There were originally two Thunderbird models: the Thunderbird II, with only one pickup, and the Thunderbird IV, with two pickups. Previous models use the short scale of 30½ inches. The Thunderbird was Gibson's first model built in the 34-inch scale, which had been made popular by Fender. Some cheaper Epiphone models feature a more conventional bolt-on neck construction.
#Gibson thunderbird bass pickups series
The Thunderbird bass, like the Rickenbacker 4000 series and the Firebird guitar designed concurrently, has neck-through construction: the neck wood runs the entire length of the body, with the rest of the body glued into place. Design and construction Josh Reedy of DecembeRadio playing a custom Gibson Thunderbird onstage Dietrich (Chrysler, Lincoln, Checker) along with the Firebird guitar, which it resembles in design, construction, and name. At the time, Fender had been the leader in the electric bass market since their introduction of the Precision Bass twelve years earlier. The Gibson Thunderbird was introduced in 1963. The Gibson Thunderbird is an electric bass guitar made by Gibson and Epiphone. Vintage sunburst or alpine white, ebony and metallic red, Pelham blue in limited edition models ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) JSTOR ( October 2022) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message).Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources.įind sources: "Gibson Thunderbird" – news Nickel-plated: Kluson tuners with metal buttons fully adjustable four-saddle bridge stop tailpiece bridge and pickup covers.This article relies excessively on references to primary sources. Gold Gibson logo on black truss rod cover three-ply (w/b/w) pickguard with bevelled edge and Firebird emblem two metal cap/reflector knobs labelled Volume and Tone 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IIĪsymmetrical reverse design tuners on bass side raised middle section black/ natural finish Exotic-sounding enough, but the regular, less expensive sunburst finish proved to be the most popular choice by far.Īlas, the Thunderbirds were not deemed popular enough to remain in production beyond the 60s, and with sales dropping off towards the end of the decade manufacturing ceased in 1969. Taking inspiration from Fender, the finishes included Ember Red, Frost Blue, Polaris White, Cardinal Red, Heather, Pelham Blue, Golden Mist, Kerry Green, Silver Mist and Inverness Green. Pictured at Guitars: The Museum in Umeå, Sweden, this custom colour 1967 Gibson Thunderbird II is of the later non-reverse variety. As before, the II and IV were structurally identical – the main difference being pickups and electronics (the IV sported an extra volume knob as per its second pickup).įrom its inception back in ’63, one of the range’s main selling-points was Gibson’s all-new custom color chart, and these options extended into the latter half of the 60s. Regardless, the revamped Thunderbirds arrived that year featuring glued-in necks. It seems reasonable to presume that the Fullerton firm was distracted enough by its CBS takeover during 1965 not to interfere. Interestingly, however, the ‘non-reverse’ design that followed – a virtual mirror image of the reverse counterpart – appears much closer to the Fender offset with respect to body and headstock profile. What better way to return to the drawing board than with a bona fide automotive designer? Well, that was the thinking when Gibson hired Raymond Dietrich And with Fender claiming a patent infringement of its Jazzmaster body styling, Gibson was further prompted to overhaul the entire range. The reverse Thunderbirds, it seems, were doomed from the start. And while a laminated neck-through-body construction provides great stability and tone, reverse Thunderbirds are especially prone to headstock breaks (aka Firebird disease) – a problem exacerbated by the instruments’ heavy Kluson tuners.
Indeed, Gibson still maintains the reverse ’Bird is one of the trickiest to produce.
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