Gene Simmons G2 Thunderbird Bass Launch promo

[jb_abides]

Retro-spoof commercial is good for a laugh. The Demon's tongue is firmly in cheek, as opposed to lickings thing up... or down.

Bass isn't bad. Not my thing, but well done. Swap out the pickguard, and it's not overtly a signature. Looks like a V bass is coming, if you take the logo as a signal.

 

[citson]

Not my thing either, but I’m really enjoying the content they’ve been putting out. Looking forward to that V

 

[Norton]

The launch video was fun - I'm looking forward to seeing what the V is like but I despise the hipshot bridge. If they want to migrate away from the 3-point I'd rather just see a traditional screwed on bridge of some sort used. Or better yet bring back a traditional 60's style two piece Thunderbird bridge...if they did that my wallet might fly open uncontrollably.

 

[jb_abides]

The launch video was fun - I'm looking forward to seeing what the V is like but I despise the hipshot bridge. If they want to migrate away from the 3-point I'd rather just see a traditional screwed on bridge of some sort used. Or better yet bring back a traditional 60's style two piece Thunderbird bridge...if they did that my wallet might fly open uncontrollably.

Good news for you (maybe) -

Trogly's review revealed conversion to a 3-point is easy, the 3-point bridge post studs are already there, just need to purchase a 3-pointer and screw it in. Pretty cheap conversion, IMO. So, the contents of your wallet may yet be at risk...

See mark 10:05

I like the Hipshots parts... although I'd change the pickguard, not a fan of this logo. I am OK with a skull but this is overly self-referential, too much branding, and not well executed IMO, say in contrast to how @Elliot Easton Tikibird and Tiki Maestros on his SG were done.

My other gripes, other than no lefties, are I'd prefer MOP inlays, and nickel or chrome HW. Also, want a raised headstock logo. Hell, I may as well just want a neck-thru T-Bird, FFS! Made-2-Measure, with Custom-like appointments in a Custom Color. And while I am at it, a LP bass or EB, too!

Then again, Gene is going to get what he wants on his bass... and I am sure there's a price-point marketing factor at play, i.e. the target audience.

Also, on Trogly's example: the end of the fingerboard seems to have rough unfinished areas, which, like orange peel, I had hoped would remain firmly in Gibson's past not its future. Hey, Play Authentic!



You wanted the best, you got... OK, trending better than good.

 

[Norton]

For now my wallet remains as secure as a nun's undergarments. I have this odd obsession with keeping originality of my basses so if I ever have the demonic misfortune of acquiring one I'd probably leave the hipshot there. Maybe when a used one shows up with dried fake blood damage and a toasted finish from a spitfire stunt gone awry I'll pick it up at a discount.

I do find it funny that they go to the effort of installing the front post inserts and then install that bridge - But It's not the functionality of the Hipshot I dont care for, I'm sure it works just fine and it certainly has a passionate following. I've just never liked the looks of them - the aesthetic is just off to me and the lines of it look out of place on any Gibson. The Babicz was less offensive but still seemed a bit out of place given its almost space-aged look.

Agreed 100% on the Tikibird, it had it's own identity vs the stock firebirds but the design still seemed grounded in the tradition of the originals. Now, how I wish they had made a bass version of that! I may have just handed over my wallet entirely. Put a two piece bridge on it and I'd throw in the nun's undergarments.

The pickguard and logo are a bit garish, but probably less so than the Nikki Sixx birds. Like those I could live with it, but I would only play them in hiding and never admit to owning them so as not to tarnish my reputation as a traditionalist

 

[El Gringo]

Cool commercial and a cool bass .

 

[renderit]

The commercial makes me think ol' Gene thinks like I do.

He is quite insane.

I would buy one, seriously.

But I think he already licked all of them...

 

[Norton]

I got to try one over the weekend. Fit and finish was really nice on the example I played, sounded good, same neck feel as the new NR's. Definitely made me look forward to seeing what the flying V is like.

 

[bursty]

I saw KISS one time, in July, 1976 on the Destroyer tour; Gene played a Gibson Grabber bass the entire show.

That show was the sh!* ........

opening band was Bob Segar and The Silver Bullet Band touring in support of Silver Bullet Live

$6 ticket, no tax, no service charge, back when things were 'right' and the air was full of some kinda strange smelling smokey stuff ................