2015 Updated Thunderbird

[Pilgrim]

Too bad Uwe can't drop in on us in Northern Colorado and threaten some good craft brews.   

[uwe]

Nofi, if you are in Krautland, let me know and we'll have dinner or lunch together plus a short guided tour of Ze Kölleckshün before abduct you into our dungeons for full DP immersion ... You will be a changed man forever.

A public message in defense of US automobilists: They must be the most courteous, patient and relaxed drivers in the world. Absolutely pleasant and no comparison to the dog eat dog attitude prevalent on German streets.

[TBird1958]

You'll have nice weather, 70 and mostly sunny for your time in Seattle

[lowend1]

Eight basses, one color.
http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/Eight-Different-Bass-Sounds-from-the-Tbird-Bass.aspx?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Gibson%20Brands,%20Inc.&utm_content=Editorial+eBlast+-+October+14%2C+2014

[Blackbird]

https://quizzicalllama.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/how_convenient.gif?w=640

[Dave W]

Eight basses, one color.
http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/Eight-Different-Bass-Sounds-from-the-Tbird-Bass.aspx?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Gibson%20Brands,%20Inc.&utm_content=Editorial+eBlast+-+October+14%2C+2014

Sounds like they're doing something that's already been done - a partial coil tap using a circuit that keeps some of the tapped coil frequencies from going to ground -- and renaming it "tuned coil tapping" as if it's a new discovery.

[neepheid]

Sounds like they're doing something that's already been done - a partial coil tap using a circuit that keeps some of the tapped coil frequencies from going to ground -- and renaming it "tuned coil tapping" as if it's a new discovery.

They've been doing it for 2 years with the EB for starters, haven't they?

[lowend1]

Who the hell buys a Thunderbird because it can sound like something other than a Thunderbird?

[uwe]

They've been doing it for 2 years with the EB for starters, haven't they?

And even before that: The SG-Z worked pretty much the same way and that was in the late nineties.

[Pilgrim]

Who the hell buys a Thunderbird because it can sound like something other than a Thunderbird?

An incisive and pertinent question!

[uwe]

But hasn't a well-known Des Moines-based TBird collector of fine repute always preached to us that a variety of approaches, even those that do not dare speak their name immediately, is the spice of life? And there really isn't a typical TBird sound, some people create a piano ring tone with it, others are much warmer and darker.

I'm actually quite interested how that new TB is gonna sound (judging from how those pups sound on the EB basses and the G-3 Tribute, I don't think that a TBird sound will no longer be recognizable). I'm thinking of (re-)enlisting the help of a certain Des Moineser to obtain a specimen and have it undergo his/her usual strict testing regime so (s)he can report his/her fondlings/findings here? We need einen Experten. Or eine Expertin.

[TBird1958]

Uwe,

I'd be thrilled to give it a test drive, I don't know when it's due but can speak with our contact at Sweetwater whenever you want.
From the traditionalist point of view I get everybody's comments (Hell, I'm one you!) but I can at least see that there may be a younger group of people that have no interest in "their father's Thunderbird"...... God, I never thought I would ever try to justify one Henry J's decisions, please help me!
Given Gibson's inability to consistently produce basses this may be a passing fad that lasts a year? maybe the make 400, who knows?

As many have said , an accurate repro of either of the '60s 'Birds would likely be a bigger hit than Gibson realizes. 

[mc2NY]

This was just Gibson looking at why Musicman sells a shitload of basses.....so they jammed pickups into a TBird that looked the same.

It will be interesting to see if people buy it, without the upper fret access or balance of a Musicman....or the wide choice of colors MM offers.

....or the marketing or respect for the bass market that MM has.

[Dave W]

This was just Gibson looking at why Musicman sells a shitload of basses.....so they jammed pickups into a TBird that looked the same.

It will be interesting to see if people buy it, without the upper fret access or balance of a Musicman....or the wide choice of colors MM offers.

....or the marketing or respect for the bass market that MM has.

I have no idea whether or not Gibson was looking at MusicMan, but I did test drive Uwe's EB Bass here, and those pickups are nothing like MM pickups. They're wound to be passive, while MM pickups are deliberately underwound and deigned to be used with a powerful preamp. They don't sound anywhere near alike.

Of course you're right about Gibson having little or no respect for the bass market.

[neepheid]

And even before that: The SG-Z worked pretty much the same way and that was in the late nineties.

To be fair, there's no "tuning" going on in the SG-Z's coil split, the only capacitor I can see is the one attached to the tone pot.