The Thunderbird is a very flawed bass
Before I get into tearing this bass a new…output jack…let the record show that you guys wanted this. And you’re going to get upset if someone says hard truths about a bass you like, then stick around and tell me all about it because I need the engagement.
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#Thunderbird #flawed #bass
Originally posted by UCe4luF47wncXwjjqshdDJKw at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPNvQhgOqEA
You millennial are way too obsessed with neck dive.
love the video, the Tbird has it's drawbacks. neck dive being numero uno. I've had probably 10 , including the Gibson nikki sixx blackbird and my current one, the epiphone limited edition with the new copy of the original tbird pickups, and they are just as cool as hell. i'm writing because i did put a full contact babicz bridge on one of my Tbirds, which i was advised would make it sound fuller and have more sustain and i hated it. it totally changed the character of the tone. so don't run out and do that and if you do, keep your old 3 point handy for when you decide to put it back in like I did.
Haha Dave’s World of Fun Stuff was a good addition.
I abandoned the schecter at the pawn shop – something I never do but because it was a wall hanger – the epi t bird bass is the only guitar that I actually had to destroy from brand new, not seeking to have it live on in anyone’s hands or minds ever again
I played one yesterday at a used shop and fell in love. I need it.
Fender doesn't make the best bass. Like saying Dallas cowboys like ford pickups. Gibson will be around forever.
I have been playing my Thunderbird for 20+ years, and neck dive hasn't been an issue since I learned a very simple technique from watching Eric Clapton play an Explorer in an old Cream video. Just hook your over the kick out by the bridge. It holds the bass to your body, and the tension holds the bass in place. I can even take both hands off the bass if I am standing still, and it stays put. Just set it where you want it, and in the course of playing it stays still.
Epiphone Vintage Pro T-Bird has a different bridge design (like on 60's 'birds but in correct location!), excellent pickups in almost exact '60s positions (which do sound the best). I hope they'll reissue the non-reverse Thunderbird too with that same kind of thoroughness 'cause Gibson didn't.
As a hobby luthier this is why love Gibsons. They're all fucking terrible. Every damn guitar to come out of Gibson fails in some basic way that makes them unpleasant to use. But they sound great. They just make me want to fix all the glaring design flaws.
Thunderbird and Firebird both have terrible neck dive, are a mile and a half long so they can't fit into normal cases, and just in general feel really weird to play because the neck is attached so far forward. At the same time they both have incredibly unique tones and the Firebird is actually crazy light for it's size.
The Les Paul is a boat anchor with strings attached. Uniquely for Gibsons, it doesn't have neck dive, but that's because the body is half a tree trunk of wood. It's also just really thick and most models have few comfort carves so it can be really uncomfortable for some players when sitting down.
The SG is my favorite. Can't stay in tune to save it's life. Can't figure out whether a strong wind should snap the neck at the body joint or headstock, so it just breaks at both. Neck is so thin that just playing the instrument can bend it out of tune (though some people have harnessed this successfully). Oh, and neck dive because neck is joined to the body, OUTSIDE THE BODY! At the same time the SG is the most sold Gibson, has been on countless records since the dawn of it's existence, has featured in practically ever genre, and is actually a guitar that shows up on more recordings that people would think because tuning stability doesn't really matter in the studio. 90% of it's problems would be gone with a better headstock and if it was built as a neck through as it was originally intended to be.
This video feels like a tax writeoff
First – that's an Epiphone, not a Gibson. Totally different animals. The real Gibson Thunderbirds are full of nuances that are seldom mentioned, but play a part in the overall experience. The raised center block is actually slighltly convexed, and the neck is set in the body at an angle. So there is method to the madness of the three point bridge. Also – moving the strap button not to the heal of the neck, but even lower – about 2 more inches toward the lower horn, and moving the tail end pin about 2 inches to the left of center will cause the T-bird to rest nearly vertical – like an upright bass. The overall light weight of the bird combined with the narrow neck and massive tone make them an absolute dream to play.
i hear a whole bunch of first world problems, followed by "but it looks and sounds cool"
if you wouldve titled this video "why i personally dont like thunderbirds" i wouldve subbed, cause the video is good otherwise, but since you claim it IS flawed (when not everyone wants the same thing from an instrument), followed by childishly impersonating people who disagree with you, makes you sound like you have a superiority complex. sad when the algorithm clearly favors you otherwise.
