Head to head
Gibson Gene Simmons G2 Thunderbird, Ebony vs Schecter Diamond-J 5 Plus LH
The verdict
The Gibson Gene Simmons G2 Thunderbird, Ebony and Schecter Diamond-J 5 Plus LH are closely matched overall — 75 to 73 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Gibson Gene Simmons G2 Thunderbird, Ebony wins on
- Better build (91 vs 65)
Schecter Diamond-J 5 Plus LH wins on
- Better playability (78 vs 72)
- Better sound (74 vs 68)
- Better value (76 vs 65)
- Lower price ($600 vs $2,799)
Scorecard
| Metric | Gene Simmons G2 Thunderbird, Ebony | Diamond-J 5 Plus LH |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 75 | 73 |
| Build | 91 | 65 |
| Playability | 72 | 78 |
| Sound | 68 | 74 |
| Value | 65 | 76 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Gene Simmons G2 Thunderbird, Ebony | Diamond-J 5 Plus LH |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Schecter |
| Type | Bass | Bass |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | — |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Alder |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Maple w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods |
| Fretboard | Ebony | Rosewood |
| Strings | 4 | 4 |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Scale | 34" | 35" |
| Pickups | Rhythm T-Bird / Lead T-Bird | Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound 5-String J SJ5-3 / Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound 5-String J SJ5-3 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $2,799 | $600 |
| Accessories | Gibson Accessory Kit | — |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer | — |
| Body shape | Thunderbird | — |
| Body Styles | Thunderbird | — |
| Bridge | Hipshot Bass Bridge | Wilkinson Bass WBBC w/Custom String Thru Body |
| Bridge pickup | Lead T-Bird | Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound 5-String J SJ5-3 |
| Case | Hardshell Case | — |
| Control Knobs | Black Top Hat with Silver Inserts | — |
| Controls | 2 Volume, Master Tone | Master Volume (Phase Push-Pull)/4-Way Rotary Pickup Selector Switch/Active Seymour Duncan 2-Band 'STC-2S-B0' EQ |
| End Of Board Width | 58.8mm / 2.32in | — |
| Finish | Black Chrome | — |
| Fretboard inlay | Pearloid Reverse Split Diamond | MOP Blocks |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 12" (305mm) |
| Fret Count | 20 | — |
| Headstock | Reverse Thunderbird | — |
| Joint | Glued In | — |
| Model | BAT4GSM00EBBC1 | — |
| Neck pickup | Rhythm T-Bird | Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound 5-String J SJ5-3 |
| Nut | Graph Tech | Graph Tech XL Ivory Tusq |
| Nut width | 40.64mm / 1.6in | 1.771" (45mm) |
| Output Jack | 1/4" | — |
| Pickguard | Mirror Plex | — |
| Profile | Rounded | — |
| Scale length | 863.6mm / 34.0in | 35" (889mm) |
| Strap Buttons | 2 | — |
| String gauges | .045, .065, .085, .105 | — |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | 2-Way Adjustable Rod w/ 5/32" (4mm) Allen Nut |
| Tuner Plating | Black Chrome | — |
| Tuners | Hipshot Mini-Clover | Schecter |
| Battery Compartment | — | 18-volt w/Screw Plate |
| Binding | — | White 1-ply |
| Construction | — | 6 Bolt-on |
| Dexterity | — | Left Handed |
| Guitar Colors | — | Ivory (IVY) |
| Hardware | — | Chrome |
| Knobs | — | Metal Knurled w/ Set Screw |
| Neck profile | — | Thin "C" |
| Thickness | — | @ 1st Fret- .826" (21mm)/ @ 12th Fret- .905" (23mm) |
| Top Contour | — | Flat Top |