Well, I had the pleasure of playing a brand spanking new Thunderbird 2 days ago. This was the scenario.. I went to Wembley Guitars(erm, in Wembley), and tried out most of the basses they have in there, thru an Orange 500wt Bass Terror and an Orange SP410. Starting with 2 Fret kings, moving to Squire, Epiphone, then Fender and Music Man. There was only one guitar left in the challenge before I took the TB off the hook, and that was the 60th Anniversary Precision. What I was wanting to do was set everything up so the TB would ultimately fail against my best choice, so I could go away saying I gave her a go, but she could never match against a Precision.
Off the hook she came....
and I loved her
A deep, rich, warm tone, for a very light weight guitar. The neck was a joy, smooth, dead straight and very slim. I play a '62 P, and my floor boards are skinnier. Neck dive? I was playing with a synthetic strap, whilst wearing my finest poly-cotton work polo top, all super slippy slidey, and it was fine. If I wanted the head to fall it did, if I didnt it didnt. I think this TB neck dive issue needs to be finally put to bed. Although it is alive and kicking in the Fret Kings (Non reverse) and the Epi bolt on.. Horrendous!
An assistant and I went head to head with the TB and 60th P, swapping both guitars thru Orange and Mark Bass, and the truth is that they are both fantastic. The P is bright and at the front, where as the TB is a slow burner but with a real depth of character. The P is like Church Bells ringing, whereas the TB is a Grand Piano. It felt great in my hands, and in my opinion looks great. But, I love Harley's, and don't get Jap sports bikes, but many people do, and each to their own. I think the TB is a great piece of Art Deco design.
Yes, I do have some criticisms...
The bridge pup alone sounds bobbins. The neck had to be dialled in.
The covers on the pup's are plasticky looking, and a high end bass deserves better.
The bridge is on 3 stilts sitting above the body, how can the bridge be resonating thru the body? As Paul said, unleash the tone with a Hipshot, and I can believe how.
I was in there for a good few hours, all whist skiving off work, and fair play to the staff, they let me get on with it, and there was no pressure or hassle.