The Gibson Thunderbird Bass Is Back: 2026 Model Gets Modern Upgrades
Gibson has relaunched the Thunderbird Bass for 2026 in a version that they say “blends the spirit of the original with modern craftsmanship and performance.” The model, first introduced in 1963, was a historic step in Gibson’s bass lineage, as it was the first bass in their line to feature neck-through construction and a long 34-inch scale, departing from the shorter 30.5-inch scale used previously.
The new Gibson Thunderbird Bass comes in Ebony and Tobacco Burst Perimeter finishes. It’s crafted with a solid mahogany body with a Reverse shape, including a raised center section to evoke the early neck-through design. The new bass, however, features a glued-in, set mahogany neck with a SlimTaper profile. Gibson fits it with Hipshot Ultralite Mini Clover tuners and a Hipshot Supertone bridge.
Its pickups are a pair of EB Bass Humbuckers, which Gibson describes as high-output for “deep punch, clarity, and dynamic range.” Independent volume controls let you dial in your blend with a Master Tone to provide overall shaping.
The 2026 Gibson Thunderbird Bass is available now for $2,499.
Gibson Thunderbird Bass 2026 Photos:
Gibson Thunderbird Bass 2026 Specs:
| Construction: | Glued-in Set Neck |
| Scale: | 34″ |
| Body: | Mahogany |
| Neck: | Mahogany |
| Neck Shape: | SlimTaper |
| Fingerboard: | Rosewood |
| Nut: | Graph Tech |
| Nut Width: | 1.6″ |
| Frets: | 20 |
| Inlays: | Acrylic Dot |
| Pickups: | EB Bass Humbuckers |
| Electronics: | Passive |
| Controls: | 2 Volume, Master Tone |
| Bridge: | Hipshot Supertone |
| Tuners: | Hipshot Ultralite Mini-Clover |
| Finish: | Ebony, Tobacco Burst Perimeter |
| Other: | Gibson Hardshell Case |
| Orientation: | Right-Hand Only |
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
Does it still has the neck dive?!
The TBird has always had the look, but Gibson has a lot to overcome from the ergonomics of past models. Weight and balance have been the negatives that needed to be addressed. I hope the changes helped with that. The set neck vs. the neck through design might have changed the overall tone and perhaps the feel of the bass. The price point puts it in a class of well known and highly respected basses. Maybe the changes will make it a competitor.