Introduced in 1963, the Thunderbird IV was Gibson’s latest four string offering featuring the ground breaking stylings of Raymond H. Dietrich and through neck construction. Alongside the Firebird they were ahead of their time. This is the not so common Thunderbird IV and is rare to see anywhere...

This example belonged to Bill Kinsley of The Merseybeats and Liverpool Express (to name but a few) and has been his main instrument ever since it was bought from Selmers in 1964. His companion through countless tours and stages all over the world, its this bass that sent John Entwhistle on his Thunderbird journey, the two having shared a stage in the 70s.

If you scroll down you will see a link to a YouTube video of Bill playing this with Chuck Berry..

The bass is in great shape considering the miles it’s traveled. It's been oversprayed as you can see by the fact the screw holes on the top are filled in. There is a little chip to the wood near the control cavity but otherwise it hasn’t not been beaten up.

The neck is in good shape with what look to be the original frets. It looks to have been broken at some stage and well repaired. The fretboard is in good shape.

Plastics are as you'd expect with some fade evident. The gold of the Gibson logo has been repainted on the trussrod cover. The hardware is quite corroded and might need some attention to work properly.

Electrically the pickups are correct as are two of the pots date at week 46 of 1963. The tone control is missing its capacitor and wiring has been changed.

It comes with a hardshell case.

Unlike most Gibson basses, the Thunderbird has a 34” scale length. Plugged in there's a growl and definition to the sound that is uniquely the Thunderbird’s. 

If this bass could talk… A piece of British Pop and Rock history, there's surely a Thunderbird shaped hole in your collection?