PRODUCED: 1965-69

ORIGIN: USA

TYPE: Solid body, 4-string

BODY: Mahogany slab with curved edges

NECK: Mahogany, set neck, 20 medium frets

SCALE LENGTH: 876mm (34.35-inch)

FINGERBOARD: Rosewood with white dot inlays

HARDWARE: Chrome plated tune-o-matic bridge, separate tailpiece, open gear tuners

PICKUPS: Two chrome-plated humbuckers

CONTROLS: 2 volume controls and one tone

FEATURES: Chrome covers, large white laminated scratchplate with Thunderbird motif and finger grip

FINISHES: Sunburst or Gibson custom colours with matching headstocks

COMMENTS: Introduced in 1963 as the bass version of the Firebird guitar, the original Thunderbird bass featured an outrageous ‘reverse body’ design. It was met with a degree of trepidation and its reception was at best luke warm.

In an attempt to reinvent what was actually a fine bass the non-reverse design was introduced in the 1965 Gibson catalogue although instrument production began in earnest in 1966. The neck through body construction was abandoned so the raised centre section as seen on the original Thunderbird Bass disappeared thus allowing for the big distinctive scratchplate.

Before the Thunderbirds all Gibson basses were short scale but these were full scale and were offered with one (Thunderbird II) or two (Thunderbird IV) pickups. The headstock was set back at an angle for secure string slotting into the nut.