The TB II on ebay

[66Atlas]

I watched the auction end the first time and was kind of shocked no one grabbed this. Granted the photos aren't great and could be hiding a lot, and the headstock repair/refin could turn some people off.  I don't have any desire for a II but I thought i was a decent price even given the issues.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/322086188686?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Dave W]

The opening bid seems reasonable.

[godofthunder]

  I am tapped out at the moment, other wise I'd be all over it.

[nofi]

kind of a sad reason this is being sold if you read further down.

[Alanko]

Does the 'II' nomenclature only ever denote a single pickup instrument?

I admit that I get easily tripped up by Thunderbird lore. For ages I thought the 'non-reverse' models were the 'reverse' models, because Dietrich's design came first, and had to be reversed to create the non-reverse design. I took 'reverse' to mean something happened to the design.

[gearHed289]

Does the 'II' nomenclature only ever denote a single pickup instrument?

I admit that I get easily tripped up by Thunderbird lore. For ages I thought the 'non-reverse' models were the 'reverse' models, because Dietrich's design came first, and had to be reversed to create the non-reverse design. I took 'reverse' to mean something happened to the design.

It IS quite confusing, but yes, II is single pickup, IV is two pickups. Where this came from, I don't know. Number of coils? 

[Dave W]

It IS quite confusing, but yes, II is single pickup, IV is two pickups. Where this came from, I don't know. Number of coils? 

Couldn't be the number of coils, considering that Firebirds are designated I, III, V and VII.

[66Atlas]

I always thought of the numbers as paired with the Firebirds and just never made a bass VI or Bass VIII?  It's a shame because I would love a deluxe bass if they ever put one in to production.

I & II - Single pickup, Dot inlays Guitar & Bass
III & IV - Dual Pickup, Dot inlays Guitar & Bass
V & (VI) Dual Pickup, Trap Inlays, Neck binding Guitar (no bass ever produced)
VII & (VIII) 3 pickup, trap inlays, neck binding Guitar (no bass ever produced)

[Dave W]

That makes sense. Or at least it made sense to someone at Gibson at the time.

[mc2NY]

Good guess on the Roman anumeral designations. But you are incorrect, regarding the Thinderbird VIII never being produced.

There are less than 10....8 that I know of...a couple prototypes and a run of six in red and in white. One of the red ones was pictured on a Gibson calendar back around 1991. All dot necks.

This is the prototype I had, now at Casa de Uwe. The pearl Firebird stamped pickguard IS original to the bass.

[66Atlas]

Oh great! now I have something impossibly unattainable to lust after the rest of my sad existence 

[Basvarken]

Oh I completely missed the story on that one.
When did that TB VIII pop up?

[lowend1]

I always thought of the numbers as paired with the Firebirds and just never made a bass VI or Bass VIII?  It's a shame because I would love a deluxe bass if they ever put one in to production.

I & II - Single pickup, Dot inlays Guitar & Bass
III & IV - Dual Pickup, Dot inlays Guitar & Bass
V & (VI) Dual Pickup, Trap Inlays, Neck binding Guitar (no bass ever produced)
VII & (VIII) 3 pickup, trap inlays, neck binding Guitar (no bass ever produced)

F'bird VII has block inlays.
If you want a "deluxe" bass, you'll have to pry it from Uwe's cold dead hands - and fight me for it 

[66Atlas]

I stand corrected on the inlays...and I had to know someone would post the photos of the Korina bird. Every time I see that my heart races, I get a cold sweat and pass out.

[Dave W]

I stand corrected on the inlays...and I had to know someone would post the photos of the Korina bird. Every time I see that my heart races, I get a cold sweat and pass out.

After you regain consciousness, keep reminding yourself that Gibson originally bought korina as a cheaper substitute for mahogany.