Thunderbird Club Pt.7

[TBird1958]

Mr TBird 1958
Do I need to post pictures to join the club ?
I haven't quiet figured out how to do that yet .

The Queen says:

There are several ways to post pics here on Talkbass, easiest is use an external host like http://www.photobucket.com/

It's free, safe and then you don't have to store pics in folders or your hard drive.
If nothing else you can always PM me the pic and I can repost it for you as well.
We want you and your Thunderbird

 

[BklynKen]

Those knobs are quite nice - Never seen those before!



Looks pretty much like the original knobs (sort of), and could very well be the ones you're looking for.



As the website says, they should fit all split-shaft posts - so I can't see why they wouldn't fit on yours as well - What kind of 'bird do you have?



Actually, I'm going through a retro vibe at the moment, and am in the process of switching all my dome knobs to vintage style black/silver reflector knobs on my guitars & basses.

Those knobs also look pretty cool!

Thanks! Mine's a US-made (left-handed). 2012 or 2013.

If the Thunderbird is not a split-shaft, how would that fit? I don't totally understand how it all works. I just don't want to order these and end up having to pay to send them back, paying for shipping twice.

 

[BklynKen]

You know, as nice as metal ones would be, this might be a good happy medium, and guaranteed to fit:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/gibson-top-hat-knobs

 

[hillerup]

You know, as nice as metal ones would be, this might be a good happy medium, and guaranteed to fit:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/gibson-top-hat-knobs

Aren't those identical to the ones you want to replace?

 

[BklynKen]

Aren't those identical to the ones you want to replace?

No, mine has [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], with the labeled silver inserts. I find it interesting that they went more modern with black hardware and black pickups, yet have these vintage-looking knobs.

 

[hillerup]

No, mine has [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], with the labeled silver inserts. I find it interesting that they went more modern with black hardware and black pickups, yet have these vintage-looking knobs.

Different folks, different strokes....

All my Epi birds had those all black tophats with white numbering, that you want to buy - and I'm replacing them with the black/silver reflector knobs, which you have on your bird, because they look more vintage...

 

[BklynKen]

Different folks, different strokes....

All my Epi birds had those all black tophats with white numbering, that you want to buy - and I'm replacing them with the black/silver reflector knobs, which you have on your bird, because they look more vintage...

Hah, that's funny.

 

[ezra1]

I may have a new T-bird later this week.
If so I will get my little flock together for a photo.

 

[moonshinegtrs]

I'll start us off with this shot of Phil Jones, the Thunderbird he's holding is a one-off, made for The Scorpions tho never used. Korina and a bound and blocked neck - Sexy!

I just saw this (man, you guys are fast!)...

Great pic of Phil Jones. He is one of the most talented builders that I have ever met. The work this guy does is amazing. He worked at Gibson's custom shop for years as well as doing museum quality restorations at Gruhn's Guitars. He is running his own one man shop these days. Great bass player & all around good dude.


Moonshine

 

[BklynKen]

Wow, that one-off looks great. I love the block inlays. I always hated the dots and would prefer either no inlays or in this case, blocks.

 

[TBird1958]

I just saw this (man, you guys are fast!)...

Great pic of Phil Jones. He is one of the most talented builders that I have ever met. The work this guy does is amazing. He worked at Gibson's custom shop for years as well as doing museum quality restorations at Gruhn's Guitars. He is running his own one man shop these days. Great bass player & all around good dude.


Moonshine

That bass, along with many other Gibson prototypes and at least one each of every model bass Gibson has ever produced are part of a collection in Frankfurt, Germany.
The U.S. Thunderbird is long overdue for a makeover, chrome hardware and blocks anyone?!

 

[BklynKen]

The U.S. Thunderbird is long overdue for a makeover, chrome hardware and blocks anyone?!

I'm just thrilled I could have one at all!

 

[godofthunder59]

If they get there act together at Gibson I would much rather see dot than block, now if they offered both that would be cool but I'm dreaming.

 

[PatQ]

That bass, along with many other Gibson prototypes and at least one each of every model bass Gibson has ever produced are part of a collection in Frankfurt, Germany.
The U.S. Thunderbird is long overdue for a makeover, chrome hardware and blocks anyone?!

Got more infos on that? Frankfurt is about two hours from me.

 

[ezra1]

Yeah I could go for some block inlays and non black hardware.
The photo of that one off with the block inlays looks like what the Custom Shop should offer as a 50th Anniversary Custom T-Bird.

 

[scars]

The U.S. Thunderbird is long overdue for a makeover, chrome hardware and blocks anyone?!

I'd like to see Trapezoids and binding as an option. But blocks belong on Fender Jazzes only.

If Gibson got their act together they would put out a newly designed 2 piece bridge and tail stop design that is worth a darn and never use a 3 point again.

Maybe a wrap a round 1 pc bridge with real intonation adjustments for SG basses, EB3 re-issues, mid towns and the ES-335 bass.

After all the biggest and glaring down fall of all Gibson basses has been the bridge.
(I see the new design EB's have Babicz bridges... That's one small step

 

[SturmUndDrang]

I think Rhombus inlays would compliment the T-bird shape best.
The Frankfurt collection T-bird1958 writes of is a private one. I'd be afraid to get to close in fear that it's some sort of Gibson bass black hole

 

[TBird1958]

Aww man.................., I love Three Point Bridges!

They seriously garner a lot of hate, but in all truth, on all my basses there's never been a problem with one. In fact one of my '76s has a busted headstock that over time has developed a slight twist, reversing a saddle allowed this to be easily compensated for.
However, a nice new two point, they should spec and use Scott's (Godofthunder59) bridge, would indeed be nice as a general make over and retro update of a truely classic bass. With all the really nice chrome pickups and new tuners designed by Hipshot just for T Birds an update *could* be a fantastic bass.

 

[TBird1958]

Got more infos on that? Frankfurt is about two hours from me.

This is a private collection, visit us over here:

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It's actually the best website for Gibson bass fans on the web! Introduce yourself, anything is possible

 

[TomStuart]

I plan on having either blocks or trapezoids replace the iron crosses on my blackbird. I haven't decided on which and I don't know what I want to use as the inlay.