The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Bionic-Joe on May 15, 2012, 05:40:21 AM

Title: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: Bionic-Joe on May 15, 2012, 05:40:21 AM
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1963-Gibson-Thunderbird-IV-Vintage-Bass-Guitar-Completely-Original-Rare-/130696986187?pt=Guitar&hash=item1e6e25be4b#ht_3142wt_1118



This is for you rich guys.......
Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: mc2NY on May 15, 2012, 07:25:32 AM
Speaking of '63 TBirds....were any of the early '63 ones TWO-PIECE necks?

Only asking because the early '63 Firebirds were originally two-piece before they switched over to the nine-piece style. Did they do the same with any of the basses?
Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: Dave W on May 15, 2012, 08:12:53 AM
The seller sure knows what he has, no doubt about that. Has any similar one sold for anywhere near this much?
Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: uwe on May 15, 2012, 08:15:21 AM
Dream on. That price is laughable and it is not even one of that early batch that didn't yet have a nine-ply neck.
Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: dadagoboi on May 15, 2012, 08:36:18 AM
I see that the seller is "organdoctor".  Perhaps he'll take a trade, say a kidney or half a liver.

Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: OldManC on May 15, 2012, 09:23:58 AM
Interesting bird. Is that an original Firebird guard?

(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjAwWDYwMA==/$%28KGrHqZHJD!E-lFukfh7BPsZep44J!~~60_12.JPG?set_id=880000500F)
Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: godofthunder on May 15, 2012, 09:52:39 AM
George good eye! Sure looks like a original guard with the Firebird logo. Yet another Gibson anomaly.
Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: Bionic-Joe on May 15, 2012, 05:28:21 PM
I'd LOVE to have it...But I'd rather have a Thunderbird II!!!!
Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: mc2NY on May 17, 2012, 09:57:36 AM
Quote from: godofthunder on May 15, 2012, 09:52:39 AM
George good eye! Sure looks like a original guard with the Firebird logo. Yet another Gibson anomaly.

My 3 PUP TBird prototype also had an original pearl pickguard that had a Firebird logo on it, rahter than a TBird.
Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: uwe on May 21, 2012, 05:43:23 PM
True, I have one just like that!
Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: Bionic-Joe on May 21, 2012, 07:18:45 PM
Just picked up a MINT 1965 Thunderbird II...reverse...I'm the second owner...Original owner bought it in 1971....Never learned to play bass...I have the hang tags, Mint case and covers...Nice big clubby neck like my blue one...and I just tried it out...It has the TONE!!!!!
Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: Stjofön Big on May 22, 2012, 01:17:41 AM
Congratulations, Baz!
Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: Bionic-Joe on May 22, 2012, 04:50:16 AM
Thank you!!!
Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: dadagoboi on May 22, 2012, 04:51:27 AM
I thought there was a "pictures or it doesn't exist " rule around here. ;D

Congrats, Baz!
Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: Dave W on May 22, 2012, 08:21:43 AM
Congrats, Baz. Hope you got it for a lot less than the one on eBay.
Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: Bionic-Joe on May 22, 2012, 09:17:45 PM
Ok.
Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: Bionic-Joe on May 22, 2012, 09:18:50 PM
Original owner bought it new in 1971 and NEVER learned to play bass. I removed the original flatwound strings...This thing is a KILLER!!!!!!
Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: Chris P. on May 23, 2012, 02:07:57 AM
Wow, congrats!! My holy grail still is a white, one pick up reversed Bird.
Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: Bionic-Joe on May 23, 2012, 04:53:08 AM
There's that one on Ebay......
http://www.ebay.com/itm/STUPID-RARE-VINTAGE-1964-GIBSON-THUNDERBIRD-II-BASS-GUITAR-POLARIS-WHITE-FINISH-/360459019649?pt=Guitar&hash=item53ed082581#ht_10722wt_1202
Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: Dave W on May 23, 2012, 08:33:39 AM
Quote from: Baz Cooper on May 23, 2012, 04:53:08 AM
There's that one on Ebay......
http://www.ebay.com/itm/STUPID-RARE-VINTAGE-1964-GIBSON-THUNDERBIRD-II-BASS-GUITAR-POLARIS-WHITE-FINISH-/360459019649?pt=Guitar&hash=item53ed082581#ht_10722wt_1202

LOL. Dream on, tune-o-matic.
Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: Bionic-Joe on May 23, 2012, 03:05:51 PM
I know, Right?
Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: godofthunder on May 23, 2012, 04:08:22 PM
Stupid is the operative word here. Refin for sure, to be kind unrealistic price. I'm talking about the white one.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: Bionic-Joe on May 23, 2012, 04:40:55 PM
How about....some one buy a regular 60's bird...and refin it white???? that would sure the hell save ya a lot of money.....After I receive my NR from RS, I may ...May just have them shoot my unbroken, '65 Pelham Blue refin bird in Polaris White.....White is Ultimate for a T bird II....
Title: Re: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird IV
Post by: Chris P. on May 24, 2012, 02:15:13 AM
I even thought of converting my very battered '76 Bird to a one pick up white one. But she's pretty as she is... Maybe I buy a newer Bird once, mount one chrome pick up and fill the hole, remove one volume pot, fill that hole too, refinish it. Maybe. Once.