customizing my bass

[Sykk Reaper]

So i was thinking of buying a Epiphone Thunderbird, then customizing it. I'm talking about pretty much completely rebuilding it. New pickups, maybe converting it to a 5 string, repainting it white, new machine heads, power coating the tips of the machine heads green (just the part that you turn so that its doesn't mess with the actual function too much), new bridge, new knobs, green pickguard, maybe making it active and putting a bass, mid, high, and whatever else controls. Does this sound ridiculous or should i consider actually doing it? Maybe not do all of the things but at least convert to 5 string and active (if it isn't already i forget).

[Bongolation]

Originally Posted by Sykk Reaper

Does this sound ridiculous or should i consider actually doing it?

Huge waste of time and money.

Buy the bass you want. Don't try to make a bass into something it's not.

[oldsalt]

Scope out Low End Basses. They have a model that is almost exactly as you describe......minus the green hardware. They have a Thunderbird model. I've seen a hot pink metal flake six string one & it is crazy.

[stiles72]

Epiphone makes a 5 string model in the Pro series allready. I would use one of those as your platform if you are looking to mod. But once you start, the sky's the limit. Here's my Epiphone Limited IV that I pimped out...

Before:


After:

[JoePlaysDaBass]

Originally Posted by Sykk Reaper

...Maybe not do all of the things but at least convert to 5 string and active (if it isn't already i forget).

Or you could by a five string thunderbird for $60 more that comes with active electronics. Just sayin...

[dechristimo]

I got my thunderbird before I was really into bass and I'm actually pretty much doing the same thing! (minus changing it to a 5 string) I'm just starting out and I mean I think it's a great idea, you get a very personalized sound and you have sentimental value in it, which will always make it sound better! (the only disadvantage is that thunderbirds arent the most universal basses with regards to spare parts) but theyre darn good basses so i say go for it!
oh and I would be choosing different colors than you too

[Sykk Reaper]

Originally Posted by stiles72

Epiphone makes a 5 string model in the Pro series allready. I would use one of those as your platform if you are looking to mod. But once you start, the sky's the limit. Here's my Epiphone Limited IV that I pimped out...

After:

I love the way you made that look, and yes I know they make a 5 string but i prefer 34" and i believe their 5 string is 35" not sure though. Thanks. By the way, where did you get the bridge cover and etc.?

[Sykk Reaper]

Originally Posted by JoePlaysDaBass

Or you could by a five string thunderbird for $60 more that comes with active electronics. Just sayin...

Oh true. Do you happen to know if it has an EQ?

[Dan B]

Originally Posted by Sykk Reaper

Oh true. Do you happen to know if it has an EQ?

Last I remember it had a 2 band EQ.

[stiles72]

The Epiphone Thunderbird Pro series (5'er included) is 34", not 35" - so that would still be your best and most cost effective solution for a platform.

On my blue bird, the bridge pup is a Mike Lull, and the tuners are Hipshot ulrtra lights. The handrest (pup cover) and bridge cover came from Ebay. There was a seller who had some, but I beleive I got the last ones. I have a local shop making me some based on the measurements of this one - so I will let you know how they turn out.

[spade2you]

If active and 35" scale are desired, used Spector Rex Brown import?

[Sykk Reaper]

Well I think I know what I want to do. If I can do all the things that I've decided or even if not I'll probably post some pictures of it some time. By the way, thinking of putting some single string bridges, maybe leaving it as a 4 string because at the moment I do not have enough money to do that and modifications, I don't know I'm pretty sort on cash at the moment.