Putting the THUNDER in a Thunderbird

[redstrand]

Slipped some 250K pots in the TBird....now it sounds right. Man O man is this thing got some vintage THUMP now.

 

[pie_man_25]

These were the limited editions. Mahogany body, silver hardware and better yet....the right size pickup space.

Just so you know, the Epiphones that are advertised as "mahogany" are, usually, a wood that isn't mahogany.

I've done my share of work fixing up and modifying various friends' epiphone guitars, and while they are certainly quality, they certainly are NOT mahogany. It could be "nato", otherwise known as "eastern mahogany", or perhaps basswood, but having seen the grain and colour of the wood, I can say that that bass, and any other modern ephiphone, is probably not mahogany.

of course, such a thing only matters if you believe the wood makes a difference on the tone of your bass, and they really are pretty nice.

 

[MrBasseyPants]

Slipped some 250K pots in the TBird....now it sounds right. Man O man is this thing got some vintage THUMP now.

Did you use 250K for all three pots? What cap did you use?

 

[NOLA Bass]

Did you use 250K for all three pots? What cap did you use?

My guitarist put some TV Jones in an Ibanez hollowbody. Fantastic pickups!

 

[A-Step-Towards]

Gibson needs to do a bird in the burst , sweet color for sure.

 

[MrBasseyPants]

Gibson needs to do a bird in the burst , sweet color for sure.

...and have a Geddy Lee Jazz neck as a standard option...he he

 

[Klopp18]

:O that thing is sweet!! any sound clips?

 

[redstrand]

It's mahogany. The grain is right. I used 250 for all three and a 47 for the cap...might change that later...then gain I never fiddle with the tone.

 

[A-Step-Towards]

...and have a Geddy Lee Jazz neck as a standard option...he he

That works

 

[redstrand]

Since it's a bolt on I'm tempted to do a Fenderbird with it...it neck dives like a B!@#$.

 

[MrBasseyPants]

Since it's a bolt on I'm tempted to do a Fenderbird with it...it neck dives like a B!@#$.

You may already know this, but Fender necks don't quite fit....they are a little big. But it can be done:

Also, just put a strap button on the body just below the neck heel.....neck dive solved

jc

 

[nbjfkusjzd vghn sznmvxl]

One difference in the wood on the Epi vs. a Gibson is that I understand the Epi's are made in Japan...it may be mahogany but of a different type/origin. The Gibson Thunderbirds are made in the US.

Nice job on the mod !

 

[redstrand]

I'll put a button down by the neck heel...this bass ain't going anywhere.

 

[Johnny Crab]

http://www.lysator.liu.se/~wizkid/music/thunderbird_mod/

 

[redstrand]

Noted.

 

[LiamR]

Best looking t'bird i've seen, mate!

 

[MrBasseyPants]

http://www.lysator.liu.se/~wizkid/music/thunderbird_mod/

If you use strap locks (I use Schaller)...put the button as far away from the neck as possible.

jc

 

[Korladis]

Just so you know, the Epiphones that are advertised as "mahogany" are, usually, a wood that isn't mahogany.

I've done my share of work fixing up and modifying various friends' epiphone guitars, and while they are certainly quality, they certainly are NOT mahogany. It could be "nato", otherwise known as "eastern mahogany", or perhaps basswood, but having seen the grain and colour of the wood, I can say that that bass, and any other modern ephiphone, is probably not mahogany.

of course, such a thing only matters if you believe the wood makes a difference on the tone of your bass, and they really are pretty nice.

I only care if it sounds good. I have an epi guitar, and I have no idea what the wood on it is, but it sounds awesome, so I'm happy.

 

[Korladis]

Since it's a bolt on I'm tempted to do a Fenderbird with it...it neck dives like a B!@#$.

Just get one of those strap button extenders that Ric5 has on his fenderbirds.


By the way, bass looks great with the TV Jones pickups. Perfect look.