Single pup Greco T bird

[Denis]

I sure wish I could pick this fellow up but someone here OUGHT to take a look at it. I didn't know Greco made single pup Tbirds.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MIJ-80s-Sunburst-Greco-TB900-Thunderbird-Bass-1-PickUp-Japan-Gibson-Strings-/181794037311?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a53c4de3f

[daan]

How do these compare to a "real" one? All of the "import copy" guitars I've had were just vaguely shaped like what they were copying, different materials/electronics/hardware, etc. Are these a more faithful copy then?

[Dave W]

These were made in the same factory as the Orville by Gibson 'birds. Very well regarded, but I'd pass on anything with a neck twist unless I could evaluate it in person.

[uwe]

If it ain't neck thru, it won't sound like a true Rev, nuff said. 

[TBird1958]

Since it's unlikely I'll ever own an original Gibson I consider mine a great stand in, I don't know the design of the pickup as it's sealed up. QC is great, way better than Gibson, neck is more like a P bass, as a set neck bass it probably is closer to an NR in tone. I love mine, it RAWRS very nicely. 

[OldManC]

If it weren't for the twisted neck that would be a steal of a price. Hard to say now though without knowing what condition the neck is really in.

[FrankieTbird]

Here's my Greco next to my '64 Gibson.  Great bass but, to me, the biggest issue is the neck width.  The T-bird is 1-1/2" at the nut, the Greco is more like 1-11/16".  I highly prefer the smaller neck.  The Greco pickup does sound very good, although not quite as good as the '64.  That is a great price for that bass, although the neck twist is a bit of an unknown factor.

[daan]

Well good to know, I prefer "baseball bat" necks, so I'm glad the "real" ones (that I'll never be able to afford) have small necks.

[Aussie Mark]

The Greco bird pickups are outstanding

[steveonbass]

I sold my Greco Bird to a friend to buy a 77 Gibson Bird that i later sold to the same person but i got the Greco back in the deal.  I prefer the Greco in both feel and sound.  I wouldn't take a chance on this one.

[slinkp]

I really really like my 2-pup Greco.  It is my second favorite bass after my LPB-2, and I like the neck on the Greco better (and the lighter weight).  I've always been really happy that the old Pitters here turned me on to Grecos whenever that was (ten years ago? more?).  I've never touched a real 60s bird, but I can do a pretty good impression of tones from Who's Next, or from Tbird-era Mike Watt stuff.  I am given to understand that 60s bird pups (and Thunderbuckers) have a bit more top end.

I think the reason I've come to prefer the LPB-2 is a combination of things. I slightly prefer the ebony board to rosewood, and I am still really loving the look of a yellowburst les paul bass, and - most importantly - I've gradually come around to preferring the TB Plus pickups, heretical as that may be to many here. I think Uwe's right... they are really great. Somewhat less over the top in the mids, but still punchy as hell and very growly.  I'm still lusting after a set of Thunderbuckers though

Some comparisons...

Greco, fingers, mostly neck pickup:
https://soundcloud.com/the-world-record-players/i-said-it
Greco, pick, both pickups:
https://soundcloud.com/the-world-record-players/reliant-k
Greco, pick, more neck pickup:
https://soundcloud.com/the-world-record-players/tailspin

LPB-2, fingers, mostly neck:
https://soundcloud.com/the-world-record-players/cant-stop-living-with-it
LPB-2, pick, both pickups:
https://soundcloud.com/the-world-record-players/walk-away-1

Not really an apples-to-apples comparison as the latter is from a totally different recording session and I was much happier with my amp and the mix engineer.   (Too bad the drum mics were a lot better on the first one. Oh well.)

[godofthunder]

  Wahoo  glad I read the full description!  Twisted neck is a deal killer.

[uwe]

"I've gradually come around to preferring the TB Plus pickups, heretical as that may be to many here. I think Uwe's right ..."

[TBird1958]

"I've gradually come around to preferring the TB Plus pickups, heretical as that may be to many here. I think Uwe's right ..."

Please feel free to send all the Thunderbirds with chrome pickups across the Atlantic for a proper repatriation 

[veebass]

This 77 Greco is shipping to me currently. It is not the one one with the twisted neck, nor the other very overpriced one on eBay.