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Gibson Thunderbird Bass Guitar - Sparkling Burgundy with Non-reverse Headstock Demo

4-string Electric Bass with Mahogany Body and Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, and 2 Humbucking Pickups - Sparkling Burgundy
3 Write review Item ID: TBirdNRSBd1
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$1,699.00
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New for $2,399.00

Condition Notes:

There are numerous finish cracks at various places along the neck as well as on the body's bass side at the upper strap button and the treble side upper bout. This instrument includes its hardshell case, case key, multi tool, strap, polish cloth, and manual. There are also fine scratches that do not appear in our Guitar Gallery images.

This item was thoroughly inspected by our factory-authorized service team and is backed by Sweetwater's exclusive 2-year warranty. These images are of the exact item advertised, and provide as accurate a representation of its condition as possible. If you need further information, please call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700.

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Gibson Thunderbird Bass Guitar - Sparkling Burgundy with Non-reverse Headstock
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A Bass with Iconic Looks and a Bolt of Colossal Sound

Far from just a clever name, the Gibson Thunderbird 4-string bass possesses plenty of thunderous power and long-lasting reliability — all in a vintage-looking instrument. At its core sits a mahogany body and neck capped with an Indian rosewood fingerboard, the perfect recipe for bellowing bass and pro-quality performance. A pair of humbuckers produce plenty of classic Thunderbird tone with enough juice to push your amp into saturated oblivion, tweakable via individual volume knobs and a handy master tone control. For an added dose of vintage flair, the Thunderbird is finished in beautiful nitrocellulose lacquer, a Sweetwater favorite for its sharp looks and ability to bring out even more tone from an instrument's woods.

Top-shelf tonewoods, arena-shaking sound

When it comes to bringing the "thunder," Gibson knows just what it takes to deliver, and it all starts with the tonewoods. The Thunderbird sports a fantastic combination of mahogany and rosewood, the perfect pair for monstrous low-end rumble and effortless playability. Its mahogany body and neck imbue an unmistakable warmth and full-bodied thump, with plenty of sustain, resonance, and durability to serve you well for years to come. When it's time to let your fingers do the talking, you'll find your fretting hand dancing freely across the Indian rosewood fingerboard, silky smooth to the touch and incredibly comfortable in all playing positions.

Premium Gibson electronics

Inside the Thunderbird lay two sleeping humbuckers. Once these pickups awaken, get ready to unleash an earth-shattering roar that is commanding, present, and fully prepared to pummel your amp with low-end destruction. Volume controls for each humbucker allow you to use them separately or blended to perfection, with a master tone control for some additional sound shaping.

Vintage-era nitrocellulose finish

The Thunderbird wears a gorgeous nitrocellulose lacquer finish. Nitro finishes — standard back in the '60s and '70s — are significantly thinner than today's polyurethane finishes, allowing the guitar to "breathe." Nitro finishes not only look wonderfully vintage, but they also enhance the instrument's tonal qualities.

Gibson Thunderbird Bass Guitar Features:

  • Mahogany body and neck deliver a warm, full-bodied tone that's built for the road
  • Smooth-as-glass Indian rosewood fingerboard feels incredible in all playing positions
  • 2 Thunderbird humbuckers produce a fat, forceful low-end sound
  • Individual volume knobs and master tone control let you blend and shape the humbuckers to perfection
  • Nitrocellulose lacquer finish looks stunning and enhances tone
  • 3-point adjustable bridge offers sustain and stability
  • Rock-solid Hipshot Ultralite tuners

Why Buy Your Guitar from Sweetwater?

See how Sweetwater goes to great lengths to give you the very best online guitar buying experience. From our online Guitar Gallery that allows you to see and select the exact instrument you want to our 55-point Inspection process and our in-house guitar techs, we take the guesswork out of buying your next guitar online.

What is Demo Gear?

At Sweetwater, we're so picky that what we call a "demo" is actually better than what most music retailers sell as "new" gear! Our gear hasn't endured hundreds of people a week plunking away at all the keyboards, fumbling through Stairway to Heaven on every guitar or playing with every fader and knob on a mixer or control surface.

What demo means to us is that we've had it out of the box, or maybe it was in a customer's hands for a few days and isn't "factory fresh" as a result. Every demo item we sell has Sweetwater's 2-year Total Confidence Coverage™ warranty, and has been tested and verified up to "new" specs by our factory-authorized technicians to make sure it's in perfect working order before we ship it to you.

