Thunderbird 2026

[Pilgrim]

I know you will have some trouble believing this , but Gretsch is even worse than Gibson for basses.

I think you mean worse at dropping models - which they do without warning. I have three Gretsch basses and I've never found a Gretsch bass I didn't like. Their 2202 is a classic single pickup short scale.

My 5123 and my Thunderjet - far and away the best built bass I own.   

[morrow]

I also have those two. The 5123 is a beauty , and has a wonderful unique woodiness in the tone. It's deep , and articulate. I went looking for a Thunderjet on your recommendation , it took a while and I managed to snag it. The build quality is simply outstanding. Both are long out of production. Today , when I check the site there's two bargain basses (I know quite a few that bought Streamliners , they generally say it's the best thing going for the buck) and a couple of Japanese TP models. Those are boutique basses.

[Pilgrim]

I also have those two. The 5123 is a beauty , and has a wonderful unique woodiness in the tone. It's deep , and articulate. I went looking for a Thunderjet on your recommendation , it took a while and I managed to snag it. The build quality is simply outstanding. Both are long out of production. Today , when I check the site there's two bargain basses (I know quite a few that bought Streamliners , they generally say it's the best thing going for the buck) and a couple of Japanese TP models. Those are boutique basses.

I checked the Gretsch site and there are 5 basses shown: three Electromatic series and two pro series (Tom Petersson 4 string and 12 string).

They have a Streamliner and a 2220 that are the same bass except that the former is 34" scale and the latter is 30". That 2220 two-pickup short scale has been available for years, and is probably the only model they have consistently offered in recent history.

[slinkp]

To me it doesn't look any better or worse than any of their other odd T-bird choices over the past decade(s).
It's a lot like the 2015, just presumably cheaper to manufacture the neck this way?

I wonder if this started as "what should we do with this little pile of pickups and bridges in the storage room"
"let's make a couple hundred or thousand of another t-bird variant till we use them up"

[exiledarchangel]

Maybe they had a shitload of NR necks unused somewhere...

[godofthunder]

 I got my hands on one before the release and gave it a whirl. No doubt Gibson is broadening the definition of what makes a Thunderbird, it is certainly far removed from its 60's heritage. It's not a bad bass, it feels like the new NR but with a reverse body and many will like the Decola pickups and Hipshot hardware.  One thing I really like is the improved upper register access. 😉😁😎 https://youtu.be/0ZdJB1KGVIk?si=95DmHpUBO3h6s-1A