Gibson pickup flaw

[TBird1958]

I won't give too much away, in fact I really haven't had enough time with this bass to form a strong opinion yet - Except that the neck is a bit larger than A Thunderbird ( What isn't?!   ) Not really a bad thing, but after I'd spent a hour with it I picked up my '89 'Bird - Yeah, that's the neck I like best  

[Granny Gremlin]

I noticed that from the first pic I saw and you know you might be right about the ergonomics. The one thing about the LP Sig and the Epi JC that always bothered me a bit was that it did not sit well on my knee and a few others including my daughter mentioned that as well. So could Gibson actually thought that deeply about this? Mark, how does it sit on your knee? And what is the neck profile like. I know you like slimmer necks as I do and that is one of the saving graces of the TBIV's.

I wasn't even thinking of knee balance (haven't played an LPSig ever, and a JCSig just a few times in store) - I was thinking more in terms of being able to have a larger body without the upper bout digging in to your armpit. Either way, if there's an improvement, the asymmetry wouldn't bother me at all.

[Basvarken]

I was thinking more in terms of being able to have a larger body without the upper bout digging in to your armpit.

The body would have to be ridiculously large to reach your armpit.
Unless you're a midget of course.

[Granny Gremlin]

depends how you slingit, dunnit?

If you wear em high like Kimn Mitchell (guitard I know, but hot damn, he wears it high.... just can't recall the name of a similarly Urkelly bassists at the moment) then it could be an issue.

[TBird1958]

I think it's gonna rub one of my boobs the wrong way 

[Basvarken]

depends how you slingit, dunnit?

If you wear em high like Kimn Mitchell (guitard I know, but hot damn, he wears it high.... just can't recall the name of a similarly Urkelly bassists at the moment) then it could be an issue.

Thought we were talking bout playing it while sitting?

[Highlander]

Wow... what a beautiful fin...

[drbassman]

Well, that fin is definitely out of the box for Gibson basses.  I'd love to see it in person.

I was looking at mine and it looks lopsided too.  So, I measured two places on the lower bouts.  From the edge of bridge pup ring, centered on the top and bottom adjusting screw, to the edge of the bout = 5.5" to the edge top and bottom.  From the center bolt on the bridge = 7.5" to the edge top and bottom.  The bouts measure the same but don't look it.  Weird!    I think it's an optical delusion!

[dadagoboi]

I was looking at mine and it looks lopsided too...I think it's an optical delusion!

It IS lopsided. The tiny, out of proportion lower horn makes it look that way.  Your eye tries to balance it out and it can't.

Look at the bass with a towel or something covering the horn half of the body and it's easy to see the bouts are symmetrical.

[Dave W]

You're right, Carlo, I can see just by covering up the horns in the Sweetwater pic with my hand.

As for the ergonomics, well, most Gibson designs have always been more about looks than balance or comfort.

[TBird1958]

Okay, here's Uwe's naked...........

What do you guys think?

[stiles72]

That's about how mine looks...

[TBird1958]

Model Trains..............................


Is there anything they can't do?

Here we are with Uwe's nakie Eerrrmmmmmm.............cavity.
I have bravely removed the pick up (which BTW looks like no TB plus I've ever replaced with a Lull!) and found four bits of foam at the corners. Note the two gray strips of foam ( they're from a model train package!) I've added them and replace the cover, the pup is very snug against the inside of the cover now.
I have the house to myself for a few days next week so I may try to video something (I can't resist that whole "Don we now our Gay Apparel" part of Christmas  ) for this bass, the finish alone deserves it!

   

[Dave W]

Those must be expensive foam squares! Henry J. would probably have to increase the price by $300-400 if he had to put two whole foam strips in. 

Sorry, that finish is way too sparkly for me.

[Granny Gremlin]

They should have called that finish, Cloudless Night in Cottage Country.