2021 Nonreverse Thunderbird update

ilan · August 16, 2021, 07:45:43 AM

Quote from: amptech on August 15, 2021, 11:18:35 PM
Wish it was! That's the replica (or tribute, it has 4 in line tuners) I built a few years back!

Wow.

4stringer77 · August 17, 2021, 07:19:06 AM

Nice job on the explorer for sure. I'm still feeling slightly catfished from that blue bird. (The rev from another thread) Hopefully Gibson takes note of our admiration and puts those into production soon.

TBird1958 · August 17, 2021, 09:02:14 AM

What Gibson needs to do is take this hardware and the paint colors offered and transfer them to the Reverse. I collect for Fins and hardware!

uwe · August 17, 2021, 01:47:21 PM

"I collect for fins and hardware!"

You waste- and sinful girl!

TBird1958 · August 17, 2021, 06:22:38 PM

Quote from: uwe on August 17, 2021, 01:47:21 PM
"I collect for fins and hardware!"

You waste- and sinful girl!

I do what I can!

godofthunder · August 18, 2021, 05:13:05 AM

Love the Explorer bass ! ilan can you explain your process? I ve been wanting to build a '58 for some time now.

Basvarken · August 18, 2021, 01:35:17 PM

Quote from: godofthunder on August 18, 2021, 05:13:05 AM
Love the Explorer bass ! ilan can you explain your process? I ve been wanting to build a '58 for some time now.

It is Amptech who built it.

TBird1958 · August 20, 2021, 09:42:15 AM

Me and mine, there's a bit of explanation after the song, feel free to FF through that!

uwe · August 20, 2021, 10:20:08 AM

Sinner !!!

TBird1958 · August 20, 2021, 10:42:01 AM

Quote from: uwe on August 20, 2021, 10:20:08 AM
Sinner !!!

I think pretty much everyone here already knows that

Did you want the written review? It evidently is not the same as the 2014 in quite a few ways, you should collect for Fins and Hardware! Chrome is good!

uwe · August 20, 2021, 05:59:32 PM

Yes, of course I do!

TBird1958 · August 20, 2021, 09:15:35 PM

Here we are....

Long awaited by some, the new Gibson Non Reverse Thunderbird is now out and available, and I have to say it does not disappoint! These basses feature a set neck neck construction, new Hipshot clover tuners, new pickups and chrome hardware throughout. My example came from the folks at Sweetwater, it was nicely set up with low action and was ready to play afetr being tuned up. Some notable differences would be the neck, it's quite a bit beefier than a standard Reverse Thunderbird, with the thickness of the wood increased to 11/16th at the headstock. Post '88 Reverse Birds are 9/16ths and '76s just a shade over 1/2". I have yet to take this bass apart to look at the pickups, they do not sound like any of the previous (5) versions of pickups Gibson has used in Thunderbirds since 1988, they're warm and growly with a nice punch to them, soloing the neck pup is bliss!
Gibson gets slagged for QC often but I've found this bass to be really well done, with nice attention to detail in the finish, especially around the base of the neck, but overall as well. The fret ends are very neatly done with no sprout at all, it's just a good, solid player. It uses a 3 point bridge which some folks don't like....Yada, yada... it works really well on this bass, it's shallow neck pitch and the bridge get along quite well and as I mentioned the action is quite low, and aesthetically it looks like it belongs on the bass.
Anyway, its a very solid and well made bass, so far I'm really enjoying playing it and its tone, a keeper for sure!

Here's pics as well.

Neck comparison to a Studio.

Down on of the headstock, it's 11/16ths thick, standard post '88s are 9/16ths here.

Pretty nicely finished around the base of the neck.

At the nut.

Detail

The much maligned Madame. This one works great!

Gray day photo phun!

godofthunder · August 26, 2021, 06:23:26 AM

My 2021 NR in Inverness Green showed up last week, overall all I like it though there are some issues. First I'd like to say I am judging this bass on it's own merits so there will be no three point bashing. The bass reeks of laquer this one was definitely rushed through, the smell was so bad I had to keep it in the case, after a week it is tolerable. Confirming that the finish wasn't cured there are bubbles on the headstock under the tuner washers indicating that the bass was assembled before the finish had cured. My dealer is talking to Gibson for a resolution.
Now the good. I like the pickups not as aggressive as the Vintage Pro's 760 pickups but definitely in the same family, they remind me of Seymour Duncan custom shop Thunderbird pickups that I have in other basses. The neck is beefy no doubt about it at the nut it reminds me of a cross between a Thunderbird and Telecaster bass. When the bass came in it was virtually unplayable the neck bow was so pronounced fortunately adjusting the truss rod brought things around. Once set up super low action the bass plays great, fret work is excellent. The bass is light but I don't find it neck heavy at all. This is certainly Gibson's best effort in a long time. I'll have a video review up soon. Bill would have liked these.

BTL · August 26, 2021, 02:06:05 PM

Quote from: godofthunder on August 26, 2021, 06:23:26 AM[...] Bill would have liked these.

I "met" Bill over at Reranch and he is 100% the reason I'm here.