[n!k]

Just wanted to check in about my 2007 Thunderbird I bought last November for a killer deal ($1300 new). Initially I was very concerned about Gibson's notorious QC issues, but the body was superbly cut, finish looked flawless, hardware was solid, setup wasn't bad... I was impressed.

However, the case left something to be desired. The inside of the case was cut way too big and my bass would move around in the case while I was hauling it. The body cut-out was too big and the bass just floated inside of it. A very scary ordeal with a bass with such a thin neck as the TB. I contacted Gibson and sent my case back and have not received a new one back (although it has only been just over a week and a half).

Lately we have been recording an album and I have noticed a really significant amount of hum coming through the pickups that sounds like an old jazz bass... err I mean jazzzzzzzz bazzzzzzz. I tested it out with my rig and at various places and locations and finally decided some better shielding was in order. I completely copper-taped the control cavity and figured it'd be fine (also, the neck pickup connection wasn't even soldered to the pot! It was just laying against it. Uh...). Nope, did nothing.

I broke down and took it to my tech who said the pickups were faulty. After checking it out and eliminating anything else, we looked at the pickups. One coil each was putting out a very hot signal, but the opposite coil each was hardly putting anything out at all, effectively making them single coil pickups. So now I gotta tango with Gibson customer service again and I don't want to send back the bass because the body is great and I just shielded the cavity. Regardless of the fact that I haven't got the case back yet!

So now I am trying to get replacement pickups or have them fixed(?). I have been thinking about the Seymour Duncan / 60's TB pickup option, but I want my hardware black! It's not easy being a Gibson fan and they really make it as hard as possible to be one sometimes. Any advice on anything of the above? I thought I was in the clear with the QC issues but sadly I was not.

I've been missing the Gibson forum since the dude pit has been in disarray for awhile, glad to see you guys again.

[Mastermold]

Sorry to hear all this bad news, especially since I'm looking into buying a new T-Bid. :(

Hope Gibson takes care of you -- please update when you hear.

[Redbird]

So now I gotta tango with Gibson customer service again and I don't want to send back the bass because the body is great and I just shielded the cavity.

I would still send it back if it's still under warrenty. Your not the first with this issue.

Funny how I have not heard any LP owners having the same issue?

[jules]

I'm surprised that both pickups are identically broken. This would suggest part of a larger problem for Gibson, and something you would have thought they would be aware of.

Have you contacted Gibson customer service? I wonder whether you could send the pickups back for replacements too. Perhaps phone them, and talk in person to see what they say.

[n!k]

So update:

My case came today (speak of the devil) and not a bad turn around at 1.5 weeks. It fits a lot better, and I think the white fur material is softer too. It's built better and no more slipping. Hooray.

I take the bass to the local Gibson authorized service place, a friendly in-home shop. The guy is as perplexed as I (and you, Jules) that both pickups could be affected. He also speculates it must have been possibly a bad batch, and sent in / called Gibson on the matter. I'm supposed to hear back about it within the week. I'm keeping my pickups in the bass for now, and when the new ones arrive they'll swap 'em with the old. He told me it might be awhile-- I guess he's got a guy waiting for a replacement Burstbucker for his Les Paul that's been waiting for 5 weeks now. Apparently Gibson's electronics have periods of high waiting and low waiting-- anyone want to make the easy joke about the high waiting period being so close after Christmas? :lol:

So I'm actually pretty impressed at Gibson's handling of the case, now we wait for the pickups. But alas, things are looking up. I just have to tolerate a lot more hum than I like for awhile.

[Mastermold]

Glad to hear Gibson's taking care of it -- especially since I'm still looking to get my first T-Bird in the near future. :D