Members gnurph Posted September 12, 2005 Members Posted September 12, 2005 So, it's coming time to buy a new bass, And I'm strongly considering those two brand / models. Anyone have experience with either or both? Admittedly, I picked them for looks but I will test them both and maybe pick one. Oh, and a few specific questions: Is the Firebird really all that neck heavy? How do either / both basses play sitting down (comfort)?
Members Supafly Posted September 12, 2005 Members Posted September 12, 2005 The Ice man is a little uncomfortable sitting down, but bearable. I havent played a Firebird.
Members LanEvo Posted September 12, 2005 Members Posted September 12, 2005 I dunno. Let's see. Thunderbird: or Iceman: I guess I'd have to go with the Gibson. Nikki Sixx looks like he could probably kick Paul's pouty ass. Emre
Members PrestiaRules Posted September 12, 2005 Members Posted September 12, 2005 Originally posted by gnurph So, it's coming time to buy a new bass, And I'm strongly considering those two brand / models. Anyone have experience with either or both? Admittedly, I picked them for looks but I will test them both and maybe pick one. Oh, and a few specific questions: Is the Firebird really all that neck heavy? How do either / both basses play sitting down (comfort)? Firebird?? That is only the name for the guitar unless there was some rare short lived T-Bird released as a friebird that I am not aware of....don't you mean Thunderbird? I think a real Gibson T-Bird is a better choice than an Iceman if $$ is no object....if it is than check them both out closely....I would think that the Iceman is likely a bit better than an Epi T-Bird though....just MHO though I just started playing a T-Bird and love it....the neck dive on mine is not that bad...could be my 'unique' body contours (cough cough) that make it balance a little better..if so start loading up on pizza and beer
Members LanEvo Posted September 12, 2005 Members Posted September 12, 2005 For the record, I've always preferred Nikki's Warlock phase: Much better for shouting at devils, methinks. Emre
Members bholder Posted September 12, 2005 Members Posted September 12, 2005 Originally posted by LanEvo ... That's not an Iceman. This is an Iceman: I've never played an original Gibson Thunderbird, but I have to say, the original Iceman kicks major, major ass.
Members PrestiaRules Posted September 12, 2005 Members Posted September 12, 2005 Originally posted by bholder That's not an Iceman. This is an Iceman: I've never played an original Gibson Thunderbird, but I have to say, the original Iceman kicks major, major ass. yeah weren't the first/original Iceman basses somewhat different than the current ones? I thought the first ones were MIJ and of somewhat higher quality but I have never played one....
Members bnyswonger Posted September 12, 2005 Members Posted September 12, 2005 Originally posted by PrestiaRules yeah weren't the first/original Iceman basses somewhat different than the current ones? I thought the first ones were MIJ and of somewhat higher quality but I have never played one.... I played one of the new Iceman basses at GC and was mightily underwhelmed.
Members LanEvo Posted September 12, 2005 Members Posted September 12, 2005 Originally posted by bholder That's not an Iceman.This is an Iceman: Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the Ibanez Iceman based on Paul Stanley's custom guitar? Emre
Members Ravelleman Posted September 12, 2005 Members Posted September 12, 2005 Originally posted by LanEvo For the record, I've always preferred Nikki's Warlock phase: Much better for shouting at devils, methinks. Emre Funnily enough Nikki didn't like the Warlock phase himself. He just used them because they were free!
Members Texas Noise Factory Posted September 12, 2005 Members Posted September 12, 2005 Originally posted by LanEvo Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the Ibanez Iceman based on Paul Stanley's custom guitar?Emre I tihnk you're wrong. That picture shows him playing his newer Iceman ripoff... a Washburn "something or other"... Back in the 70's and 80's he played Iceman guitars. I think Steve Miller had something to do with Icemans also. Maybe it was that tricoil pickup that appeared on some of the older Icemen.... But I don't think Paul had any influence on the Iceman's design... BTW... I think a Gibson T-bird would kick an Ibanez Iceman's ass as long as its fit and finish were up to par. I still like the older black Ibanez Icemen basses more than the newer ones though. Especially the set neck one with binding... yum.
Members bholder Posted September 12, 2005 Members Posted September 12, 2005 I am of the opinion that an original Iceman will kick a current Gibson Thunderbird reissue's ass all over the planet. The current Iceman reissue, well, I haven't tried one, but given what I've read, I wouldn't bother. Now a classic Tbird vs. an original Iceman, that'd be a fair test. Don't get me wrong, I love Gibsons of all shapes and sizes, but what they've been doing to their product line lately is just criminal.
Members Rob Martinez Posted September 12, 2005 Members Posted September 12, 2005 There WAS a time in 70s when Gibson re-issues the T-bird under the name "Firebird" don't know why! That Iceman bass is cool looking, but I'll take a T-bird ANYTIME!!! STILL waiting for mine!!! Been almost 2 months!! Those pics of Nikki and Paul CRACKED me UP!!!!!
