Thunderbird Club Pt 5

[TBird1958]

Originally Posted by portaflexer

Stop teasing... we want to see this thing already.

I'm not happy with the pics I have of it so far, it *may*
be nice enough to shoot on my weekend (Remember I live in Seattle! ). I actually need to shoot the whole group plus the Subaru so.....

[NOLA Bass]

Originally Posted by portaflexer

Stop teasing... we want to see this thing already.

I am dying to see this bass!

[ctmullins]

Originally Posted by ctmullins

Question for those of you with a flock of assorted 'birds:

The Gibson/Epi 'birds have a slight angle between the neck and the body. Do the BaCHbirds? The Lulls? The others?

And - how much of a difference does this make in terms of playability?

Anybody?

[darren1970]

Okay I'm a touch puzzled ( but also kinda pleased ).

The standard control set-up for a Gibson T-bird is Vol, Vol, Tone right?

Mine has Vol, Pickup Blend, Tone.

The bass was sold by a main dealer as a new bass, so I'm puzzled. Custom option maybe?

[TNTROY]

Originally Posted by TBird1958

Not a bad question really, but they're surprisingly similar overall, the Lull is the best of them and because of it's enormous headstock and light body the Burny is the worst - but because it's light I find it very easy to handle.
I think where my right hand rests (on the bridge) and the strap length have a lot to do with it - that and being primarily a pick player.


At Seattle's Funhouse with my Orville Thunderbird.

Love the picture

[NOLA Bass]

Originally Posted by ctmullins

Anybody?

I only have a Lull, but it is pretty straight.

[TBird1958]

Originally Posted by ctmullins

Question for those of you with a flock of assorted 'birds:

The Gibson/Epi 'birds have a slight angle between the neck and the body. Do the BaCHbirds? The Lulls? The others?

And - how much of a difference does this make in terms of playability?

Difficult to answer really, I do have 'Birds from several makers and a couple ( Epi Fenderbird, Greco, other much less) have an angle between the neck and body. It really has no effect tho.

[juankidiaz]

Just saw this on BassTheWorld.com's FB page

Next new Gibson Guitar model, the Thunderbird Studio Non-Reverse Bass!

Just knew I had to share it with my fellow TB lovers

EDIT: And this from Gibson's page:

Thunderbird Studio Non-Reverse Bass

Soaring Tones and Thundering Lows from a Four-String Classic
An Iconic Alternative for the Low End

For thundering lows with contemporary punch and presence in a timelessly stylish package, the new Thunderbird Non-Reverse Bass from Gibson USA can't be beat. When Gibson changed up the original "Reverse-Bodied" Firebird guitar and Thunderbird bass lines in 1965 to the new "Non-Reverse" design—so called for its more traditional, though still groundbreaking, asymmetrical offset body lines—it created a whole new cult of devotees. The Thunderbird Non-Reverse Bass applies the same radical design sense to the low end, adding cutting-edge hardware and a pair of the four-string world's best sounding pickups for a package that takes you from rock, to pop, to jazz, to blues, to fusion with equal fluency. The Thunderbird Non-Reverse Bass is a full-sized bass with a scale length of 34" and the supreme playability you have come to expect from Gibson USA, so lows are as mammoth as you could ever want. This bass is primed for the demands of modern music, and it looks stunning in your choice of Vintage Sunburst or Pelham Blue finish, both in high-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer, enhanced by black-plated hardware and solid-black pickup covers.

Like all great Gibson electric guitars, the Thunderbird Non-Reverse Bass starts with select tonewoods, carefully crafted for optimum sonic response. A solid mahogany body is carved in the iconic offset-cutaway style of the legendary 1965 Firebird guitar and Thunderbird bass. It has a glued-in neck made from solid, quarter-sawn mahogany for superior strength and resonance, which is carved in a comfortably rounded and supremely playable profile that measures .860" at the 1st fret and .960" at the 12th, with a distinctive four-a-side Thunderbird "beak" headstock. The fingerboard is made from rosewood for a classic look, clear tone, and unprecedented durability. In addition, a hardwearing PLEK-cut Corian™ nut helps to ensure precise intonation, while enhancing sustain and resonance.

