Gibson Thunderbird
FlyGuitars Before you got into EB3s again, you were using a non-reverse Gibson Thunderbird II - what do you like about it, and what do you think about Thunderbirds in general?
Mike Watt With the reverse, the horns are too much in the way of the higher frets. I got into that with D. Boon (playing on the upper neck), but with the non-reverses it's all open for you. I got that in the early 90's. That was the good thing about touring back then, you could find basses for cheap. I got that thing, original Pelham blue. That big long headstock came off in my hands, it was all bondo. Gibson used that angled headstock for string tension, but, made the guy's weak. I added some mahogany & fiberglass on that thing. I really like the way that body was cut. The bridge was put up too close so I had them move it up a bit. I filled in the hole and moved it up.
I used that bass for the entire Contemplating The Engine Room. I got asked to do a funny session back in November, with a pop singer that won that game show, ahhhh.. Kelly Clarkson, from a producer, an old friend I knew. I brought a few basses and that's the one they liked (Non Reverse II), the sound & stuff.
FlyGuitars What are the extra switches on this bass?
Mike Watt I had them add a Bartolini preamp, with a bypass switch. There is something about, man I love them old nickel-plated Thunderbird pickups. I love them so much. I don't like the plastic new ones, you know; they are too tepid, too dampened. The closest I have come to them, for a few years, Chandler was making them, they sounded pretty close.
FlyGuitars The 60's ones are great pickups
Mike Watt Yeah man, those are fucking great pickups.
FlyGuitars Gibson did not keep records on anything.
Mike Watt One time I was playing in Kalamazoo, they closed the factory. A guy from there told me the same thing. This stuff is a mystery.
The old EB-3s were one-piece bodies, the non-reverse Thunderbirds, too. The other difference in the Thunderbirds, the non-reverses were two piece (neck & body) and the reverse was three pieces (neck and two body wings). I actually think there is better tone with the two-piece.
FlyGuitars Some people think the non-reverse Thunderbird II also sounded better than the two pickup IV.
Mike Watt I had a non-reverse IV and I liked the II better. I thought they just added another pickup? They're not the same. I sold it to a kid.
FlyGuitars Has Gibson ever approached you to do a signature bass?
Mike Watt There was talk once about making me a custom non-reverse - that was years ago and I just got caught up & torn and never followed it up. A cardinal red one you know.
FlyGuitars Everyone wishes they would reissue those. There is of course the Epiphone version....
Mike Watt Yeah they did a bolt-on neck, maybe Korean made non-reverse that had P/J pickups. It was nothing! I went into a store, boy... Whoof. It is a good body shape, besides that, it yeah, was nothing, like a Squire P bass.
Thanks to John (Redbird) Fertig and Mike Watt for making this interview possible, and to Peter Whitfield for use of some great Photos
Why not check out some of these other sites
Mike Watt's homepage
Iggy Pop / Stooges homepage
Kelly Clarkson homepage
Gibson Thunderbird bass guitars for sale
2023 Gibson Non Reverse Thunderbird Bass Guitar - Hard Shell Case Free Shipping!
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, 334**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1200
Excellent Playing Condition with Honest Play Wear + Original Hardshell Case, Tuner & Locking Strap
For sale is a fantastic Gibson Non-Reverse Thunderbird bass in excellent operating condition ?? this bass plays and sounds like a dream! It has some nicks and wear, see detailed photos, (light nicks & chips, and minor play wear on the body and edges), but nothing structural, no cracks, no major dings, and no issues with functionality. ... more
2024 Gibson Rex Brown Signature Thunderbird Ebony 4 String Bass Guitar With Case
Lewiston, Maine, 042**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1826
Stock # J78010770-NK / 10 13XZ
A New Signature Bass Model From Rex Brown
Multi-instrumentalist Rex Brown is well-known for his work with legendary metal bands Pantera and Down, and his hard-rocking solo album, Smoke on This?? His new Gibson Rex Brown Signature ... more
Bass guitar string mute From 1966 Gibson Thunderbird
Cumming, Georgia, 300**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$400
Crafted with precision and care, this mute is made to last. It is made from high-quality materials and is built to withstand the wear and tear of regular use. Whether you are a seasoned musician or just starting out, this bass guitar ... more
1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV Bass 1 of the best originals it's 1 of a kind & Minty
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$27495
1991 Gibson Thunderbird IV Neck Through Bass Sunburst w / Case
Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2450
As its name would suggest, this bass thunders and growls with the best, producing incredible low end thump and grind via its two imposing ceramic magnet humbuckers. The ... more
