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Thunderbird Club Pt. II

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#541
Chrome tuners you can get just about anywhere. I went with Hipshot Ultralight Clovers. Drop in replacement, vintage look, and less weight than traditional old school tuners. If you have an Epi Blackbird, you can either use an All Parts replacement bridge, or chrome Epi ones come up okn ebay fairly often. If it's a Gibson... it will be harder to find since Gibson doesnt like to sell bass parts ala carte. And for chrome pups, you can go with Mike Lulls or Thunderbuckers from Thunderbucker Ranch- both make '60s repros. And if it's a Gibson... then you can sell me your Blackbird pups! Look under the neck pup and see if it's marked "204" or "214" ;)
 
#542
sj_bass said:
Quick question that I figured should be on this list... Where can I go to get some chrome for my bird? I just think that Blackbirds with chrome hardware just look so damn sexy :hyper:
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It's red, but you get the idea........Pups by Mike Lull, Hipshot tuners, the TRC and PG are ebay parts that I had chrome plated......yes it's gaudy.



NikkiII004.jpg

NikkiII006.jpg

NikkiII002.jpg
 
#546
Dr. Eagle said:
Here's my latest baby. An Arctic White Epiphone Thunderbird IV with the chrome pickup covers. I will undoubtedly do something with the pickups but this thing was so pretty i just couldn't resist getting it.
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I saw one of these at GC- really caught my attention as soon I walked in. It's a shame the standard Epi IV's don't have a thin J*zz style neck like the Gibsons, Pros, and Epi Sixx.
 
#547
stiles72 said:
I saw one of these at GC- really caught my attention as soon I walked in. It's a shame the standard Epi IV's don't have a thin J*zz style neck like the Gibsons, Pros, and Epi Sixx.
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I agree it would be nicer if the neck were a little bit thinner... but its no thicker than the neck on my 70s Pbass. I do like the neck on my Epi T Bird Pro V better but it wasn't a show stopper for me. I usually don't go for a solid color bass,i only have 1 other out of my horde. The rest are transparent or translucent finish. I just couldn't pass this one up. :hyper:
 
#549
i always liked the epi tbird....till i played one.... very high action and yes top heavy at the head so it slipped head down so i put more work in to holding it up....so if i bought one how do u stop these problems...moving the strap button to were?
 
#554
So what diameter tuners should I order for replacements on my Epiphone bird? I am not sure if they are 1/2" or 3/8". I guess I could take one off and measure it, but it is way easier to just ask. I put a hipshot supertone bridge on it and it is very nice, tuners are next. And then a new nut- I am also open to nut suggestions, so feel free to throw those out there as well. I am absolutely loving this thing, but there are some weak spots that come with it being a budget bass- all easily upgraded, of course!
 
#555
TBird1958 said:
It's red, but you get the idea........Pups by Mike Lull, Hipshot tuners, the TRC and PG are ebay parts that I had chrome plated......yes it's gaudy.
Click to expand...

Remember, we don't play Bird's to blend in... I got the perfect strap for ya - its a Jodi Head red vinyl/leather with two black stars on a white bkgd. Search eBay for Jodi Head Star and you'll see it. Best part: $21 delivered.
 
#556
Lucas G said:
So what diameter tuners should I order for replacements on my Epiphone bird? I am not sure if they are 1/2" or 3/8". I guess I could take one off and measure it, but it is way easier to just ask. I put a hipshot supertone bridge on it and it is very nice, tuners are next. And then a new nut- I am also open to nut suggestions, so feel free to throw those out there as well. I am absolutely loving this thing, but there are some weak spots that come with it being a budget bass- all easily upgraded, of course!
Click to expand...

Anyone have an answer on the tuners? I want to get them ordered!
 
#558
If you install the Hipshots exactly as the Epi tuners were, the clovers will bump into each other as you tune. Instead, you'll want to snug them all in place, and position each one slightly so the clovers clear the one beside it. Once you're sure they'll all clear each other, then you can screw in the attaching screw on the back of each tuner. Be prepared to drill a new pilot hole as they old pilot/screw hole likely will not line up.
 
#559
stiles72 said:
If you install the Hipshots exactly as the Epi tuners were, the clovers will bump into each other as you tune. Instead, you'll want to snug them all in place, and position each one slightly so the clovers clear the one beside it. Once you're sure they'll all clear each other, then you can screw in the attaching screw on the back of each tuner. Be prepared to drill a new pilot hole as they old pilot/screw hole likely will not line up.
Click to expand...

Could you post a pic off this?
 
#560
Here's a photo of the back of the headstock. The "D" string tuner is in the stock Epi position, and used the stock Epi screw hole. The others had to be adjusted a bit, forming an "arc" as shown. The variation from the stock pilot holes was very slight, but necessary because the clovers are so much bigger than the stock Gotoh style tuners.

hipshots-back.jpg
 
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