The Gibson Rex Brown Signature Thunderbird bass guitar is highly regarded as one of the most versatile and sought-after basses available. Designed by Rex Brown, it draws inspiration from iconic bassists like John Paul Jones, Pino Palladino, Jaco Pastorius, Tom Hamilton, and Geddy Lee. Despite this, it has its unique sound and style.
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Rex Brown
The Non-Reverse Thunderbird has been a classic choice for forward-thinking bassists since 1965. Its distinctive styling and thunderous tone make it a standout on stage and in the studio. The Non-Reverse Thunderbird features a non-reverse bridge, a shortened neck, and a nut and saddle for extra sustain.
The Thunderbird features an active/passive master tone control and includes Rex Brown’s signature on the pickup and truss rod covers. A doodle is also featured on the control backplate and truss rod cover. This guitar is available in a black finish with gold hardware.
Known as the bass player of Pantera, Rex Brown has been an integral part of many musical projects over the past four decades. He has also performed with Crowbar, Kill Devil Hill, and Down. The Rex Brown Thunderbird bass from Gibson combines an unmatched feel and tone with a unique blend of style and function.
The Thunderbird is the first bass from Pantera’s bassist Rex Brown’s collaboration with Gibson. It features a mahogany body with a slimmer-than-usual profile and a rosewood neck with twenty Medium Jumbo frets. It also features “Rexbucker” Thunderbird pickups and a push/pull control.
Gibson
The Gibson Rex Brown Signature Thunderbird is a classic electric bass featuring golden hardware and a mahogany body. Its active electronics include a Hipshot bridge and Mini-Clover tuners. The instrument also features a 12-inch-radius rosewood fretboard with 20 medium jumbo frets and a Graphtech nut and saddle. The guitar is available at select global dealers and on the Gibson website.
Rex Brown has been involved in several music projects over the past four decades. The Thunderbird bass from Gibson is built with a stealthy Ebony finish and golden hardware, which is the color of Rex Brown’s signature bass.
The Thunderbird is available in ebony, gloss, or ebony finishes. Its mahogany body has a slim profile neck, and Rexbucker pickups have active and passive modes. It also comes with a modern series hardshell case and Rex Brown’s signature on the truss rod cover.
Thunderbird bass
This bass has a classic mahogany body and features an array of Gibson upgrades. It has a Hipshot bridge and Drop D Xtender for rock-solid intonation and features Rexbucker T-Bird pickups with push-pull action. It also features gold hardware and Rex Brown’s signature doodle on the backplate.
Rex Brown is an American multi-instrumentalist whose career spans over four decades. He has worked with such notable bands as Pantera, Down, and Kill Devil Hill. His bass signature Gibson Thunderbird features a mahogany body and gold hardware. He is renowned for his heavy-picking technique and great sense of groove, and his Thunderbird bass has a look to match. Rex Brown’s name and signature are etched on the truss rod cover, while his signature doodle is inlaid on the backplate. The bass also comes with a Gibson Modern Series hardshell case.
Rexbucker pickups
The Rex Brown Thunderbird is a classic electric bass with Rexbucker pickups. This guitar features a mahogany body and is constructed with Rexbucker T-Bird pickups that can be switched between active and passive modes. It features a rosewood fingerboard, 20 frets, and an integrated bridge. The guitar also features a Rex Brown signature on the backplate and truss rod cover. It also comes with a Modern Series hardshell case.
Rex Brown is a multi-instrumentalist who made his name in the music industry with the ’71 Thunderbird bass. He has worked with several famous bands, including Pantera and Down, and has crafted a guitar that embodies his distinctive style. It is available in a gloss ebony finish. The guitar is fitted with Gibson Rexbucker pickups capable of switching between active and passive modes. The Thunderbird features gold hardware and a truss rod cover featuring Brown’s signature.
The Thunderbird is the first collaboration between Brown and Gibson and has been in production for nearly two and a half years. It features a mahogany body with a slimmer-than-usual profile and a 34-inch scale with a 12-inch rosewood fretboard. The bass also has two volume knobs and a master tone knob. The tone knob also toggles between active and passive operation.
Modern Series Hard Case
The model is available in a gloss ebony finish. Known for his work in Pantera and solo work, Rex Brown is a multi-instrumentalist. The Thunderbird features a mahogany neck, Rexbucker pickups that switch between active and passive modes, and gold hardware. Brown’s signature is placed on the truss rod cover.
