The non-reverse body Thunderbird
Gibson had received complaints from Fender about the styling of the original Gibson Thunderbird bass. This is somewhat surprising, looking at the models today, as the Thunderbird does not look at all like a Fender.But at the time, sales had been poor and it was decided to remodel both the Firebird guitars and Thunderbird basses.
New Features
In May 1965 Gibson stopped producing the older reverse body Thunderbird and redesigned the instrument for a 1966 launch. Whether any were actually available in 1965 is unclear, however price lists were heralding the new instrument as early as June 1965. Interestingly enough the Thunderbirds were not as expensive as the much smaller EB basses. The Thunderbird IV was priced at $289.50 compared with $337.50 for an EB3, whilst the II was $239.50 - just 50 cents less than the $240 EB0.
The major difference to the 1963 Thunderbird was of course the reverse body style, but also the neck was now the typical glued in 'set neck' that appeared on all other Gibsons of the period. The new set neck meant the body was one flat slab, without the raised central portion. This allowed an unusual scratchplate that covered a lot more of the guitar body. The hardware and pickups remained unchanged, though the nickel plated covers were all switched to chrome.
Gibson Thunderbird shipping totals (1966-1969)
Commercial success
The shipping figures are as follows:
1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | total | |
Thunderbird II | 361 | 67 | 7 | 435 | |
Thunderbird IV | 131 | 120 | 31 | 1 (6)* |
283 (288)* |
There are two sources of Gibson shipping data, first the book Gibson Shipment Totals by Larry Meiners, however an anonymous but quite comprehensive document being sold on ebay entitled 'Gibson Epiphone Kalamazoo Maestro shipping totals 1948-1969' lists a different figure for 1969 Thunderbird IVs
Gibson Thunderbird specifications:
- Honduras mahogany body, sunburst finish
- Mahogany set neck, with rosewood fretboard
- 34 1/2 inch scale (actually three eighths of an inch)
- Chrome plated pickup covers, bridge cover and finger rest
- Laminated pickguard with finger grip
Gibson Thunderbird bass for sale
1976 Gibson Bicentennial Thunderbird Bass w / OHSC ?? Natural
Nashville, Tennessee, 372**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$4499
Like what you see All photos are of the exact instrument you will receive
This 1976 Gibson Bicentennial Thunderbird is a force to be reckoned with! Serial #00243426, it features mahogany wings and thru neck, original pickups, and lays down a mean low end. It shows wear as you would expect, and we have photographed the most prominent spots close-up
The three mini toggles are ??producer??s switches ?? Look up Lee Sklar producer??s switch if you want in on ... more
Gibson Bicentennial Thunderbird Bass 1976 - Used, Very Good
Marina del Rey, California, 902**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$5999
Used, very good condition
About this bass: In 1976 Gibson reissued the Thunderbird, in its original early 60s body shape, and seeing as 1976 was the 200th anniversary of American independence, it is known as the bi-centennial model, or Gibson Thunderbird '76. It was only available in limited numbers, with just 1, 855 basses built at Gibson's Kalamazoo plant between 1976 and 1979. Although this bass was modelled directly on the 1963 Thunderbird, ... more
Vintage Gibson Thunderbird Bass Sunburst 1979
Brookfield, Wisconsin, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$4999
Vintage Gibson Thunderbird Bass Sunburst 1979
PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR AN IN-HAND DESCRIPTION
A great playing Thunderbird in really nice shape for its age with a comfortable feel & terrific tone. Fully inspected & professionally set up by the experts here at Cream City Music, so it's ready to play straight out of the case
Cosmetic Condition: Great shape considering it's 45 years old - various minor nicks, chips, dents & dings; surface scratches ... more
Gibson Non-Reverse Thunderbird Bass Inverness Green
Middletown, New York, 109**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2198
