So instead of using a cloth like when I polish my bass, i use 3m scotch brite pads with the polish?
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So instead of using a cloth like when I polish my bass, i use 3m scotch brite pads with the polish?
- Jul 1, 2005
- 4,291
- 21,932
- 79
- Disclosures
- CataldoBasses: Designer/Builder ThunderBuckerPickups:Consultant
While i was looking around and seeing how epiphone thunderbirds have so many problems and flaws i've thought of all the things they could improve to make it cosmetically better. Here we go:
-Strap pin placement. NOTE: the new ones have it already installed at the back on the plate top right screw bolt to the neck.
-output jack. If they placed them on the bottom gibson style, like the pro birds, it would look better and have less chance of breaking that thin layer of wood and chipping the whole front of the bass.
-hipshot tuners.Preferably 3/8 ultralites in black. Better sustain.
-The famous '3point bridge'. The freaking pins that come out...Hmm? Either use crazy glue(contact cement) in the first place or use hipshot's 3point replacement bridge. Improves sustain form the start and no worries about it pulling out.
Also, it would be marvellous if epiphone offered more colours to the thunderbird instead of just Vintage Sunburst. Make the limited edition colours and option for the buyer. White, Blue, Red, Silverburst, Wood colour would be cool in my opinion.
Oh strap locks would be a nice edition. Just saying. Epiphone we know you can do better.
-Strap pin placement. NOTE: the new ones have it already installed at the back on the plate top right screw bolt to the neck.
-output jack. If they placed them on the bottom gibson style, like the pro birds, it would look better and have less chance of breaking that thin layer of wood and chipping the whole front of the bass.
-hipshot tuners.Preferably 3/8 ultralites in black. Better sustain.
-The famous '3point bridge'. The freaking pins that come out...Hmm? Either use crazy glue(contact cement) in the first place or use hipshot's 3point replacement bridge. Improves sustain form the start and no worries about it pulling out.
Also, it would be marvellous if epiphone offered more colours to the thunderbird instead of just Vintage Sunburst. Make the limited edition colours and option for the buyer. White, Blue, Red, Silverburst, Wood colour would be cool in my opinion.
Oh strap locks would be a nice edition. Just saying. Epiphone we know you can do better.
Thanks for the club #, TBird 1958. 
I'm lovin my Bird! It has the same guts as a Benevente/Low End bass, so it sounds great!
I'll post a few pics.
I'm lovin my Bird! It has the same guts as a Benevente/Low End bass, so it sounds great!I'll post a few pics.
Those would be better features on the Epi's but then the price would be much higher. The Pro series is a nice step in the right direction in my IMO. Not a huge price difference between the bolt on Birds and the Pro's but better features. Not having a three point is a big plus for me. I'm not a big fan of those but I know there are people that like them. For the money the bolt on versions are good platforms for modification.
Lucky for me the.previous owner of my Thunderbird had already relocated to fix the neck dive issue. So everyone knows about the neck dive, so why do you think the Thunderbird manufacturers have not fixed the problem?
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,898
- 142,254
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- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Thanks for the club #, TBird 1958.
I'll post a few pics.
That's an exceptionally beautiful bass, as time allows I know we'd like to hear more about it.
- The new strap pin placement was a smart move. I'm glad they finally did it. They'll probably sell better this way.
- The jack location works for me. You say that it's weak, but it's vintage correct and less likely to get whacked or crushed when you sit down.
- I've found that the stock tuning machines do their job as well as any. If your instrument doesn't stay in tune, then the nut probably needs work. The nut on mine was crudely cut from the factory, so I filed the slots during the setup. That made a big difference in feel, and may explain why mine stays in tune so well. There's an argument to be made for lighter components, but I've found nothing wrong with the functionality of the stock units. I'm not sure how swapping tuning machines would increase sustain, or why you'd think that's necessary. It sustains pretty much the same as any other bass. If yours doesn't, then you might want to try different strings and/or lowering the pickups.
