McGrath Thunderhorse P-Style Bass - Desert Gold - 12-Way Selector & Tilt EQ

Product Overview

The Desert Gold Thunderhorse starts with a striking flamed ash body and uses that platform to showcase McGrath's most flexible electronics package. This P-style Thunderhorse pairs an ebony fingerboard with a roasted flame maple neck and three different Nordstrand pickup voices: a Big Blade at the neck, Big Split 4 in the middle and Big Single 4 at the bridge. McGrath routes them through a 12-position selector designed to open up series and parallel combinations.

Why Players Choose This

This is a strong fit for the player who wants one premium bass to cover a large amount of sonic ground. The Nordstrand array can move from thick neck tones to P-style punch and more cutting bridge character. McGrath's rotary selector adds multiple pickup combinations, including series and parallel pairings, while save, recall and reset functions give the selector a performance-oriented workflow. The Tilt EQ provides a broad musical adjustment around a center detent rather than forcing the player to manage several EQ knobs.

Key Points

• Flamed ash body with Desert Gold high-gloss finish
• Nordstrand Big Blade, Big Split 4 and Big Single 4 pickup set
• 12 pickup-selector positions with series and parallel combinations
• Selector save, recall and reset functions
• McGrath Tilt EQ plus passive tone control
• 18V active system with push-pull passive bypass and power-loss failsafe
• Ebony fingerboard and carbon-reinforced roasted flame maple neck
• Hipshot Masskicker bridge and Ultralite tuners
• 34-inch scale; approximately 9.4 lb
• McGrath ProTec hybrid case included

The Player's Point of View

From the player's point of view, this bass is about having distinct voices that remain easy to reach during a set. The Nordstrand pickup choices are intentionally different from one another, so the 12-way selector does more than create small variations on the same sound. The flamed ash body and ebony board also make this the more substantial-feeling Thunderhorse option in this group.

Built for the Culture

Built for the culture means giving serious players an instrument that has personality without sacrificing practical durability. The Desert Gold build brings together stainless frets, reinforced neck construction, Hipshot hardware, active/passive flexibility and an included hybrid case, then wraps it in a finish that will stand out immediately onstage.

Why TCU Recommends This

TCU recommends the Desert Gold Thunderhorse for players who want the broadest pickup architecture of these McGrath builds. The Big Blade, Big Split and Big Single each bring a different starting voice, and McGrath's switching system lets those voices interact in ways a conventional P- or J-style control layout cannot.

Key Specs

• Model: P-Style Thunderhorse
• Finish: Desert Gold, high gloss
• Body: Flamed Ash
• Neck: Roasted Flame Maple with carbon fiber reinforcement
• Fingerboard: Ebony, 12-inch radius
• Frets: Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel
• Nut Width: 1.5-inch J-Style
• Scale Length: 34-inch standard scale
• Weight: 9.4 lb
• Pickups: Nordstrand Big Blade, Big Split 4, Big Single 4
• Pickup Configuration: Neck Big Blade / Middle Big Split 4 / Bridge Big Single 4
• Electronics: McGrath 12-Way Rotary Pickup Selector; McGrath Tilt EQ; 18V active system; passive bypass; save/recall/reset selector functions; power-loss failsafe
• Control Layout: Master Volume with push-pull preamp bypass, 12-Way Pickup Selector, Tilt EQ, Passive Tone
• Bridge: Hipshot Masskicker
• Tuners: Hipshot Ultralites
• Hardware: Black
• Pickguard: Tortoise Shell
• Strings: D'Addario NYXL .045-.100
• Included Case: McGrath ProTec Hybrid Case
• Condition: Brand New

Bottom Line

The Desert Gold Thunderhorse is the premium choice in this group for a bassist who wants a wide combination of pickup voices, a dramatic flamed-ash look and a performance-centered active/passive control system. It is a boutique instrument built to be used, not just displayed.