Thunderbird Club Pt 5

[wvbass]

From elsewhere on the interwebs:

"New Serial Numbers, without letters

...

YYMMFF12345

YY year
MM month
FF factory-code
12345 production#

FACTORY NUMBER CODES -- for some models starting in 2008, if serial # begins w/numbers

...

11 = MIC sticker on a '08 Masterbuilt
12 = DeaWon or Unsung (China -- uncertainty remains as to which factory)
15 = Qingdao (China) -- electric
16 = Qingdao (China) -- acoustic
17 = China - factory unknown MIC sticker on a J160E
18 = China - factory unknown found on one 2009 model bass
20 = DaeWon or Unsung (China -- uncertainty remains as to which factory)
21 = Unsung, Korea
22 = ??? Korea (factory still unknown)
23 = ??? Indonesia (factory still unknown, probably Samick,)
I = Indonesia (this letter has appeared as the 5th digit on two authentic new models made in Indonesia"

[jnumme]

My gawd why is it so hard to find a used USA Gibson thunderbird in prestine condition for sale. They that good or what?

[DethByDoom]

Originally Posted by Egbert89

Flat black also looks quite good (in my opinion)



I did it with car wrapping vinyl (if you never worked with it before then I'd recommend buying 2 or 3 A4 sheets of the vinyl, that way you can screw it up at least once ) Both PG's can be done with one A4 sized sheet

How's that work? Stuck it to original pick guard?

[hillerup]

Originally Posted by Basshappi

Looks kinda like a Mockingbird and a Thunderbird hatched a chick.

That was my first thought exactly as well!

[AdamR]

Im gassing for another T-Bird.

[Egbert89]

Originally Posted by wvbass

From elsewhere on the interwebs:

"New Serial Numbers, without letters

...

YYMMFF12345

YY year
MM month
FF factory-code
12345 production#

FACTORY NUMBER CODES -- for some models starting in 2008, if serial # begins w/numbers

...

11 = MIC sticker on a '08 Masterbuilt
12 = DeaWon or Unsung (China -- uncertainty remains as to which factory)
15 = Qingdao (China) -- electric
16 = Qingdao (China) -- acoustic
17 = China - factory unknown MIC sticker on a J160E
18 = China - factory unknown found on one 2009 model bass
20 = DaeWon or Unsung (China -- uncertainty remains as to which factory)
21 = Unsung, Korea
22 = ??? Korea (factory still unknown)
23 = ??? Indonesia (factory still unknown, probably Samick,)
I = Indonesia (this letter has appeared as the 5th digit on two authentic new models made in Indonesia"

Thanks!!

Originally Posted by DethByDoom

How's that work? Stuck it to original pick guard?

Yeah basically, for the best effect take your PG of, outline it on the sheet of vinyl then cut the vinyl about 5 to 10 mm wider then the outline. Then apply it like a big decal

[lfbassguy]

Originally Posted by jnumme

My gawd why is it so hard to find a used USA Gibson thunderbird in prestine condition for sale. They that good or what?

Yes!!

[Electric Wizard]

Hey all.

I'm new here and need a bit of help. My brand new Epiphone Thunderbird Pro IV is being delivered tomorrow and I need a bit of help.

Ive been reading all I can about it online, and something I have seen a few times has confused me. Ive seen a few references to it having a very long neck, which is uncomfortable to play for some.But surely at a 34" scale the playing area of the string is the same for all 34" basses. I understand that if the bridge is closer to the neck then this will affect the neck length, but to me this doesnt look the case in the Thunderbird.

Is this long neck thing a myth or is there something I'm not thinking about.

Thanks

[KPJ]

Originally Posted by Electric Wizard

Hey all.

I'm new here and need a bit of help. My brand new Epiphone Thunderbird Pro IV is being delivered tomorrow and I need a bit of help.

Ive been reading all I can about it online, and something I have seen a few times has confused me. Ive seen a few references to it having a very long neck, which is uncomfortable to play for some.But surely at a 34" scale the playing area of the string is the same for all 34" basses. I understand that if the bridge is closer to the neck then this will affect the neck length, but to me this doesnt look the case in the Thunderbird.

Is this long neck thing a myth or is there something I'm not thinking about.

Thanks

The size of the body and how it hangs when you wear it causes it to be a long reach to the first fret, even though it is a 34" scale. G&L ASAT basses have a similar feel. I'm 6'4" and have long arms so it's not a big deal to be, but it is noticeable.

This picture may give you an idea:

[stiles72]

The distance from nut to bridge is 34" - same as a Fender P-bass. But the body shape in proportion to the neck makes it look like the neck is longer than it really is.

[Electric Wizard]

Thanks for your help guys

[Ces_art]

Hey everyone! Been lurking around TB for years. I'm a proud owner of an Epi IV. Can I get a number? thanx.





First mod I did was the typical changing the strap position to the back of the neck. Then, got rid of the basic inlay dots by overlaying this roman number pearl blocks. More mods to come.

[epirokker]

Originally Posted by Ces_art

First mod I did was the typical changing the strap position to the back of the neck.

Can I see a picture of this? I've been wanting to do that but I've never done it before...would like to see your placement and such. Thanks.

[funnyfingers]

This shows the stock position on the Pro: http://www.themusiczoo.com/product/8...uitar-Natural/

I also saw a pro with the other position too though. My classic pro is positioned as pictured. This placement requires me to put the bottom of the strap over the top of the wing so it doesn't lean forward.

[epirokker]

Right, but I want to see how he did it with the bolt-on model. Thanks though!

[Ces_art]

Originally Posted by epirokker

Right, but I want to see how he did it with the bolt-on model. Thanks though!

Sorry for keeping you waiting... It's very simple.

Notice the top right bolt on the neck plate? just unscrew it, place the strap mount and bolt again. I hope this helps.

[Nino D]

Yo everyone. Im thinking about getting an Epi Nikki Sixx. I have not played one yet but wanted one for a while . Are they any good? If anyone has an opinion I would like to hear it. Thanks.

[DethByDoom]

They sound different. I wasn't a fan. And the hanger thing on the bridge is ridiculous.

[Andii Syckz]

The blackbird is cool. I'm a nikki fan and my dad had the gibson version. killer tone. Kill-switch is all you need. I have an epi goth thunderbird and rewired it with just a kill switch. sounds much better.

About the strap pin, you gotta be sure its the pin with the bigger hole. I just tried it on my goth bird and it's pretty cool. no neck dive which is great but it tilts forward. You could get used to it.

[liquorsbass]

Hello.
I've been enjoying T-Bird threads, collecting information and having fun just looking at all the photos.
This is my first post, and I'd like to show my 'Bird.
It's Orville by Gibson.
When I bought it used a couple of years ago, it originally came with a 3-point bridge and no PU rings.
I wanted more authentic, vintage looks and feel, so I started collecting (and correcting) each parts.
Here's what I think is its completed form.

Three people have helped me through this project.
I can still hardly believe how gorgeous my 'Bird is.
It's got:

PU rings made by Dave Wescott
Bridge made by Tony Carl (aka Overdriven66)
Badbird Tailpiece made by Scott Dasson (aka Godofthunder59)

The 'Bird had a BaCH tailpiece for a while, and finally this January, Scott provided me with a final, authentic touch.

So, dear thread-master TBird1958, do you think my 'Bird looks cool enough? If you do, could you give me a T-Bird Club number, please?