What sounds like a GIBSON Thunderbird...

[Jono Bolton]

...But doesn't look so hideous? I love the sound but hate the shape. The bass, not puppets, not cars, not winged creatures that control the elements Honestly, some of the people on here...

Edited February 13, 2008 by jono b

[MB1]

MB1.

Lady Penelope?....Sorry i'll get my coat!

[GreeneKing]

[quote]Lady Penelope?....Sorry i'll get my coat![/quote]



No don't, that was good!

[The Burpster]

'63 Corvette Stingray.......

Never was a fan of the T'bird, but my dad had a mate whos T'bird did 0-60 in 6 secs.....

[Jono Bolton]

Edited the original post. Apparently there was some confusion

[bnt]

A Variax 700?

Actually, now I think about it: would a Gibson Victory be comparable? The [url="http://www.gibsonbass.com/GibsonVictoryBass.php"]GibsonBass[/url] site has sound samples from the three models, and other Gibson basses.
edit: after a bit more comparative listening, how about a Ripper or a Grabber? (If you can find one, that is.)

Edited February 13, 2008 by bnt

[misrule]

Les Paul bass? I've never tried one but they're said to be similar.

Cheers

Mark

[Jono Bolton]

[quote name='bnt' post='139885' date='Feb 13 2008, 09:47 PM']Actually, now I think about it: would a Gibson Victory be comparable? The [url="http://www.gibsonbass.com/GibsonVictoryBass.php"]GibsonBass[/url] site has sound samples from the three models, and other Gibson basses.
edit: after a bit more comparative listening, how about a Ripper or a Grabber? (If you can find one, that is.)[/quote]

Gibson Victory? I'm sorry, you must have misread the bit that said "...but [b][u]doesn't[/u][/b] look so hideous" Sorry but that's foul. Don't mind the Ripper but I don't like the Grabber. Les Paul looks alright, but they have a weird headstock.

[evilLordJuju]

The closest is a 1960s [url="http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/epiphoneEmbassyDeluxe.php"]Epiphone Embassy[/url] - it's the same hardware, pickups etc, and both are all mahogany 34 3/8" scale.

Not many other long scale mahogany through-neck basses - does anyone else know of one?

Do rickenbacker do a mahogany bass?

[OutToPlayJazz]

Hmmm... I know this sounds a little too obvious, but how about an Epiphone Thunderbird?

[bass_ferret]

Dont forget there are 2 types of T-bird (reverse and non-reverse). Which one dont you like?

Other than that, I'm sure there are lost of custom builders that will create you a T-bird sound in any shape you like

[Jono Bolton]

The Embassy's a bit too Pete Docherty for me, and I don't want an Epi T-bird because it's the shape I have a problem with. Although, I forgot about the non-reverse Thunderbird. That is a thing of beauty! I think Epiphone did one, but it was a while ago, and they're pretty scarce, which is a shame. But a sunburst one would be lovely if I could find one. Possibly even a cherry red.

[ahpook]

[quote name='jono b' post='139988' date='Feb 13 2008, 11:57 PM']Although, I forgot about the non-reverse Thunderbird. That is a thing of beauty![/quote]

i love non-reverse

[NancyJohnson]

I know this is an aside - but I love the general sound of 4000 series Rickenbackers, but they're hideous. I'm so close now with my Precision and POD.
P

[The Burpster]

[quote name='jono b' post='139882' date='Feb 13 2008, 09:39 PM']Edited the original post. Apparently there was some confusion [/quote]

Spoil sport.... it was fun while it lasted......


Anyhoo.... what I'd like to know is what is it that defines teh T-bird sound to you?

Maybe if you investigate that you may come up with your own answer...eg I can make my PRSs sound like a P bass, but nothing sounds the same as a P bass....

[evilLordJuju]

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='139944' date='Feb 13 2008, 11:04 PM']Hmmm... I know this sounds a little too obvious, but how about an Epiphone Thunderbird?[/quote]

Other than the shape they are quite different - the epi has a bolt-on neck, and not a neck-through of the Thunderbird (or a set neck, like the non-reverse), and although I don't know what wood makes the Epi, it certainly isn't mahogany. The very earliest Tbird necks were all mahogany, with the neck becoming a mahogany/walnut laminate fairly quickly. The non revs go back to the plain mahogany neck.

They are not the same pickups either.......

I do think Epi thunderbirds are quite nice though - certainly good value, and the non rev version is also really nice, despite still being a bolt-on etc

[Buzz]

... this talk of the T-bird isn't doing my GAS any favours.

[Jono Bolton]

On Epi Non-reverse Thunderbird the copped out the same way they did with the Ripper and put P-J pickups on it which is stupid. Without Gibson-style pickups it kind of loses the factor that sets them apart from Fenders

[nash]

buy a jazz and put tbird pickups in it

[spinynorman]

There's always the Gibson IV. All mahogany, TBird pickups, set neck, known as "The Poor Man's TBird" in some quarters. Body shape is Fenderish, you just have to get over the headstock. They go for about £350, if you can find one (and you're not having mine )

[Deep Thought]

Oy, leave off the Victory! I love Victories, always had a hankering for one-one of the few basses I still have a desire to own, and the only Gibson bass I ever liked the look of. One day I'll get myself a black one, preferably a Custom.

Edited February 15, 2008 by Deep Thought

[Welshbassist]

Meh, Thunderbirds play like the worst things ever. I don't like them at all! But I can see where the sound could fit in!

Edited February 16, 2008 by Welshbassist

[SJA]

when Gibson bought Tobias they did a model called "The American" which had TB Plus pickups (as in current Thunderbirds) but with the usual Tobias body shape and neck, IIRC passive with a maple fingerboard.