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12 (Twelve) String Thunderbird

#61
Big John66 said:
Dude, you're killing me! First the Ibanez 8 string conversion has me looking around on the web for an old Roadstar to convert. Now this 12 string Thunderbird thing has me thinking how cool that would be, especially after that some picpic of the Lull bass pops up.

I can't wait to see how this bass turns out!
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Thanks. The rb850 is really ideal for that 8 string conversion. If you do go that route, id love to see some pictures!
 
#63
TBird1958 said:
BTW I've peeled plenty of pickups and potted them into chrome covers as well (dispite some obviously misinformed comments to the contrary it works very well.)
It's looking great!
birds024.jpg


birds017.jpg


birds028.jpg
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Tbird 58, thanks for posting this. Id seen that thread before and because of those photos i knew it could be done. What do you use to seal the chrome cover on?
 
#64
I used a contact cement that remains flexible - it's called Goo - seriously! It's usually found in better model train shops, great for dissimilar materials. I used some of Mike Lull's Polished Nickel covers which appened to fit these pups real well, very little glue was needed. Great project you have going, gotta love how you're quelling the naysayers, post any or all over in the Thunderbird thread if you wish - Cheers!
 
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#65
I'm impressed. You did fit 12 tuners up there!
I still have my doubts about the structure being strong enough, both neck and headstock, but I was wrong about the tuners, so I'm intrigued.
I'll be following this thread, I love it when I'm proved wrong :)
 
#66
See? One "impossible" already out of the way. Maybe we'd do better by asking level questions about serious issues than chiming in "Nope, never gonna work."
(Also, I loved that comment about "If I cared about neck-dive I wouldn't play 12-string." That sums up so much in live so perfectly.)
If this works, then hell yeah. We have a new mod template. If not, then we'll all (especially the OP) learn what NOT to do, and, ideally, how to work around these problems in the future and make the beast with twelve heads.
 
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#67
I'm glad I read this all the way through. Have to say that my first thought was "Why??", but just because I don't want one... My second thought was about the strength of the headstock; but a 7-ply neck-thru should work. I think I'd be awful nervous about it for a while after it was done, though. As for putting all the tuners on there; if Rickenbacker can get 12 of them on a 330/360 guitar headstock, there's certainly room for them on a T-Bird.
And as for neck dive; I doubt seriously that it will be nearly as bad as my Kramer 450B. With a grippy strap, it will actually peel your shirt off as it heads for the floor. Please keep posting pics of this interesting project, and I hope it turns out exactly as you want. :)
 

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#68
larryelwood said:
Headstock filled and drilled...
IMG_3348.jpg


Still waiting on a few tuners...

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Sweet! Looking good larryelwood.

Love the fact that somebody picked up on my "If I cared about neck-dive I wouldn't play 12-string." comment.
Here is the man who said it, with the bass I am building for him early on in the build. Does that look like a man concerned with neck dive?

Invalid Link Removed

If anyone is interested here is the build thread on my facebook page. I'll be putting up a shortened thread here soon.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.204233926367358.1073741826.119889761468442&type=3&uploaded=6

Rock on larryelwood. Can't wait to see this finished.
 
#69
Bassmanmike1 said:
Sweet! Looking good larryelwood.

Love the fact that somebody picked up on my "If I cared about neck-dive I wouldn't play 12-string." comment.
Here is the man who said it, with the bass I am building for him early on in the build. Does that look like a man concerned with neck dive?

Invalid Link Removed

If anyone is interested here is the build thread on my facebook page. I'll be putting up a shortened thread here soon.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.204233926367358.1073741826.119889761468442&type=3&uploaded=6

Rock on larryelwood. Can't wait to see this finished.
Click to expand...

I've been following your build on FB (finish looks like it's going to be very cool.) That Wishbass he started with should serve as a good example of what NOT to do. I mean, I like Wish and all, but what a mess...
 
#71
I've field tested TBird1958's TB+ exfoliation technique when I tore down and rebuilt/refinished my BaCH non-reverse. The plastic covers stripped away without much effort at all, and the epoxy potted coils tucked right into the chrome covers. Almost as if they were meant to be shiny all this time :hyper:

I just ran a bead of JB Weld around the edge to hold the covers on.

bach21.jpg


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Your experiment is looking good so far!

Those Epi necks are pretty substantial compared to a Gibson bird, and so here's hoping that it takes well to the tension of a long scale 12. You have the right attitude about it- go for it, and if it works great... and if not then chalk it up to experience.

For what it's worth, my coursed-string basses all have necks that seem to be intended for 4-strings (old single-truss Hamers, BC Rich, Ric). The B12S has a little more meat in the neck than the 8er, but then so does your Epi.
 
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#72
Hiccup #1 has occurred. While awaiting parts to come in, I decided to do a little truss rod adjusting. No strings on the bass just wanted to get a feel for it and see how responsive the neck is... Probably something I should have checked right after buying the bass used. I bought it here and assumed all was good. Anyhow.. The nut seemed a little worn as the wrench was kind of loose and sloppy at best. Took the bass to one of my builder friends where we tried all manner of wrench sizes both metric and standard.. we got the rod to turn about 1/4 turn and the nut gave out.. stripped!! It's a double action truss rod so there's no replacing the nut! I actually tried slotting the end of the nut for screw driver adjustment, and it just blew out as well. Those epiphone truss rod nuts are fairly soft i guess!

After looking at all my options... I've decided to have the truss rod replaced, as i'm in too far on this project and I really want a 12 string... And since he'll be in there already, I'm going to have 2 graphite rods added to the neck as it's only a $40 up charge.. ( again, my builder friend:) )

So while i'm really bummed out that I'm unable to complete the experiment as planned and see if the stock neck is strong enough to deal with the 12 string tension, I'm also ok with it as, at least that possible Achilles Heel will be eliminated (to the tune of $200 for the truss rod and graphite!!)

After all, my real over-all goal is to have a kick ass 12 string Thunderbird, though it would have been nice to see how that neck would have held up on its own, and to have kept my total investment at $600. Now it's $800, but I know this will be a very solid/ one of a kind killer bass when done.


...So the Tbird is in the shop for about 10 days having this repair done. I'll be back in a couple weeks to continue with the conversion...
 
#75
IntrepidCellist said:
Well, better that you discovered this issue now, then after putting 12 strings on it and having the truss rod strip out. And you'll have a better bass for the repair.
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Agreed. since it seems to me that most of the tension will be taken by the truss rod, the finding of a soft strip-able nut is probably an important fact. And for $40 to have graphite bars to insure neck stability as well as keeping the wood from developing an S curve from the tension is really money well spent.

This project is looking better all the time!
 
#77
GREAT thread & glad to see some folks showing you it CAN be done.

PS:
I think all pickups should be chrome but I have chromitis.
The mods ya'll did with the cover strip & swap make them look similar to the Greco TB pickups in their LP's and TB's.
 

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