Beedster Posted April 10, 2009 Posted April 10, 2009 Saw a gig last night and the bassist had a great sound from a Thunderbird, really in your face with lots of top end but solid punch and bottom end also. Saw a guy two weeks ago playing an EBO in a punk/Jam style band and it sounded great also, really tight. I'm a Fender man, but am I missing something..... Quote
acidbass Posted April 10, 2009 Posted April 10, 2009 Did you manage to see what amp setup he was using? Sounds as if there might be some trickery going on somewhere if he's getting a punchy sound from an EB-0! Quote
umcoo Posted April 10, 2009 Posted April 10, 2009 Yes, a Gibson I've got an '85 Gibson G3, which is probably considered the most 'fender' sounding. The grabber also has a grindy cool rock tone. And the ripper is just lovely! Can you tell I like them? Quote
Buzz Posted April 10, 2009 Posted April 10, 2009 Thunderbirds sound brilliant, they honestly do. Quote
Mr. Foxen Posted April 10, 2009 Posted April 10, 2009 Saw a guy playing an EB3 through Chiseerkinds ampeg stack, sounded so nice. Quote
lozbass Posted April 10, 2009 Posted April 10, 2009 I got turned on to Gibsons around '74 listening to Patrick Djivas playing a Ripper with PFM - glorious clanging row (I just checked - put PFM Celebration into youtube and you'll get a version from OGWT) - stunning! I bought a Ripper in '79 - first proper bass. I still have it but it's heavily modded (and still beautiful!) Patrick Djivas is still with PFM and now plays (among other things) a 32" scale built by Prometeus here on BC. I really need to order one. Check out Gibbos - much underrated and well cool. Quote
spinynorman Posted April 10, 2009 Posted April 10, 2009 The problem is a good Gibson will cost you twice as much as an equally good Fender. Also depends a lot if you like Mahogany, apart from the Ripper period. Quote
Buzz Posted April 10, 2009 Posted April 10, 2009 [quote name='spinynorman' post='459656' date='Apr 10 2009, 10:17 PM']The problem is a good Gibson will cost you twice as much as an equally good Fender. Also depends a lot if you like Mahogany, apart from the Ripper period.[/quote] Eh? With MIA Fenders being around £900 with the current price rises, Gibbo's arn't much more in all honesty. Quote
henry norton Posted April 11, 2009 Posted April 11, 2009 [quote name='spinynorman' post='459656' date='Apr 10 2009, 11:17 PM']The problem is a good Gibson will cost you twice as much as an equally good Fender. Also depends a lot if you like Mahogany, apart from the Ripper period.[/quote] If vintage instruments are your thing then a 60s/70s Gibson bass will cost you alot less than the equivalent Fender - and another world away from the 'pre CBS' models. I've only recently discovered Gibson style basses, I used to thing they were just inferior instruments for people with small hands until I tried one. You definietly get extra 'cool' points playing a Gibson too. Quote
Noisyjon Posted April 11, 2009 Posted April 11, 2009 My Les Paul bass has Thunderbird Plus pickups in it and my take on it is this: It's well made and lovely to play but doesn't sound too good at quiet volumes for some reason?! Turn the wick up on a big amp though and there it is, that big classic Gibson sound that you talk about! As for pricing, my one was £1,300 brand new. Hope that helps, Jon. Quote
Delberthot Posted April 11, 2009 Posted April 11, 2009 One of the most in your face, agressive basses I ever owned was a Gothic Epiphone Thunderbird. Absolutely loved the thing and would probably have went on to buy a Gibson one if it hadn't been for the awful neck dive. I absolutely love the sound of a mahogany body, the reason my gold bass has one. Quote
SS73 Posted April 11, 2009 Posted April 11, 2009 Normally playing a 4001, I'm just getting used to giging with a 70 EB3, its early days and a really different beast, but I really am loving it, so like that depth of the Gibsons. Quote
hatori Posted April 12, 2009 Posted April 12, 2009 Im seriously gassing for an Gibson Thunderbird. In the 70's I had an EB3l and a Les Paul recording, both are fine instruments. Ive had my share of Fenders that have proven to be very capable reliable instruments but somehow (to me) they lack character. Quote
stu_g Posted April 12, 2009 Posted April 12, 2009 i have had an eb3 which did suffer from neck dive sounded good though and also a victory which was pretty punchy but i sold both i just prefer precisions for versatility Quote
OutToPlayJazz Posted April 12, 2009 Posted April 12, 2009 Electro have a brand new Thunderbird in stock for £999 & it's stunning to play. Before I'd played this one, I'd only ever played the Epiphones. The Epiphones are great basses for the money, but this Gibson one is something else... Quote
