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

Gibson bass guitars | Thunderbird main page | 1966-69 Thunderbird

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.

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1969 Gibson Thunderbird IV
The Gibson price list for June 22nd 1965 announces the new reverse body shaped Thunderbirds

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

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GIBSON THUNDERBIRD NON-REVERSED BASS GUITAR

GIBSON THUNDERBIRD NON-REVERSED BASS GUITAR

New Port Richey, Florida, 346**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1600

This is very nice valuable guitar with superior sound. I bought it 8 months ago in mint condition. Everything is stock except 2 HUGE improvements : Hipshot bridge with saddles ( much better than a stock one -on 6th photo which was real nightmare to tune up), and Hipshot drop D detuner on top string for easy going a note bellow. ( I am including both original bridge and original tuning peg too ). Cosmetic shape is very good except two small dings on the headstock (last photo ) and somewhat darker... more
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Gibson Thunderbird 4-string Solidbody Electric Bass Guitar - Inverness Green

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
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Gibson Thunderbird Bass Guitar

Gibson Thunderbird Bass Guitar

Easley, South Carolina, 296**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2500

Rare! 2018 Gibson Thunderbird Cardinal Red with OHSC, case candy and all original paperwork. This Beautiful Gibson Bass is in like new condition and sounds great. There are no scrapes, scratches, chips or buckle rash or any other issues, it??s pretty much in unplayed condition. I have several Basses and have decided to let this one go. Thanks for looking and best of luck
... more
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2022 Gibson Non-Reverse Thunderbird Pelham Blue Electric Bass Guitar #47868

2022 Gibson Non-Reverse Thunderbird Pelham Blue Electric Bass Guitar #47868

Burbank, California, 915**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1799

ebay template
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
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Gibson Non-Reverse Thunderbird Bass Inverness Green

Gibson Non-Reverse Thunderbird Bass Inverness Green

Middletown, New York, 109**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2198

... more
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1976 Gibson Thunderbird Bicentennia Ebony

1976 Gibson Thunderbird Bicentennia Ebony

Antioch, Tennessee, 370**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4145

Very good condition 1976 Gibson Bicentennial Thunderbird bass. All original outside of the Badass bridge replacement. This bass has seen a good amount of gigging, but is in rock solid shape structurally. Some dents and buckle rash as pictured, and the headstock was clearly leaned against a wall for years. Tuners and electronics work perfectly. Frets have a good amount of life left. Comes with pictured hard shell case. Willing to ship or drive a reasonable distance
... more
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1964 Gibson Thunderbird II Bass the mintest 100% original Polaris White example.

1964 Gibson Thunderbird II Bass the mintest 100% original Polaris White example.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$44995

This is most likely the rarest & most significant Gibson Bass ever produced. These 1st issue Thunderbird??s & Firebird??s were so far ahead of time & very few were ever made comparatively to Fender??s P & J Basses. Most all T??bird??s were available in a Sunburst finish. But some were ordered in their select Custom Colors. This particular example was ordered in Gibson??s most luv??d optional color of Polaris White all over its neck & body. This T??bird is most likely the ... more
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Gibson Victory Bass 1981 Vintage USA Kahler Tremolo Thunderbird Headstock

Gibson Victory Bass 1981 Vintage USA Kahler Tremolo Thunderbird Headstock

Southend-on-Sea, SS1***, UNITED KINGDOM

£1999

1981 Gibson Victory Bass with Thunderbird headstock and a USA Kahler bass tremolo system in a stunning natural finish. This is simply the coolest bass guitar we have ever had at the studio. This is a rare model that looks epic, sounds epic and plays amazingly well! Very rare to get an 80's bass with a Kahler tremolo. The few we've ever had have sold instantly, as these systems are valuable and highly sought after. The Thunderbird headstock looks so cool, and you can't go wrong with a name like ... more
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60er EPIPHONE von GIBSON EMBASSY DELUXE BASS - hergestellt in USA - THUNDERBIRD SOUND

60er EPIPHONE von GIBSON EMBASSY DELUXE BASS - hergestellt in USA - THUNDERBIRD SOUND

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 ... more
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1989 Jackson Thunderbird Basshülle - Made in USA - passt GIBSON

1989 Jackson Thunderbird Basshülle - Made in USA - passt GIBSON

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£250

1989 JACKSON Thunderbird Bass case -- made in USA:
+ 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
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Gibson USA Thunderbird Reverse Bass Natural Tobacco With Original Hard Case

Gibson USA Thunderbird Reverse Bass Natural Tobacco With Original Hard Case

Launceston, PL15***, UNITED KINGDOM

£2000

The Gibson Thunderbird has the classic reverse body and headstock design as originally introduced in 1963 as Gibson's first neck-through-body bass design.
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
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1987 Gibson Bass IV - hergestellt in den USA - THUNDERBIRD TONABNEHMER

1987 Gibson Bass IV - hergestellt in den USA - THUNDERBIRD TONABNEHMER

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
... more
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Gibson Thunderbird Bass - USA vom Feinsten - aus 1. Hand mi orig Koffer

Gibson Thunderbird Bass - USA vom Feinsten - aus 1. Hand mi orig Koffer

Lenzkirch, 79***, GERMANY

€1699

Du bietest hier auf einen Gibson Thunderbird Bass aus 1. Hand Made in USA mit original Thunderbird Koffer
Nix verbastelt. Keinen Dead Spot (Hals gerade, Bünde topp). Selten Live gespielt. Nur im rauchfreien Proberaum quartiert! Saiten sind auch noch in Ordnung !
Der Lack auf er Rückseite ist an der Kante an einer Stelle abgeplatzt (siehe Bild). Der Kopf hat mal leicht angedotzt (siehe Bild). Sonst hat der Bass oberflächliche Kratzer und ist in einem sehr gepflegten Zustand ... more
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60s EPIPHONE by GIBSON EMBASSY BASS USA - THUNDERBIRD SOUND - LONG SCALE

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
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desho1 Comment left 7th July 2013 23:11:58 reply
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.