The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Other Bass Brands => Topic started by: Bionic-Joe on March 01, 2016, 07:24:34 AM

Title: Handmade Thunderbird TYPE Bass
Post by: Bionic-Joe on March 01, 2016, 07:24:34 AM
Not sure if this is the Proper Location but it's clearly a Thunderbird copy...


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ribbecke-Vintage-1982-Solid-Body-Bass-1-of-4-Very-Rare-Amazing-Tone-Look-Feel-/141680408160?hash=item20fccf7660:g:QMsAAOSwBahVf2KQ
Title: Re: Handmade Thunderbird TYPE Bass
Post by: nofi on March 01, 2016, 09:34:07 AM
that it is. what's your point. ???
Title: Re: Handmade Thunderbird TYPE Bass
Post by: Bionic-Joe on March 01, 2016, 10:40:59 AM
Uh...My POINT?   No point. Just sharing a ridiculously overpriced instrument...
Title: Re: Handmade Thunderbird TYPE Bass
Post by: uwe on March 01, 2016, 11:23:44 AM
A Thulembic.

The neck-thru design is a redeeming feature - I hate Rev TBs which aren't.

The flamey natural look will of course meet derision today, but in 1982 that was still something I guess.
Title: Re: Handmade Thunderbird TYPE Bass
Post by: Dave W on March 01, 2016, 12:17:31 PM
It's a product of its time. Ribbecke is either retired now or on the verge of it, but he hasn't made anything like this for years. He's the guy who developed the "halfling"bass for Bobby Vega and then expanded it to a line of guitars.

If you're a Ribbeke collector, the asking price probably isn't out of line. Likewise if you 're looking for a fancy Alembic-type bass in a Thunderbird form. For the rest of us, it's overpriced.
Title: Re: Handmade Thunderbird TYPE Bass
Post by: patman on March 01, 2016, 12:55:14 PM
Who could take an instrument like that to the usual local venue to play a 4 hour show on the weekend to a room full of people drinking and dancing, when you're making the same amount of money for a gig that you made in 1975?

Doesn't make sense for a weekend warrior.

Maybe if I was a well paid touring professional, playing 300 shows a year...
Title: Re: Handmade Thunderbird TYPE Bass
Post by: copacetic on March 01, 2016, 12:58:46 PM
Ribekke's acoustic basses are something to behold. Beware....if you happen to get your hands on one they will take you off track and you might start calculating how to get one. Jack Casady made one for him. This was a special order by Jack that included some of his late wife's hair for that DNA feature.
Title: Re: Handmade Thunderbird TYPE Bass
Post by: copacetic on March 01, 2016, 05:43:44 PM
Mistake: he made one for Jack. There is a video on Jack's website of the process. Quite a beast.
Title: Re: Handmade Thunderbird TYPE Bass
Post by: nofi on March 02, 2016, 08:13:13 AM
i found this video really interesting from a musical history/philosophical point of view. it's kind of long but may be worth it for somebody out there.

http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2014/06/26/bass-of-the-week-jack-casadys-ribbecke-guitars-diana-bass/

as a part of casady's bass story you have to include alembic. jack owned the first bass made. i did not know of the owsley connection until now. ;D

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alembic_Inc
Title: Re: Handmade Thunderbird TYPE Bass
Post by: gearHed289 on March 02, 2016, 08:42:15 AM
Definitely some Alembic cues there, especially the headstock veneers.
Title: Re: Handmade Thunderbird TYPE Bass
Post by: TBird1958 on March 02, 2016, 02:57:38 PM


 I think it's pretty cool (I'm not always fond of the boutique stuff) thanks for sharing Baz!

I may have to start selling my body (or organs) to pay for it  :-\
Title: Re: Handmade Thunderbird TYPE Bass
Post by: amptech on March 03, 2016, 01:27:56 AM

I may have to start selling my body (or organs) to pay for it  :-\

Those nice shaved legs of yours in stockings should fetch a decent amount alone :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Handmade Thunderbird TYPE Bass
Post by: TBird1958 on March 03, 2016, 08:02:37 AM
Those nice shaved legs of yours in stockings should fetch a decent amount alone :mrgreen:

 It's my weekend - Wuhoo! Time to shave  :-*
Title: Re: Handmade Thunderbird TYPE Bass
Post by: drbassman on March 03, 2016, 08:53:49 AM
It would look nice in front of my couch.  A good place to put our drinks.  Seriously, it's beautiful but a bit over the top, especially pricing.  If you got the bucks, splurge!  Otherwise, it has a very small market.
Title: Re: Handmade Thunderbird TYPE Bass
Post by: Dave W on March 03, 2016, 01:05:31 PM
All Ribbecke instruments have a very small market, yet he still had a waiting list of a few years at one time. He may still, if he hasn't retired yet.
Title: Re: Handmade Thunderbird TYPE Bass
Post by: uwe on March 03, 2016, 02:57:51 PM

 I think it's pretty cool (I'm not always fond of the boutique stuff) thanks for sharing Baz!

I may have to start selling my body (or organs) to pay for it  :-\

You know how they want donors without too much wear and tear, Mark, don't you?  8)
Title: Re: Handmade Thunderbird TYPE Bass
Post by: mc2NY on April 22, 2016, 02:04:01 PM

I think this one or another Ribeckke TBird was for sale last year. I recall the inscribed brqss plate.

Beautiful bass for Alembc fans....but it looks HEAVY!!! All that maple and brass...