 02:01:23 AM
A little of what you fancy does you good is an old UK expression - you can let the "fin" mantra slip if this lady wood look good over in Deutschland you know... ;)
Title: Re: Purdy in Red ...
Post by: Basvarken on August 30, 2011, 02:12:34 AM
I think the black goes well with the red and white. (White Stripes?)
Chrome wouldn't complement it as good.

But I would prefer (black) large gear tuners.
Title: Re: Purdy in Red ...
Post by: uwe on August 30, 2011, 03:50:49 AM
There is room for debate what makes this a Custom Shop other than the fin, given that there is no other variance to a regular model. But then that is a fair question with Firebirds too because the Custom Shop neck thru construction is the same as a Gibson USA one on F- and T-Birds. It's not like, say, an LP where (with the guitars at least, don't think they ever bothered with the few LP CS basses they did) the body-neck connection is different and more elaborate with the CS models (longer tongue and more wood contact in the cavity) which does affect sound.

So with a specimen like this one we are probably left only with longer aged mahogany and more attention to detail, fretjob etc.
Title: Re: Purdy in Red ...
Post by: Dave W on August 30, 2011, 08:02:17 AM
Quote from: uwe on August 30, 2011, 03:50:49 AM
So with a specimen like this one we are probably left only with longer aged mahogany and more attention to detail, fretjob etc.

I would be surprised if the mahogany is aged longer. More likely they just select for appearance (especially in transparent finishes) weight and absence of defects. And they probably do spend more labor time on the details.
Title: Re: Purdy in Red ...
Post by: stiles72 on August 30, 2011, 08:28:49 AM
Underside of the pup:

(http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj401/stiles72/thunderbird/1_IMG955679.jpg)
Title: Re: Purdy in Red ...
Post by: Psycho Bass Guy on August 30, 2011, 08:32:50 AM
If I only had the funds right now, I'd be happy to give that pretty bird a house full of cats to make friends with.