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Thunderbird Club Pt. II

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#323
Okay, I have a question. I am having the hardest time getting my Thunderbird set up properly. I broke a string and decided to just pull the old ones off and throw a set of Rotosounds on. I made a few adjustments to the three-point bridge. Now, I can not get the buzz to go away no matter what adjustments I make, on any of the strings.

I've never fooled around with the three-point bridge before, just the stock Fender bridges. Can anyone offer any assistance to me on how to get this bass set up so that it is playable again?
 
#324
snowblinder said:
Okay, I have a question. I am having the hardest time getting my Thunderbird set up properly. I broke a string and decided to just pull the old ones off and throw a set of Rotosounds on. I made a few adjustments to the three-point bridge. Now, I can not get the buzz to go away no matter what adjustments I make, on any of the strings.

I've never fooled around with the three-point bridge before, just the stock Fender bridges. Can anyone offer any assistance to me on how to get this bass set up so that it is playable again?
Click to expand...

In the 3 & 1/2 years I've had mine, I tried to do what you're doing only once, it didn't work for me, so I took it to someone who knew what they were doing, so that's my advice, but then again you're probably alot better at setting up a bass than I am...
 
#325
snowblinder said:
Okay, I have a question. I am having the hardest time getting my Thunderbird set up properly. I broke a string and decided to just pull the old ones off and throw a set of Rotosounds on. I made a few adjustments to the three-point bridge. Now, I can not get the buzz to go away no matter what adjustments I make, on any of the strings.

I've never fooled around with the three-point bridge before, just the stock Fender bridges. Can anyone offer any assistance to me on how to get this bass set up so that it is playable again?
Click to expand...

I had an issue with strings/frets buzzing on mine once, after I let it sit awhile (we were in the process of moving, and it was packed away). The lowest frets buzzed, FWIW. Loosening the truss rod around 1/3 of a turn made everything beauteous again.
 
#326
Best to work slow with a 3 point, and be sure to make minor adjustments equally between all three posts so as to not place uneven stress on the mounting ferrulls.
And of course if it doesn't work don't be afraid to take it to a better luthier. Mine always go to Mike Lull, he's just got the touch, better than I ever will.

Here's a couple bridge shots, you can also reverse individual saddles to gain a bit of extra height.

1299181148.jpg

1299181106.jpg

1299181126.jpg
 
#330
BluesBear said:
That's an "OmniGrab".

Nikki Sixx hooks it with his pinky finger to combat neck dive when he removes his left hand from the neck.
Or so I read in an interview/review.

To be honest I never could see the use of the thing.
Click to expand...


Close but no..........

It's called an Opti-Grab. Named after the device Stve Martin's character in the movie "The Jerk" invents.
As you can see he hooks his pinky in it to sometimes anchor his right hand while playing.........:bassist:

On mine since I wanted all the hardware in chrome it only followed on to have the stock black one stripped and chromed......yeah, I'm that silly :p

nikkisixx1_17298317.jpg
 
#331
TBird1958 said:
Close but no..........

It's called an Opti-Grab. Named after the device Stve Martin's character in the movie "The Jerk" invents.
As you can see he hooks his pinky in it to sometimes anchor his right hand while playing.........:bassist:

On mine since I wanted all the hardware in chrome it only followed on to have the stock black one stripped and chromed......yeah, I'm that silly :p

nikkisixx1_17298317.jpg
Click to expand...

That looks really uncomfortable.
 
#332
Yeah... OptiGrab... that's what my fingers tried to type but soneome sritched ny kegtops awoumd. :D

The photo I saw of him had him doing what appeared to be fist pumps with his left hand, holding the bass with his right hand, while standing on a PA stack.

Yeah it looks uncomfortable to me too. :eyebrow:
One stumble and you could have a broken finger. :eek:

 
#335
Tilli said:
here is a picture of my 2005 Thunderbird Studio 5-String

attachment.jpg
Click to expand...



That is one fine bass!
And it's the one Thunderbird I really still GAS for, a real beauty I've added you to our roster, Tilli - Thank you!

TBird1958 #1
Godof Thunder59 #2
Funkster#3
Gibenbackerbass #4
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Jazzbo58 #6
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Dr.Eagle #68
lowend1 #69 Mopar or no car!
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s mcsleazy #71
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roffe #110
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Tilli #120
 
#336
@ HAVOK send us some pics of your new 'Bird when it arrives, we'd be happy to have you here.
 
#337
Was on here looking up info on an epi EBM 4 and I ran across this tread. The day I picked up my Epi T-bird is the day my entire bass playing life changed. Never before had I held anything so possessed, so heavy, so thunderous.

Looking at all these beauties got me frothy, and in honor of your club and picture excellence I have joined Talkbass and now post mine. Behold: THUNDERBONE.

All stock except moved the straplock from the neck position to the back neck plate. Like others have said, I like a low rider and enjoy the dive but felt it was a touch too much to worry about as it was. The plate position gives it a "medium dive."

Thanks for being as frothy about these as I am, and for an enjoyable read to end the work day.
 

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#338
I've got a question for all you TBirders out there. I'm going to be doing a TBird custom build soon, and was curious if anyone could tell me of a source for parts. Sorry if this has been asked before. I did a few quick searches and couldn't find anything. Mainly I'm looking for a pickguard. Will I need to custom build my own? Thanks in advance. Once I get the bird built, I'll definitely be joining the club!
 
#339
I've made several custom ones from sheet styrene that I then custom painted designs on, the interesting thing is that between the various vintages/makes no two are the same dimensions. You should also check ebay too, as I've seen plenty of aftermaket ones designed for Epiphone Standard 'Birds and one guy that makes them from laser cut stainless steel.
This is one of the stainless ones that I had chrome plated
NikkiII002.jpg
 
#340
TheDude007 said:
I've got a question for all you TBirders out there. I'm going to be doing a TBird custom build soon, and was curious if anyone could tell me of a source for parts. ... Mainly I'm looking for a pickguard. Will I need to custom build my own?
Click to expand...

Since my first purchase in 1981 I've have nothing but great success with the folks at Chandler. Nowadays known as Pickguard Heaven.
They can make you a plate anyway you can imagine it.

 
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