1965 Gibson Thunderbird IV Bass in Pelham Blue oh-so rare & cool you need it !
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$13495
GIBSON NON REVERSE THUNDERBIRD BASS (P03059497)
Spokane, Washington, 992**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1600
Gibson Thunderbird IV READY TO GIG
Nocera Superiore, 84***, ITALY
€6990
60's EPIPHONE by GIBSON EMBASSY BASS USA - THUNDERBIRD SOUND - LONG SCALE
COLOGNE, GERMANY
€3250
60's Epiphone by Gibson Embassy Deluxe Bass - made in USA:
+ mahogany body finished in wine red, has lots of weather checking and wear, several extra screw holes on back
+ mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, LONG SCALE, has 4 minor SURFACE stress cracks below tuners=check last 3 pics
* skinny neck profile on back around first 5 frets
+ new Fender Reissue tuners
+ 1 original THUNDERBIRD pickup & 1 newer Fender Jazz bass single coil
+ new pickguard
+ new pots and ... more
Gibson Thunderbird Bass 1979
Oldham, OL8***, UNITED KINGDOM
£1843
Trades Gibson Thunderbird Iv Bass Electric Guitar Usa
Port Talbot, SA13***, UNITED KINGDOM
£2250
Trades / part ex on Gibson, Fender, PRS, Epiphone, Squier, Musicman, Ibanez, Gretsch, Martin, Taylor, Suhr and many more! Basses and pedals too! Try me ??????
Pokemon cards, videogames and gold jewellery also considered!
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Gibson Thunderbird Bass 1964 - Sunburst
London, UK, UNITED KINGDOM
£11999
Condition: Excellent
DescriptionTHE CLASSIC BIRD
We are happy to offer the following Classic Gibson Thunderbird details as follows
1964 Gibson Thunderbird Bass
Sunburst
Twin Pickup
Internally / Externally Original
Condition: 8 / 10 – Normal playing wear
Original Case
Comments
Classic Gibson ... more
60's EPIPHONE by GIBSON EMBASSY DELUXE BASS - made in USA - THUNDERBIRD SOUND
COLOGNE, GERMANY
£2850
+ mahogany body finished in wine red, has lots of weather checking and wear, several extra screw holes on back
+ mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, LONG SCALE, has 4 minor SURFACE stress cracks below tuners=check last 3 pics
* skinny neck profile on back around first 5 frets
+ new Fender Reissue tuners
+ 1 original THUNDERBIRD pickup & 1 newer Fender Jazz bass single coil
+ new pickguard
+ new pots and ... more
1987 GIBSON BASS IV - Made in USA - THUNDERBIRD PICKUPS
COLOGNE, GERMANY
£1090
* the black painted part of the body was cut off before by some moron and replaced with 2 pieces of ash=
check pic 5
* pearl white finish is very worn
* Thunderbird pickups
* black Schaller hardware
* ebony fingerboard, frets are fine
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Trades Gibson Thunderbird Electric Bass Guitar Usa
Port Talbot, SA13***, UNITED KINGDOM
£2299
Trades / part ex on Gibson, Fender, PRS, Epiphone, Squier, Musicman, Ibanez, Gretsch, Martin, Taylor, Suhr and many more! Basses and pedals too! Try me ??????
Pokemon cards, videogames and gold jewellery also considered!
... more