Look at this screwy NR Thunderbird IV

[Bionic-Joe]

Ok...so this guy shows an OBVIOUS photo of the rear of the headstock with 2 serial numbers...but only mentions one...the one that was Obviously stamped in after the headstock was repaired and resprayed... Claims their are no brakes or cracks...but it's Obvious that it has been refinished...just like the newer style sunbursts...which is done to completely hide the repair...I'm just glad it isn't a II...right Scott???

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-Gibson-Thunderbird-IV-Non-Reverse-Bass-Guitar-Original-Case-VGC-/251908854592?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3aa6f01340

[godofthunder]

Your right Baz defiantly something going on there. As you say I'm glad it's not a II !

[Denis]

I need a serial number for mine. He should give me one of them.

[66Atlas]

Even if you re-finned it, why would you add a second serial number?  The original is still plainly visible...odd.

[JazzBassTbird]

The dark shaded finish at the point where a headstock repair would be is suspicious. It also looks like what might be checking on the back of the headstock stops where the shaded finsish is but hard to tell from the pics.

The second serial number could be a former owner's personal ID #. I didn't bother squinting to see
whether it was the same as the inked on # or even a Gibson serial #.

[Bionic-Joe]

Nope...6 digit serial number... VERY Fishy to me....He just ended the listing by the way...

[Dave W]

Original number is a 600000 series.

[JazzBassTbird]

Yeah, I saw that he ended it. Fishier than a tractor trailer full of sardines with anchovies, but without having the bass in hand not possible to know what the story is.

This looks really bogus but Gibson did do weird stuff occassionally. For example I once saw a Peham Blue NR T Bird IV with two Gibson logos, one as usual on the TR cover and another one (gold, typical for say, an SG Jr. etc.) under the original clearcoat on the headstock that I'm sure was factory stock.

[Denis]

Mine doesn't seem to have a serial number at all and also doesn't seem to have been sanded down.

[JazzBassTbird]

Really? I've never seen an original finished Gibson without a serial number. I suppose it could be an employee made instrument but that would probably be impossible to verify. Most likely your bass was refinished at some point in time and the serial number lost.

[Bionic-Joe]

It's Back up for sale....

[66Atlas]

Ah, revised the listing this time to say it's had a headstock repair I see...

[JazzBassTbird]

"strings lay low over fretboard", what a quaint way of putting it. I love knowledgable sellers...

[Bionic-Joe]

It's at a More realistic starting price...Just glad it isn't a II....