Great video. I believe that the 1970s T-birds had completely differently designed pickups to the '60s models. The wiring also blends the two pickups in series, rather than parallel.
Jonathan, this is awesome keep this going man. I love the fact that you have cool bases and know the history and can actually play them. I look forward to your posts!
Gibson Thunderbird has been the main bass of Martin Turner of Wishbone Ash from early on and remains so today. Go back and listen to some classic W (such as Argus) to hear a Thunderbird played throughout, with taste.
John Entwistle's solution for the neck / headstock situation was to mount a maple Fender P bass neck to the T-bird. He began using "Fenderbirds" around mid 1972.
That wasn't the reason he did that though. According to his book, he put Fender necks on them because the Gibson necks were too thin. He didn't like them.
John Entwistle banged his Fender on the ground one day and it popped back hitting him in the face , he said it was junk. That bass is really fine Jonathan.
I had the exact same 76 thunderbird coloured bass in the early 80’s and I sold it for £200 I think I’ve regretted selling that bass every single day of my life since I sold it I’m sure i saw a 76 thunderbird for sale a couple of years ago I’m absolutely sure it was my old one as mine had a little nick on the head stock and the one I saw had the the same nick in the same place and it was up for sale for £2000 😭😭😭 it was by far the best bass I ever ever had just with I still had it
I have one. It's showing its age. But we have stuck together through the years. Still sounds great. Maybe better than great. I wouldn't trade it for 100 of any other maker you could name. Man, if that bass could talk. When I die it goes to my son. Only thing, he isn't a musician. He's a drummer. Go figure.
absolutely love your vids...had a few gibson basses...however they always sound wooly..specially through an ampeg....plus yes yr absolutely right...their necks tend to fuck off during a gig and you cant get to the 'dusty' end...(up north)....Again great vid, cheers...keep on keeping on.
@@jonathangroomsbassist yr rickenbacker jet-glo vid inspired me to get the brass/chrome bridge...mate put ernie ball coated 45/105's or Dunlop 40's on her....you'll thank me......you made the ricky sing like a canary mate...good on you...great right hand solid, stable finger work.
I love this bass, but I hate their necks, I can see why John Entwistle changed the necks to Jazz Necks, you should have played the rest of "The Real Me" love that song
I have much respect for you. Cuz I was thinkin' the same thing. Leon played a 1965 TB2 and later on in 1977 he played a Gibson TB4 non-reverse with rhombus inlays. He also acquired a Fenderbird from John Entwistle in 1975.
Thomas A Leon was a big influence on me... His bass was always out front in the mix too...solid player yet quite melodic.... Interestingly enough he did not play bass on Freebird. Ed King did.
Leon is also my influence to play my bass. I saw in one of your recent videos you had a Fender 1952 Precision bass. Leon also had that bass. You should do some more demonstrations with that cuz I love the vids. Keep up the work!
Never cared for pickup covers/guards. They restrict to much of the playing section of the strings. Rics, Fenders, Gibsons all had them and they were a goofy idea. This bass sounds great, though. T-Birds never get the credit they deserve. You always hear about neck diving issues and heavy weight. Not an issue on mine. 1990 model Polaris White.
This bass is a 1977, show the serial number behind the head stock and u will see NOT doble 00 in this u got there. i got (at the moment)26 Thunderbird 1963, 16 from 1964. several difernt ones difernt years, and 347 bicentenial....if u will buy some of them , u got a chance to got the real deal...just MONEY TALKING. and u got the "bass of u hero"...i get some of them by the widow of Mr.John Entwistle, when she sold out all his collection into Sotherbis and christies..auction,also several alembic...from him. and 2 Hiwatt amps, etc...more goodies but its too long to put it here.....Regards.
I have the exact same bass for sale. I am the original owner and this bass guitar is in "excellent to mint" shape. All original parts including the hard case. If interested, please let me know. I am up in Alberta, Canada and have had this bass since "Grade 7"............holy shit I'm old!!
I am very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very jealous of you for having that bass.
Great video. I believe that the 1970s T-birds had completely differently designed pickups to the '60s models. The wiring also blends the two pickups in series, rather than parallel.
The neck pickup is also slightly closer to the neck than on a 60's birds.
The 76' Bi-T-Bird is one I want. Gorgeous bass.
🇺🇸
there's a growl to the tone that's not fret rattle, a certain high-gain crunch - characteristic of these axes
Jonathan, this is awesome keep this going man. I love the fact that you have cool bases and know the history and can actually play them. I look forward to your posts!
Gibson Thunderbird has been the main bass of Martin Turner of Wishbone Ash from early on and remains so today. Go back and listen to some classic W (such as Argus) to hear a Thunderbird played throughout, with taste.
I too am quite fortunate to have a 76 T bird. I love it. I am missing the pick up covers. The coolest bass in my collection.
pickup covers don't do anything and make it hard to play?
this guy sure knows his Entwistle. First Boris, then a tune from Quadrophenia. Very nice
Was I the only one who knew that the first riff he played on this was Boris the Spider? xD
On my third headstock repair ! 66 Thunderbird II! And yes it's never stronger, but the action is flat so I'm glad she's still in service.
I have the 2015 Gibson Thunderbird with chrome flats and just love the tone. Boris the Spider on that T'Bird sounds so good.
Jim Nesta I also love my 2015. I’d put flats on it, but my band mates insist on roundwounds. Very versatile model of T Bird.
