Gibson Thunderbird Bass

This is an interesting piece we took into our shop recently. It is a model year 2014 prototype Thunderbird. It did go into production but, the production models did not feature the same hardware, pickups and controls as the prototype. Practically brand new, this bass is ready to play and has been professionally setup here at the shop. 

The controls on this particular bass are a little tricky but they are functional. The switches individually coil tap the humbucking pickups (One switch for each pickup) the third switch will switch which coil in the bridge pickup is hot when the pickup is coil tapped. The knobs are individual pickup volume and a Master tone. The circuit is passive.

The design is a 9-ply Multi-laminate, neck-through style bass. It features a Babicz Full Contact bridge on it. If you are not familiar with them you can check them out online. 

The bass also includes the original hard shell case.

Neck

• NeckWood Species:   Mahogany/Walnut neck thru
  
• Pieces:   9 ply multi laminate 
  

Details

• Truss Rod: Thunderbird
  
• Profile:Rounded
  
• Thickness at Fret 1:20.09 mm / .790"Thickness at Fret 12:23.75 mm / .930"
  

Other 

• Materials:  Franklin Titebond 50
  
• Average Weight:  1.72 kg / 3.8 lb 
  
• Peg Head Type:  Thunderbird
  
• Headstock Angle:  10 degrees
  
• Tonal, Resonant, and/or Technical Effect:  The mahogany/walnut neck through construction provide maximum sustain and strength. 
  
• Neck Fit Joint Angle:  2.0 degrees
  
• Joint Angle Tolerance:  0 deg 0 min 15 sec
  
• Type:  Neck through break angle
  
• Gauges Used:  Pitch Height Gauge, Alignment Gauge
  

Nut

• Style:
  

Classic

• Material:
  

Tektoid

• Width:
  

3.810 cm / 1.50"

• Slots:
  

E: 2.67 mm / 0.105"
A: 2.16 mm / 0.085"
D: 1.65 mm / 0.065"
G: 1.14 mm / 0.045"
B:
e: Fingerboard

• Wood Species:
  

Rosewood

• Pieces:
  

1

• Shade:
  

Dark Fingerboard Details

• Radius:
  

30.48 cm / 12"

• Frets:
  

20

• Nut/End of Board:
  

3.810 cm / 1.50" @ nut, 5.9944 cm / 2.360" @ end of board

• Scale:
  

86.36 cm / 34"

• Binding:
  

none

• Side Dots (Color):
  

white Fingerboard Inlays

• Style:
  

Dot

• Material:
  

Mother of Pearl

• Dimensions:
  

6.3246 mm / 0.249"

• Average Weight:
  

117.93 gm / 4.16 oz

PickupsRhythmLead

• Style:
  

Rhy EB BassLead EB Bass

• Winds/Coil: Screw side/Slug side:
  

6000 / 60007000 /7000

• Material of Wire (gauge):
  

Copper (42)Copper (43)

• Coil Dimensions (per coil):
  

18.54 mm x 80.64 mm / 0.730" x 3.175"18.54 mm x 80.64 mm / 0.730" x 3.175"

• Coil Material:
  

FiberFiber

• Coil Winding Process:
  

Machine woundMachine wound

• Pole Piece Material:
  

Alnico V Rod MagnetAlnico V Rod Magnet

• Pole Piece Position from Nut:
  

67.95 cm / 26.75"78.74 cm / 31.0"

• Slug Material:
  

Alnico V rod magnetAlnico V rod magnet

• Magnet Material:
  

Alnico V Rod MagnetAlnico V Rod Magnet

• Magnet Position from Nut:
  

69.8 cm / 27.5"80.65 cm / 31.75"

• Magnet Dimensions:
  

7.92 mm x 15.87 mm /0.312" x 0.625"7.92 mm x 15.87 mm /0.312" x 0.625"

• Polarities:
  

North side is upNorth side is up

• Cover:
  

Black ABSBlack ABS

• Qfactor:
  

2.753.72

• ResistanceDC:
  

9.65k ohms15.01k ohms

• Resonant Frequency:
  

2902.31 Hz2417.42 Hz

Control Pocket Assembly

• Lead Volume:                                  Rhythm VolumeType: 
  

         500K Non–Linear                             500K Non–Linear

• Peak Voltage:
  

         500V                                             500V   

• Range:
  

         0–500K                                          0–500K

• Power Rating:
  

         1/4 watt above 100K ohms              1/4 watt above 100K ohms

• Resistance Tolerance:
  

         +/– 20%                                        +/– 20%

• Minimum Resistance:
  

         200 ohms                                       200 ohms  

• Master Tone Type: 500K Non–Linear
  
• Peak Voltage: 500V
  
• Range:  0–500K
  
• Power Rating:  1/4 watt above 100K ohms
  
• Resistance Tolerance:  +/– 20%
  
• Minimum Resistance:  200 ohms 
  

Capacitors:

Lead Value                    Rhythm Value
   .022 uF                        .022 uF