Hi
First post here, just wanted to say hello from the UK. Main bass is a sweet creamy/white Thunderbird, just love it. #2 is Hamer FBIV in black. I'm kind of desperate to find a black T-Bird as well (funds waiting! ;D)
Quick question. Gibson Thunderbird Gothics. I've seen a few photos of these online, although it really has to said that I wasn't aware they existed until recently although I'm now fairly certain I saw one in Mannys/GC in September 2009. Can anyone shoot me a bit more information? Numbers etc. Do they ever come up for sale?
Cheers and thanks!
Best
Paul
Welcome aboard, Paul. I have no idea how many were made, never have seen one in person either.
I have one. Only difference to a regular TBird is that it doesn't have a nine-ply neck of walnut and maho, but a two-ply one solely of maho. No idea why, they might have just saved costs. Only a few of these crept out and they were deleted quickly. My then shop got one and they called me and before I could get out "I don't collect for fins", their luthier had me hooked: "But this one has a different neck, Uwe!" The tricks these salespeople use to lure innocent folk like me ...
It also has stronger (or, depending on your view: less clear) pups, but I don't think that had to do with the Goth aspect, but rather all TBirds had their pup output boosted around that time.
I've had it for years, no one in this forum ever gave a rat's ass about it, just another faded black TBird to them. Mortals!!! I get ignored a lot. All the time.
Anybody read this?!!!! ; - )
Quote from: uwe on August 02, 2012, 06:20:49 PM
Anybody read this?!!!! ; - )
Yeah.
Get a PC.
Wait, wrong forum!!!!!!!! ???
Quote from: uwe on August 02, 2012, 06:20:49 PM
I have one. Only difference to a regular TBird is that it doesn't have a nine-ply neck of walnut and maho, but a two-ply one solely of maho. No idea why, they might have just saved costs. Only a few of these crept out and they were deleted quickly. My then shop got one and they called me and before I could get out "I don't collect for fins", their luthier had me hooked: "But this one has a different neck, Uwe!" The tricks these salespeople use to lure innocent folk like me ...
It also has stronger (or, depending on your view: less clear) pups, but I don't think that had to do with the Goth aspect, but rather all TBirds had their pup output boosted around that time.
I've had it for years, no one in this forum ever gave a rat's ass about it, just another faded black TBird to them. Mortals!!! I get ignored a lot. All the time.
Anybody read this?!!!! ; - )
Did it have chrome hardware? ;)
BTW Welcome here Paul............It's the Gibson asylum.
Quote from: uwe on August 02, 2012, 06:20:49 PM
Anybody read this?!!!! ; - )
Didn't that bass have some sort of warranty issue? :mrgreen:
Thanks for making me welcome!
The pics I've seen of the Gothic show the grain on the body is visible rather than it just being a flat solid black and of course it's got a black plate on it.
Uwe, I'd be grateful if you could throw up some pics!
Cheers
Paul
Quote from: TBird1958 on August 02, 2012, 06:45:03 PM
BTW Welcome here Paul............It's the Gibson asylum.
I've been following your TB threads over on TB for some time, you have a pant-wettingly great collection!
P
Quote from: planetgaffnet on August 03, 2012, 01:35:27 AM
Thanks for making me welcome!
The pics I've seen of the Gothic show the grain on the body is visible rather than it just being a flat solid black and of course it's got a black plate on it.
Uwe, I'd be grateful if you could throw up some pics!
Cheers
Paul
Lieber Paul,
danke for being one of the few people in this place not heaping derision on me. I'll gladly oblige, submission is my forte, but do I really have to throw the pics up? :puke:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/DSCF2050.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/DSCF2049.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/DCP_2415.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/DCP_2424-1.jpg)
Mine is a 2006er, I believe they all were, bit of a test run for the Nikki Sixx Signature that followed and had the grain showing too. This is the best grain shot I could get:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/IMG-20120803-00112.jpg)
Of course, inevitably, someone will now quip how it needs some chrome!!!
I have to say I prefer the Gothic to the Blackbird. Nice.
These are my two, but I've de-chromed the Hamer...all black now. I've got funds in place for a black T-bird as soon as one turns up.
Best
Paul
(http://www.chevril.com/nancyjohnson/P1020288.jpg)
"These are my two, but I've de-chromed the Hamer...all black now. "
There is nothing like a good deed done, my young limey. Where may I kiss you first? :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Unless you are a Nikki fan, the only reason to own a Blackird is that it is - for whatever reason - leaner sounding than any other TBird I know or own. It sounds almost thin over a small rehearsal amp, but just right and very cutting over a large rig. A bass for stadiums.
PS: While also part of the three point bridge liking minority here, I do like the way the Supertone looks on your whitey. I only put a Supertone on my Blackbird so I would have at least one TBird with that replacement bridge. I like the looks, but the sustain gain is minimal (not that you would need sustain gain on a TBird anyway) and I'm fine with the adjustment possibilities of a three point. But the Supertone is a nice modern bridge all the same.
Welcome to the Outpost!!
The finish on my BlackBird is very smooth. No wood grain showing at all that I've noticed.
(http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/Nokturnalbass/P1000872.jpg)
(http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/Nokturnalbass/P1000873.jpg)
It does sound different than my 2001 Ebony, but in a good way. Its brighter and a little more aggresive than my 2001.
