Gibson Thunderbird 1966-1969
(2nd generation, non-reverse body)

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:

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

from the Gibson 1966 catalog

Gibson Thunderbird / Firebird custom colour chart

60s non-reverse-body Thunderbirds in action

60s non-reverse-body Thunderbird gallery

Gibson Thunderbird bass for sale

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Bass guitar string mute From 1966 Gibson Thunderbird

Cumming, Georgia, 300**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$400

This bass guitar string mute is a must-have for any Gibson Thunderbird owner. Made in 1966, this mute is a rare find for collectors and musicians alike. It is designed to fit perfectly on your bass guitar and provides a unique sound that is sure to impress
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 ... view on ebay

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

These early production Reverse?? Thunderbird??s & Firebird??s were so far ahead of time & very few were ever made comparatively to Fender??s P & J Basses. This particular example was ordered in Gibson??s most popular color of a Dark 2-tone Sunburst finish all over its neck & body. Very little yellowing appears yet she has slight playtime all over. These tend to get funky from playing in bars & clubs & get nicotine stained. Its rosewood fingerboard is straight as an arrow ... view on ebay

Gibson Gene Simmons G2 Thunderbird Bass Electric Guitar with Case

Newman, Illinois, 619**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2000

Gibson G2 Thunderbird bass in great shape with official case. There are some markings near the volume pots and a bit of wear here and there but overall in great shape and the Emg's are awesome in this. This has relatively no neck dive compared to most of the T birds and the new bridge is awesome and a lot easier to work with. Fantastic bass Gibson really knocked it out of the park with this one
Gene Simmons is a legendary rock icon and the bassist from KISS, and his new Gibson Gene Simmons ... view on ebay

1994 Orville by Gibson Thunderbird IV Reverse Body Bass Vintage, Japan Terada

Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1600

Up for sale, a 1994 Orville by Gibson Thunderbird IV bass in 100% original condition and in perfect working order. Made exclusively for the Japanese market and uncommon outside its country of origin, this Orville is an official Gibson-licensed guitar and a result of a partnership between Gibson USA and their Japanese distributor Yamano Gakki. Named after Gibson's founder, Orville Gibson, this long-since discontinued Orville model was crafted at the Terada factory
As its name would suggest, ... view on ebay

Gibson ThunderBird 4 String Bass Tobacco Sunburst w / Gibson Case & Strap, & COA

Olyphant, Pennsylvania, 184**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2300

For your review and consideration - we present you with another fine Gibson Guitar from the guitar collection at Magdon Music!
Please read the description below and review the photos. The exact Gibson Bass pictured and in the description is the exact guitar that you will purchasing. If there is something that you need to know that is not in this description - please message us before your time of purchase and we will be very happy to assist!
Please note that our guitars are tech ... view on ebay

Gibson Thunderbird II 1979 Plus Xtras: TOUR-READY!!!

Denver, Colorado, 802**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4600

Thanks for looking at the best deal for a TOUR-READY 1979 Gibson Thunderbird II
No cracks / breaks / repairs - functionally perfect
The only work I had done was stainless steel frets by Tenorio Werx (the best in the business IMHO). As a rule he insists on nut replacement when doing one of his legendary fret jobs. Wait until you play this beast
The combination of the impeccable fretwork and that impossibly-thin '79 neck results in one of the best-playing basses I have owned
And of... view on ebay

1994 Gibson Thunderbird IV Bass Vintage Sunburst EMG Hipshot Tuner Gig Bag

Astoria, Oregon, 971**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1995

Has been played and shows it, is in solid player condition. There are knicks and chips on the body and headstock. There is a finish crack behind the E tuner that does not go into the wood. The pots sounds clean but could be tightened up. EMG pickups, hipshot bridge and hipshot drop D tuner installed, the original three pole bridge and tuner are included. Ready to play out of the box, but would benefit from a solid tune up. Please review all photos :)... view on ebay

Gibson Thunderbird Bass 1964 - Sunburst

London, UK, UNITED KINGDOM

£11999

FINESTSELECTIONSHIPPINGSPECIALISTS24 HourSupportLondon Vintage Guitars are please to offer:Gibson Thunderbird Bass 1964 - SunburstGibson Thunderbird BassYear: 1964
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 ... view on ebay

Gibson Thunderbird IV READY TO GIG

Nocera Superiore, 84***, ITALY

€6990

Thunderbird IV Bass, READY TO GIG This instrument has had its neck and headstock replaced , repainted in black ,the diameter of the nut is 10 cm 1\2 on the first fretthe serial number, engraved on the replaced headstock, is 21 81 20, the frets have been transferred on the new neck, Everything else, regarding the body it has been repositioned .The potentiometers have been replaced, they are not the original onesThe "soapbar" pickups are original and unmistakable in sound, I supply the replaced ... view on ebay

Trades Gibson Thunderbird Electric Bass Guitar Usa

Port Talbot, SA13***, UNITED KINGDOM

£2299

Can deliver for fuel / shipping costs.

