Thunderbird Club Pt 5

[TBird1958]

Originally Posted by wvbass

Beautiful. Is that the one you shaved the neck to make fit? And what is up with all the knobs and switches? You got old Carvin envy or something?

Yeah, shaved the neck to fit the pocket. It has two two single coil '51P pickups wired VV TT plus a 3 way switch, it does the Fender thing pretty well without looking like one

[bdkthunder]

Here's a few shots from last night. Not the greatest but still thought I'd like to share.

[One Drop]

I used to own a '96 Thunderbird for a few years, never really played it out as I was only playing Reggae at the time.

Fast forward to the present, and I find myself the owner of a '65 rev and a '66 non-rev, both single pickup. The non reverse is a bit poorly and needs some loving, I'm deciding whether to have it refinished or just have the headstock repair re-repaired, will know more after estimates from a luthier. I'll most likely flip the '66 very soon.

The reverse is a fine instrument, excellent H/S repair, and heavier so better balanced. I'm keeping it because I can better counterbalance the neck dive by resting my forearm on the rear bout. The non rev just won't work for me, and I'm not tall, exacerbating the problem.

I was thinking about getting a Fenderbird since I saw the Cataldo builds, but I couldn't resist the vintage '66 one I saw at a decent price, and the tone of it led me to the rev. Nothing I've played sounds like these oldies, though I haven't heard the newer PUPs by Lull and others, which I'm curious about.

I'm a Fender guy at heart, though I've always had a soft spot for the roar of a good Gibson humbucker, so the one I keep won't get more than a few songs at some gigs, but it's a beast I am happy to have in my bestiary of basses. It sounds insane through my SVT and Bergantino NV215, with fresh Rotos and some OD. This is a very physical experience, between the sound and the feel of it, like driving a muscle car.

One question, for which I think there is no positive answer, unfortunately. Does anyone make drop in lightweight tuner replacements for the old 'birds? Even a slight reduction in the weight of the headstock would make me want to play this thing a lot more.

[Dadagoboi]

Originally Posted by One Drop

I used to own a '96
One question, for which I think there is no positive answer, unfortunately. Does anyone make drop in lightweight tuner replacements for the old 'birds? Even a slight reduction in the weight of the headstock would make me want to play this thing a lot more.

Gotoh model GBR640 (Resolites) are drop in replacements. They are quite a bit lighter but look the same as the original Klusons. List is $175. Hipshot Ultralites will also fit the big headstock vintage 'bird spacing and weigh about the same as the Resolites. They're cheaper.

[One Drop]

Originally Posted by Dadagoboi

Gotoh model GBR640 (Resolites) are drop in replacements. They are quite a bit lighter but look the same as the original Klusons. List is $175. Hipshot Ultralites will also fit the big headstock vintage 'bird spacing and weigh about the same as the Resolites. They're cheaper.

Wow, thanks guy! I like the look of the originals, I will go for the Resolites. Also don't want to drill new holes.

I have to take the opportunity to say how much I like your version of the Fenderbird, kick-ass look and components, I'm sure they are a gas to play. Maybe one day!

[Dadagoboi]

Originally Posted by One Drop

Wow, thanks guy! I like the look of the originals, I will go for the Resolites. Also don't want to drill new holes.

I have to take the opportunity to say how much I like your version of the Fenderbird, kick-ass look and components, I'm sure they are a gas to play. Maybe one day!

You're welcome and thanks for the kind words.

[One Drop]

Just looking at the Gotoh site, flashy and good looking but useless for info if you aren't familiar with the products already. I really hate that.

Can you tell me which finish most resembles the originals? What is the X-finish and in what way is it different? Thanks a million if you can help.

[Dadagoboi]

Originally Posted by One Drop

Can you tell me which finish most resembles the originals? What is the X-finish and in what way is it different? Thanks a million if you can help.

Google this: TK-0792-001
Nickel, same as the original. I have no idea what the X finish is.

