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Fly Guitars Interview: Mike Watt - part 4: the Gibson Thunderbird

Introduction/Minutemen | Other Bands | Gibson EB3 | Gibson Thunderbird | Other Gibson basses


Gibson Thunderbird

Mike Watt with his non-reverse Gibson Thunderbird
1966 Gibson non-reverse Thunderbird II: bridge moved up slightly so it would intonate, post holes filled and re-drilled. Bartolini preamp with bass-mid-treb equaliser mini-switch for 200/400/800hz mid frequency. Chandler Thunderbird re-issue pickup (no longer made? check this out). Bone nut. Black Grover tuners. Output jack put on side and replaced with neutrik locking 1/4" jack. Headstock repaired and whole neck painted black.

FlyGuitars Before you got into EB3s again, you were using a non-reverse Gibson Thunderbird II - what do you like about it, and what do you think about Thunderbirds in general?

Mike Watt With the reverse, the horns are too much in the way of the higher frets. I got into that with D. Boon (playing on the upper neck), but with the non-reverses it's all open for you. I got that in the early 90's. That was the good thing about touring back then, you could find basses for cheap. I got that thing, original Pelham blue. That big long headstock came off in my hands, it was all bondo. Gibson used that angled headstock for string tension, but, made the guy's weak. I added some mahogany & fiberglass on that thing. I really like the way that body was cut. The bridge was put up too close so I had them move it up a bit. I filled in the hole and moved it up.

I used that bass for the entire Contemplating The Engine Room. I got asked to do a funny session back in November, with a pop singer that won that game show, ahhhh.. Kelly Clarkson, from a producer, an old friend I knew. I brought a few basses and that's the one they liked (Non Reverse II), the sound & stuff.


FlyGuitars What are the extra switches on this bass?

Mike Watt I had them add a Bartolini preamp, with a bypass switch. There is something about, man I love them old nickel-plated Thunderbird pickups. I love them so much. I don't like the plastic new ones, you know; they are too tepid, too dampened. The closest I have come to them, for a few years, Chandler was making them, they sounded pretty close.

FlyGuitars The 60's ones are great pickups

Mike Watt Yeah man, those are fucking great pickups.

FlyGuitars Gibson did not keep records on anything.

Mike Watt One time I was playing in Kalamazoo, they closed the factory. A guy from there told me the same thing. This stuff is a mystery.

The old EB-3s were one-piece bodies, the non-reverse Thunderbirds, too. The other difference in the Thunderbirds, the non-reverses were two piece (neck & body) and the reverse was three pieces (neck and two body wings). I actually think there is better tone with the two-piece.

FlyGuitars Some people think the non-reverse Thunderbird II also sounded better than the two pickup IV.

Mike Watt I had a non-reverse IV and I liked the II better. I thought they just added another pickup? They're not the same. I sold it to a kid.

FlyGuitars Has Gibson ever approached you to do a signature bass?

Mike Watt There was talk once about making me a custom non-reverse - that was years ago and I just got caught up & torn and never followed it up. A cardinal red one you know.

FlyGuitars Everyone wishes they would reissue those. There is of course the Epiphone version....

Mike Watt Yeah they did a bolt-on neck, maybe Korean made non-reverse that had P/J pickups. It was nothing! I went into a store, boy... Whoof. It is a good body shape, besides that, it yeah, was nothing, like a Squire P bass.


Youtube Video Clips
Mike Watt playing Thunderbird - click the images to view clips

Big Train / The Red and the Black, with Pat Smear, Eddie Vedder and Dave Grohl
Mike Watt - In the Engine Room

Left - Big Train / The Red and the Black, with Pat Smear, Eddie Vedder and Dave Grohl. Right - Mike Watt, In the Engine Room




Thanks to John (Redbird) Fertig and Mike Watt for making this interview possible, and to Peter Whitfield for use of some great Photos

Why not check out some of these other sites
Mike Watt's homepage
Iggy Pop / Stooges homepage
Kelly Clarkson homepage

Gibson Thunderbird bass guitars for sale

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Used 2022 Gibson Non-Reverse Thunderbird Bass, Faded Pelham Blue

Used 2022 Gibson Non-Reverse Thunderbird Bass, Faded Pelham Blue

Tampa, Florida, 336**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1665

With thunderous Gibson sound and style jam-packed into one of the most infamous bass models of all time, the Gibson Non-Reverse Thunderbird Bass will have you soaring on stage. Built in America in 2022, this awesome bass has a mahogany solidbody, a matching rounded-profile neck and an Indian rosewood fingerboard. The dual Thunderbird pickups have a powerful, gritty tone, each with individual pickup controls and a master tone to round out and stabilize your sound
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Used 2022 Gibson Non-Reverse Thunderbird Bass, Inverness Green

Used 2022 Gibson Non-Reverse Thunderbird Bass, Inverness Green

Tampa, Florida, 336**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1665

With unique, superb playability and absolutely dripping with style, the 2022-model Gibson Non-Reverse Thunderbird Bass holds true as a fantastic bass guitar. It features a mahogany solidbody with a matching neck and an Indian rosewood fingerboard. Two Thunderbird pickups can be individually controlled via the volume control set and a master tone, while the Hipshot Ultralite tuning machines give a crisp tonal lock
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1965 Gibson Thunderbird IV Bass in Pelham Blue oh-so rare & cool you need it !

