Fenderbird

[Flat Eric]

Peter Cook, creator of the FenderBird - His own story, in
his own words.

FenderBird Content in Part II.

Part One http://flatericbassandguitar.blogspot.com/2010/12/peter-cook-guitar-builder-and-musician.html

Part 2 http://flatericbassandguitar.blogspot.com/2010/12/peter-cook-luthier-part-2.html

Cheers.

 

[iiipopes]

Hmm. Why hasn't anybody done a "reverse" T-bird body with a "reverse" (left-hand) headstock?

 

[TBird1958]

Hmm. Why hasn't anybody done a "reverse" T-bird body with a "reverse" (left-hand) headstock?[/QUOTE

That is exactly the bass I posted one pg.1 of this thread.

 

[Flat Eric]

Looking for FenderBird and ExplorerBird "Tributes"

Hi.

Since getting to the point I am in the story, I have
noticed more and more "Tributes" of the Peter Cook
"Birds", as I have been trawling around.
I am compiling some images to show to Peter, that
are fairly accurate facsimilies of the basses he made
for John.
If you have one that you think is very close to the
originals, I would like to see a couple of pics.
If there are other areas on here, already dedicated
to the FenderBird and Explorerbird, please point me
to them.

More of the story to follow, soon



Cheers.

 

[billio]

Well, I'd like to put together a Fenderbird for myself, so I'm going to start keeping a lookout for stuff I might need.

I'm new to the concept of Fenderbirds (...and assembling basses in general, actually). Is it really as simple as buying a Fender neck (aftermarket or all parts) and attaching it to a Gibson/Epiphone body?

I'd imagine the neck would be a bit wide, so would it require I take a bit off the sides (if that's even possible?)

I know it's a lot of answers to ask, but any help is appreciated.

Here's what I've been tinkering with for the last few months...

 

[Ric5]

Here's what I've been tinkering with for the last few months...

That bass is freakin beautiful!

I would go with a different bridge. A bridge with a Fender spacing that gets the strings closer to the edge of the fretboard.

Where did you get the metal bird logo?

 

[Ric5]

Here's one I used to own and sold. It is similar to one I own now.

 

[mxm]

Left handed FenderBird - custom slightly worn body, Mighty Mite Jazz neck and 2x Rickenbacker p/ups...

 

[billio]

That bass is freakin beautiful!

I would go with a different bridge. A bridge with s Fender spacing that gets the strings closer to the edge of the fretboard.

Where did you get the metal bird logo?

Thanks, I wanted to kind of make it look retro but with an uncommon colour.

I'll have a look at that bridge, thanks for the head's up.

I got the bird from this guy:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...659461&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1076

I'm nearly finished my skeleton arm strap to go with the bass...

 

[gaffster787]

My warmoth build last year..great for a slapping bird. It's Black Korina, stained and waxed.

 

[Dr. Eagle]

I made mine from an Epi body and Mighty Mite Jazz neck (P bass necks are too big for my hands) and found it far easier to shave the sides and heel of the neck to fit the Epi's pocket. Mine intonated properly and is easy to play, no long reach to the low frets. Much better than the Warmoth body.

And a close up, the end of the heel was trimmed so the fretboard would fit into the body the same as an Epi neck.

That is one of the coolest thunderfiddles I have seen!!!

 

[billio]

I took a couple of pics outside:

I finished my strap this morning, so thought I'd better take a pic:

It looks at home on my Ric too:

 

[Basvarken]

That green Fenderbird with chrome bird logo is awesome Billio.


I initiated a Fenderbird project with Czech company BaCH.
Last summer they came up with the first models.
The first run is sold out at the moment.
As you can see in the pics below I didn't use a standard Gibson/Epi shape body but I looked very closely at all the pics of JAE I could find, and drew a template for BaCH. The upper horn is sightly larger than the one on a Thunderbird. It meets the neck at the 15th fret. I think Peter Cook did this on the original Fenderbird to help cure the neck dive somewhat.
And there is no raised centerblock.

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Available as lefty too:


Invalid Link Removed




BaCH is working on a second series with a few modifications that I requested (or rather, that I demanded )

 

[xk49w]

I thought this approach was dig worthy:

Me want.

 

[billio]

That green Fenderbird with chrome bird logo is awesome Billio.


I initiated a Fenderbird project with Czech company BaCH.
Last summer they came up with the first models.
The first run is sold out at the moment.
As you can see in the pics below I didn't use a standard Gibson/Epi shape body but I looked very closely at all the pics of JAE I could find, and drew a template for BaCH. The upper horn is sightly larger than the one on a Thunderbird. It meets the neck at the 15th fret. I think Peter Cook did this on the original Fenderbird to help cure the neck dive somewhat.
And there is no raised centerblock.

Invalid Link Removed



Available as lefty too:


Invalid Link Removed




BaCH is working on a second series with a few modifications that I requested (or rather, that I demanded )

Looks good, I like it

 

[Barkless Dog]

Here's what I've been tinkering with for the last few months...

Amazing looking bass, love the color, it reminds me of my old red line Hot Wheels cars

 

[Doelle]

BaCH is working on a second series with a few modifications that I requested (or rather, that I demanded )

May I ask what those modifications are?

 

[Basvarken]

Of course

-The pick guard shape needs fine tuning.
-The location/spacing of the pots is not exactly correct.
-The color was supposed to be Fiesta Red, but is more like Ferrari Red on this first series.

To be honest; the color is not a big issue for me.
But the pick guard is.

 

[Doelle]

Looking forward to seeing the improved version

I will HAVE to order one of those!

 

[Doelle]

@ Basvarken
Ah! Now I remember, you are the guy that also played the EB2 (the BaCH one) prototype on youtube!
Do you know when the Fenderbird and EB2 will be available?