Tried a 2009 Thunderbird today

godofthunder · January 02, 2010, 10:08:32 AM

I was in a local store today and they had a 2009 Tbird on the floor. I knew they had gone back to the rosewood board, but I hadn't seen on yet. Good move imho, Ebony seems to have a more snappy attack (like maple) and the rosewood just feels and sounds warmer. The bass itself was not bad by Gibson bass standards, Finish and workmanship far above what I have seen in the past. I was surprised

I might go for one down the road. I really like that rosewood board !

OldManC · January 02, 2010, 04:09:48 PM

Nice report. I'll need to check the new ones out as well. Thanks for the heads up. I remember hearing about the change but it hadn't really registered. I'll be on the lookout now to try one.

Denis · January 02, 2010, 05:20:25 PM

What did they want for it, GoT?

I went to various local shops looking for a Gibby but not one shop has them. I was hoping to compare one to the Epis to see just how different they are but alas, no luck.

Barklessdog · January 03, 2010, 04:20:56 AM

Best Buy has them

OldManC · January 03, 2010, 09:17:54 AM

I guess Uwe's going to have to make an order once he returns to the Fatherland. He may not (ahem) collect for finishes, but a rosewood board should make a big enough difference.

godofthunder · January 03, 2010, 09:36:46 AM

Quote from: Denis on January 02, 2010, 05:20:25 PM
What did they want for it, GoT?

I went to various local shops looking for a Gibby but not one shop has them. I was hoping to compare one to the Epis to see just how different they are but alas, no luck.

my price was 1080.00 plus tax

Highlander · January 03, 2010, 10:55:10 AM

UK price I just found was £1099

TBird1958 · January 03, 2010, 11:10:27 AM

1080.00 plus tax is a great price!
The big guys list them @ 1499.95, I say go for it!

Lightyear · January 03, 2010, 12:02:48 PM

$1499.00 to be exact! They're going for more than that used on Ebay..

TBird1958 · January 03, 2010, 12:19:36 PM

Quote from: Lightyear on January 03, 2010, 12:02:48 PM
$1499.00 to be exact! They're going for more than that used on Ebay..

Esp. white ones, since they disco'd the color these are sought after.

Denis · January 03, 2010, 01:53:09 PM

Quote from: TBird1958 on January 03, 2010, 11:10:27 AM

1080.00 plus tax is a great price!
The big guys list them @ 1499.95, I say go for it!

No kidding!

doombass · January 03, 2010, 01:59:03 PM

I thought they'd used rosewood boards for years on the regular Sunburst model while the Classic White had the ebony fretboard.

Dave W · January 03, 2010, 02:44:06 PM

$1499 is the MAP, but that doesn't mean they have to sell it at that price. There are stores who will sell for less, and at $1080 Scott's local store is still making money.

godofthunder · January 03, 2010, 02:51:24 PM

Quote from: TBird1958 on January 03, 2010, 11:10:27 AM

1080.00 plus tax is a great price!
The big guys list them @ 1499.95, I say go for it!

If I could I would. The Hiwatt 2150 arrives this week. A mans got to know his limitations

uwe · January 03, 2010, 02:53:02 PM

I believe the use of ebony and rosewood as fretboard material has alternated in the years since the TBird was reintroduced in 1987 without too much thought given to it. Probably has more to do with what fretboard wood they have overstocked at any given period. From a visual aspect, I prefer rosewood and from an aural one probably too. The big plus of ebony is durability, but with my herd that doesn't really count. I don't think I'll ever wear frets, much less the fretboard on one of my basses down.

Going back to the TBird. With the reissue having stayed the same since 1987 with only minor changes as regards fins, pup output and fretboard material, the whole line is getting a bit long in the tooth by now. About time, gibson came up with something nre while retaining the essence. Sigh, I know what you chrome imbeciles are now thinking ...