1965 Gibson Thunderbird IV Bass in Pelham Blue oh-so rare & cool you need it !

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$13495

These 2nd issue ??Non-Reverse?? 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 Pelham Blue all over its neck & body. Very little yellowing but she??s has plenty of playtime wear. These tend to get funky from playing in ... more
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2022 Gibson Thunderbird IV "Rex Brown" Signature Bass cool clean & unplayed !

2022 Gibson Thunderbird IV "Rex Brown" Signature Bass cool clean & unplayed !

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2250

Multi-instrumentalist Rex Brown is well-known for his work with legendary metal bands Pantera, Down, and Kill Devil Hill, and his hard-rocking solo album, Smoke on Thisâ??¦ His mint Gibson Rex Brown Signature Thunderbird bass features a mahogany neck and body, and gold hardware with a Hipshot bridge and tuners (including a Drop D Xtender). A pair of powerful Rexbucker T-Bird pickups provide plenty of output and low-end punch. The master tone control is equipped with a push / pull switch that ... more
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Gibson Nikki Sixx Signature Blackbird Thunderbird Electric Bass w /  OHSC

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Bass guitar string mute From 1966 Gibson Thunderbird

Bass guitar string mute From 1966 Gibson Thunderbird

Cumming, Georgia, 300**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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This bass guitar string mute is a must-have for any Gibson Thunderbird owner. Made in 1966, this mute is a rare find for collectors and musicians alike. It is designed to fit perfectly on your bass guitar and provides a unique sound that is sure to impress
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Vintage Gibson 6 String Thunderbird Bass Electric Sunburst Guitar with Gig Bag

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Gibson Thunderbird IV Bass EB

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Berlin, 12***, GERMANY

€1490

Gibson Thunderbird IV Bass EB
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GIBSON THUNDERBIRD NON-REVERSE Electric Bass Guitar

GIBSON THUNDERBIRD NON-REVERSE Electric Bass Guitar

Chubu, UNITED KINGDOM

£2336

GIBSON THUNDERBIRD NON-REVERSE Electric Bass Guitar
Description
The Non-Reverse Thunderbird has been loved by advanced bassists since its release in 1965
Each of the two Thunderbird pickups has a volume control so you can use them individually or blend them to your liking
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Metallica??s Jason Newsted Owned And Played Gibson  Thunderbird Bass 1987

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Meidrim, SA33***, UNITED KINGDOM

£7900

This bass was owned and played by Jason Newsted. I bought this bass from a renowned auction house in the US in 2022. I have documents to prove authenticity and legitimacy. Please ask if you are seriously interested

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60s EPIPHONE by GIBSON EMBASSY DELUXE BASS - made in USA - THUNDERBIRD SOUND

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60's Epiphone by Gibson Embassy Deluxe Bass - made in USA:
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60s EPIPHONE by GIBSON EMBASSY BASS USA - THUNDERBIRD SOUND - LONG SCALE

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60's Epiphone by Gibson Embassy Deluxe Bass - made in USA:
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+ mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, LONG SCALE, has 4 minor SURFACE stress cracks below tuners=check last 3 pics
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Gene Simmons KISS Stage played Gibson G2 Thunderbird Bass inkl Koffer
Gene Sinmons hat diesen Bass auf mehreren Kiss Gigs 2022 live gespielt, zuletzt 2022 in Paris
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Gibson Thunderbird non reverse Inverness green

Gibson Thunderbird non reverse Inverness green

London, W5***, UNITED KINGDOM

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i m selling this beautyful gibson thunderbird non reverse in MINT condition, action low very good playability, low action thunderous tone, is complete with all the papers and cerification, i bought the bass new from guitar guitar.... more
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Gibson Thunderbird Bicentennial 1979 - Natural

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London, N13***, UNITED KINGDOM

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Weight: 9 73 lbs
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1987 GIBSON BASS IV - Made in USA - THUNDERBIRD PICKUPS

1987 GIBSON BASS IV - Made in USA - THUNDERBIRD PICKUPS

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£1090

1987 GIBSON BASS IV - made in USA :
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