Gibson Thunderbird or a holiday....?

[markyl]

Certainly agree that a thru neck T'bird is full of bottem and mid tones, but not quite so on the top end. A little EQ twiddling can help it if it's a bother.

I do like playing mine, it does have such a big bad thump to it and it has that look too!! The only criticisms.. the usual neck dive issue. I know moving the strap button can help and different straps too.. but I put up with it. Also, access up the dusty end isn't great, but what ever, it's a bass to rock out with, not do a whole bunch of virtuoso twiddling beyond the 14th fret!!

[partime]

Great reading about the T-bird stories, always liked the people who played them and their tunes. Being a short scale guy, was never comfortable playing them and neck dive would be distracting. When I saw a new short scale offered, I switched gears and ordered one. The head is smaller and if course the neck shorter. Have not recieved it yet.

[marc61]

One of the basses I regret selling was an Epuphone Elitest T Bird. Gorgeous with the large reverse keywinds, and the chrome pickup covers. Sounded like thunder. Wish I could find me one again

[larsongs]

I sold my '75 P Bass & I've been kickin myself ever since. Nothing has that sound. Don't know what it was? I've got a Hofner, 2007 Fender P-Bass S-1, Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling & they are all good ones. They sound real good but not like that '75. I've played lots of other ones too. Still kickin myself.

The TBirds definitely have a cool Vibe. Before you buy the Gibson try the $299.00 Epi TBird. For $3.00 you can get a Gibson Truss Rod Cover. Recently I played a new Gibson TBird & was unimpressed with the build quality. Might have been that particular one. Then I saw the cheapie Epi & played it through the same Amp. Build was flawless, played nice (even w/o Setup) & sounded pretty darn good. Me, personally, I couldn't justify the difference in price. To be fair though I would have to try another Gibson first just to give Gibson the benefit of the doubt.

Then take the rest of the money and buy a Ric 4003!

Glenn

[RobRick]

Here is my Gibson T Bird IV with Mike Lull PUs:

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc4 ... MG0053.jpg
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc4 ... MG0057.jpg

I like in T Birds what I love in Ricks: Great sizzling tone and amazing looks! Fun to play too, and audiences love 'em.

[larsongs]

Here is my Gibson T Bird IV with Mike Lull PUs:

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc4 ... MG0053.jpg
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc4 ... MG0057.jpg

I like in T Birds what I love in Ricks: Great sizzling tone and amazing looks! Fun to play too, and audiences love 'em.

That's sweet!!!!

Glenn

[ricaddic]

I have a Thunderbird studio and neck dive dont exsist, cant comment on the Thunderbied IV, never handled one, but I absolutely love it, love the ceramic humbuckers, as far as top end, mine has a nice top end, which I can see if you like alot of top end you will have to do some EQ tweaking, but the bottom end suites my temperment, after all its suppose to be a bass and not a treble..lol, it took a couple of days to get used to the feel of it due to the reverse body shape, but it was no major distraction and a very easy ajustment to make, my Thuinderbird studio fast became one of my favorite go to basses, absolutely love the sound and tone, and again no neck dive and yes im very interested in and will probibly pull the trigger on the new short scale Thunderbird, I also have a SG reissue bass that is a real joy to play and a true tone monster, I also have a original 1976 Ripper and can honestly tell you all three are go to main basses for me over all my other basses, so go for the bird, you wont be dissapointed..

[RobRick]

I have a Thunderbird studio and neck dive dont exsist, cant comment on the Thunderbied IV, never handled one, but I absolutely love it, love the ceramic humbuckers, as far as top end, mine has a nice top end, which I can see if you like alot of top end you will have to do some EQ tweaking, but the bottom end suites my temperment, after all its suppose to be a bass and not a treble..lol, it took a couple of days to get used to the feel of it due to the reverse body shape, but it was no major distraction and a very easy ajustment to make, my Thuinderbird studio fast became one of my favorite go to basses, absolutely love the sound and tone, and again no neck dive and yes im very interested in and will probibly pull the trigger on the new short scale Thunderbird, I also have a SG reissue bass that is a real joy to play and a true tone monster, I also have a original 1976 Ripper and can honestly tell you all three are go to main basses for me over all my other basses, so go for the bird, you wont be dissapointed..

I have a Gibson T Bird Studio bass and really like it. I put Mike Lull T Bass PUs in it as well, I think the set neck compares well with the IV neck through, though there are some slight tone differences. The IV has a "smoother" tone to my ears, and the Studio a more "raw" rockin' tone.

Here is a photo of mine:

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc4 ... MG0030.jpg

[ricaddic]

Sweet Studio Rob, mine is the same Trans Cherry finish, minus the Mike Lull pick ups, mine was made in 2008, I think that is also the last year Gibson produced the Studio T-Bird, one of these days would love to take a T-Bird IV for a test ride, at first I was alittle leary about bying a new Gibson with all the horror stories you hear, but went for a SG reissue bass first and when it arrived it was flawless very well built and no issues and a very very enjoyable to play and a tone monster to boot plus the Gibson cases are awesome, so pulled the trigger on the studio T-Bird and another beautiful flawless and issueless instrument, so maybe im just lucky but I have no concern or second thoughts about buying another Gibson bass, leaning to getting the new short scale T-Bird..

[markyl]

While we're talking T'birds. Anyone know where I can get a black scratchplate for a Gibson IV TB?? I guess it needs to be an original as I want the logo on it. I don't want to pay silly prices either!!!

[Daved]

Just wanted to follow up that I have taken delivery of my DCM 4003 and as I suspected, it's a great sonic fit w/ my Tbirds. They complement each other very well. Will be using the Ric for the 1st time @ tonight's gig (O'Brien's in Annapolis, MD if any locals are on the forum).

[ram]

break a leg Dave, and please report on how the gig and bass go....

[rickenbrother]

break a leg Dave, and please report on how the gig and bass go....

+1!

[larsongs]

break a leg Dave, and please report on how the gig and bass go....

+1!

+ another 1

Glenn

[1STNAMEBASSIST]

I own 2 basses. An 09 jetglo 4003 and an Epi Thunderbird. My favorite is definitely my 4003, but the Thunderbird for the price is a pretty nice bass. I haven't had the chance to play the gibson version, but I've read plenty of reviews that a lot of people prefer the Epi version over the Gibson! When I picked it up for the first time to try it, I didn't think I would like it. It is a long bass and the balance isn't there, but boy did it play nice and feel really good! Especially the neck. Its smooth and fast and feels really natural in my hands.For years I played short scale basses exclusively, (Jerry Jones Longhorns), And at the time trying the Epi I was still playing short scale. It just felt right. And it still feels right. The sound is not my favorite, but it still sounds good. I like it better than any Fenders I have played or owned. And all for 300.00! It might not be finished all that great, but its nice to have a bass you don't have to worry about banging it around a little. So try it out. Its too bad its made in China.