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!
... view on ebay

Gibson Gene Simmons G2 Thunderbird Bass

Hamburg, 20***, GERMANY

€2199

Hallo!
Aus Sammlungsverkleinerung:
Gibson Gene Simmons G2 Thunderbird
Ebony
Mahogany Body
Multi-Ply Top Binding
34" Scale
Mahogany Neck
Rounded Neck Profile
Ebony Fingerboard
Pearloid Reverse Split-Diamond Inlays
12" Fingerboard Radius
20 Medium Jumbo Frets
Hipshot Mini Clover Tuners
Hipshot Bass Bridge
Black Chrome Hardware
Mirror Plex Custom Pickguard with Gene Simmons Logo
Mirror Plex Control Knobs
Black Top Hat Knobs with Silver ... view on ebay

Gibson Thunderbird Non Reverse - Pelham Blue Inc Hard Case

Norwich, NR2***, UNITED KINGDOM

£1499

Pre Loved Gibson Thunderbird Non Reverse Pelham Blue Inc Hard Case
Made in the USA in 2021 and in a very good used condition. The only mark of any note is the usual ding on the to be found on the headstock of a Thunderbird bass (pictured). Other than that, there are the usual very light playing marks on the body of the bass. The previous owner has upgraded the original stock bridge to a Babicz - the original bridge is included
The bass comes with the original fitted hard case, and all the... view on ebay

Gibson Thunderbird Non Reverse Bass Guitar 2024 With Original Case Made in USA

London, W7***, UNITED KINGDOM

£1434

For Sale Gibson Thunderbird Non-Reverse Bass Guitar Vintage Cherry Finish, Made in 2024 With Original Gibson Case. The Gibson Non-Reverse Thunderbird s one of a kind, providing one of the most powerful bass experiences you can imagine. Coming with two legendary Gibson Thunderbird pickups in the neck and bridge, it has a wide tonal range which you can use to fill your music with colour. The Non-Reverse Thunderbird is equipped with a Graph Tech® nut. A 3-point adjustable bridge provides a full ... view on ebay

1987 GIBSON BASS IV - Made in USA - THUNDERBIRD PICKUPS

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£1090

1987 GIBSON BASS IV - made in USA :
* 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
... view on ebay

Gibson Thunderbird Bass Original 1976 Bicentennial

Südstadt, 38***, GERMANY

€4750

Beschreibung
Totally original
Frets 80%
Lightweight 4kg
No breaks
Wear & Tear from the years
Trussrod 100% working
Comes with custom flightsase1 owner was my dad
Original Invoice (USA) in copy
COA on request & extra cost
CITES certificate incl
Nothing changed at all
With original covers
" Wie beschrieben" verkauft?Ja... view on ebay

60's EPIPHONE by GIBSON EMBASSY BASS USA - THUNDERBIRD SOUND - LONG SCALE

COLOGNE, GERMANY

€2998

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 ... view on ebay

60's EPIPHONE by GIBSON EMBASSY DELUXE BASS - made in USA - THUNDERBIRD SOUND

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£2698

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 ... view on ebay

Epiphone By Gibson Goth Thunderbird IV Bass Guitar In Black. Collection Somerset

Bath, BA3***, UNITED KINGDOM

£365

Rare Epiphone by Gibson Goth Thunderbird IV Bass guitar. Hard Maple bolt on neck with rosewood fingerboard. 20 medium jumbo frets with XII 12th fret inlay. 2 Epiphone humbuckers (bridge and neck positions). Thunderbird shaped Mahogany body with flat black finish. Plastic black pick guard with white emblem. Some authentic wear around the bottom and sides of the body. Old rusty strings have been recently replaced with fresh standard gauge Ernie ball bass strings. Fully functional electronics. Good... view on ebay

Gibson Thunderbird Bass cw hardcase

Paignton, TQ4***, UNITED KINGDOM

£1972

The Gibson Thunderbird Bass is a vintage electric bass guitar made by the renowned brand Gibson. This right-handed 4-string bass features a solid mahogany body with a classic brown colour, a rosewood fretboard, and 20 frets. Known for its high-quality construction and smooth sound, the Gibson Thunderbird Bass is a popular choice among musicians looking for a reliable and versatile bass guitar for their performances
I have never gigged this but the previous owner was in a pro band and its ... view on ebay

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