The Rex Brown Thunderbird bass features a slim, mahogany neck and gold hardware set. Its active ‘Rexbucker’ T-Bird pickups are paired with matching tuners. The backplate and truss rod cover are also embellished with Brown’s signature. A Gibson Modern series hard shell case comes included with the guitar.
Whether you want to keep your Thunderbird in an office or your home, its Modern Series Hard Case will keep it safe and sound. This hard case protects your Thunderbird from damage and provides an organized home storage solution. Its streamlined design and reinforced corners make it an excellent choice for your Thunderbird.
Specs
Here’s a table summarizing the features:
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Brand | Gibson |
Model | Rex Brown Signature Thunderbird bass guitar |
Designer | Rex Brown |
Signature | Unique sound and style, signature doodle on the backplate and truss rod cover, signature on the truss rod cover |
Pickups | Rexbucker T-Bird pickups with push/pull action, switchable between active and passive modes |
Body Material | Mahogany |
Neck Material | Rosewood neck with a slim profile |
Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
Frets | 20 Medium Jumbo frets |
Scale Length | 34 inches |
Bridge | Hipshot bridge |
Tuners | Mini-Clover tuners |
Nut and Saddle | Graphtech nut and saddle |
Controls | Active/passive master tone control, push/pull control on tone knob |
Hardware | Golden hardware |
Finish | Available in gloss ebony, black finish with gold hardware |
Case | Modern Series Hard Case |
Rex Brown’s Contributions | Unique sound and style, signature doodle on backplate and truss rod cover, signature on the truss rod cover |
Electronics | Active electronics, Drop D Xtender tuners |
Collaboration Duration | In production for nearly two and a half years |
Availability | Available at select global dealers and on the Gibson website |
Notable Bassists Influencing Design | John Paul Jones, Pino Palladino, Jaco Pastorius, Tom Hamilton, Geddy Lee |
Artists Using Rex Brown Signature TB | Rex Brown (Pantera, Down, Kill Devil Hill) |
Pantera Albums | Cowboys from Hell (1990), Vulgar Display of Power (1992), Far Beyond Driven (1994), The Great Southern Trendkill (1996), Reinventing the Steel (2000) |
Tex Brown Other Projects | Down, Kill Devil Hill |
Case Features | Modern Series Hard Case with streamlined design, reinforced corners, and organized home storage solution for the Thunderbird bass |
Please note that some details may be inferred or assumed based on the provided text, and specific technical specifications (e.g., pickup resistance, dimensions) are not included due to the absence of detailed information.

Who Uses a Rex Brown Signature Thunderbird?
Rex Brown is a multi-instrumentalist and bassist known for his heavy-picking style and unique groove. Over the past four decades, he’s been involved in numerous music projects, such as Pantera and Down.
Gibson is proud to collaborate with one of metal’s most influential bass players on a signature Thunderbird guitar. This bass features a mahogany body, a slimmer neck profile, and Rexbucker pickups that switch between active and passive modes.
Pantera
Pantera began as a glam metal band from Arlington, Texas, but quickly earned notoriety for their heavy groove metal sound. They released four albums during the 1980s and have sold more than 20 million records worldwide.
Pantera began as the Abbott brothers – drummer Vinnie Paul and guitarist Dimebag Darrell – along with lead vocalist Terry Glaze. Later, Phil Anselmo replaced Glaze on guitar, and the band changed their sound dramatically on the 1990s Cowboys from Hell album, cementing themselves as heavy groove metal pioneers.
After Pantera’s success, their frontman, Philip Anselmo, began experiencing back issues and decided to leave the band. In 1995, he quit due to pain from years of performing onstage.
The PANTERA of Gibson Rex Brown Signature Thunderbird features a mahogany body and gold hardware. It includes active electronics, Drop D Xtender tuners, and a Golden pickguard. The guitar has a mahogany body and a Modern Series hardshell case.
Rex Brown has participated in many musical projects over the past four decades. He is best known for his work with the bands Pantera and Down. He is known for his heavy-picking style and great sense of groove. Gibson has teamed up with Rex to create a Thunderbird bass that honors his style and aesthetic.
Down
Multi-instrumentalist Rex Brown is best known for his work with Pantera and Down, where he showcases his heavy-picking style and unique sense of groove. Gibson has joined forces with Rex to create a Thunderbird that pays homage to this unique aesthetic.
The bass is crafted with a mahogany body in an ebony finish. Featuring a slim neck profile and Rexbucker pickups with active and passive modes, this bass is ready for anything.
This guitar features gold hardware and Rex Brown’s signature on the truss rod cover, plus it comes with a Gibson Modern Series hard shell case.