Purdy in Red ...

uwe · August 29, 2011, 05:41:42 AM

Sigh, sometimes not collecting for fins is hard ...

Would work great with some of Fräulein Rommel's more conservative outfits though!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1997-Gibson-Custom-Shop-Thunderbird-Bass-Red-/370537597410?pt=Guitar&hash=item5645c309e2

How many posts until someone quips "needs chrome or nickel hardware!"?

I bought a Custom Shop Bird once. Many moons ago. If only I knew where I put it ...

http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=5269.75

dadagoboi · August 29, 2011, 06:03:29 AM

OK, I'll start the quibbling...it's pretty sad that something that was a $10 option at one time now makes a bass a "Custom Shop" exclusive.

That said, nice color.

uwe · August 29, 2011, 06:40:37 AM

True!!!

Dave W · August 29, 2011, 07:08:05 AM

Quote from: dadagoboi on August 29, 2011, 06:03:29 AM
OK, I'll start the quibbling...it's pretty sad that something that was a $10 option at one time now makes a bass a "Custom Shop" exclusive.

That said, nice color.

The CS sticker costs $10? Must be some pretty expensive decal stock.

dadagoboi · August 29, 2011, 10:16:59 AM

Quote from: Dave W on August 29, 2011, 07:08:05 AM
The CS sticker costs $10? Must be some pretty expensive decal stock.

It's made of Indian rosewood

Bionic-Joe · August 29, 2011, 10:34:12 AM

That is just totally insane. They should make them in every color. Custom shop should be a "Custom" Bass. Since when does a different color make it a custom shop? Ridiculous. Still...IT NEEDS NICKEL hardware!!! Ha! There.....I didn't say the C word!!!!!!!!!!!!

TBird1958 · August 29, 2011, 11:18:33 AM

Okay........I will! It's be gorgeous with CHROME parts

Bionic-Joe · August 29, 2011, 12:05:34 PM

HA!!!!!

Dave W · August 29, 2011, 01:08:36 PM

Quote from: dadagoboi on August 29, 2011, 10:16:59 AM
It's made of Indian rosewood

Was it finished in India?

Barklessdog · August 29, 2011, 02:46:55 PM

A Nikki Six Pickguard would be a nice addition to the "Red Baron". Love red basses. The black looks good with it as well.

Highlander · August 30, 2011, 02:01:23 AM

A little of what you fancy does you good is an old UK expression - you can let the "fin" mantra slip if this lady wood look good over in Deutschland you know...

Basvarken · August 30, 2011, 02:12:34 AM

I think the black goes well with the red and white. (White Stripes?)
Chrome wouldn't complement it as good.

But I would prefer (black) large gear tuners.

uwe · August 30, 2011, 03:50:49 AM

There is room for debate what makes this a Custom Shop other than the fin, given that there is no other variance to a regular model. But then that is a fair question with Firebirds too because the Custom Shop neck thru construction is the same as a Gibson USA one on F- and T-Birds. It's not like, say, an LP where (with the guitars at least, don't think they ever bothered with the few LP CS basses they did) the body-neck connection is different and more elaborate with the CS models (longer tongue and more wood contact in the cavity) which does affect sound.

So with a specimen like this one we are probably left only with longer aged mahogany and more attention to detail, fretjob etc.

Dave W · August 30, 2011, 08:02:17 AM

Quote from: uwe on August 30, 2011, 03:50:49 AM
So with a specimen like this one we are probably left only with longer aged mahogany and more attention to detail, fretjob etc.

I would be surprised if the mahogany is aged longer. More likely they just select for appearance (especially in transparent finishes) weight and absence of defects. And they probably do spend more labor time on the details.

stiles72 · August 30, 2011, 08:28:49 AM

Underside of the pup: