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1963 Gibson Thunderbird Bass Guitar *Owned by Famed W R Tony Dukes Guns International #: 102497667 Seller's Inventory #: Category: Accessories - American - Seller's Information When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com Seller: Elephant & Castle Fine Arms Company: Elephant & Castle Fine Arms Member Since: 5/22/07 State: Missouri Zip: 65721 Country: United States Phone: (417) 581-4570 Fax: (417) 581-1873 Platinum Seller Seller: FFL Dealer Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns. 3 days Payment Types Accepted: Cashiers Check,Money Order About Us: 3-Day Inspection does NOT apply to NIB Firearms and does NOT Apply to other Firearms unless the Description in the Listing of the Firearm is Different than what is Shipped. Description: 1963 Gibson Thunderbird Bass Guitar Owned by famed Texas bassist W R Tony Dukes who played in the Austin Texas band Project Terror and The Effect He was a vintage guitar dealer and played and supplied instruments to legendary artists like Stevie Ray Vaughn SRV, Eric Clapton, The Allman Brothers, Ted Nugent, The Eagles, Billy Gibbons, Bo Didley, Charlie Daniels, Christopher Cross, Joe Walsh and others Included with purchase of this bass, we have many, many photos of Tony with these artists In 1984 Tony was working for International Music Corporation (IMC) and procured Stevie Ray Vaughn two of the lawsuit model Tokia guitars which one was featured on the Texas Flood album cover for SRV This bass was purchased in 1963 at Macmillan Music in San Angelo TX by Lewis Elliot, who recorded and played with J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers who appeared on the Dick Clark show and their current tour and used in their #1 hit Last Kiss Joe Dell Crunk of the Continental's was the second owner, was handled by 13 Floor Elevators and Tony purchased it from T. Gosney Thornton, a well known singer/songwriter Original sunburst finish White Thunderbird etched pick guard The body was "reversed" with its lower horn sticking out further than its top horn. In 1965, the body was switched to a "non-reversed" configuration. Neck through construction Head stock expertly repaired and finish match on neck 34" scale neck Double cutaway solid body Mahogany body, Mahogany neck, Rosewood fingerboard Single Humbucker pickup Dot inlays Great overall condition and feels great in the hand A true piece of history that greats have played on! Channel your creativity through this great bass Includes leather strap Includes EXCELLENT condition original Gibson hard case with pink fur One of the rarest and most beautiful basses ever made the Reverse Gibson Thunderbird, 3 year production only '63-'65 This is the write up that Ted Nugent did on Bowhunting I would like to introduce my fellow hunters to a great American and wonderful Texan. I first met Tony Dukes way back in the roaring 70s in the wild world of rock-n-roll. As a respected bass player and guitar aficionado, Tony had earned a great reputation in the musical world for performing real down home all American blues and rhythm and blues, and probably more importantly, identifying, finding and selling vintage Gibson Les Paul guitars way before the rest of the world figured out their unique and about to explode values. I bought two world class collectables from him back then, and they are now worth about fifty times what I paid for them. That intense musical connection would have been more than enough to establish a solid friendship with this spunky Texan, but as the song says, I want the best of both worlds, and Tony Dukes was a lifelong hunter of the highest order, so to say we struck it off immediately would be a gross understatement. Before our 40 year jam session was even started, plans were set in stone for Tony to introduce this Motown North woods bowhunter to the incredible hunting opportunities of the mighty Lone Star State, and clearly I haven’t been the same since. Ted with Tony Dukes. Tony was a master marksman with his pre-64 Winchester model 70 .264 Winchester magnum, a savvy, stealthy hunter and a classic ambassador and promoter for his beloved Texas. Many a glowing campfire was shared with Tony, his parents Faye and Nelson Dukes, along with my dad Warren Nugent and my son Toby and daughter Sasha. Sasha killed her first beautiful Texas whitetail buck near Rock Springs in the winter of 1981 on Seco Mayfield’s ranch and it hangs on the wall to this day. I suppose if you are looking to blame someone for bringing me to Texas, Tony would be more than happy to shoulder the responsibility. Texas is special, and I’ve never met anyone who better represents the genuine neighborliness and friendly hospitality like Tony did. On this dark, rainy morning, the first in many months too nasty to be in my treestand, the drought busting rains finally comes just as Tony leaves. His long time pain is gone now, his heartbreaking frustration from not being well enough to hunt finally over, Tony died last night in his hospice bed in Dallas, at 5pm. I was in my stand at the time, and there was a defining silence to the Texas Hill Country that Tony so loved. Tony with good friend Toby Keith. In his final years after being diagnosed with terminal health complications, Tony didn’t back down on his indefatigable efforts to help the heroes of the US Military, but rather increased his nonstop charitable activities to give back to those most deserving human beings that sacrificed dearly for freedom. Tony had organized many hunting trips and events for the wounded warriors and their families, even producing his Red White and Blue television series to bring much needed relief and joy to the heroes. We all know that the great outdoors and especially our sacred hunting time does indeed cleanse the soul, and the temporary and extended relief brought to the lives of the heroes as organized by Tony represented God’s work at its best. Tony’s body had been hit hard for a long time by his deteriorating health issues, but his warrior spirit actually got stronger, and he fought hard right up to the very end. We will go to Tony’s favorite honey-hole hunting locations around Texas, find a good shady spot where the sun is at his back, the wind in his face and with a killer view of game trails pounded into the rich Texas soil and rock. We will spread his ashes upon these sacred grounds and hunt with him forever. Tony was one lucky deer hunter and I have a feeling that his luck will permeate these areas. I look forward to hunting at his side and using some of that Tony Dukes luck every chance I can. Tony with wounded warrior. I wanted to be sure you knew this definitive Texas deer hunter, because Tony brought much spirit and positive energy wherever he went. Please remember the name Tony Dukes. He was a great man, a great American, a killer Texan, talented musician, amazing hunter, and a man with a heart of gold that gave and gave and gave and gave. Tony Dukes; from San Angelo, Texas. Remember his name. Adios mi amigo. In the Texas wind, he’s still alive. Very   Price: $19,995.00