GIBSON THUNDERBIRD NON-REVERSED BASS GUITAR
New Port Richey, Florida, 346**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1600
1976 Gibson Thunderbird Bicentennia Ebony
Antioch, Tennessee, 370**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$4145
... more
Gibson Thunderbird 4-string Solidbody Electric Bass Guitar - Inverness Green
Fort Wayne, Indiana, 468**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1500
Used Condition
4-string Electric Bass with Mahogany Body and Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, and 2 Humbucking Pickups - Inverness Green
8 6 lbs
In good condition. There is a finish chip under the bass edge of the truss rod cover; there are dents in the bass edge of the fretboard at the 2nd and 5th frets. The electronics have been tested as good. The stock bridge has been replaced with a black Hipshot Supertone bridge and it is included inside the case along with all the pictured ... more
Gibson Thunderbird Bass Guitar
Easley, South Carolina, 296**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2500
... more
1964 Gibson Thunderbird II Bass the mintest 100% original Polaris White example.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$44995
2022 Gibson Non-Reverse Thunderbird Pelham Blue Electric Bass Guitar #47868
Burbank, California, 915**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1799
eBay Template Design by OCDesignsOnline HomeAboutTestimonialsPoliciesContactSell your Gear 2022 Gibson Non-Reverse Thunderbird Pelham Blue Electric Bass Guitar #47868 ××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××× Item DescriptionWORKING CONDITION: Excellent - Plays great. All of the electronics and controls are working ... more
1989 Jackson Thunderbird Basshülle - Made in USA - passt GIBSON
COLOGNE, GERMANY
£250
+ fits also Gibson T-Bird models
+ black interior with formfit cut, some wear
+ tolex has a LOT of wear and larger rips on back and front
+ leather ends have rips
+ right latch is broken
+ worn but ROCK SOLID
... more
Pre-Owned Gibson Non Reverse Thunderbird (044455)
Liverpool, L24***, UNITED KINGDOM
£1299
About
Contact
GUITAR BASS DRUMS / PERCUSSION KEYS PA / LIVE STUDIO / RECORDING DJ / PRODUCER INSTRUMENTS PRE-LOVED Pre-Owned Gibson Non Reverse Thunderbird (044455)
------------------------------------Pre-Owned Status: Please note, due to some previous use this item has been given our 'Pre-Owned' status - meaning that we've checked it over and ensured it's ... more
60's EPIPHONE by GIBSON EMBASSY BASS USA - THUNDERBIRD SOUND - LONG SCALE
COLOGNE, GERMANY
€3333
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
60er EPIPHONE von GIBSON EMBASSY DELUXE BASS - hergestellt in USA - THUNDERBIRD SOUND
COLOGNE, GERMANY
£2998
+ 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 USA Thunderbird Bass (Reverse) Bicentennial '76 Natural Finish & HSC 1976
Cowbridge, CF71***, UNITED KINGDOM
£2495
For sale, an incredibly rare, one of just 224 made in 1976, Gibson Thunderbird Bass. Reverse body, known as the Bicentennial '76 model
Back of headstock stamped:
00 214303Dating to 1976, origin Kalamazoo
Specification:Mahogany centerpieceMahogany wingsSunburst, Natural, Ebony and White finishesRosewood fretboard34 1 / 2 inch scale (actually three eighths of an inch)Chrome plated pickup covers, ... more
1987 Gibson Bass IV - hergestellt in den USA - THUNDERBIRD TONABNEHMER
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
... more
Gibson Victory Bass 1981 Vintage USA Kahler Tremolo Thunderbird Headstock
Southend-on-Sea, SS1***, UNITED KINGDOM
£1999
Gibson USA Thunderbird Reverse Bass Natural Tobacco With Original Hard Case
Launceston, PL15***, UNITED KINGDOM
£2000
The traditional 9-ply mahogany / walnut neck through body construction provides a thundering low end response and a piano like sustain.
The narrow nut width and rounded neck profile neck feels both fast and intuitive. The Thunderbird high output, ceramic magnet loaded humbucking pickups (neck and bridge) deliver the sonic and iconic ... more
I actually have 2- 60's thunderbird 2 800593 and 4 800035 with 1 original wood case. I am interested on how many are still around.