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Thunderbird Club Pt 5

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#361
Kmay said:
Ok, so don't hate me for "destroying" the instrument...but I did a mod that had mixed results.

New pickups. Could not stand the passive ones. So I pout a set of active pups and pre amp in it. That took some work, and still not completely finished!
Drilled some new holes on the front. Moved the output jack to the bottom.
Had to chisel the cavity out tho fit everything in it. But it all fits, barely. I want to eventually add a separate battery compartment to free up some room.
The electrical tape you see, well, it shows up much better in pics than in person. Lol! No one can tell it's on there in person...blends in nicely...thinking about maybe putting a plate on it got the knobs to hook to, just to smooth out the mistakes I made.
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with doing mods, but take your time and use the right tools. Chisel? Probably the wrong tool. Extra holes? Use plugs or dummy knobs. Unevenly spaced knobs? Take more time and measure carefully. Even so, basses are meant to be played. If you like the way it sounds better now and it makes you want to play it more, then you have done a good thing.
 
#363
Kmay said:
Ok, so don't hate me for "destroying" the instrument...but I did a mod that had mixed results.

New pickups. Could not stand the passive ones. So I pout a set of active pups and pre amp in it. That took some work, and still not completely finished!
Drilled some new holes on the front. Moved the output jack to the bottom.
Had to chisel the cavity out tho fit everything in it. But it all fits, barely. I want to eventually add a separate battery compartment to free up some room.
The electrical tape you see, well, it shows up much better in pics than in person. Lol! No one can tell it's on there in person...blends in nicely...thinking about maybe putting a plate on it got the knobs to hook to, just to smooth out the mistakes I made.
Click to expand...



You can always post questions about this kind of thing here, one of the best things about this thread is that some folks with a great deal of knowledge like Carlo (Dadagoboi) visit here and are always happy to help out. :)
 
#365
TBird1958 said:
You can always post questions about this kind of thing here, one of the best things about this thread is that some folks with a great deal of knowledge like Carlo (Dadagoboi) visit here and are always happy to help out. :)
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with a sharp chisel vs a router or a dremel if you take it slow. I used one to install this '68 Tele pickup in 1973. Rattlecan refin at the same time.

P1050623.jpg
 
#366
Yeah. I understand. It does sound much better...and it was my first, maybe second mod on an instrument. I can say I have learned like a thousand lessons on this one attempt...so, it won't happen again. Also, I sill love playing it and as an added bonus, it does have the punk look to it.
 
#367
As promised, here are a few shots of the '64 Thunderbird II, in front of my '05 Impreza. We just got over 2m of snow in a week, but it has warmed up a lot and the snow is melting in the village. As always the car was a champ in the new snow, and on steep and poorly cleared mountain roads.

Sorry for the lousy picture quality, the snowplow was clearing the street and I only had a few seconds to snap between passes. When it gets sunnier I'll take some proper ones of both basses.

Image_zps3d35657e.jpg


Image1_zps4e8fe498.jpg
 
#370
Tbird1958!..can u tell us the story of the Swarovski crystal mod?
that was a really daring modification , I must say,
(Something I've wanted since I was a kid , while staring at Kiss photos & stuff, but never had the stones to actually try!)

Easily the sweetest machine on TB .

Did u do it yourself?
are u willing to divulge your method of application ?
I understand if not...a good magician never reveals his secrets!
 
#371
One Drop said:
As promised, here are a few shots of the '64 Thunderbird II, in front of my '05 Impreza. We just got over 2m of snow in a week, but it has warmed up a lot and the snow is melting in the village. As always the car was a champ in the new snow, and on steep and poorly cleared mountain roads.

Sorry for the lousy picture quality, the snowplow was clearing the street and I only had a few seconds to snap between passes. When it gets sunnier I'll take some proper ones of both basses.

Image_zps3d35657e.jpg


Image1_zps4e8fe498.jpg
Click to expand...





This is Pure Awesome!

Single pup Reverse Thunderbird = Holy Grail!
Yummy Subaru Goodness :hyper:
 
#372
quadrogong said:
Tbird1958!..can u tell us the story of the Swarovski crystal mod?
that was a really daring modification , I must say,
(Something I've wanted since I was a kid , while staring at Kiss photos & stuff, but never had the stones to actually try!)

Easily the sweetest machine on TB .

Did u do it yourself?
are u willing to divulge your method of application ?
I understand if not...a good magician never reveals his secrets!
Click to expand...






I wish that 'Bird was mine! It belongs to TB'er YOU LAND, on page 2 of this thread he describes it briefly, the crystals were apparently applied by his nail artist - very cool!
 
#374
TBird1958 said:
This is Pure Awesome!

Single pup Reverse Thunderbird = Holy Grail!
Yummy Subaru Goodness :hyper:
Click to expand...

Thanks! It is an amazing sounding bass, very powerful. I've only played it in one rehearsal so far, no gig, but it sounded huge and gnarly through the SVT. I can't wait for some fresh Rotos to arrive, I want that top to come through. One thing I'm not used to is how powerful it sounds when playing up the neck, the the high notes sing in a very different way than Fenders do.

Subarus are crazy common here, due to the mountainous terrain and all weather conditions. My best friend has an STI that is crazy fast and handles like a rally car (well it is a rally car!). Colin Mcrae, RIP, crashed a new one given to him as a gift by Subaru on the very road up to this village. It's common to see grannies tearing around in their turbocharged Subarus, really funny.
 
#380
Dadagoboi said:
My '64 Thunderbird II and the Anti-Subaru. Two Doors, Two Seats and Two Turbos. Doesn't snow much in the swamp.
DSC03305_zps59af6c7e.jpg
Click to expand...



I really like the finish on that bass!
350 probably is the Anti-Subaru, I've always like those but never had the scratch.
 
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