For Sale: 2018 Gibson Thunderbird – Bright Cherry w/ OHSC

Up for sale is a 2018 Gibson Thunderbird in the rare Bright Cherry finish, complete with its original Gibson hard-shell case.

This is a very cool modern Thunderbird with one especially desirable factory feature: the Babicz Full Contact bridge. That bridge is a meaningful upgrade over the older 3-point design, offering better sustain, improved stability, and more precise intonation. Combined with the classic neck-through construction and original Gibson humbuckers, it gives this bass the aggressive, punchy Thunderbird sound players look for, along with a little more refinement in the setup and feel.

Condition

This bass is in excellent condition and I would rate it a solid 9/10. It shows light scratches, some finish checking, and a small crack in the plastic pickguard near one of the screws. Please review all photos carefully for the most accurate representation of condition.

Structurally, it is in great shape. The neck is straight, the frets are in excellent condition with minimal wear, and the bass plays cleanly with no buzzing or dead spots. It has also been recently professionally set up here at Guitar Chimp for low action and excellent intonation.

The original Gibson hard-shell case is included and is in very good condition, with a clean interior and no functional issues.

Specifications

Serial Number: 180043123
Finish: Bright Cherry
Weight: 8 lbs 12 oz
Body: Mahogany Wings, Neck-Through Construction
Neck: Mahogany, ’60s Rounded Bass Profile
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Nut Width: 1.47"
Neck Depth: .76" at the 1st fret, .90" at the 12th fret
Scale Length: 34"
Pickups: Original Gibson Humbuckers
Bridge: Factory Babicz Full Contact Bridge
Case: Original Gibson Hard-Shell Case

Tone & Feel

The Thunderbird has been a standout bass design for decades for good reason. It has a huge, growling low end, strong sustain, and a feel that is unmistakably its own. This one benefits from the factory Babicz bridge, which improves intonation and stability while helping the bass feel a little more dialed in than many older Thunderbird examples.

The Bright Cherry finish is also much less common and gives it a different look than the usual black or sunburst examples.

Transparency & Photos

As with all Guitar Chimp listings, detailed photos are provided of the actual instrument. At the end of the photo set, you’ll find close-up images taken under direct lighting to highlight any wear. We don’t just describe the condition — we show it in detail so there are no surprises. Many customers tell us our guitars often arrive in better condition than expected.

Why Buy From Guitar Chimp?

With over 18 years of experience, Guitar Chimp is trusted by players and collectors worldwide for high-quality, player-ready instruments. Every guitar and bass is thoroughly inspected and professionally set up by our in-house luthier.

We are experts at shipping and have safely shipped thousands of guitars and basses all over the world. Every instrument is professionally packed, fully insured, and shipped with signature confirmation, so there is no risk to you as the buyer. We know how to pack and ship instruments so they arrive safely.

📞 Call/Text: (801) 317-9013
💬 Message anytime — always happy to help!

This 2018 Gibson Thunderbird in Bright Cherry is a clean, great-playing example in a rarer finish, with the added benefit of the factory Babicz bridge and the original hard-shell case.

🎸 Jerald – Guitar Chimp
Providing The Finest Guitars, Basses & Amps Since 2006