Gibson Custom Thunderbird Tobacco Burst Perimeter Original

A Modern Thunderbird, True to the Spirit of 1963

Born in the early 1960s, the Thunderbird stood out with its bold asymmetrical design and a sonic identity built to command the low end with authority. This current version brings back the Reverse shape that made the model legendary, while adopting a more accessible approach for everyday use: a mahogany set neck, a modern profile, and hardware designed for both the stage and the studio. The result: the iconic look is still there, with more immediate playability and easier setup.

Who is it for, and what styles does it suit?

This Thunderbird is aimed at the intermediate to advanced bassist looking for an electric bass with a strong personality, capable of occupying space in a mix effortlessly. It excels in rock, hard rock, stoner, punk, metal, and any style where a dense low end and assertive presence are expected. The long 34" / 863.6 mm scale length provides the familiar string tension preferred by bassists accustomed to modern standards, with excellent definition on low notes.

The Sound

The combination of a mahogany body and mahogany neck promotes a rich low end, full low mids, and natural sustain, perfect for lines that need to remain stable and thick. The two EB Bass humbuckers deliver a powerful, full-bodied sound: the neck pickup emphasizes depth and warmth, while the bridge pickup provides more attack and bite to cut through the mix more effectively.
The electronics are deliberately straightforward and effective: one volume control per pickup for precise control over each source (neck pickup solo, bridge pickup solo, or an exact blend), plus a master tone control for moving from an open, lively tone to a darker, rounder register. The Hipshot Supertone bridge makes it easy to fine-tune the intonation and action, allowing you to adapt the instrument to your playing style (fingerstyle, pick playing, or hard attacks) and string gauge.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

To retain the response and tension intended by the long scale length, we recommend a 34" / 863.6 mm long-scale bass string set (nickel or steel, depending on the desired bite). A standard strap is also suitable for playing standing up, which is useful for a bass with a stage-oriented body design.

Technical specifications

Shape	Thunderbird	Inlays	acrylic dots
Binding	N/A	Tailpiece	N/A
Construction	set neck	Knobs	Black Top Hat with silver reflector
Profile	SlimTaper	Neck pickup	EB Bass (humbucker)
Nut width	1.6" / 40.64 mm	Bridge pickup	EB Bass (humbucker)
Scale length	34" / 863.6 mm	Controls	2 volume controls, master tone
Number of frets	20	Case	hardcase
Nut	Graph Tech