Thunderbird Club Pt. II

[stiles72]

Rdwil - Watch out - "chromitis" is contagious! Mark (Tbird1958) is really the expert on chrome, and has done just about everything with chrome on a Thunderbird you can think of. He even has a chrome opti-grab!

Other than going with Mike Lull pickups, there is no easy solution. What I did on mine was just use an automotive chrome bumper repair kit from Auto Zone. It's like a mylar sticker, and I just cut a piece to fit the top of the pickups since wrapping it around would create seams, and with resting my thumb on the pickup itself - I figured it would cause it to start peeling. It's a temporary solution - but from a distance it looks good enough to fool most people in a bar

Other folks have made flat aluminum toppers or caps that fit over the existing pickup and attach using the existing pickup screws- so thats a more permanent option. I found a guy on another forum who actually chromed a set of Epi T-bird pups by a process called Vaccum Metalizing, but I haven't heard back from him to learn more about the process:

 

[rdwil191]

hhuugghhh...chromitis.....ha ha! Thanks for the info stiles72...nice & easy solution. Thx for the#, Mark...love that bird collection of yours! Rob

 

[TBird1958]

Getting carried away with the chrome...... Ebay guy's parts (TRC and PG) along with a New Gibson bridge and Lull pups........

 

[electracoyote]

Getting carried away with the chrome...... Ebay guy's parts (TRC and PG) along with a New Gibson bridge and Lull pups........

Yes, chrome rules!

I also got ahold of one of those TRC's on eBay and had it chromed locally. The cool part is the "Gibson" logo is cut out, so the headstock finish shows through.

 

[Dr. Eagle]

Getting carried away with the chrome...... Ebay guy's parts (TRC and PG) along with a New Gibson bridge and Lull pups........

That looks awesome. How is the quality of the Pickguard? He has a lot of disclaimers on his ebay listing about the appearance.

 

[Dr. Eagle]

Played my new Epiphone T Bird today with the drummer from my Who Tribute Band and another guitarist. Just jamming both original stuff and covers for about 5 hours. My new Ebird is flipping awesome I was very, very impressed with both the sound and playability!

 

[ih8law]

I'm a moron and couldn't figure out what the knobs on my Pro V did for the longest time. I was having a hum issue and thought it was attributable to the neck pickup. After I figured out the knob situation, I realized the hum only was present when the treble boost was up over half way. Live and learn, I guess.

I made a chart for anyone who may be curious about the knob configuration for the Pro TBirds:

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[musicman7722]

Here's Johnk 10's BaCHbird. Beautiful!

And you're #82

I had a 1960 version of that TBird. Neck snapped twice, had to let her go, shame. Bought it in 1973 after diggin Wishbone Ash. Didn't realize for years that it wasn't a TBird in traditional standards. still not sure what it is actually called? Chris

 

[Dr. Eagle]

I'm a moron and couldn't figure out what the knobs on my Pro V did for the longest time. I was having a hum issue and thought it was attributable to the neck pickup. After I figured out the knob situation, I realized the hum only was present when the treble boost was up over half way. Live and learn, I guess.

I made a chart for anyone who may be curious about the knob configuration for the Pro TBirds:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

thanks! Took me a little while to get them figured out too.
I noticed that the electronics cavity doesn't appear to be shielded. Something I'll probably take on a little later is to do the copper wrap inside the electronics hold. Funny thing is that my Gibson Studio 5 string picks up hums easier. So I guess it will be on the electronics shielding list too.

 

[ih8law]

Isn't the cavity painted with that special black paint that functions to shield the electronics? I guess it wouldn't hurt to put in the copper foil, but I don't know that you need to do that if yours has that paint.

 

[Dr. Eagle]

Isn't the cavity painted with that special black paint that functions to shield the electronics? I guess it wouldn't hurt to put in the copper foil, but I don't know that you need to do that if yours has that paint.

My Gibson has serious noise from any dirty AC source. To the point if you turn in one direction its clear and turn another and there is that nasty 60HZ hum.

 

[BluesBear]

I had a 1960 version of that TBird. ... Didn't realize for years that it wasn't a TBird in traditional standards. still not sure what it is actually called? Chris

Gibson called it a Thunderbird IV.

