'64 Thunderbird, (Sensitive viewers BEWARE!)

clankenstein · January 30, 2018, 12:40:11 PM

I wonder what the front pickup is...

Basvarken · January 30, 2018, 12:51:30 PM

It's huge. That's for sure.

lowend1 · January 30, 2018, 01:07:46 PM

Quote from: doombass on January 30, 2018, 12:13:18 PM
Haha, I'll translate for you:

"Now you have the chance to buy what some call the worlds best bass ever, Gibson Thunderbird '64!

Most of the times a regular mortal being would'nt afford to buy this kind of classic piece but considering previous owners
earlier period modifications this one can be yours at a bit more modest price.

Modifications:
-Body routed for added neck pickup.
-Active electronics.
-Alembic pickups (probably 80's) instead of the originals.

The bass has a repairment where the headstock meats the neck just like most old Thunderbirds.

Sold as is.

Price: 15000:- or highest offer.
Shipping possible.

lowend1 · January 30, 2018, 02:25:31 PM

What I find odd is that it seems like none of the knobs line up the way either a TBird II or IV would be laid out, yet I don't see evidence of filled holes where they normally would be either. Am I missing something?

Chris P. · January 30, 2018, 02:51:06 PM

Those old Birds had the controls quite close to the raised section. Maybe the upper controls are on the right place? A II maybe?

Granny Gremlin · January 30, 2018, 03:45:56 PM

Quote from: D.M.N. on January 29, 2018, 10:20:29 PM
While my first response was "Jesus Christ, WHY", my follow up is rip those Alembics out, give it two proper 'Bird buckers, slam a EB-0 bucker at the neck and let that mother rip. Use one of the silly knob holes as a second output jack, stereo Thunderbird.

I'd like to buy the new guy a beer.

Dave W · January 30, 2018, 04:47:19 PM

Quote from: D.M.N. on January 29, 2018, 10:20:29 PM
While my first response was "Jesus Christ, WHY", my follow up is rip those Alembics out, give it two proper 'Bird buckers, slam a EB-0 bucker at the neck and let that mother rip. Use one of the silly knob holes as a second output jack, stereo Thunderbird.

Uwe's gunshot EB-0L has two 60s TBird pickups in addition to the mudbucker. It certainly would work. The question is whether it would be worth it with this one. At about $2.5K US, plus all the money and work you'd have to do just to have a less modified repaired headstock 60s Bird, wouldn't be worth it to me.

lowend1 · January 30, 2018, 09:38:08 PM

Quote from: Chris P. on January 30, 2018, 02:51:06 PM
Those old Birds had the controls quite close to the raised section. Maybe the upper controls are on the right place? A II maybe?

I think maybe I figured it out. Could be that when the, er, modifications were done, the output jack (normally located near the bottom corner) was relocated to the spot where the tone control on a II would be. Everything else was probably just crammed haphazardly into that little cluster of knobs.

chromium · January 30, 2018, 10:47:46 PM

That breakout box

If someone did get it, that whole Activator setup (assuming its all there) is worth a fair clip.

amptech · January 30, 2018, 11:36:46 PM

I just got a respond from the owner, he'll send more pic's. (headstock, S/N) etc. I think I'll make the trip and check it out.
I might need help from Scott, Uwe and everyone here to verify this beast. If the owner don't want me to post the S/N pics here, I'll PM Scott and Uwe.

Never had a T-bird before, and never seen one this old in person. I guess that old bridge indicates a legit bass, or did orville produce basses with old type bridge at some point?

Of course, the thought here is to restore back to original (as close as possible). I have a mahogany scource.

Basvarken · January 30, 2018, 11:54:51 PM

That is going to be quite a challenge.
The routings are wider than the raised center piece.
And you'd need strips of walnut too, for the nine ply part.

amptech · January 31, 2018, 04:16:25 AM

Quote from: Basvarken on January 30, 2018, 11:54:51 PM
That is going to be quite a challenge.
The routings are wider than the raised center piece.
And you'd need strips of walnut too, for the nine ply part.

I try to see this as something that needs to be saved, obviously it's a challenge but not impossible?
This will not be the first time I put hours into an instrument that I won't get back (if I buy it) but
I still think it's calling on me. (No Stryper jokes, please)

There will be many things to decide along the way, I can see that. First off, I'll need to establish two things:
1.Is the instrument legit.
2.How much am I willing to pay and will the seller accept it.

Denis · January 31, 2018, 07:08:11 AM

Quote from: amptech on January 31, 2018, 04:16:25 AM
I try to see this as something that needs to be saved, obviously it's a challenge but not impossible?
This will not be the first time I put hours into an instrument that I won't get back (if I buy it) but
I still think it's calling on me. (No Stryper jokes, please)

^This.
There was no earthly reason for me to rehab the Smurf Ripper other than it was a '73 and I felt like it was asking me to do it. I'll never get my money back, but don't really care. It's up and running and I feel good about doing it, so isn't that what matters!

Go for that Tbird if you feel good about it!!!

doombass · January 31, 2018, 09:14:53 AM

Hope you buy it. That bass is really crying out for help. Even if it's a bit of a reverse Robocop transformation job I'd say it would be quite possible especially if you consider a solid finish refin. BTW, I can't see anything that would indicate it being anything other than a real 60's Bird.

Blackbird · January 31, 2018, 09:21:10 AM

If it sounded really good I'd keep it as a mutt, but not at that price either.