Hello everyone!!

[Mikaelbass]

Hello!!

I have been a long time lurker (creepy, breathy laugh) and finally signed up, I usually hang on talkbass but if you like gibsons (read:not a fender fanboy) then this seems the place to be!! I know a lot about what you guys play and collect and it's really encouraging as a younger player to get all this info about thunderbirds in particular from more experienced players!

I have owned 3 thunderbirds, first was a Pelham blue with a badass 1 bridge, chrome hardware and Greco pickups. I was young, silly and most likely stoned and sold that beautiful bass. But I will get back to that.


The second was a Nikki sixx mik.II. Beautifully made bass and the only tb plus pickups I have ever liked. Amazing feeling finish, I just couldn't connect to it or identify with it as really being "mine".



So I moved on to rickenbackers which I do still use and love! I have a 4003 in midnight blue and a 4003 in jetglo with rick hum buckers.... That bass is called "The Dog". But there was still that itch...that desire for the girth and fatness I knew was possible from only one bass.

It took me a few years but I have finally got myself a new thunderbird. A 2014 walnut bird, beautifully built and a real player of a bass.



I just can't deal with the black hardware and it's pickups (sorry Uwe). So nickel is the way! Currently being retrofitted with clover tuners, new bridge. The pickups is where I am currently standing and unsure where to go. I am more than likely going to be ordering some thunderbucker 66' but I may also be able to acquire some nickel covered Greco pickups from up the road.....the ones that were in that Pelham blue thunderbird. Has anyone compared thunder buckers to Greco?

I will most likely get both and put the phatter pickups in my bird and the other set in my jazz (suck it, fender).


TLDR; thunderbirds rock and I'm happy to be here.

[godofthunder]

Welcome! That walnut bird is gorgeous! I love Thunderbuckers! Best repro pickups out there imho.

[OldManC]

Welcome to our little corner of the 'net. As for the pickups, I think you're right to try both and decide from there. My main player is a '77 Greco Thunderbird II and I love the sound of its one pickup. I've also collected the parts to retrofit my white Bicentennial with Thunderbuckers (66) so I'll end up with both as well. Glad to have you here!

[TBird1958]

Welcome Mikael,

I remember seeing the Pelham Blue 'Bird on ebay - Was it JMJ's?
We love our Thunderbirds and Gibson basses, it's lots of fun and the guys all really know their stuff-
Your new Walnut 'Bird looks great - we want pics when comes together.

Glad you're here! 

[Mikaelbass]

Thanks guys.

Yes It was JMJ's although I am not sure how much he used it.

I just sent payment through for a set of 66' with rings and spacers, not cheap in Oz dollars but I am sure it will be worth it.

Many nickel porn related thunderbird photos to come. Finding a nickel bridge that wasn't a 3-point to fit onto the bass proved difficult so a chrome super tone will suffice. At least until a better bridge comes my way!

I would encourage people to please post pictures of their retro fitted tbirds!

[Dave W]

Welcome. Walnut bird is nice but that Pelham Blue is special. Too bad you sold it, but as my mother always said, regret is a useless emotion.

[Basvarken]

Welcome aboard!
Nice T-birds.

[gweimer]

Welcome!

[Blackbird]

Ummmmmmmmmm...........where's that Sixx bird now?

[Nocturnal]

Welcome aboard Mikael!!

[neepheid]

Welcome to the place where it's safe to say you like Gibson basses

[Stjofön Big]

Welcome!

[Highlander]

More Oztralians...? I'm beginning to feel somewhat outnumbered...! Welcome...!

Plenty of T'Bird owners an' serial-offenders here...
Having owned the same "Thunderbird" for over 37 years I find it odd that I've never owned a genuine one, and only ever handled the one... mines mostly gold hardware, so neither black nor chrome nor nickel...

[Denis]

Welcome! Beautiful blue T bird!

[Bionic-Joe]

You will NOT be disappointed with Thunderbuckers!!! Welcome!!!