A New T-Bird

robbo63 · Post by **robbo63** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 7:37 am

UGLY, and I happen to like Firebirds, though I'm more partial to non-reverses. And Polaris white!

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 12:24 pm

I didn't say it in my linked post, but I found it less than appealing.

On another note, with the comments about zebra wood, I remember we have a very thick bass-body sized cutting board that is solid zebra wood we bought when we were first married but don't use anymore. I wonder if I can get away with cutting it up....

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 12:29 pm

I think cutting board means the things on it, not the board itself!!!

{:^)

gray · Post by **gray** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 1:40 pm

I had an Epi T bird before I got my 4003. I didn't care for it at all. To me it was difficult to play. I haven't played a Gibson T bird yet, though. After I got my 4003, the Epi went away.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 3:43 pm

I bought a brand new 4 string Sunburst Gibson Thunderbird a few months ago from AMS and it is one of the best made, nicest playing basses I have ever owned, well worth the money and very light also, much lighter than a Ric or most Fenders for example. I had heard some stories of poor quality control at Gibson, this one came perfectly set up and I can't find a flaw in it, it exudes quality and sounds and plays great, I was very pleasantly surprised. It has a nice warm quality to the sound, plays well up the neck, is very even and clear and lends itself to pickstyle playing of which I find myself doing more and more with this particular bass.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 4:46 pm

Bob, picks?! I thought you were a devout finger player?!

tennis_nick · Post by **tennis_nick** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 1:31 am

I find with Gibsons, (and this is coming from a big Gibson fan!) you really have to look around and find a good one. you can't just walk in, see one, take it and expect it to play like a million bucks. every Gibson needs a setup prior to leaving the shop, I've always said it, some of them aren't worth a setup. I wonder if there,s a program where you can go online with the Dog Gibson you found, and insert the name of the person who inspected it and say "Hey! Pay closer attention!" and then if they get to many... SEVERANCE!

...of their left hand.

lshaia · Post by **lshaia** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 1:27 pm

I really like the Fire/Thunderbird design:

I bought both new, and both came perfectly set up. The T Bird in particular is a blast to play.

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 4:07 pm

I have an Epiphone Elite Thunderbird. Purchased it because the tuners look like the vintage ones, and it ain't no bolt on job.

Action perfect right out of the box, and the pickups are hot as heck...

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 5:08 pm

Yeah my Gibson T-Bird came set up really nice from AMS right out of the box.
Actually John I played guitar before I played bass, became a bass player by choice (couldn't afford a bass when I was 13, I even switched from trumpet to tuba when I was a kid because I loved low sounds. This is all leading up to the fact that I do use a pick on occasion and I think the T-Bird really sounds and plays well with a pick, I still play the majority of the night with my fingers though.
What year is your T-Bird Lindsay?
I like the old chrome pickup's look better than the black, which mine are also. Nice article on a 64 T-Bird II this month in Bassplayer.

lshaia · Post by **lshaia** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 4:14 am

It's a 2002 that I bought NOS from MF in 2005. Gibson discontinued the color and they dumped them, so I got a great deal. I think the chrome looks nice, too, but black looks okay to me on natural.