Dodgy eBay Thunderbird sale?

[Billy Apple]

There is a Gibson Thunderbird up for grabs on eBay at the mo, but the pics of the sunburst front do not seem to match the plain wood finish of the rear. Have a look for yourself, and tell me what you think.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320746988199#ht_500wt_949"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...99#ht_500wt_949[/url]

[warwickhunt]

[quote name='billyapple' post='1351601' date='Aug 25 2011, 06:14 PM']There is a Gibson Thunderbird up for grabs on eBay at the mo, but the pics of the sunburst front do not seem to match the plain wood finish of the rear. Have a look for yourself, and tell me what you think.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320746988199#ht_500wt_949"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...99#ht_500wt_949[/url][/quote]

It must be 25+ years since I had a T'bird but I seem to recall that looks about right. The front was burst and the back was just a standard lacquer... saved Gibson on costs I imagine!

[Billy Apple]

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='1351606' date='Aug 25 2011, 06:23 PM']It must be 25+ years since I had a T'bird but I seem to recall that looks about right. The front was burst and the back was just a standard lacquer... saved Gibson on costs I imagine![/quote]

Fair-do's if that is the case, but I've got one in my hand right now (well, not while typing) and she is finished front and back.

[robocorpse]

Thats definitely real, but the seller could have cleaned the bloody fingerboard first!

[warwickhunt]

[quote name='billyapple' post='1351610' date='Aug 25 2011, 06:30 PM']Fair-do's if that is the case, but I've got one in my hand right now (well, not while typing) and she is finished front and back.[/quote]

Wonder if year of manufacture dictates rear finish?

[Billy Apple]

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='1351644' date='Aug 25 2011, 07:04 PM']Wonder if year of manufacture dictates rear finish?[/quote]

Hmm. Could do. All I know is that I've had 3 post '95 Vintage Burst Tb's thru my fingers, and they've all been finished front and back. I was thinking about bidding on this, but then became unsure, Although the case is consistent. Wanted to arm myself with all basschatters' knowledge before asking the seller. All I hear about Gibson is that they are scrimping on things now, but not back in '91

[Billy Apple]

[quote name='robocorpse' post='1351636' date='Aug 25 2011, 07:00 PM']Thats definitely real, but the seller could have cleaned the bloody fingerboard first! [/quote]

So you are saying that TBirds are not uniformly finished front and back? or is this a year of manufacture thing?

[hillbilly deluxe]

On the first pic the burst is on the out side edge of the body and is dark,the pic of the rear of the body does'nt show any of this,even around the edges.How ?
The rear of the body is usually the same colour as the dark edges of the burst,it makes it look like two different basses to me.

Just found this,it looks the same.
[url="http://www.oldenburger-music-station.de/Gibson_Thunderbird_4_1976.htm"]http://www.oldenburger-music-station.de/Gi...bird_4_1976.htm[/url]

Edited August 25, 2011 by hillbilly deluxe

[Billy Apple]

[quote name='hillbilly deluxe' post='1351701' date='Aug 25 2011, 08:04 PM']On the first pic the burst is on the out side edge of the body and is dark,the pic of the rear of the body does'nt show any of this,even around the edges.How ?
The rear of the body is usually the same colour as the dark edges of the burst,it makes it look like two different basses to me.

Just found this,it looks the same.
[url="http://www.oldenburger-music-station.de/Gibson_Thunderbird_4_1976.htm"]http://www.oldenburger-music-station.de/Gi...bird_4_1976.htm[/url][/quote]

Thanks for that.

[Billy Apple]

It went for £640, so someone got a bargin