Gibson Thunderbird Studio

2005 Made in the USA. Mahogany solid rounded Thunderbird body.
34" scale 4 string Mahogany set neck with 20 Frets and rosewood fingerboard. 11/2" at the nut.
Vol, Vol, Tone passive controls. 2 Passive TB Plus ceramic humbuckers.
Chrome adjustable "A style" bridge. Grover tuners.

Included TKL Hardshell fitted case with silver 'Gibson USA' logo stenciled on top.

Plays like a dream. Excellent for a variety of music from 'slapping & popping' to country to rock. I'm mainly using it for rock and pop as of late, but certainly could be fitted to any style.
What can definitely be described as a warm full sound. It can clearly make it way through a full live band (keys, drums, & guitars).

Running it through an Ashdown MAG-210 with a tuner, and on occasion with an Ashdown envelope filter.

I've only recorded with it once so far (through a DI straight to the board), and it had a noticeable hum that seemed to originate from the tone pot. I haven't yet had time to track it down and see if its a loose ground or etc.

Purchased through Ebay, so I can't elaborate on the factory set-up. Came shipped to me with the strings loosened. It took a week or so for the neck to readjust to the strings and buzzed at first, now that's all but gone away.
Only one or two noticeable flaws (even for a second hand bass thats rare). One being a tiny chip in the finish on the back of the neck where it joins the body. The other being a tiny bit of a poor finish job around the fingerboard.

Its a Gibson Thunderbird, its built like a heavy sherman tank. Hardware seems solid and the tuners keep tune amazingly well. Strong thick finish. I could definitely use it live without fear of needing a backup (I'd probably still bring one cause I'm a BoyScout like that).

Haven't had to use them and doubt I'll be able to since I didn't buy it new.

I highly recommend the Thunderbird Studio Bass. I love the look and feel oh holding a Thunderbird on stage. Even with the simple passive controls, you can still get a variety of sounds which can suit any playing style. The only thing I personally dislike is how easy it is to smudge and hold fingerprints. And I'm pretty sure thats just the nature of the finish. And as most people know about Thunderbirds by now, they're heavy. So know that before you buy.
I spent a lot of time researching and playing every bass I could get my hands on before buying the Thunderbird, which is something I suggest to anyone who's looking for a new bass. My final choices other than this were a Marcus Miller Fender Jazz or a Fender Jaguar. The Gibson just won me over, mainly because I found it in my price range, and because it offered a similar sound without the need for active electronics.
I've been playing for a little over 4 years now. I own an Ibanez acoustic bass, a Danelectro Longhorn, and an Ashdown MAG210. This Thunderbird Studio is a welcome addition to my gear, and is my first high-level quality bass.

Made in 2005 in the USA. Four string, 34" scale, set-neck with rosewood fingerboard. Solid top Mahogany with a Cherry finish. Controls are V,V,T. 2 Passive TB Plus ceramic humbuckers. Grover tuners. Included "Gibson" stenciled TKL fitted case.

Has that amazing thunderbird sound. It typically has a distinctly warm sound. I've played it through a 59' Fender Bassman, and an Ashdown MAG300 both of which sound fantastic. It is getting a little fret buzz around the 8th fret, but its not noticeable when playing amped. Despite the simple controls, you can get a moderate "slap & pop" or punchy sound if thats what you're looking for. But these are definitely built to be rock machines, with long ringing sustain. I'm playing more Pop & Rock these days but I've played several other styles with it and see no reason why it wouldn't fit with this bass.
Only thing of note. When I recorded this past weekend it gave off a hum which seemed to be somehow tied to the tone pot (maybe its not grounded good).

This bass was an Ebay purchase (I believe I'm the second-owner, but I'm not sure). It was shipped to me with loosened strings, and I spent a fair amount of time adjusting the bridge trying to remove that pesky buzz, which I still haven't managed to do. Also the pickup screws seem a little off. Other than that, It came to me in almost new condition (only a minor scratch on the back of the neck where it meets the body, and maybe a little rough in a few spots on the laminate of the fingerboard).

I played another prior to buying at a local music store. The setup on it was pristine with no noticeable buzz or defects of any kind.

Haven't played with it live, but should work fine; albeit a little on the heavy side. Hardware if fantastic. Tuners seem to hold tune very well. The finish will hold up, though it is easy to smudge and shows every fingerprint. Strap buttons seem solid, but with most Gibsons (due to the weight)I would suggest strap-locks of some kind. Haven't adjusted the neck yet, but I think that may be what will get rid of the buzz. I would definitely trust it without a backup, its given me no reason to doubt it.

Haven't used the customer support, So I honestly can't say.

I've been playing since '04 so I don't have a major amount of experience under my belt. I own an Ibanez acoustic bass, and a Danelectro Longhorn. But before buying a quality bass I've played just about everything out there, and spent a lot of time replaying and testing and checking trying anything with 4 strings. I'd finally narrowed it down to a Marcus Miller Fender Jazz, a Fender Jaguar Bass, or a G&L ASAT. Then I played the Studio. It seemed to offer a very similar bassy sound, while still giving the ability to get jazzy if needed; all with a very simple control scheme. When one became available in my price range, I couldn't pass it up.

The Thunderbird studio has an amazingly comfortable neck and is really a joy to play. It is a little on the heavy side and takes a little practice to get used to playing it sitting down. But it rocks when amped and can definitely cut your way through a mix of guitars, drums and synth. If it were lost or stolen, I'd be heartbroken and if I could afford another would certainly get one. And really when it comes down to it it gives you the amazing feel and look of having a made in the USA Gibson Thunderbird.

This is a follow up of my earlier review

Sounded good before, but after some mods, it sounds much better. I'll get into that down the ways.

Here comes the problem, when I received the bass it looked and played alright , except for the belt buckle rash as I mentioned in my first review. I took the bass in to my tech to replace that counter top { corian } nut with a bone nut and that cheap bridge with a Schaller bridge. when my tech removed the nut , the fingerboard also started to to come off . So much for Gibsons QC department.

After the mods and the fingerboard repaired this bass should last a life time .

Never contacted them . I liked the way this bass fills and did not want a replacement , so I had it repaired

Now that the bass has been repaired and some slight mods done to it. The bass sounds really good. I would rate this a ten , but the fingerboard incident really pissed me off. PLEASE GIBSON FIX YOUR QC DEPARTMENT.

made in 2005 in the USA , four strings, solid top, controls are V,V,T. pickups are H/H, passive, set neck, mahogany, black , tuners are Grover, thin neck , rosewood fingerboard, came with case

sounds great, warm, rich, and full. a lot more versatile than its big brother, not to noisy

There were some cosmetic problems { Gibson needs to work on there QC department } belt buckle rash on a new bass shipped to me in the case in its box. What's up with that ? After the setup the bass plays great

This bass is very solid

I've never had any problems with Gibson. They've always stood by there product and there warranty. { just don't go getting jeggy with them, other wise, it could become a nightmare. { you get more flies with honey than with vinegar }

So far, I'm pretty happy with this bass, its not as fast as my Fender 62 jazz, but it holds its own. It's more versatile than its big brother and not quit as dark sounding