Members PrestiaRules Posted September 13, 2005 Members Posted September 13, 2005 Originally posted by Rob Martinez There WAS a time in 70s when Gibson re-issues the T-bird under the name "Firebird" don't know why!That Iceman bass is cool looking, but I'll take a T-bird ANYTIME!!!STILL waiting for mine!!! Been almost 2 months!!Those pics of Nikki and Paul CRACKED me UP!!!!! DAMN! Are ever going to put you out of your misery and deliver that thing!!???? Hope it happens soon......
Members zachoff Posted September 13, 2005 Members Posted September 13, 2005 If both of them are in decent shape, I'll always take a Gibson over an Ibanez... Unless it's an EB0
Members bassguy Posted September 13, 2005 Members Posted September 13, 2005 white thunderbird all the way!!!
Members L-1329 Posted September 13, 2005 Members Posted September 13, 2005 I am also of the opinion that those older black/ bound Icemen are totally bad-ass! I'd take one of those over any T-bird in a heartbeat, any time. Hands down.
Members zachoff Posted September 13, 2005 Members Posted September 13, 2005 Originally posted by L-1329 I am also of the opinion that those older black/ bound Icemen are totally bad-ass! I'd take one of those over any T-bird in a heartbeat, any time. Hands down. I'll take the T-Bird, sell it, and buy two Icemans Not really...
Members gnurph Posted September 14, 2005 Author Members Posted September 14, 2005 Duh yeah, Thunderbird, not Firebird. Um, had a moment of duh... But yeah. I've been leaning towards the Thunderbird a bit myself. Mostly b'cuz I like Gibsons, being a Les Paul player in the thin-string world. But, back to my question... is the Fire- I mean THUNDERbird all that neck heavy, as some say?
Members LanEvo Posted September 14, 2005 Members Posted September 14, 2005 Originally posted by Texas Noise Factory I tihnk you're wrong. That picture shows him playing his newer Iceman ripoff... a Washburn "something or other"... Back in the 70's and 80's he played Iceman guitars. I think Steve Miller had something to do with Icemans also. Maybe it was that tricoil pickup that appeared on some of the older Icemen.... But I don't think Paul had any influence on the Iceman's design...Ok. Thanks for the clarification. For some reason, I always thought that Paul Stanley had something to do with the design of the Iceman. Probably it's just because I don't know of anyone else that ever played them. Anyway, what difference does it make? Paul Stanley was a pretty sucky guitarist, even by 70's glam rock standards. OTOH, Ace Frehley was pretty kick ass. And they were all MUCH better than me at playing in 6-inch platform shoes and greasepaint. Man, Kiss was some wierd phenomenon. Emre
Members the hammer Posted September 14, 2005 Members Posted September 14, 2005 Ok heres the downlow on the Iceman guitar Ibanez in Japan used to go by the name of Greco. They made Steve Miller a special Iceman with the tricoil pickup called the Sizzlebolt and he played and recorded with it. Steve Millers had active tone controls and apparently sounded much better than the other "Sizzlebolt" Icemen because the few I've played sucked. Paul Stanley had Greco make him a few Icemen when Kiss first toured Japan. The changes that he had on his guitars were mostly cosmetic and for a while Ibanez released a "Paul Stanley" Iceman. The 70's and 80's Icemen kicked ass. Rick Neilson of Cheap Trick also had Greco make him a few Icemen to his specifications when he toured Japan. You can see them on the original vinyl LP of "Live At Budokan" and IIRC there was a Rick Neilson Greco Iceman released in Japan. The Iceman bass released in the 90's came in two versions. A set neck which kicked ass and a bolt-on which was pretty good as well. The current basses have a bolt-on neck and are not even remotely as good as the 90's basses. If the choice was between a Gibson t-bird and one of the new Iceman basses then the T-bird is the clear choice. If it is a 90's set neck Iceman that would be a tough decision. I would have to have both:D
Members zachoff Posted September 14, 2005 Members Posted September 14, 2005 Originally posted by LanEvo Anyway, what difference does it make? Paul Stanley was a pretty sucky guitarist, even by 70's glam rock standards. OTOH, Ace Frehley was pretty kick ass. And they were all MUCH better than me at playing in 6-inch platform shoes and greasepaint. Man, Kiss was some wierd phenomenon.Emre Dude, Paul Stanley is easily twice the guitarist that Ace is. Ace is a coked out waste of space these days and doesn't even get asked to tour with KISS anymore.
Members LanEvo Posted September 14, 2005 Members Posted September 14, 2005 Originally posted by zachoff Dude, Paul Stanley is easily twice the guitarist that Ace is. Ace is a coked out waste of space these days and doesn't even get asked to tour with KISS anymore. Note I said "Ace was pretty kick ass." I have no idea what he's like now. I haven't listened to Kiss since maybe 1983 or something. Stanley was a great showman, but not much of a singer or guitarist back then. Ace was actually not too bad at the time. Emre
Members Tommy Tourbus Posted September 14, 2005 Members Posted September 14, 2005 Originally posted by LanEvo Note I said "Ace was pretty :eek:
Members LAbass Posted February 5, 2006 Members Posted February 5, 2006 are pickups on icb 500 active or passive (it's dx4 on it)? thanx!
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