Gaskell TBass (lefty Thunderbird) 2012

The original Thunderbird bass first appeared in 1963. Gibson never made it as a production left handed model until 2013, and only for that year. I believe they may have made one-offs here and there since the change of management in 2017.

 

In the earlier years I received many requests from lefty bassists from all around the world to make this guitar in left hand. At the time it was a much more expensive instrument to make than most of the other Gaskell models and it took some effort to build it to the intended sub-$1000 price point of the Legacy Gaskell range.

 

Eventually I released the Gaskell Thunderbird-style T-BASS in 2012. It was a one-year only model as shortly thereafter we switched to becoming 100% custom shop. 

 

I had a fresh look at the availability of left hand guitars and basses in 2023 and I learned that they still do not make lefty Thunderbird basses. While the original Gaskell Thunderbass remains a Legacy model I am willing to make the Thunderbass in Custom Shop although from 2024 I am very selective about doing Custom Shop builds.

 

And bear in mind that Gibson Guitars are taking a very aggressive path to ruining other guitar brands that make guitars similar to theirs. They succeeded with Dean Guitars in 2022 and they are continuing to "come after" the boutique builders. The question Custom Shop builders like myself have to ask ourselves now is: do I really want to take the risk?