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NBD - Epiphone Thundebird rescue

Justice

Justice

May 24, 2002
2,157
1,749
Houston TX.
#1
Needed to kill some time today on my way to pick up a powered monitor I found on Craigslist. Stopped into a pawn shop and saw the Epiphone Thunderbird hanging on the wall looking good. Checked it out, very little play wear and in great shape overall. Everything works. It needs a setup, neck has too much relief, and new strings. The back control cover is missing, I'm wondering if the pots have been upgraded. The control cover was replaced by a nice little wood cover that actually presses into place and stays. I may look for a proper replacement. Unsure of the year it was made or country of origin (betting on China) but it has a different neck plate than my Goth T-bird. Anyway, they had a great price on it, I still low balled them and got a great deal :) Came with a Musicians Friend soft bag which is almost too big for the bass but saves me from having to go buy one.

Pics!
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#5
Yeah, both strap buttons on my Goth Bird have been moved. I'm going to tear this one down tonight and see if I can get it into playing shape for Saturday night. Judging from the current string height, I don't think I'll need to put a shim in the neck like I did on the Goth Bird.

Fun times.:bassist:
 
#7
Pulled it apart, cleand it up, a little fret board conditioner. I realized the plastic is still on the pick guard. Tightened up the truss rod, lowered the bridge, put it back together and strung it up. Made a few adjustments, set the intonation and it's ready for Saturday night. The strings are even in good shape. I could not really tell how the strings were with the action as high as it was, but now that it is set I can see they are in good shape. I think I will take it and the Goth Bird this weekend.
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#9
Well, the Goth-Bird did not make it out to the gig, so I took a P bass to back up the new T-bird. The Bird sounded played and great. I ended up playing all 3 sets on the T-Bird and never used the P bass. The only problem I had was at the end of set 2, I noticed the input jack was loose when I went to unplug. I snugged it back up and had no more issues. I have heard people say that T-Birds were muddy sounding. I'm not sure why. Both of mine have stock electronics (as far as I know) and certainly do not sound muddy.
 
#19
Sure, that makes sense. I tried the BC Rich coffin gig bag but it wasn't quite for me, although other people say they like it. I think it was $75 or $80 though.
I actually spent $150 on a Gator deluxe gig bag. I was getting a bit antsy after trying out two before settling on that.
I bought a Musicians Gear tweed case...fits some Epiphone Thunderbirds but not mine.
That was about $75 too.
 

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