Gibson Thunderbirds

jps · Post by **jps** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 4:29 pm

Like these?

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 8:40 pm

Sean, it's a great bass for hard rock, you would love it!

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 8:42 pm

Don, the Epi Elite version does have the chrome PU's.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 2:32 am

Well, it was a very cool bass, I almost went for it, until I spotted the headstock crack.

It did sound good though. How durable are these beasts anyway?? Seems like you find alot of these with headstock repairs.

phlemmy · Post by **phlemmy** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 3:21 am

i have also seen a lot with body repairs where the glued wings seemed to have fallen off.

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 7:23 am

The necks are VERY thin on T-birds. So slim & so fast, but seemingly fragile. I've banged mine around a bit, but luckily no major damage. It did get knocked off a stand once, (T-birds don't really like stands)and as I watched it fall I was sure the neck would snap but (knock on wood) it did not.

They are fantastic "Big Rock" basses.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 8:16 am

It's usually at the neck/headstock joint where these beasts are born to suffer. I've had 2 and had no problems, just don't drop 'em! Keep them in a good case when transporting them, and don't slam them into amps and such and they should be fine. My only headstock break was on an Explorer vs. a Light Rig. Let's just say the light rig won.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 12:27 pm

I want to get an epiphone reverse thunderbird and put a p-bass neck on it and make a 5 string fenderbird ...

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 2:05 am

Here you go Jeff, this one's right up your alley! Straight from the Gibson website:

http://www.gibson.com/Products/GibsonElectric/Gibson%20Electric%20Guitars/Gibson%20Basses/Thunderbird%20Studio%205%2DString/

phlemmy · Post by **phlemmy** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 10:42 am

any of you looking to unload your tbird?

pekka · Post by **pekka** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 10:53 am

I have a natural '76 and it's a great bass. Headstock has been repaired but it works well.
I'd love to have a 60's non-reverse IV.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 11:39 am

Mr. Scott, is that green Bird yours? That's HOT!

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 12:40 pm

I've seen the Epi Elite TBird; yes the PUs are chrome on them, but they are Not the same PUs; the surround rings are different, and the height screws Don't go thru the ends of the PU covers like on the old ones.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 1:20 pm

OK, one more question, do you have to use extra long strings on a T-Bird ???

They seem,,,well,,,,long to me.

jal · Post by **jal** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 4:59 pm

No I use D'Addario EXL-170 on my old Tbirds & they fit fine I'm sure the new Thunderbirds are the same,
Happy Holidays,