Gibson Thunderbird 1966-1969
(3nd generation, reverse body)

The Bi-Centennial Thunderbird

In 1976 Gibson reissued the Thunderbird, in its original early 60s body shape, and seeing as 1976 was the 200th anniversary of American independence, it is known as the bi-centennial model, or Gibson Thunderbird '76. It was only available in limited numbers, with just 1855 basses built at Gibson's Kalamazoo plant between 1976 and 1979.

New Features for '76

Although this bass was modelled directly on the 1963 Thunderbird, with a through neck and reverse body shape, there were some changes to the original design; most notably the new pickups and circuitry, 3 point bridge, which appeared on most Gibson basses of the period, but also a red, white and blue Thunderbird logo with a '76 insignia. Later models still had the red white and blue bird, but without the 76.

Pictured below are a 1960s, 1976 and 1979 Thunderbird logo. Today's birds have a logo very similar to the 1960s design

Gibson Bi-Centennial Thunderbird shipping figures

The shipping figures are as follows:

1976 Gibson Thunderbird specifications:

• Mahogany centerpiece
• Mahogany wings
• Sunburst, Natural, Ebony and White finishes
• Rosewood fretboard
• 34 1/2 inch scale (actually three eighths of an inch)
• Chrome plated pickup covers, bridge cover and finger rest
• Thunderbird humbucking pickups
• Laminated pickguard with red, white and blue Thunderbird logo

from the 1977 Gibson new models catalog

Have a closer look at a 1979 Thunderbird

Gibson Thunderbird bass for sale

Flyguitars.com is funded by its visitors. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. For more info see terms and conditions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gibson Non-Reverse Thunderbird Bass Inverness Green

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

$2198

... more

Vintage Gibson Thunderbird Bass Sunburst 1979

Brookfield, Wisconsin, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4999

Vintage Gibson Thunderbird Bass Sunburst 1979
PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR AN IN-HAND DESCRIPTION
A great playing Thunderbird in really nice shape for its age with a comfortable feel & terrific tone. Fully inspected & professionally set up by the experts here at Cream City Music, so it's ready to play straight out of the case
Cosmetic Condition: Great shape considering it's 45 years old - various minor nicks, chips, dents & dings; surface scratches ... more

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gibson USA Thunderbird Bass (Reverse) Bicentennial '76 Natural Finish & HSC 1976

Cowbridge, CF71***, UNITED KINGDOM

£2495

Gibson USA Thunderbird Bass (Reverse) Bicentennial '76 Natural Finish & HSC 1976
For sale, an incredibly rare, one of just 224 made in 1976, Gibson Thunderbird Bass. Reverse body, known as the Bicentennial '76 model
Back of headstock stamped:
00 214303Dating to 1976, origin Kalamazoo
Specification:Mahogany centerpieceMahogany wingsSunburst, Natural, Ebony and White finishesRosewood fretboard34 1 / 2 inch scale (actually three eighths of an inch)Chrome plated pickup covers, ... more

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

Find more vintage guitars for sale at vintageguitarsforsale.co