And for the record there were no Thunderbirds or Firebirds in 1960.
What is now commonly referred to (in error) as a Reverse Thunderbird made it's first appearance in the 1963 Gibson catalogue.
What is now commonly referred to (again, in error) as the Non-Reverse Thunderbird didn't show up until the 1966 Gibson catalogue.

 

[TBird1958]

I had a 1960 version of that TBird. Neck snapped twice, had to let her go, shame. Bought it in 1973 after diggin Wishbone Ash. Didn't realize for years that it wasn't a TBird in traditional standards. still not sure what it is actually called? Chris

Correct or not........Lovingly that's called a Non Reverse.

One of my BaCH's with a new custom pickgard and a Mike Lull pickup.

 

[BluesBear]

This is the 8th Thunderbird I've owned in my life.
I wish I had every one of them back.

 

[TBird1958]

That looks awesome. How is the quality of the Pickguard? He has a lot of disclaimers on his ebay listing about the appearance.

I think he's doing some different sizes. i.e. Epi, Gibson, quality wise it's pretty nice, I think what he's refering to are small slots in the metal that are created when a section od material is cut away. Mine was neatly done and as a stainless part good quality. I wanted it, along with the TRC and the optigrab in chrome so I had them done locally, it was a little spendy but I love my chrome!

 

[BluesBear]

Does this make me #88?

 

[TBird1958]

Does this make me #88?

Indeed it does good sir!

Sorry be a long day, had to after getting home late from playing a show...

TBird1958 #1
Godof Thunder59 #2
Funkster#3
Gibenbackerbass #4
Sidd Laroy #5
Jazzbo58 #6
Tender Prey #7
Showdown #8
The Mojo Hobo #9
Doctorpunch #10
Stiles72 #11
Brenner182 #12
Baird6869 #13
Poorbassist15 #14
PWV #15
Mr Typhus #16
Tracii #17
Aditya #18
amimbari #19
knifedge #20
Nitrofix #21
Atoz #22
bassphreak #23
Seydlitz #24
bassclef112 #25
bassplayer8953 #26
D.M.N. #27
Edhunter #28
kruno maestro #29
Tombowlus #30
Kalik #31
#32 is a duplicate entry so we'll keep it open for now.
Walter Vega 33
Carlos 840 #34
Shadowtippy #35
Saltymonkey #36
lel95 #37
gaffster787 #38
mc2ny #39
Low Sound Love #40
BrianKrashpad #41
Deep Six #42
BenEd #43
Bassmachine2112 #44
ponkoponk #45
Heatheroo #46
darkside 88 #47
GCool#48
TedhHernstorm #49
Darbo #50
uncletupelo #51
Vaider #52
Rip Topaz #53
bmb73 #54
Badfish #55
Afireinside #56
Redstrand #57
reptyls #58
dabido #59
96tbird #60
whilke #61
JIO #63
thebrain #64
Rob Martinez #65
bazzandeson #66
PhR #67
Dr.Eagle #68
lowend1 #69 Mopar or no car!
Basvarken #70
s mcsleazy #71
Burruss #72
Matty H #73
moonshinegtrs #74
bass lord mutha #75
jumbodbassman #76
davidprice #77
A-Step-Towards #78
birdman14 #79
Quadzilla #80
jbalou02 #81
johnk 10 #82
electrocoyote #83
ih8law #84
muzukman7 #85
3rdcurve #86
rdwil191 #87
BluesBear #88

 

[BluesBear]

Sorry be a long day, had to after getting home late from playing a show...

You know, I think I need to come out and see/hear you and your T-Birds in action some day.

 

[TBird1958]

You know, I think I need to come out and see/hear you and your T-Birds in action some day.

Sheesh..........I am tired!

Let me try that again........Long day, had to work after playing a show last night!
We did two sets at Cub Motor in the SODO with some bellydancers and burlesque girls rounding out the night, we're off to Pt. Angeles in a couple weeks too. Anytime bro, I'll put you on the guest list!

 

[Dr. Eagle]

I think he's doing some different sizes. i.e. Epi, Gibson, quality wise it's pretty nice, I think what he's refering to are small slots in the metal that are created when a section od material is cut away. Mine was neatly done and as a stainless part good quality. I wanted it, along with the TRC and the optigrab in chrome so I had them done locally, it was a little spendy but I love my chrome!

I have to get one for my new Epi T Bird.