Kim Gordon

On the Sonic Youth website, it says, about Kim Gordon's Thunderbird Bass:

Used by Kim: 1988-1993

Used by Jim: 2004-2005

Used by Kim: 2007-2009

NOTES:

A '76 Gibson Thunderbird acquired by Kim in 1988 to replace her Rickenbacker and Ovation basses. She stopped using it live in favour of her BC Rich during the Goo era, though it did show up at a few shows. It was used for the recording of "Dirty", however, and many 'Dirty' tour shows in '92. She also used it for the recording of "Sonic Nurse". Jim used it for the Nurse tour, and Kim revisited it for the entirety of the "Daydream Nation" shows they did, except for 'Eliminator' which she played on her EB bass. Still used on the Eternal tour.

Gauges: .105 .085 .065 .045

Wood finish

2 pick-ups

Rosewood fretboard

White pickguard

Various scribbled messages, including Mark Arm "So Messed Up - You Know It" and "Sister Rock On, Love John Bram"

Used in "Candle" & "Cinderella's Big Score" videos

In this photo, Kim Gordon can be seen with a BC Rich Mockingbird Bass.

On Sonic Youth's website, about Kim Gordon's RIckenbacker 4003, it is said:

"Used by Kim: 1988?-1990 NOTES:

Used briefly between the Ovation and the Thunderbird, or possibly in conjunction with the Thunderbird at some '89 shows. -Yellow body -1 pickup ? -Rosewood fretboard -1 toggle switch -4 knobs -White pickguard -Used in the "Silver Rocket" & "Dirty Boots" videos"

Kim Gordon can be seen with a Gibson Ripper Bass in this photo. On Sonic Youth's website it says:

"Used by Kim: 1993 NOTES:

Only seen in "Youth Against Fascism" video, no idea if it was borrowed or just one of the many spare instruments SY have accumulated. -Sunburst body -2 pickups? -Rosewood fretboard w/ C D E G markers -Black pick guard"

Gordon can be seen in this photo with a fretless Gibson Ripper Bass.

In this photo, Kim Gordon can be seen playing a Gibson EB-O. On Sonic Youth's website it says:

"Used by Kim/Jim 2002-2009 NOTES:

'69 EB-0 purchased in Austin on the Murray Street North American to replace the blue P-Bass she'd been using previously, because she was unhappy with its sound. Jim used this bass on "Kool Thing" "Kissability" and "Drunken Butterfly" when Kim isn't playing. Jim didn't seem to use this (much?) in 2004. Kim says: "I've been using the EB-0 because it's just easier and smaller [than the Thunderbird]. It only sounds good with new strings, though [usually D'addario mediums]. I'd like to have another bass that has more resonance to it, but for now this one is really fun to play live." -Red body -1 pickup -Rosewood fretboard -Black pickguard -2 knobs"

Sonic Youth's website states, about Kim Gordon's Fender Musicmaster Bass:

"Used by Kim: 1994 NOTES:

Kim used this bass in the "Bull in the Heather" video. It's similar to this one but the pickguards are different. Never used live, to my knowledge. -White body -1 pickup -Rosewood fretboard -Black pick guard"

On the Sonic Youth website, it states, of Kim Gordon's Ovation Magnum:

Used by Kim: 1983-1987

NOTES:

This was Kim's primary bass during the early-mid 80s. Kim had 2 of these, and I'm not sure when she started using the second one (by '87 for sure). The 2nd one had a sliding pickup and an on-board graphic EQ. The top 3 pictures are of the first one, from 1985, the bottom picture is of the second one, from 1987. The first one is now hanging in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio! Somebody should go take a picture of it... Brown body

2 pick-ups

Rosewood fretboard

4 knobs

3-position switch

Various stickers (first one had a 'Gremlins' sticker, a 'Confusion is Sex' sticker, and some others)

In this photo, Kim Gordon can be seen playing a sunburst Precision Bass.

In this photo, Kim Gordon can be seen using an Ovation Magnum II.