Gibson Thunderbird Bass

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Gibson Thunderbird Bass Guitar (1963 - Present) 

After the first EB basses Gibson manufactured another more important bass which were cousins with the Firebird I - III - V & VII guitars and were introduced at the same time in 1963. The firebird and the Thunderbird always shared the same body shape. In 1963 Gibson introduced 2 thunderbird models, these Gibson bass guitars were called the: 

Gibson Thunderbird II Bass (1963 to 1969) 

Thunderbird II bass models had reverse solid body shapes (long horn at the bottom of the body), they had 1 metal pickup with no visible poles, and were mostly made in sunburst finishes, some other custom colors were also available. 

In 1965 Gibson redesigned the Thunderbird II with a non reverse solid body, custom colors available, and were discontinued in 1969 to be reintroduced in 1983 with a reverse body until 1984. (Less than 100 were made in 83) 

Gibson Thunderbird IV (1963 - 1969) 

The Thunderbird IV had the same basic specs like the thunderbird II but with 2 pickups, most were done in sunburst finishes, few custom colors were available. In 1965 body changed to a non reverse body until they were discontinued in 1969.

In 1979 to 1982 Gibson made a reverse body bass with Thunderbird logos on the guard, 3 knobs, unbound rosewood fingerboard, hand rest and dot inlays, these models were called the Thunderbird III.. They were on the market for only 3 years.

Thunderbird IV was reintroduced in 1986 to 2016 as a reissue. The reissue was introduced with a reverse body, 2 hum bucking pickups, tune-o-matic bridges and were made in brown sunburst. (Various colors followed through the 90s till 2016).

Special Thunderbird Editions Made Later

Thunderbird 76
1976 Only: Reverse Solidbody.

Thunderbird 79
1979 Only: Reverse bodies in sunburst.

Thunderbird Studio
2005 to 2007: 4 Or 5 String option.

Thunderbird IV Zebra Wood Bass 
2007 Only: Limited Run Of 400

Thunderbird Short Scale
2011 to 2013: (30.5") scale, ebony finish.

Thunderbird 50th Anniversary
2013 to 2018: Mahogany body/neck, gold finish, rosewood fingerboard.

> Look For Used or Vintage Gibson Thunderbird Basses For Sale.

Gibson Thunderbird Bass Price Guide (Updated May-3-2021)
  • Thunderbird II
  • 1963 - 1963 > $8000 to $10 000 (Sunburst Reverse)
  • 1964 - 1964 > $13 000 to $15 500 (Pelham Blue Reverse)
  • 1964 - 1964 > $6500 to $8000 (Sunburst Reverse)
  • 1965 - 1965 > $7500 to $9000 (Red & Green - Non Reverse)
  • 1965 - 1965 > $4000 to $5500 (Sunburst Non Reverse)
  • 1965 - 1966 > $6500 to $8000 (Sunburst Reverse & Cardinal Red Non Reverse)
  • 1966 - 1966 > $9000 to $13 500 (Pelham Blue)
  • 1966 - 1966 > $3500 to $4500 (Sunburst - Non Reverse)
  • 1967 - 1968 > $6500 to $8000 (Cardinal Red)
  • 1967 - 1969 > $3500 to $4500 (Sunburst)
  • Thunderbird III
  • 1979 - 1982 > $2500 to $3500 
  • Thunderbird IV
  • 1963 - 1963 > $10 000 to $12 000 (Sunburst Reverse)
  • 1964 - 1964 > $19 000 to $25 000 (Frost Blue & Pelham Blue)
  • 1964 - 1964 > $9 000 to $12 000 (Sunburst)
  • 1965 - 1965 > $12 000 to $15 000 (Cardinal Red & Inverness Green)
  • 1965 - 1966 > $9 000 to $12 000 (Sunburst)
  • 1966 - 1966 > $12 000 to $14 000 (White - Non Reverse)
  • 1967 - 1969 > $5500 to $7500 (Sunburst - Non Reverse)
  • Special Editions & Reissues
  • 1986 - 2016 > $1350 to $1550 (IV Reissue)
  • 1976 - 1976 > $2900 to $3700 (Thunderbird 76)
  • 1979 - 1979 > $3200 to $3800 (Thunderbird 79)
  • 2005 - 2007 > $1000 to $1300 (Studio Model)
  • 2007 - 2007 > $1500 to $1900 (IV Zebra Wood)
  • 2011 - 2013 > $900 to $1200 (Short Scale)
  • 2013 - 2018 > $1550 to $1950 (50th Anniversary)

Note: Custom colors such as metallic blue, cardinal red or green are worth significantly more on both thunderbird II and thunderbird IV basses. Today these bass guitars are endorsed by many artists including Nikki Sixx from Motley Crue and Simon from the Cure..

