Thunderbird

Gibson Thunderbird Bass Tobacco Burst, 2015

On January 5, 2023 /

Introduced in 1963 as a companion to the new Firebird, the Gibson Thunderbird bass shares the same through-neck construction concepts. The original production of the ‘Reverse’ Gibson Thunderbird, like the Firebird, ran from 1963 to 1965.

Vintage

Price: $1,500.00 CAD $1,950.00 CAD

This instrument has sold

Gretsch G6199 Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird Red, 2006

On July 24, 2019 /

Here’s a rare beast – a Gretsch G6199 Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird in Firebird Red, based on Bo Diddley’s custom built 1959 Gretsch Jupiter Thunderbird! This model, which is produced in small quantities, has an interesting history. By 1959, Bo Diddley was a major star, with an energetic stage show. Bo was so energetic that he found regular guitars, like his L5, restricted his motion. So, he built his own guitars with trapezoidal or rectangular shapes, and these have a strong visual association with Bo Diddley.

Used

Price: $2,700.00 CAD

This instrument has sold

Gibson Thunderbird Bicentennial Bass Black,1976

On October 10, 2017 /

The Gibson Thunderbird Bicentennial, as seen here, is a fairly rare bird. The Thunderbird Bicentennial Bass was built between 1976 and 1979 for a total production run of 1,855 units to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence. In black or ‘ebony’, 91 were made in 1976 and a total of 411 over the entire run. Highly distinctive, the Thunderbird Bicentennial is based on the 1963 Thunderbird ‘reverse’ models. However, it carries a newer three-point bridge and the pickguard has an engraved red, white and blue Thunderbird in sejant erect position with ‘1976’ below the bird.

Vintage

Price: $3,999.99 CAD

This instrument has sold

2012 Gibson Thunderbird Bass ‘Non Reverse’ 2013 Model

On May 29, 2017 /

Tags: bass, Canada, electric, Gibson, guitar, Kalamazoo, made in USA, memphis, Michigan, Nashville, non-reverse, ontario, tennessee, The Twelfth Fret, thunderbird, toronto, Vintage

Gibson introduced the Thunderbird bass in 1963 as part of a new lineup of instruments created by legendary auto designer Ray Dietrich. The new models included the Firebird and Explorer, and they used a new ‘Reverse’ body style – the upper treble bout and the lower bass bouts were longer. On ‘Non Reverse’ style instruments, like the Stratocaster, the upper bass bout is longer. Unfortunately, these futuristic instruments didn’t sell very well and there were some legal complaints from Fender regarding the shape of the headstock, so from 1965 to 1969 new versions, the ‘Non Reverse’ Thunderbirds and Firebirds were built.

Used

Price: $1,599.00 CAD

This instrument has sold

Thunderbird

Gibson Thunderbird Bass Tobacco Burst, 2015

Gretsch G6199 Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird Red, 2006

Gibson Thunderbird Bicentennial Bass Black,1976

2012 Gibson Thunderbird Bass ‘Non Reverse’ 2013 Model

THE TWELFTH FRET

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