My New Thunderbird :)

[TBird1958]

 This is how I've been dealing with no news from BaCH...........
My 50th Birthday present finally arrived from Gibson    It's only been on order since Mid-August!
I've had this about two weeks now, its easily the best post '88 'Bird Gibson has ever made!
Mine arrived with a reasonable factory set up (says alot!) tho I will get it up to Mike Lull when the snow melts a little around here. It plays great! and it sounds quite different from my standard modern bird by being quite thumpy and a bit darker and tighter overall, I like it alot! As you can see in the pics mine is very red inbetween the pickups, I have no explaination as to why........wood is unpredictable I guess.
The red snakeskin case is pure porno, nice that they left those combo locks off it too. Better yet, its original price was $2300.00 but mine ended up costing 1795.00 so I'm pretty happy! As much as I detest black hardware ( I know this bass would be incredible in chrome) I will likely keep it stock.......We have an New Year's Eve show, I'll be playing this bass for sure     

[Barklessdog]

It looks great Mark, congrats. Not sure about the red spot, I might try to return it and get another one or find a positive about it, like it is the basses bleeding heart. It looks like they screwed up as the red goes around the pickup in an unnatural way. I would at least find out if you could exchange it, then make a decision.

[Chris P.]

Congratulations! Nice bass and the red spot gives it character! It will look gorgeous on you!

[uwe]

Darn, I can't see any pics probably due some new internet prohibition crap we've installed. I assume you're talking about your NS Signature Fräulein Rommel? Yes, mine sounds more ooomphy than my reg Birds too, quite unlike what you would expect from maple wings, but here they don't so much brighten the sound as "thudify" it. Go figure. Congrats!

But that black hardware will have to go ... 

Uwe

[Lightyear]

Purty!  I agree with John - looks like Gibson forgot to spray the toner in between the pickups.  The problem with getting a replacement is that it might not be a nice as the one you have. 

I say chrome it    

[Stjofön Big]

Beautiful! Could you say something about the controls? How they work, that is?

[TBird1958]

 I really don't mind it being a lighter red between the pick ups, this is the first stained finish bass I've ever owned ( after owning at least 25 its about time!) and I rather enjoy its more "organic" look.
The controls are volume for both, and tone for both and an on/off, which also contributes to its sounding different from a standard production 'Bird. The woodwork and QC on mine is overall quite nice, Gibson should offer 'Birds this way as a standard, to my ear its a very thumpy different sound.
The thought of it with chrome hardware and big clover tuning machines makes me weak.................    

[Lightyear]

The thought of it with chrome hardware and big clover tuning machines makes me weak.................    

The hesitation you are feeling about chrome is nothng more than "Antichrome's" long distance mind control

I woud have have a hard time at swapping stuff on my new baby - still it would look very cool with some shine...

[PWV]

Wow Mark!  That bass is the shizzle - we need to have a Bird-fest here real soon.

[rockinrayduke]

Wow. That is beautiful, Mark! Happy 50th!

[shadowcastaz]

Chrome and leave it alone. That will look awesome in chrome. The natural bug bit me years ago so  I know the feeling.I usually am partial to the nickle myself but that will scream with chrome. If you  wear a foil hat or fedora it will keep the  mind controllers at bay.

[Dave W]

Congratulations, Mark. If you're satisfied with the sound and with the overall workmanship, considering the lowered price, you ought to keep it. Either ask Gibson to fix the finish on that one or just let it ride.

Still, if the red area was unintentional, I have to wonder how they run their inspection department.

[Nocturnal]

Cool bass mark. I'm jealous!! Gotta get me one of those. Happy 50th!!

[Bass VI]

"But that black hardware will have to go ..." 

Do my eyes deceive me !?!

Is the Antichrome using reverse psychology?

Chrome would be the Bomb shiz-nasty! Go for it, and do the mirror pickguard while your at it! You can always change it back, but I'll bet you wouldn't want to...............................

Happy Five-0 ( next year for me  )

Scott ( Bass not Nikki Sixx )

[gweimer]

I do like that red and black combo.  Nice bass!