When you buy a Demo item at Sweetwater, you get:
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  • Products inspected and tested by our factory-authorized techs, guaranteed to function like new (or better)!
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Tech Specs

  • Number of Strings: 4
  • Left-/Right-handed: Right-handed
  • Body Shape: Non-reverse Thunderbird
  • Body Material: Mahogany
  • Body Finish: Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
  • Color: Sparkling Burgundy
  • Neck Material: Mahogany
  • Neck Shape: Rounded C
  • Radius: 12"
  • Fingerboard Material: Indian Rosewood
  • Fingerboard Inlay: Dots
  • Number of Frets: 20, Medium Jumbo
  • Scale Length: 34"
  • Nut Width: 1.6"
  • Nut Material: Graph Tech NuBone
  • Bridge/Tailpiece: 3-Point Adjustable
  • Tuners: Hipshot Ultralite
  • Neck Pickup: Thunderbird Rhythm Humbucker
  • Bridge Pickup: Thunderbird Lead Humbucker
  • Controls: 2 x volume, 1 x master tone
  • Strings: Gibson, .045-.105
  • Case Included: Hardshell Case
  • Manufacturer Part Number: BANT00VNCH1

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Customer Reviews

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It's a Thunderbird!

First of all, many thanks to the folks at Gibson and Sweetwater for bringing the Thunderbird bass legacy and transition to a full circle. And, many thanks to Nate McClure for his assistance and prompt Sweetwater service in making this acquisition a smooth reality.
This non-reverse version of the Gibson Thunderbird IV Bass Guitar reissue has been long wished for. This Thunderbird checks all the boxes for build, tone and value. Gibson's homework is greatly appreciated.

As with everything in this world, reviews are personal points of view:
The neck is substantial in its physicality and contribution to tone and sustain, and its comfort is subjective...it's a Gibson and I like it.
The hardware is what one would expect from Gibson...it works, so why reinvent the wheel and drive costs up?
The overall tone of the bass is a result of the sum of its parts. To my ears, it's a Thunderbird through and through, and when treated right, the bass will live through several life times, with mine being its first.
I added a few accoutrements to give the bass a little more of a vintage look...neck pickup and bridge covers, mahogany finger rest, gold top hat knobs, etc.
Thank you Gibson, Sweetwater and Nate McClure!
by Robert W. from Elk Grove, CA on
Music background: 55 years learning the bass guitar.

Excellent bass

Trying to cover the historic basses in my collection at long last I realized I was missing an important bass of the 60s—the Gibson Thunderbird. I recently added it, and have been delighted with it. It's a joy to play, and an instrument of incredible beauty. The sound is outstanding, everything for which I was hoping. Buying from Sweetwater was a major benefit. Many basses I previously purchased elsewhere were not properly setup. Sweetwater's 55 point inspection insured that my bass was ready to play right out of the case. I highly recommend both the Gibson Thunderbird bass and Sweetwater. They are an unbeatable combination.
by John on
Music background: Lifelong hobbyist

Best neck of any bass I've ever owned and has a great punchy tone. Fit and finish were perfect.

I noticed when I first got mine that I could bring the action down a lot lower than on any other bass I've owned besides a new reverse T-Bird I bought new in 2018 which is also capable of having very low action. I then found out that they plek all their instruments and it makes a huge difference. Mine is light, fit and finish were perfect, it sounds great, anywhere from a deep Motownish type tone with a mute to punchy jazz tone to trebly grindy. They knocked it out of the park with this bass. The neck is comfortable, a little thicker than a typical Thunderbird but in a good way, it feels solid and doesn't move. This bass has become my favorite out of more than ten different basses, Fenders, Rics and other Gibsons. These things sound huge! I play mine through a variety of Ampegs including SVT's. This bass will go anywhere a P bass will go and cover just about every type of style. I use Rotosound Swing Bass 66's and they sound great on this bass and with an understring homemade cloth mute I can get a deep old-style tone.
I bought mine because knowing Gibson if I didn't order one right away I might never get a new one. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I've made, even the finish is beautiful, deep glossy burgundy that looks thicker than it is, it's also lacquer so the bass breaths better, it's not covered with a ton of plasticy feeling poly like a lot of basses. I can't say enough about this bass, get one while you still can, you won't regret it.
by Bob from Mass on
Music background: long time pro and semi pro bassist

From rockers to jazz cats, there are generations of guitarists right here at Sweetwater who swear by Gibson guitars. Not only do they make many of the most iconic solidbody electric guitars of all time - the Les Paul, the SG, the Flying V - but they also produce classic hollowbody and semi-hollowbody models and some of the most iconic acoustic guitars on the planet. We play them all! Our close relationship with Gibson often allows us to stock exclusive models and rare finds, and we're always happy to turn players and collectors on to the gems in the Sweetwater Guitar Gallery. We also have access to all the latest Gibson hardware, and the Sweetwater Guitar Repair Shop has upgraded countless guitars with their top-of-the-line humbuckers, classic P-90s, and more.

See also: 4 String Bass Guitars, Gibson, Gibson 4-string Bass Guitars
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