Thunderbird Club Pt 5

[moonshinegtrs]

Originally Posted by lfbassguy

This is probably a silly question, but does anybody know what brand and gauge of strings come on a Gibson Thunderbird IV from the factory?

Thanks

Not sure on the gauges, but I'm 99% sure that Gibson produces their own strings (I know they use too).


Moonshine

[Peepaleep]

If it means anything at all (which it probably does not), Epiphone uses either Ernie Ball or D'Addario 45-105 for stock strings.

[NOLA Bass]

Originally Posted by Wolfpack

Thanks

Sure, why not
What benefits come with membership ?

I'll try to get some pics, but I don't have a Subi to go with it.
Is my VW Westy Syncro ok ?

Cool van!

[Wolfpack]

Originally Posted by TBird1958

Of course!
The VW is great

Can't say their are lots of tangible benifits from membership, just the knowledge that you're hangin' out with us cool (Thunderbird playin') kids
A big Welcome and # 323 for you Sir!

TBird1958 #1
Wolfpack #323

Excellent, good number.

It was your review of the Epi Classic Pro that helped me decide to purchase, thanks for that.

[Dadagoboi]

Originally Posted by Peepaleep

If it means anything at all (which it probably does not), Epiphone uses either Ernie Ball or D'Addario 45-105 for stock strings.

Documentation, please.

[Andii Syckz]

Originally Posted by darren1970

A slightly tighter, punchier tone too. Real nice bass (the oil finished neck is a pleasure to play).


Darren

How's the use of a kill switch plus the volume and tone controls? I just rewired my epiphone goth thunderbird with a simple kill switch and i love the tone. Either on or off just like the blackbird.

[portaflexer]

This may be a stupid question but what is the purpose of the optigrab handle? Is it there to loop the cord through? Or is the another function?

[Peepaleep]

Originally Posted by Dadagoboi

Documentation, please.

Re: Epiphone using Ernie Ball or D'Addario as stock strings, I have it in an e-mail sent to me a few weeks ago from Epiphone. I'll post it when I get to my home computer.

[TBird1958]

Originally Posted by portaflexer

This may be a stupid question but what is the purpose of the optigrab handle? Is it there to loop the cord through? Or is the another function?

The term comes from the old Steve Martin movie "The Jerk"
I've always thought it was a bit of fun Nikki was poking.....
But he does use it as an anchor for his pinkie finger while playing.



Here's an early on shot of his with a '76.........looks like he wants to do something with his pinkie that he can't.




Crazy thing is..........When I'm playing one of mine with a bridge cover I do a similar thing........ Uh oh.

[portaflexer]

That clears it up... thanks.

[Peepaleep]

If I did that I can almost guarantee that I would tear off my finger.

[hillerup]

Originally Posted by Andii Syckz

How's the use of a kill switch plus the volume and tone controls? I just rewired my epiphone goth thunderbird with a simple kill switch and i love the tone. Either on or off just like the blackbird.

How did you rewire your pickups, in parallel or in serial before the switch, and what kind of switch did you use?

[Andii Syckz]

Originally Posted by hillerup

How did you rewire your pickups, in parallel or in serial before the switch, and what kind of switch did you use?

I got the switch at radio shack for 8$. I have no idea if it's series or parallel. My switch is a double pole, double throw. as opposed to the blackbird which is a single pole, double throw.So i used one side of my switch to wire everything. I followed a schematic tht someone from talkbass sent (forgot who) since i wanted ripper schematic. It includes everything from fender to gibson, ibanez to wal. It's pretty great. but i have no idea if my bass is wired in series or in parallel sorry.

[Andii Syckz]

Originally Posted by Peepaleep

If I did that I can almost guarantee that I would tear off my finger.

I did it to my goth.....bleh it was okay. IT's a good use for it, but it's useless for me since i'm always hooking my pinky under the bridge anyhow. But to eithers taste and if it works for nikki, it can work for anyone else who prefers it.

[KPJ]

I like this shot because it shows the color of my 'Bird off nicely:



My pinky stays out of the way!

[Peepaleep]

Regarding the stock strings on the Epiphone, here's the info I was given when I e-mailed them. Read from top down.


From: Web Email
Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2012 12:50 PM
To: Customer Service
Subject: Talk 2 Us : Country USA

Contact info: Joe Miele

Message:
Hello! I am buying a new T-bird Classic IV Pro bass and was wondering about the strings that it is shipped with. What brand/style and gauge? Thank you!

Joe


From: Benton Cummings
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2012 7:57 PM
To: Joe Miele
Subject: RE: Talk 2 Us : Country USA

Hello Joe,

Thanks for writing. We use round wound .045-.105 nickel-wound bulk strings for our basses.

Thank you for the inquiry.

Best regards,
Benton Cummings

Gibson Customer Service
1-800-4GIBSON
www.gibson.com




From: Joe Miele [mailto:jmmiele@comcast.net]
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2012 10:41 PM
To: Benton Cummings
Subject: Re: Talk 2 Us : Country USA

Thank you Benton. Can you tell me the manufacturer?

Joe




Hello Joe,

They use both D’Addario and Ernie Ball strings depending upon availability.

Thank you for the inquiry.


Best regards,
Benton Cummings

Gibson Customer Service
1-800-4GIBSON
www.gibson.com

[jayceofbass]

Wow! There are some really nice Birds on here. I don't think I've seen a lefty yet though so here it goes. I tried - desperately - a few years ago to get Gibson to make me a lefty in their custom shop but they wouldn't budge. I said I would pay up to $7000 CAD. (I had a bit of a winfall.) So, I had a local luthier put this together for me as my dream TBird.





Alder body, real Gibson Les Paul neck (shaved and reshaped for a more TB profile, and new TB headstock grafted on), Bartolini passive TBird pickups, all Hipshot hardware, amazing pelham blue paint and relic job (I play/tour with a band that incorporates a real chainsaw, fire and lots of mayhem into the show, no sense being precious about a showroom finish. The relic'ing makes it easier to swallow new bumps and scratches.), and all topped off with a fake Gibson truss rod cover. They wouldn't build it so I found someone who would.

Ironically, Gibson is doing a run of lefty T-Birds for the first time in.... forever in 2013. So, I might end up with another one!

[Tender Prey]

Very cool color on your lefty Bird!!!

[lfbassguy]

Awesome lefty bird, looks like the luthier did a great job.

[TBird1958]

Originally Posted by jayceofbass

Your smile says it all! That's a great looking Thunderbird
Hats off to your luthier, that's a beautiful bass.

Shall I add you to our roster?