1970s Ibanez TBirds - any good?

[PhilT]

Our guitarist helpfully pointed out our mutual guitar tech has a 1970s Ibanez Tbird up for sale. Headline price looks high, but negotiable I think. Going to look at it would mean a trip out of my way and I'm just wondering if it's even worth it. In general, were they any good?

[Basvarken]

If it's basicly the same as the Greco Tbird it is an excellent take on the Sixties Thunderbird IV.
Greco is the Ibanez brandname for the domestic market.

My Greco is a set neck. Full Mahogany. The neck is wider / chunkier than the Gibson original.

[PhilT]

This is it. Neck does look chunky

[Andrew]

Wow, that's a good looking bass Phil.

[Basvarken]

Looks good indeed.

But a whole lot different from what a Greco Tbird looks like.
The pickups are different.
The headstock doesn't have a raised plastic overlay.
Is there a raised center piece? Can't really tell from the picture.
Bridge is different. Looks like a two point bridge.

Here's a pic of my Greco:

[shadowcastaz]

Both are beauties. Id be curious about the pups in the 1st one & the bridge. It looks nice natural.

[TBird1958]

I *think* George (aka Old Man C or better yet 69'vette) has/had one or more of these, hopefully he'll chime in, I'd like to know too, I kinda want one 

[shadowcastaz]

I thought  u wanted a moderne!

[TBird1958]

"I thought  u wanted a moderne!"

I do! Are you offering one?   
I'm a total sucker for Thunderbirds tho............I do have a Greco 'Bird already it  could use a 'ho companion.

[Freuds_Cat]

Aww man these are fantastic basses. Dennis Kipridis from local band The Streamliners uses one. It feels awsome and sounds awsome.
I spent half an hour playing this bass after a gig one night. I think Dennis was getting a bit nervous about his baby

Contrary to the above comments the neck on this one is quite slim and fast. Not as wide as the latest Gibsons. Same bridge and pups as the ones in Phils photo.





http://www.myspace.com/thestreamliners 

[Freuds_Cat]

Just saw these on ebay.oz figured this was probably an appropriate thread to post them in.

GRECO THUNDERBIRD BASS
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/GRECO-THUNDERBIRD-BASS_W0QQitemZ190255685365QQihZ009QQcategoryZ38078QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem





And


GIBSON THUNDERBIRD bass 1993 Orville Japan

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/GIBSON-THUNDERBIRD-bass-1993-Orville-Japan-road-case_W0QQitemZ290263717608QQihZ019QQcategoryZ38078QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[PhilT]

I recognise those flowers. That's Aussie Mark's Orville.

[Dave W]

Yep. He got a good price for it, too.

[PhilT]

960 aussie dollars, that's 630 USD. Is that a good price for an Orville?

[Dave W]

I didn't realize the Aussie dollar had fallen against the US dollar again. I was thinking this was the equivalent of about 850-900 USD. I would think 630 USD is about average, though I haven't been following them lately. Hopefully it's still a good deal for Mark.