Strings are anchored at the body end by a rock-solid three-point Thunderbird bridge with individually adjustable saddles, and high-quality Grover™ tuners at the headstock, all plated in black to match the contemporary look of the Thunderbird Non-Reverse Bass. This solid foundation is amplified through your rig of choice via a pair of contemporary Thunderbird Bass pickups, with ceramic magnets for enhanced punch and clarity, giving the Thunderbird Non-Reverse Bass the power to slam the low end with depth and dynamics like no other bass available. Individual volume controls and a master tone control allow you to blend pickups as desired for a wide range of tones. Put it all together, and it's a great-playing bass with outstanding power and versatility, and stunning alternative looks to beat anything out there. Check one out today at your authorized Gibson dealer, and see what this mighty slab of alternative low-end can do for your music.

Each Thunderbird Non-Reverse Bass includes a Gibson hardshell case and owner's manual, and is covered by Gibson's Limited Lifetime Warranty and 24/7/365 Customer Service.

Vintage Sunburst
$1,899msrp



Pelham Blue
$1,899msrp



Product Features
Mahogany body in two stunning nitrocellulose finishes
Mahogany neck with comfortable, rounded profile
Rosewood fingerboard with acrylic dot inlays
Thunderbird Bass pickups in the neck and bridge positions
Three point bass bridge with adjustable saddles Grover™ bass tuners with 20:1 ratio

And I'm done!

[fjadams]

Except for the neck being 4" too long, the Pelham Blue looks like a keeper/

[stiles72]

Looks like they are going to have a chunkier neck more in line with the LP basses than the Thunderbird IV. Hope that's just a copy mistake...

[YOU LAND]

Great news!! Thanks

[ctmullins]

Thanks for the replies, TBird and NOLA. I think I was probably just making a big deal out of nothing in my head, overanalyzing things and such...

NOLA - will try to come hear your band some time!

Teaser shot - this will be a set-neck, hence my question about neck angle:



I need to round out the top horn...

[Egbert89]

Originally Posted by juankidiaz

Just saw this on BassTheWorld.com's FB page



Just knew I had to share it with my fellow TB lovers

EDIT: And this from Gibson's page:

Thunderbird Studio Non-Reverse Bass

Soaring Tones and Thundering Lows from a Four-String Classic
An Iconic Alternative for the Low End

For thundering lows with contemporary punch and presence in a timelessly stylish package, the new Thunderbird Non-Reverse Bass from Gibson USA can't be beat. When Gibson changed up the original "Reverse-Bodied" Firebird guitar and Thunderbird bass lines in 1965 to the new "Non-Reverse" design—so called for its more traditional, though still groundbreaking, asymmetrical offset body lines—it created a whole new cult of devotees. The Thunderbird Non-Reverse Bass applies the same radical design sense to the low end, adding cutting-edge hardware and a pair of the four-string world's best sounding pickups for a package that takes you from rock, to pop, to jazz, to blues, to fusion with equal fluency. The Thunderbird Non-Reverse Bass is a full-sized bass with a scale length of 34" and the supreme playability you have come to expect from Gibson USA, so lows are as mammoth as you could ever want. This bass is primed for the demands of modern music, and it looks stunning in your choice of Vintage Sunburst or Pelham Blue finish, both in high-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer, enhanced by black-plated hardware and solid-black pickup covers.

Like all great Gibson electric guitars, the Thunderbird Non-Reverse Bass starts with select tonewoods, carefully crafted for optimum sonic response. A solid mahogany body is carved in the iconic offset-cutaway style of the legendary 1965 Firebird guitar and Thunderbird bass. It has a glued-in neck made from solid, quarter-sawn mahogany for superior strength and resonance, which is carved in a comfortably rounded and supremely playable profile that measures .860" at the 1st fret and .960" at the 12th, with a distinctive four-a-side Thunderbird "beak" headstock. The fingerboard is made from rosewood for a classic look, clear tone, and unprecedented durability. In addition, a hardwearing PLEK-cut Corian™ nut helps to ensure precise intonation, while enhancing sustain and resonance.

