12 (Twelve) String Thunderbird

[GBassNorth]

Why bother with an Epiphone logo on that? Get something done that tells the world that YOU did all this work. Epiphone hardly had a damn thing to with your successful project!

+1
I vote to name it after your TB name - it could be an "Elwood" TBird.

 

[L. L. Elwood]

good point! Yeah.. i need to order some cool waterslide in gold that says it all in one word...

 

[Bassmanmike1]

Right on! Will be eagerly awaiting the sound clips, and now the new pics.

 

[SRFSterling5]

Been looking at the pics. Bottom line---this monster is gonna be killer. Good luck on the project. I sure wish Gibson would do something like this.

 

[Moley13]

Big +1 on the custom decals.

This is just my personal opinion... and I know we're not supposed to say things like this... but.....

The "natural" (stained?) finish is sooooo puuurrrrdy! Don't white over it! White is silly! Who wants to be plain old boring old white (esp. for a thunderbird, it's like, the most boring TBird colour possible)! It's such a unique bass, have a cool/unique finish!

/colour rant.

Option B: Give me that bass (cause it's purdy), and buy a white one to convert. Now you've got the experience, I'm SURE it would be better than this one

 

[hillerup]

Big +1 on the custom decals.

This is just my personal opinion... and I know we're not supposed to say things like this... but.....

The "natural" (stained?) finish is sooooo puuurrrrdy! Don't white over it! White is silly! Who wants to be plain old boring old white (esp. for a thunderbird, it's like, the most boring TBird colour possible)! It's such a unique bass, have a cool/unique finish!

/colour rant.

Option B: Give me that bass (cause it's purdy), and buy a white one to convert. Now you've got the experience, I'm SURE it would be better than this one

I'm pretty sure most members at the Thunderbird Club would disagree about your comment on a white Thunderbird... It's a VERY popular colour there!

 

[Korladis]

Big +1 on the custom decals.

This is just my personal opinion... and I know we're not supposed to say things like this... but.....

The "natural" (stained?) finish is sooooo puuurrrrdy! Don't white over it! White is silly! Who wants to be plain old boring old white (esp. for a thunderbird, it's like, the most boring TBird colour possible)! It's such a unique bass, have a cool/unique finish!

/colour rant.

Option B: Give me that bass (cause it's purdy), and buy a white one to convert. Now you've got the experience, I'm SURE it would be better than this one

I actually really love how plain white t-birds look.

I do dig the natural finish, though, with chrome hardware.

Maybe transparent white would be a better option in this case than opaque.

 

[hillerup]

I actually really love how plain white t-birds look.

I do dig the natural finish, though, with chrome hardware.

Maybe transparent white would be a better option in this case than opaque.

Are you thinking blonde...?

That may actually work unless the bass has been dyed underneath all that poly... Otherwise there gonna be a hell of a lot of sanding to remove the color, and a it might just be easier to refin it all white, or some other nice colour like Pelham Blue, Inverness Green or similar vintage Gibson colors.

 

[Henrythe8]

Impressive job.
Just a question, though, why didn't you try to keep three p'ups ? Instead of filling the route, you just add one in the neck position, and voilà, a 12-Stringed, Three Pick'up-ed TBird.

 

[BadJazz]

Impressive job.
Just a question, though, why didn't you try to keep three p'ups ? Instead of filling the route, you just add one in the neck position, and voilà, a 12-Stringed, Three Pick'up-ed TBird.

There is simply no possible way that would ever work.

 

[ctmullins]

Yeah, trust us. We're just trying to save you the pain of the inevitable failure that you're clearly headed towards. We're only thinking of you.

heh heh

 

[L. L. Elwood]

Big +1 on the custom decals.

This is just my personal opinion... and I know we're not supposed to say things like this... but.....

The "natural" (stained?) finish is sooooo puuurrrrdy! Don't white over it! White is silly! Who wants to be plain old boring old white (esp. for a thunderbird, it's like, the most boring TBird colour possible)! It's such a unique bass, have a cool/unique finish!

/colour rant.

Option B: Give me that bass (cause it's purdy), and buy a white one to convert. Now you've got the experience, I'm SURE it would be better than this one

Yeah... I think you have a really good point... Going to think through this before I make the final color decision...

 

[L. L. Elwood]

Impressive job.
Just a question, though, why didn't you try to keep three p'ups ? Instead of filling the route, you just add one in the neck position, and voilà, a 12-Stringed, Three Pick'up-ed TBird.

I considered that, but I figured with the passive pickups and no ability to boost the lows, the bridge pickup would be just too shrill and biting. I want this thing to sound as huge as possible and that middle pick up should provide enough bite and clarity.

 

[TBird1958]

I love this bass - It bitch slaps!

I know it'll be great Larry, carry on the good work.

 

[Korladis]

Are you thinking blonde...?

That may actually work unless the bass has been dyed underneath all that poly... Otherwise there gonna be a hell of a lot of sanding to remove the color, and a it might just be easier to refin it all white, or some other nice colour like Pelham Blue, Inverness Green or similar vintage Gibson colors.

What? No, blonde and white are different colors.

And yeah, it would be a lot of work. So maybe opaque would be easier.

 

[L. L. Elwood]

Ok,

While I await the olympic white finish to be completed... I acquired a set of passive Tbird pickups from another TB'er - pulled from an early 90s Gibson. As mentioned earlier I have decided to go passive with this 12 string and was going go with Mike Lull Tbird Pickups... but as the budget is getting a bit streeetched, i opted for Gibson OEM pickups.

Again I loosened then removed the plastic covers and installed the chrome covers.. This time, having learned a few things.. i gently pulled on the sides with a some channel locks and with a little coaxing they both cleanly popped off! The chrome covers fit like a glove and didn't even require any type of adhesive! Now all i need to do is get the wiring harness together...

 

[Darkstrike]

good point! Yeah.. i need to order some cool waterslide in gold that says it all in one word...

I'd google various translations of the word "impossible" and name it that in whichever language it sounds the nicest.

 

[ctmullins]

Dodeca-hotness!

 

[ricca]

Well done! Bravo!!!

 

[L. L. Elwood]

Only 3 more days until this amazing 12ver is back in my hands... Dan Lenz from Axe Haven here in Denver is just finishing up the Antique White paint job... PUMPED!