hatori Posted April 12, 2009 Posted April 12, 2009 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='460659' date='Apr 12 2009, 05:15 PM']Electro have a brand new Thunderbird in stock for £999 & it's stunning to play. Before I'd played this one, I'd only ever played the Epiphones. The Epiphones are great basses for the money, but this Gibson one is something else...[/quote] £999..So near yet so far away,just forked out for another Marshall superbass! Out of interest what makes this bass feel so special to you in comparison? Quote
OutToPlayJazz Posted April 12, 2009 Posted April 12, 2009 Not sure, really - It just had the right feel and an excellent scooped-style sound, which I like. Also felt like a real quality item in the hands. Quote
Born 2B Mild Posted April 12, 2009 Posted April 12, 2009 One of my early heroes played a T-Bird (Martin Turner) and not so long a go I bought an Epiphone copy. It was good, then I put a low bid on a Gibson IV and won, it to my surprise. Gigged it for a year but realised a few things. - it has a great sound - it feels like a 38" scale ...left hand is way out there! - despite a modest difference in pick up sounds, it really has only one sound - feel wise, it was great to play with a pick, not so great with the fingers, and completely useless for slap 'n tickle Playing in a covers band required more flexibility, so I sold it. I last saw one at a gig when seeing the great ASH (the Northern Ireland guys, not the Wishbone variety) and yeah, Ace sound. But, I found it a one-trick pony. A good one, but only for delivering one style. It did look cool though... Quote
hatori Posted April 12, 2009 Posted April 12, 2009 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='460833' date='Apr 12 2009, 10:15 PM']Not sure, really - It just had the right feel and an excellent scooped-style sound, which I like. Also felt like a real quality item in the hands.[/quote] I was considering a Fenderbird project (still may happen) but during research I went on 'Vintage and rare guitars' which proved fatal ! Somebody has to talk me out of this !! They say that reciting the alphabet backwards helps. Quote
evilLordJuju Posted April 13, 2009 Posted April 13, 2009 I think Gibsons often get lumped together - which isn't too helpful - Gibson have pushed hard over the years to win through with a bass, but never get very far - but as a consequence, they have tried a lot of different styles, scales, woods, pickups, constructions... Theres a Gibson bass to suit every player - generally well-built and in a similar price range to MIA Fender and Rickenbacker. Can't go wrong with an EB3 Quote
Basszilla Posted April 13, 2009 Posted April 13, 2009 (edited) You can't go wrong with a gibbo. The bottom end on these beasts are like nothing else. I wouldn't buy a new one tho, although that is just my taste in guitars. I absolutely love my 78 ebony ripper and the dark sound it produces. I find it's the perfect balance of sound when playing with a full band. The highs are present but not in your face. It's extremely resonant as well, loads of overtones. Looks like i'm going to pick up a 75 in natural tomorrow for a good price. The action's a big high on it but it's all functional and I think will be fine after a good set up. Could do with a refret as well tho.... Edited April 13, 2009 by Basszilla Quote
hatori Posted April 13, 2009 Posted April 13, 2009 [quote name='Basszilla' post='461196' date='Apr 13 2009, 01:39 PM']You can't go wrong with a gibbo. The bottom end on these beasts are like nothing else. I wouldn't buy a new one tho, although that is just my taste in guitars. I absolutely love my 78 ebony ripper and the dark sound it produces. I find it's the perfect balance of sound when playing with a full band. The highs are present but not in your face. It's extremely resonant as well, loads of overtones. Looks like i'm going to pick up a 75 in natural tomorrow for a good price. The action's a big high on it but it's all functional and I think will be fine after a good set up. Could do with a refret as well tho....[/quote] Now thats one I never tried is it the one with the sliding pickup? Or am I thinking of the Grabber. I really miss my EB3L but sadly the prices now are out of reach. If I had my way I'd have another and a Thunderbird ! Quote
Basszilla Posted April 13, 2009 Posted April 13, 2009 Yeah that's the grabber you're thinking of. The ripper has two pups and the varitone knob. Quote
Shockwave Posted April 13, 2009 Posted April 13, 2009 Wouldnt mind one of those Thunderbird 5 strings they did for a while. Quote
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