QUESTION

I just about had a heart attack yesterday when I opened up my bass case. I have a 1964 Gibson Thunderbird Bass guitar. I have owned it for 30 years ans have had no problems with this bass . Several years ago I stopped playing and stored the bass in the closed in a safe and dry area as to protect it no basement or attic. The other day I opened up the case and the headstock was broke and I nearly had a heart attack . I know for a fact that nobody touched this I live alone how is this possible and what is the bass worth now in this condition

REPLY

What a drag those basses are awesome. You are dealing with the most fragile bass ever made by any company on the planet. Even the hofner bass is likely to weather the storm better than these. but as you know these are the coolest looking and monster sounding basses ever made.  Well first of all you are not the first person this happened to . The problem lies in the design of the bass. I can tell you 50% of the basses we have owned in store have had broken or repaired necks . it is almost a given with them. Most are done by dropping , banging and case issues.

First of all if you note you have a large paddle headstock with 2 pounds of metal tuners all coming done to a thin but and thin neck area this is the problem. In you case I am willing to bet the bass was not tuned down before it was stored, wood expands and contracts and basically a one of these tuned to pitch stored away is an accident ready to happen,. just imagine all that strong tensioned weight all pulling on that small nut area on the neck.

Anyone who owns these should do two things d-tune it before you store it . also get a real case most breaks were cases by the cases design which was flawed from day one. get a good case that supports the neck and then loosen stings and you Will be fine

As far as price goes unfortunately the bass is worth half of what it was . You Will still make money but not as much I think a real bass isn this market is 8500 and yours is wort about 4000 now. if it is all original and in good shape. it is an easy fox just do not cheap out spend the extra few bucks and have it done correct with a nitro finish not poly!!!!

The other good news is the bass will still sounds as good and plays as good so if you are a player you still have a winner and one of the coolest basses ever made. If you need any otehr help please e mail me at THE PARTS DRAWERand I wil be glad to help