I’m the fake Tom Hamilton in an Aerosmith tribute band , he played a thunderbird so I thought maybe I’ll buy one. I,ll just stick to my fender P I think
Thing is, those flaws are kinda what makes it awesome. It's the same kinda deal with a Les Paul for instance. Absolutely horrible for playability, but there's something about the vibe that inspires different playing and writing. You likely don't want a Thunderbird or a Les Paul as your only instrument, but if you already have your versatility down with other instruments, these things offer something different and wonderful. I've found so much more fun playing with weird, limited instruments lately because it FORCES creativity in a way you don't usually. It's silly to say, but I really do think a lot of the placebo effects from different things that offer a "vibe" do have meaning. Like, if we don't feel the vibe of a Centaur pedal for instance, it's laughable that people spend so much money for such a basic pedal, but for those people, there's something about KNOWING they have that that brings out something in them. I recognize Gibson is a garbage company and all their stuff is flawed, epiphone is just as good, if not better, etc. My logical brain KNOWS that, but for whatever reason, having the name and the headstock shape just tricks my dumb monkey brain into releasing a few more good chemicals.
The neck pin is in the wrong place, it has to be nearer by the neck… on some tbirds they are in the right spot. Also the 3 screw bridge is kinda crappy. But on the newer epiphone 60ies everything is right. Very slim neck, better bridge design.
I finally got one of these and always considered it my “dream bass” but it wasn’t as good as I expected but then my bass playing isn’t top of the line either.
The strap button was already moved when I bought it so that was not a problem. It is also definitely lighter than my ‘78 Peavey.
Some of my favorite bass players have played them but I am nowhere near their skill level.
Thanks for the video.
My 67 Gibson EB-0 did the neck dive thing too. As a bass player teenager in a band in 1968 I got used to it real easily. It’s not a huge issue.
Shavo Odadjian doesn't believe you.
It is a very flawed bass, it's top heavy, the sound isn't fantastic and I love it and would kill to own one
What's the alternative bass shown at about the four minute mark? It looks cool and if it's got a similar tone I'd like to go check one out at my local music shop.
I love this bass! The looks of it drew me in. It fit me perfectly and felt great. Everything just fell into place. The tone was the final check mark. Very happy with my purchase
I really never noticed the lenght issue. to me it (somehow) feels shorter than other basses i've played.
As for the neckdive, thats been fixed on the newer models, where the strap attachment is on one of the four neck screws.
Dont listen to this man. GET A THUNDERBIRD!!!
Lol Out of the gate- "Neck Dive". Totally subjective and can be applied to any bass. 3pt Bridge? Ha! Cliche' complaints indicitive of ignorance and an inability to think creatively. But like, that's just your opinion, man meme ????????????????????
Always wanted one of these… till I got one. They sound nice though.
I'm 5'4 as an adult, I started playing bass at 12 so every guitar was big on me. I had a crappy squier p bass and a knock-off stingray, when I was about 16 I bought an EB-3. Bought my Epiphone Thunderbird when I was 19 and it's my favourite I've ever played. When I was short for cash I sold my Fender Jazz over my little epiphone. Maybe it's because of what I've been used to but the length doesn't bother me at all. It feels very comfortable to me and after playing the EB3 the neckdive doesn't feel that bad on the Tbird at all haha.
Ahaha damn i remember having this bass when i was 18, I just hated the fact I couldnt reach the last frets so I grabbed a saw and cut a deeper curve in the lower part of the body.
I just bought a Gibson Thunderbird. I love it. I'm switching out the Bridge and Tuners. The tuners only because the Hipshot bridge I have is chrome and I'm OCD. If your selling your Thunderbird then inbox me. I just might be a buyer.
I don't own a thunderbird but something very similar, and I just moved the screw for the strap on the backside of the guitar – no more neck diving. It works for me, because I don't care for the little remaining hole (somehow all my instruments look very worn just after a short period of time), but it probably won't be the solution for everyone.