Gibson Thunderbird - Year unknown for restoration.

[Engle]

Hello, i have this bass body and neck, my fathers bass, he had some troubles with the neck (I think) and he wanted to restore it.. never did it in the end.

I would like to get some advises here, if this stuff can be used by an enthusiast, to restore that bass. What would be the year and the model and if it's worth something.
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This is my father with the bass many years ago, probably in the early 80s, maybe late 70s pretty sure it's the same bass.
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The complete gallery
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I've got some hardware but some parts are missing, the fretboard I don't have that, the frets.. I'll take pictures of the hardware later.

Hello, i have this bass body and neck, my fathers bass, he had some troubles with the neck (I think) and he wanted to restore it.. never did it in the end.

I would like to get some advises here, if this stuff can be used by an enthusiast, to restore that bass. What would be the year and the model and if it's worth something.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

This is my father with the bass many years ago, probably in the early 80s, maybe late 70s pretty sure it's the same bass.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The complete gallery
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I've got some hardware but some parts are missing, the fretboard I don't have that, the frets.. I'll take pictures of the hardware later.

It's a 66-69 Gibson Non Reverse Thunderbird.
I encourage you to restore it. Hopefully you have the pickups!
It's hard to advise you without knowing your capabilities and budget.

 

[Auspis]

The small bass just looked like a bass for kids to me, for a 7 years old maybe.

Sorry for mixing the subject of Tunderbird and tiny base in the same thread too.

 

[Auspis]

It's a 66-69 Gibson Non Reverse Thunderbird.
I encourage you to restore it. Hopefully you have the pickups!
It's hard to advise you without knowing your capabilities and budget.

At this point it's a status check to see what can be done really.

In fact my initial question to me was very simple, is it good or trash.

Ok, time to check the hardware.

 

[Auspis]

Here some pictures of what is left of the hardware for the t-bird. Unfortunately there was only 1 pick up in the bag.

But to be honest I remember, my father complaining about that, I think the other pickup was blown or not working right anymore, pretty sure of that, he tried to replace it without success.. Well it's not there, it's lost.



The images
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[TBird1958]

Here some pictures of what is left of the hardware for the t-bird. Unfortunately there was only 1 pick up in the bag.

But to be honest I remember, my father complaining about that, I think the other pickup was blown or not working right anymore, pretty sure of that, he tried to replace it without success.. Well it's not there, it's lost.



The images
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There are now many good good choices for pickups that will drop in and sound very much like the original, Jason Lollar, Seymour Duncan Custom Shop and Gibson make really good repros, for the money at 129.00 Gibson's re-issue are a great buy. My Thunderbird brother Scott @godofthunder59 is a great source of knowledge, reach out to him, he's the Real Deal.

 

[Engle]

At this point it's a status check to see what can be done really.

In fact my initial question to me was very simple, is it good or trash.

Ok, time to check the hardware.

It's definitely not trash!
It's not an easy project, but the bass is worth saving IMO.

 

[Engle]

Here some pictures of what is left of the hardware for the t-bird. Unfortunately there was only 1 pick up in the bag.

But to be honest I remember, my father complaining about that, I think the other pickup was blown or not working right anymore, pretty sure of that, he tried to replace it without success.. Well it's not there, it's lost.



The images
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At least you have one original pickup. You can buy a Gibson reproduction pickup at Long and Mcquade.
I'm surprised the pickguard is intact! If it's original, the bird logo will be stamped in.
That truss rod cover is not original.

 

[Auspis]

It's all interesting, thanks for the motivation here.

My big question is especially about the finish of the body and the neck, the overall look of the paint, the bass is scratched everywhere, the neck is rough where there is the fracture. Some wood work has to be done with the neck.

From what I understand, the original paint needs to be kept intact, is that right?

Right now, I'd be more tempted to go along the reproduction path with new parts, to make it usable. But the finish of the wood is bothering me a bit, the paint.. it's very damaged.

 

[Engle]

It's all interesting, thanks for the motivation here.

My big question is especially about the finish of the body and the neck, the overall look of the paint, the bass is scratched everywhere, the neck is rough where there is the fracture. Some wood work has to be done with the neck.

From what I understand, the original paint needs to be kept intact, is that right?

Right now, I'd be more tempted to go along the reproduction path with new parts, to make it usable. But the finish of the wood is bothering me a bit, the paint.. it's very damaged.

As you know, people pay a lot of money for “roadworn” guitars and basses.
If it was me, I would just clean it up, do the wood repairs and spray new lacquer where needed. The good thing about Nitro lacquer is it will melt into the old nitro.
I bought a 76 Ripper husk last year that had a previous headstock repair. I stripped/oiled the back of the neck, then airbrushed black nitro over the repair and blended into the existing to retain the Gibson logo. I applied heat/cold to crack the new lacquer to match.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

It's all interesting, thanks for the motivation here.

My big question is especially about the finish of the body and the neck, the overall look of the paint, the bass is scratched everywhere, the neck is rough where there is the fracture. Some wood work has to be done with the neck.

From what I understand, the original paint needs to be kept intact, is that right?

Right now, I'd be more tempted to go along the reproduction path with new parts, to make it usable. But the finish of the wood is bothering me a bit, the paint.. it's very damaged.

Some of us love a checkered finish!

 

[The Golden Boy]

I'm so glad you have your father's bass. Whether he's still with you or not- it's so cool to have something like that to hold on to.

As someone who has been into old instruments, even when I was a kid in the early 80s...

NEVER assume that any old instrument or ANYTHING on your old instrument, broken or otherwise, is without value. I have made that mistake WAY too often.

I, personally, would have a luthier do any woodwork on there and replacing the fretboard. Again, I have cheaped out, and regretted it. Especially since this is not just a "vintage" piece, but it's your father's old bass.

I'm impressed that all three strap buttons have stayed with the bass.

Any parts I needed I would definitely go for quality reproductions vs. acquiring "vintage" pieces- unless the proper vintage pieces were less expensive.

I'm not saying "throw money at it" but I am saying "do it right" and it'll be something you can hand off to your kid.