Yup, the Blackbirds are not grainy, they had filler put on before.
How they're supposed to look ;)
Interesting tho, that this comes up because my '77 is on it way to Lull's today - It's going to be stripped of it's parts and I'll be sending it off to Marty Bell for a refin.
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/thunderbirds008.jpg)
And this one gets some new Lull pickups today :)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/thunderbirds009.jpg)
Quote from: uwe on August 03, 2012, 06:18:11 AM
"These are my two, but I've de-chromed the Hamer...all black now. "
There is nothing like a good deed done, my young limey. Where may I kiss you first? :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Unless you are a Nikki fan, the only reason to own a Blackird is that it is - for whatever reason - leaner sounding than any other TBird I know or own. It sounds almost thin over a small rehearsal amp, but just right and very cutting over a large rig. A bass for stadiums.
PS: While also part of the three point bridge liking minority here, I do like the way the Supertone looks on your whitey. I only put a Supertone on my Blackbird so I would have at least one TBird with that replacement bridge. I like the looks, but the sustain gain is minimal (not that you would need sustain gain on a TBird anyway) and I'm fine with the adjustment possibilities of a three point. But the Supertone is a nice modern bridge all the same.
The Supertone was more necessity than demand...the bridge couldn't go any lower, but now I decent control over action and intonation.
Aah, the chrome. We're not best buddies to be honest although there is still quite a bit of it on my other basses!
No kisses necessary!
P
Mark, what color is the 77 going to be refinished in?
Quote from: Nokturnal on August 03, 2012, 04:47:50 PM
Mark, what color is the 77 going to be refinished in?
Little bit of a secret yet Andy - I'll give this much, it won't be black and most likey more than one color ;)
It took it's first step towards that today, I left it at Lull's.
CHECKERBOARD!!!! Awesome choice!!!
Oooooooooohhhh! A secret ;D Whatever it is I'm sure it will be cool!
Quote from: TBird1958 on August 03, 2012, 06:31:12 PM
Little bit of a secret yet Andy - I'll give this much, it won't be black and most likey more than one color ;)
It took it's first step towards that today, I left it at Lull's.
OMG, color blocking holds entrance in grey Seattle. Abandon ship now.
Quote from: uwe on August 04, 2012, 06:31:32 AM
OMG, color blocking holds entrance in grey Seattle. Abandon ship now.
Hey Sailor! :gay:
It's Fleet Week here in Seattle, we have the Navy, plus the Blue Angels and Unlimited Hydroplanes on Lk. Washington.
Quote from: TBird1958 on August 03, 2012, 06:31:12 PM
... more than one color ;)
Mark and the Technicolor Dream Bass...? The rebirth of the Tequilabird...? :popcorn:
Quote from: TBird1958 on August 02, 2012, 06:45:03 PM
BTW Welcome here Paul............It's the Gibson insane asylum.
;D
No, it won't be a tye dyed Hippie 'Bird ;)
Damn...
Clownburst...?
(shut up and be patient, Kenny...) :rolleyes: ;)
Actually, considering your artistry, I'm surprised you've never done something in this line yourself...
Quote from: HERBIE on August 04, 2012, 11:38:00 AM
Actually, considering your artistry, I'm surprised you've never done something in this line yourself...
To really do it well takes a very substantial investment in painting equipment, even just what I use for the model trains was expensive - Custom cabinet, enclosed fan, ducting to outside, compressor, lighting and airbrush.........
I've been emailing with Marty Bell and will settle on a choice in the next week, I'm excited!
Quote from: TBird1958 on August 04, 2012, 11:50:50 AM
... Custom cabinet, enclosed fan, ducting to outside, compressor, lighting and airbrush...
I've got a shed with a couple of dead bass's... err, make that three... ;D
Oh yeah, and the Hiwatt fizzled and died at a rehearsal recently... time to finally
out those '69 caps...
:popcorn:
I'm sure whatever Mark chooses will be modest and reserved, since he's never flashy.
You made me spill my tea...! :o
Quote from: Dave W on August 04, 2012, 10:12:51 PM
I'm sure whatever Mark chooses will be modest and reserved, since he's never flashy.
Not to mention demure. True class cannot be denied
Quote from: Pilgrim on August 05, 2012, 10:48:31 AM
Not to mention demure. True class cannot be denied
I'm one of those klassey broads!
Still emailing with Marty, have several ideas all very non - traditional. ;D
Quote from: TBird1958 on August 05, 2012, 12:08:45 PM
Still emailing with Marty, have several ideas all very non - traditional. ;D
A patent leather covered TBird with white lace edging?
Quote from: Dave W on August 05, 2012, 12:26:19 PM
A patent leather covered TBird with white lace edging?
Close! ;)
I was thinking of lace ( like lacy panties ) all the way 'round the body ;D
Quote from: TBird1958 on August 05, 2012, 12:59:55 PM
Close! ;)
I was thinking of lace ( like lacy panties ) all the way 'round the body ;D
And falling off in the back?
(with apologis to Mr Reed et al)
Shiney, shiney, bass made of leather...
:popcorn:
I have a hunch that bass is gonna come out looking like bird. Bird as in girl, that is.
Is that like the German slang meaning of vogel...? ;)
He'll donnervögel that bass alright.
Well, somebody has to shake things up around here :)