12 (Twelve) String Thunderbird

[Korladis]

Fretboard has to be removed and reinstalled, Truss rod is $50, Graphite rods are $44, routes for the two graphite rods, Labor is $100.. so just shy of $200. The truss rod that he's using is a pretty nice replacement, higher quality than the original, so I think it's a little expensive.

I guess I'm used to a bass where the truss rods can be slid in and out like no big deal.

Makes sense to upgrade with the increased tension, though.

 

[car_man65]

Any updates?

 

[L. L. Elwood]

Should be getting the bass back this week from the truss rod repair... Should be back on track here in the next few days!

 

[Korladis]

When you do finish, and have this beast all wired up and intonated, you're going to post sound clips, right?

 

[car_man65]

When you do finish, and have this beast all wired up and intonated, you're going to post sound clips, right?

AND videos?

 

[kcole4001]

Bump for more interest.

 

[L. L. Elwood]

Got the Tbird back! Onward! Chrome pickup covers installed...

Mounting Rings, Schaller 471 Bridge and vintage knobs too...

Fretboard reinstalled. Due to the finish cracking where the fretboard separated from the body.. I went ahead and stripped the back of the neck
Then stained.. Got the color pretty close..

Next up... Installing tuners!!

 

[Liam McMonigle]

Next up... Installing tuners!!

When will the tuners be installed? I am so excited, I've always said this would work and to all them who said otherwise you're poring them wrong!

 

[Nev375]

Your truss rod issue was a blessing in disguise. Almost all twelves have dual truss rods installed to counter the tension. One just isn't enough. When people talk about weak necks for this kind of conversion, It's not the scarf joint they are worried about. Will it be strong enough with the stiffeners? I dunno, maybe.... you will find out soon. I hope it works for you.

 

[L. L. Elwood]

 

[Larry V]

That is insane! Luv it!

 

[L. L. Elwood]

The front of the headstock is pretty rough. Beyond my skill to refinish and make right, what with some chipping from the drilling as well as the graphite rods protruding past the nut about 2" it's quite a mess right now. I'm going to take it to a local guitar finishing shop to have the front of the headstock prep'd and reshot in black... just ordered another Epiphone waterslide decal to mount in the center between all those tuners.. Should look really cool.

 

[Korladis]

That's going to be one fine looking bass.

Is that a regular 4-string bridge in that picture?

 

[bassbenj]

That is insane! Luv it!

I agree! I just noticed that thread was back on and I dropped in to check out progress. And in spite a few mojo problems I'd say progress is going quite nicely. This thing is going to be KILLER! You are inspiring me to start thinking about moving all the electronics and hardware from my Carlo Robelli 8 string (which I swear is made of celotex!) to some other used bass...maybe even a T-bird though I've never been a big fan.

 

[IntrepidCellist]

I think it looks better without the chrome mounting rings.

 

[L. L. Elwood]

Yeah... I went back and forth about the chrome mounting rings.. looks cool both ways, so I went for it!

 

[L. L. Elwood]

It's actually an 8 string bridge made by Schaller available through Warmoth. It has 8 individually adjustable saddles to keep the intonation straight. Because the two octave strings on a 12 are the same gauge, they can share one saddle.

 

[Larry Mal]

I can't wait to see it all finished!

 

[ctmullins]

A huge thumbs-up to larryelwood! Way to persevere, brother. I'll be watching!


Sent from my asteroid using Awesome

 

[L. L. Elwood]

Thanks ctmullins! Just ordered the set of strings. Hopefully this weekend I can get the nut cut as well as the saddles and plug in!!