New for 2021

[Chris P.]

I know Scott and Rob already knew, but it's official. A new Gibson bass with chrome!

Non-reverse Thunderbird Bass, features and a long-scale 34-inch set neck, with improved balance, available in original colors including Inverness Green, Sparking Burgundy, and Pelham Blue.

[Chris P.]

Pics here:

https://bassmagazine.com/gear/gibson-releases-new-non-reverse-thunderbird-basses

[uwe]

 

All you kromie kreeps and "Gibson Originalists", I salute you, your prayers have finally been heard!

Ok, now you can start whining how they gave it a three-point ... 

[godofthunder]

   Thanks for posting Chris! I already pre odered one from House of Guitars and I will have a full review once it's in my hands. MAP I am told is around $1,800.00. Yes well the Three point,  I'll deal with it later.

[Chris P.]

I know someone who makes bridges....

[Granny Gremlin]

Great, now just to win the lotto.  TBH kinda wish it was an Epi, a la the vintage pro (bridge and price, no dis to the 3 point, I'm a fan, but cooler and more vintage correct is is cooler and more vintage correct; I'm old enough not to care that much about the name on the headstock), but for some reason Gibson seems to think it's necessary to keep non-rev's exclusive (even the Firebirds).  Also I think they learned a lesson from the Bonamassa sig Firebird (70% of folks just swap out the TRC for a Gibson one, not to fool a buyer, cuz it's obvious, but cuz midlife crisis... to that end, notice where they put the logo on this thing, eh) .... and they already have a budget priced vintage correct TBird in the Epi line so fair enuf.  Just means I'm still dreamin.  Even Bach birds go for well over 1k used.  Totally missed the boat on those at the time, when I coulda spared the cash.

Anybody know if they're doing a matching Firebird?  Not that I suppose it matters, but I have been gassing for one (even the lawsuit copies are so dang expensive these days, nevermind that sweet doghair white 3xP90 Japan-only one from a few years ago) and I wonder if they figured out that there are people who would want the matching set, especially with the 60s custom colours.

[TBird1958]

All you kromie kreeps and "Gibson Originalists", I salute you, your prayers have finally been heard!

Ok, now you can start whining how they gave it a three-point ... 

Let me know if you want one, I'm at it today.

[4stringer77]

So what's under that chrome? TB+?  or some other domestic version of the original Thunderbird pickup? I'm guessing they wouldn't use the Epiphone pro bucker in a Gibson branded instrument would they? Also, what does this have to do with Epi dropping the EB-3 and EB-0?
The colors are nice and the matching head stocks are a nice touch but are these any different from the last NR run otherwise? Look forward to your review Scott.

[Basvarken]

Why did they opt for the three point bridge?
They could ave easily chosen the Epi wide travel two point bridge plus tailstop. Or Scott's Badbird bridge set.

[Ken]

In a very selfish way, I'm happy about the 3-point bridge because of what I went through to the get the 2013 RNR made.  The 2-point would've tempted me.

I'm looking forward to hearing if the neck is thicker like the 2013 and what pickups those are.

[the mojo hobo]

I'm looking forward to hearing if the neck is thicker like the 2013

I certainly hope not.

[gearHed289]

Wow, that GREEN!  Beautiful, but I got my non-rev ya-yas out with a Bach several years ago (sold it).

[Basvarken]

They had the chance to surpass the BaCHbird.
But they missed that chance 

[D.M.N.]

Well, look, if the MAP is under $1800 I'll probably plunk down for one, but why on God's green earth do they insist on these half-assed vintage "reissues"? The pickup placement is not vintage spec, the pickguard is bigger, obviously the 3 point, and what is their fetish for the incorrect knob placement? Maybe, given the hints Rex Brown dropped, there will be this more "updated" version, and then some more accurate Vintage version? It's just they get so and then whiff such easy details.

[ajkula66]

I certainly hope not.

+1.

Sparkling Burgundy would be my pick. Not happy about The Oil Rig though.

Will probably wait for ~9 months for ZZ Sound and others to start offering them at some serious discount...