Comments

  1. Anonymous8:12 AM

    Strange there's no mention of the fantastic limited edition '76 Bicentennial Thunderbird with the "76" in the thunderbird logo's tail. Now regarded as a classic in its own right.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous5:36 PM

    I am trying to find the value of the 1976 bicentennial thunderbird. Any thoughts on how to go about that? Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  3. G.R. Howlle6:46 PM

    I want to get a thunderbird body and put some of my own pick ups in it. Does anyone know where I could search for bodies??

    email me. thebeartalk@yahoo.com

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  4. winger2:09 PM

    I have a 83 sunburst thunderbird, and the neck is cracked! anyone wanna buy? I had a local guitar shop and guitar center look at it and they said it can be easily fixed.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous3:06 PM

    i'm looking for a thunderbird
    also if reissue but max till 1999
    write me to duttoandrea@hotmail.com
    if hav got any infos

    thank you very much

    ReplyDelete
  6. Unknown8:47 AM

    Anybody ever hear of intonation problems on the 1964 T-birds, and if so, would moving the bridge position be a possible fix? Would moving the bridge and resulting repairwork detract from value? Curt Benson ltquickltd@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:22 AM

      There's a product called the Badbird Bridge that fixes this problem without modification. The most recent info I have on them is this FB page

      https://www.facebook.com/Badbird-Bridge-166569760043127/

      Delete
  7. Anonymous11:52 PM

    Like the anonymous post above, I too would like to get the value of my 1976 natural T-Bird Bicentennial reissue edition. Any tips or "guess-timates"? I've heard from 1,200 - 1,500. Turn it up! mrrocknrolhk@hotmail.com on 7/22/2010

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous9:43 PM

    I have a TB IV reverse from '64. Belonged to my dad who died in '71. It then sat from '71 - '98 in my aunt's closet unplayed or used. I let a buddy of mine use it on a album for a couple songs in 1999 and has been in my closet ever since. It is in wonderful shape considering its age and the paint is spider-webbed now but still on it. The intonation was off a little bit and you could tell in 1999 but sound was nice through an Ampeg v4b, which I still have also. The last time I had it appraised some years back was $11k as the condition was pretty remarkable, not mint but vg-vf. IMHO, I would not move the bridge but live with it as is. If it is unplayable, well for what they are worth you are better off grabbing something else for everyday use and keep it glass case. I will probably give mine to my daughter some years from now and never sell anyway unless I fall on really hard times.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Vintage Gibson Guitar3:05 PM

    A T-Bird Bicentennial will run you $2k and up in excel condition and between $1,400 & $1,700 in VG. Should be able to find on eBay once in awhile.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous12:52 PM

    The last Sunburst '64 Thunderbird IV I saw, sold for just over $20K! Please don't move the bridge, because that will definitely affect the value. These are highly sought after basses, especially the 2-pickup reverse model. They only made around 300 of those (most of which are broken). Very rare basses.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous6:44 PM

    I've got an ebony '77 bicentennial edition T-Bird (RH) with the original case. I'm confused by the term "SECOND" stamped into the back of the headstock above the tuners. What does this mean? If it's a factory "second", is it still included in the numbers for totals produced? what make's it a "second"?
    Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous1:52 PM

    Hi, I'm in the UK and have a '76 bicentennial in white with it's original case. It has been valued at around £2500 as, I believe, only around 90 were made '76 to '77. It still plays and sounds incredible although I keep it locked up at home and now use my trusty, also '76, natural Precision of which there are hundreds around. Long Live the T'bird.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous12:38 PM

    T-Birds are awesome. I have about 14 from the 60's. 6 reverse and 8 non-reverse. No other bass sounds like them.The next best basses are fender jazz basses from 1960 to 1966. If I could I would own all of the sixties model thunderbirds. Yum yum.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Mackey9:09 PM

    TO ALL "Anonymous"...

    How's about all of you so called "collectors" of Gibson T-Birds, quit being Pigs, Gear Whores, etc...There are others, such as myself, who find great satisfaction in owning 2-3 DIFFERENT basses for different sounds/styles...I am searching for a late 60's or '76 T-Bird...Too many collectors only make it tough on the rest of us..."Doc" Mackey

    ReplyDelete

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