[One Drop]

Cool, thanks again- I figured it was the nickels, but they have all these different finishes and no key their designations.

[TBird1958]

#3 in a series, a Thunderbird a day keeps the 7enders away

[portaflexer]

Originally Posted by TBird1958

#3 in a series, a Thunderbird a day keeps the 7enders away

I love that Greco!

[One Drop]

I'll have to take a picture of mine, in front of my Impreza, to keep the tradition going.

[TBird1958]

Originally Posted by One Drop

I'll have to take a picture of mine, in front of my Impreza, to keep the tradition going.

Do it now!



Okay, when you get the chance
Subarus and Thunderbirds =

[One Drop]

Originally Posted by TBird1958

Do it now!



Okay, when you get the chance
Subarus and Thunderbirds =

It's too dark outside!

[stiles72]

Some random Thunderbirdness for the day...

At my show last night, another bass player came up and was checking out my Thunderbirds when we were on break. He said he was a Fender guy, and had never actually played or held a Gibson. Just the Epis. He marveled at how the Tbird was not a "flat" or "slab" construction, and he said he understood now just why quote " they use that crappy Three Point Bridge, in order to keep the strings and bridge parralell to the neck, not the body".

Guess I've always taken the Tbird construction for granted, so I took some shots to show just how different a Bird is compared to a slab Fender. You can't lay a Thunderbird flat, with the neck being angled, and a second set of angles or contours close to the neck heel. And in profile, you can see how the three point works almost like the bridge on an upright bass keeping the strings and bridge in line with the fingerboard and pickups.

Side note: The Gentleman who played my bass is now looking to add a Thunderbird to his collection. A Thunderbird convert!

[Nino D]

I was watching the American Chopper build off with Lynard Skynard playing . The bass player had a Thunderbird that had only one pickup. Anyone know if they still make them like that? Or is it just an older one?

[TBird1958]

That's most likely an older one, single pick Reverse 'Birds go back to the '60s - Gibson produced a very small run of (I *think*) 6 in 1986 for the Japanese market.

[wvbass]

Originally Posted by TBird1958

#3 in a series, a Thunderbird a day keeps the 7enders away

Best so far... On the last day, you should repost all of them.

[wvbass]

Originally Posted by stiles72

Some random Thunderbirdness for the day...

At my show last night, another bass player came up and was checking out my Thunderbirds when we were on break. He said he was a Fender guy, and had never actually played or held a Gibson. Just the Epis. He marveled at how the Tbird was not a "flat" or "slab" construction, and he said he understood now just why quote " they use that crappy Three Point Bridge, in order to keep the strings and bridge parralell to the neck, not the body".

Guess I've always taken the Tbird construction for granted, so I took some shots to show just how different a Bird is compared to a slab Fender. You can't lay a Thunderbird flat, with the neck being angled, and a second set of angles or contours close to the neck heel. And in profile, you can see how the three point works almost like the bridge on an upright bass keeping the strings and bridge in line with the fingerboard and pickups.

Side note: The Gentleman who played my bass is now looking to add a Thunderbird to his collection. A Thunderbird convert!

You set your action pretty high with a lot more relief than I do. This is a good reminder for me to move in your direction; every time I pick up a bass of somebody whose playing I admire, I am always surprised by how high their action is compared to my basses. I think you are onto something with your setups.

[Kmay]

Ok, so don't hate me for "destroying" the instrument...but I did a mod that had mixed results.

New pickups. Could not stand the passive ones. So I pout a set of active pups and pre amp in it. That took some work, and still not completely finished!
Drilled some new holes on the front. Moved the output jack to the bottom.
Had to chisel the cavity out tho fit everything in it. But it all fits, barely. I want to eventually add a separate battery compartment to free up some room.
The electrical tape you see, well, it shows up much better in pics than in person. Lol! No one can tell it's on there in person...blends in nicely...thinking about maybe putting a plate on it got the knobs to hook to, just to smooth out the mistakes I made.