Strings are anchored at the body end by a rock-solid three-point Thunderbird bridge with individually adjustable saddles, and high-quality Grover™ tuners at the headstock, all plated in black to match the contemporary look of the Thunderbird Non-Reverse Bass. This solid foundation is amplified through your rig of choice via a pair of contemporary Thunderbird Bass pickups, with ceramic magnets for enhanced punch and clarity, giving the Thunderbird Non-Reverse Bass the power to slam the low end with depth and dynamics like no other bass available. Individual volume controls and a master tone control allow you to blend pickups as desired for a wide range of tones. Put it all together, and it's a great-playing bass with outstanding power and versatility, and stunning alternative looks to beat anything out there. Check one out today at your authorized Gibson dealer, and see what this mighty slab of alternative low-end can do for your music.

Each Thunderbird Non-Reverse Bass includes a Gibson hardshell case and owner's manual, and is covered by Gibson's Limited Lifetime Warranty and 24/7/365 Customer Service.

Vintage Sunburst
$1,899msrp



Pelham Blue
$1,899msrp



Product Features
Mahogany body in two stunning nitrocellulose finishes
Mahogany neck with comfortable, rounded profile
Rosewood fingerboard with acrylic dot inlays
Thunderbird Bass pickups in the neck and bridge positions
Three point bass bridge with adjustable saddles Grover™ bass tuners with 20:1 ratio

And I'm done!

well thats some great news and beautufull basses to start my day with haha

[Dadagoboi]

Originally Posted by ctmullins

Thanks for the replies, TBird and NOLA. I think I was probably just making a big deal out of nothing in my head, overanalyzing things and such...

NOLA - will try to come hear your band some time!

Teaser shot - this will be a set-neck, hence my question about neck angle:

I need to round out the top horn...

Neck angle depends on the bridge you are using. IMO it's VERY important, especially on a set or through neck bass. Nice project! Will you be posting the build on Luthier's corner?

[ctmullins]

Originally Posted by Dadagoboi

Neck angle depends on the bridge you are using. IMO it's VERY important, especially on a set or through neck bass. Nice project! Will you be posting the build on Luthier's corner?

Right - just trying to decide which bridge I want to use.

I'll post a build thread. But since my builds are generally measured in eons, I'll wait until I have a bit more progress to share...

I'm actually planning to build fraternal twins.

[hillerup]

Lots of really nice 'birds on these pages...

I guess it's time to upload a couple of my own:



An Epihone Goth modded with black chrome dome knobs, Schaller strap locks and red FretFX led's (not visible on the picture, though).



An Epiphone Limited Edition in Alpine White modded with black chrome dome knobs and Schaller strap locks.



An Epiphone Limited Edition in Metallic Red modded with black chrome dome knobs and Schaller strap locks.



An Epiphone Firebird Studio Limited Edition in Worn Cherry modded with chrome dome knobs and Schaller strap locks - I know... it's not a Thunderbird, but compliments the rest of the 'birds nicely.

[Porkbun]

Newest Bird about to leave the stable:

[portaflexer]

Originally Posted by Porkbun

Newest Bird about to leave the stable:

Tell us more about this fine instrument.

[Porkbun]

Originally Posted by portaflexer

Tell us more about this fine instrument.

Its an Epiphone Thunderbird IV wrapped in gloss orange HEXIS vinyl and 3M 1080 Carbon Fiber Vinyl. Electronics wise, its has a preamp from a Thunderbird Pro and two EMG 35TW pickups and push pull pots. Upgraded to the Hipshot bridge, and got two 1/2 inch aluminum pickup rings from fretsonthenet and wrapped them in vinyl also. 9V battery hidden under the pickguard in my typical fashion.I have to list it to pay for my car maintenance, but things like this happen when you drive a 38 year old car everyday. Some more pictures(the rest are in my signature):

[Egbert89]

Originally Posted by Porkbun

Its an Epiphone Thunderbird IV wrapped in gloss orange HEXIS vinyl and 3M 1080 Carbon Fiber Vinyl. Electronics wise, its has a preamp from a Thunderbird Pro and two EMG 35TW pickups and push pull pots. Upgraded to the Hipshot bridge, and got two 1/2 inch aluminum pickup rings from fretsonthenet and wrapped them in vinyl also. 9V battery hidden under the pickguard in my typical fashion.I have to list it to pay for my car maintenance, but things like this happen when you drive a 38 year old car everyday. Some more pictures(the rest are in my signature):

Neat stuff man, also checked your current project in your sig, looks quite cool. I was wondering how you got that modified tbird logo on the pick guard??