John Entwistle's solution for the neck / headstock situation was to mount a maple Fender P bass neck to the T-bird. He began using "Fenderbirds" around mid 1972.
That wasn't the reason he did that though. According to his book, he put Fender necks on them because the Gibson necks were too thin. He didn't like them.
I’ve always dreamed of playing a genuine 76’ Thunderbird.
My fave Bass!
I love these as they epitomise Rock & Roll.
Really great sounding bass
These things are the best for rock music!
Wow great sounding bass pretty wild looking too
John Entwistle banged his Fender on the ground one day and it popped back hitting him in the face , he said it was junk.
That bass is really fine Jonathan.
Oh yes. Boris the Spider. Good Job. Love your videos man.
I had the exact same 76 thunderbird coloured bass in the early 80’s and I sold it for £200 I think I’ve regretted selling that bass every single day of my life since I sold it I’m sure i saw a 76 thunderbird for sale a couple of years ago I’m absolutely sure it was my old one as mine had a little nick on the head stock and the one I saw had the the same nick in the same place and it was up for sale for £2000 😭😭😭 it was by far the best bass I ever ever had just with I still had it
Gibson put that little nick in all their basses that year. It was a Kalamazoo thing.
Be still, my beating ❤.
Sweet as.....envy x 1,000,000,000 cheers
What’s this climbing up my wall?
Black and hairy very small.
I have one. It's showing its age. But we have stuck together through the years. Still sounds great. Maybe better than great. I wouldn't trade it for 100 of any other maker you could name. Man, if that bass could talk. When I die it goes to my son. Only thing, he isn't a musician.
He's a drummer. Go figure.
A drummer should never come within ten feet of a fragile headstock... ;-)
It's a like rounder, deeper Jazz Bass/Rickenbacker
Agreed. The pickups on the 70's Birds sound like single coil pickups.
absolutely love your vids...had a few gibson basses...however they always sound wooly..specially through an ampeg....plus yes yr absolutely right...their necks tend to fuck off during a gig and you cant get to the 'dusty' end...(up north)....Again great vid, cheers...keep on keeping on.
Very kind of you to say, thankyou. Cheers
@@jonathangroomsbassist yr rickenbacker jet-glo vid inspired me to get the brass/chrome bridge...mate put ernie ball coated 45/105's or Dunlop 40's on her....you'll thank me......you made the ricky sing like a canary mate...good on you...great right hand solid, stable finger work.
25 years and three headstock repairs , not bad considering I play my 66 non reverse a lot.
T-birds fuckin' rip! Nice bass boss.
Hell yeah, boris the spider
Pretty sure i saw a 64 on Reverb for like $10,000 or so..the 76s run about $4,000ish...I may splurge for a 76 but I’d hate to break the headstock
There is a 64 with one pickup (Thunderbird II) and a headstock repair on Reverb. No thanks... 😀
cool vid on the thunderbird. if your an Entwistle fan no doubt that u also would want a 1966 slab body p bass. i know i do hahaha
are there dead bodies behind those sheets in your basement?
Nathan Hassall -they were alive last I checked.....
Great playing & great TB man!
I love this bass, but I hate their necks, I can see why John Entwistle changed the necks to Jazz Necks, you should have played the rest of "The Real Me" love that song
Nice bass
What doe's bicentennial mean?
kung puk It means 200 year anniversary. This model commemorated the 200th birthday of the United States in 1976.
chris storrier everybody pronounces things differently I'm American and I spell it colour and I sau aluminum the same way you do.
Folks who like both sexes? Or sheep and/or goats?
Leon Wilkinson played one
I think his may have been from 1964-1967 though....
I have much respect for you. Cuz I was thinkin' the same thing. Leon played a 1965 TB2 and later on in 1977 he played a Gibson TB4 non-reverse with rhombus inlays. He also acquired a Fenderbird from John Entwistle in 1975.
Thomas A Leon was a big influence on me... His bass was always out front in the mix too...solid player yet quite melodic.... Interestingly enough he did not play bass on Freebird. Ed King did.
Leon is also my influence to play my bass. I saw in one of your recent videos you had a Fender 1952 Precision bass. Leon also had that bass. You should do some more demonstrations with that cuz I love the vids. Keep up the work!
Never cared for pickup covers/guards. They restrict to much of the playing section of the strings. Rics, Fenders, Gibsons all had them and they were a goofy idea. This bass sounds great, though. T-Birds never get the credit they deserve. You always hear about neck diving issues and heavy weight. Not an issue on mine. 1990 model Polaris White.
This bass is a 1977, show the serial number behind the head stock and u will see NOT doble 00 in this u got there. i got (at the moment)26 Thunderbird 1963, 16 from 1964. several difernt ones difernt years, and 347 bicentenial....if u will buy some of them , u got a chance to got the real deal...just MONEY TALKING. and u got the "bass of u hero"...i get some of them by the widow of Mr.John Entwistle, when she sold out all his collection into Sotherbis and christies..auction,also several alembic...from him. and 2 Hiwatt amps, etc...more goodies but its too long to put it here.....Regards.
Boris!
I have the exact same bass for sale. I am the original owner and this bass guitar is in "excellent to mint" shape. All original parts including the hard case. If interested, please let me know. I am up in Alberta, Canada and have had this bass since "Grade 7"............holy shit I'm old!!
The Thunderbird should NEVER be played sitting down! You have to stand up and put it on a long strap. Only then will you look cool.
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Bajo de sueño. Amplificación de película pero ...creo que te queda "muy grande" ese bajo bro. Con todo respeto.