GRECO TB-900 VINTAGE MIJ THUNDERBIRD BASS 1979 ***VERY RARE*** w/OHSC

GRECO TB-900 VINTAGE MIJ THUNDERBIRD BASS 1979 ***VERY RARE*** w/OHSC

"The sustain, just listen to it -- ?"
"I'm not hearing anything."
"You would though, if it were playing..."

The word 'rare' gets almost as overused as surreal or that perennial favourite, I'm busy...

For once we can apply it accurately because here is the legendary single pickup Greco Thunderbird Bass, the TB-900. Has to be the wide-mouth frog of the Japanese bass world. You really don't see many of these about nowadays.

Condition

Seldom does one come across any T-Bird bass without a few scars. Mostly because being the rather sexy shape they are, they don't see eye to eye with standard guitar stands or hard floors. 

However, this one was produced in 1979 and it's in very good to excellent condition for its 45 years. 

A few minor blemishes to the body plus a very mild case of buckleitis. The most notable flaw is a chip to the headstock face between the first two tuning posts. We have endeavoured to expose these minimal horrors as horrifically as possible in the photos.

Overall, you'd have to say it's in fantastic shape for its age. 

Plus, the bass appears to be all original - hardware, pick guard, controls and above all, that demonic pickup. It's only a single coil as far as I can tell but something about the placement and the design makes it truly monstrous.

This is beautifully set up with a lovely low action from bottom to top - playing it is a genuine delight. 

Sound

Ever tried taking a chewy marrow bone away from a pit bull? Best not to.

You ain't heard growling if you ain't heard one of these mahogany beasties at work.

Menacing is the adjective that gets closest. Imagine the aural equivalent of a Great White fin slicing the surface.

As for the extraordinary sustain, I refer you to the N. Tuffnell quote above. Just a wee flick of a string and it goes on and on and on... When I first played one of these, I honestly found myself checking if I was feeding back because I wasn't used to that degree of sustain. Gets your damping technique up to speed PDQ and no error.

So, In summary

One pickup, two knobs and a plug hole. Doesn't seem all that inspiring. Until you play and hear it.

This is a rare-as-rocking-horse-faecal-matter master build quality Japanese bass from the 70s in lovely condition. Even comes with the original Greco 'Faultless' bass case which is super-clean inside and out.  

Overall, a right bloody monkey! as my dear old dad might have said. And there's a man who knew what he was on about.

Specs

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Maple (mahogany finish) set through-body design
• Fingerboard: Rosewood 20 frets w/dot inlay position markers
• Scale: 33 1/2" / 85cm
• Nut: 1.71" / 43.5mm
• Pickup: Greco PU-200
• Controls: 1 x Volume; 1 x Tone
• Weight: 9.5lbs / 4.3kg
• Complete with original Greco 'Faultless' Case (excellent condition)

WORLDWIDE SHIPPING AVAILABLE

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Everything for sale in this Reverb shop is coming from a 40+years personal collection of guitars, basses, amps & studio gear.

As the shop name suggests these are predominantly Vintage, Eclectic or Japanese - so if you are looking for something specific, please get in touch. Maybe we have got something you've been searching for.

VEJ

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Note On Shipping:

We want you to be fully satisfied with everything - from the item itself (naturally!) through the shipping, packaging, communication etc.

Of course there is nothing we can do about customs duty, local taxes etc at your end. But we can keep the overall price as competitive as is decently possible.

The Japan post office service (EMS) is reliable and efficient but shipping costs from Japan to Europe or the states are unavoidably expensive.

For this reason none of the shipping costs we quote reflect the actual price we have to pay. We are more than willing to take a hit on that to make things as attractive for you as possible.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vintage Instruments & Equipment

Shipping by air plus climatic changes can affect how a guitar is set up - no matter how well it is packed. Consequently there is no guarantee that an instrument arrives with exactly the same set up as stated. After a period of acclimatisation, you may still need to make any adjustments at your own expense.