Gibson has officially launched the new Thunderbird Bass, available worldwide now in Ebony and Tobacco Burst Perimeter finishes.
Few bass guitars have a silhouette as immediately recognisable as the Gibson Thunderbird. More than six decades after its debut, the American giant has released a new version of this iconic instrument, available worldwide in Ebony and Tobacco Burst Perimeter finishes.
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Originally launched in 1963, the Thunderbird was an honestly radical design for its time. Automotive designer Ray Dietrich, the same creative mind behind the Gibson Firebird, gave the bass its bold, asymmetrical reverse body shape that still turns heads today. It was also a technical landmark for Gibson, being the first Gibson bass to feature neck-through construction and the brand’s first to use a 34″ scale length, a significant departure from the shorter 30.5″ scale that had come before.
The new model honours that legacy while bringing some well-considered modern upgrades to the table. Built around a solid mahogany body in the classic Reverse shape, it retains the raised centre section that references the original neck-through aesthetic. The set mahogany neck features Gibson’s SlimTaper profile for comfortable playability across the full range, and the Non-Reverse headstock makes for intuitive tuning. Hardware has been upgraded to Hipshot Ultralite Mini Clover tuners and a Hipshot Supertone bridge, which gives players solid intonation control and adjustable action height.
Sonically, the Thunderbird is driven by two EB Bass Humbucker pickups. These high-output humbuckers deliver that thick, punchy low end the Thunderbird is known for, with independent volume controls for blending and a master tone control for further shaping. It’s a straightforward, player-friendly setup that works across a wide range of genres.
The signature 3-ply white pickguard with Thunderbird logo is present and accounted for, and each bass ships with a Gibson hardshell case – a welcome inclusion for gigging bassists and studio players alike.
Available now in Ebony and Tobacco Burst Perimeter, the new Gibson Thunderbird Bass is ready to make its presence felt on stage and in the studio.
Head to Gibson.com for more details, and here for local enquiries.