- I wonder what percentage of T-bird owners actually have trouble with the bridge pulling out? From what I've heard, that only happens when the back is set much higher than the front. I keep mine level, and it's been good so far. Appearance-wise, I prefer it to aftermarket bridges. The only change that I would make to it is to allow for lower adjustment. I had to shim the neck to get the action where I like it.
- Additional colors are always welcome.
That said, what I'd like to see from Epiphone is a Pro-type model with passive pickups, VVT controls in the standard location, without "Pro" in the name. Basically, a neck through Epiphone version of the Gibson Thunderbird IV. As it stands, the IV has the look and the electronics layout of the Gibson with a nonstandard neck, whereas the Pro has the neck through design with nonstandard electronics.
Thanks for the club #, TBird 1958.
I'll post a few pics.
VERY NICE!!!! neck dive manageable???
The price would jack up just slightly a bit. And yeah it is a good platform for mods
I just got it yesterday, so I'll let you know after band practice tomorrow afternoon.
-The jack might be vintage correct but check this link out from another talkbass member. NOTE: his was damaged during shipping. But it could happen anyhow also.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/ups-broke-t-bird-i-rebuilt-837678/
-My bass stays in tune i'm just saying it would improve a lot to a bass i guess.
-I'm part of that percentage. I've been fixing both of them with contact cement. I like the 3point compared to hipshot's replacement.
Off the the pharmacy to buy some GAS-x...
Where do you rest your thumb on your TBird? I usually rest my thumb on the neck pickup on other basses, but doing so on the TBird just feels messy and floppy. Its easier for my to rest my arm on the bird, thumb on the bridge pickup, and feels tighter when I play...that and I get string buzz on the neck pickup
The goth PG is thicker and has 4 screws in different locations, but theyre hidden under the regular PG so its fine. I like the the Goth PG better since the finish on this Epi is darker than the ones Ive seen/owned.
Where I place my thumb depends on the tone I'm going for, which sometimes changes in different parts of a song. But usually on the neck pickup.
Here's a few specs:
Made for 2011 NAMM by Brian Barrett at Low End Basses
Carved Spalted Maple top
Alder body
Set Maple neck
34" scale
19 mm string spacing at bridge
Benevente wide humbuckers
Benevente 2-band preamp, vol/pan/treble and bass stack
Switches for each pickup for series/parallel/single coil modes
10.1 lbs.
That looks just like Brian, BTW!
Made for 2011 NAMM by Brian Barrett at Low End Basses
Carved Spalted Maple top
Alder body
Set Maple neck
34" scale
19 mm string spacing at bridge
Benevente wide humbuckers
Benevente 2-band preamp, vol/pan/treble and bass stack
Switches for each pickup for series/parallel/single coil modes
10.1 lbs.
That looks just like Brian, BTW!
Well, I'm finished with the shinning of my flat to matte goth bird. I'm so Proud of the results. Did it three times today and it shines like it's been played for 5 years already. I'm in love with it again. All the red electric tape is gone i'm a bit sad but it's time for a new style/design on the bass. Maybe bullseye?
Sad thing though I need 3 things:
-The right pole piece keeps popping out even after the contact cement has been put in. I'll put some more let it cool and harden over night and if it still pops out when i try to tighten the string tension i'll bring it for repair.
Besides I need to:
-Get the stupid top right bolt out of the neck socket. The head of the bolt broke off when i was putting it back in and it's been like that ever since a week after i had gotten the bass.
-And it needs a good pro setup. even though i could care less about the height of the strings being not even a cm off, it would be nice since i was foolish enough to not get one when i had the chance. (when you purchase guitars/basses, they give you a setup so it's perfect once you get home.
Sad thing though I need 3 things:
-The right pole piece keeps popping out even after the contact cement has been put in. I'll put some more let it cool and harden over night and if it still pops out when i try to tighten the string tension i'll bring it for repair.
Besides I need to:
-Get the stupid top right bolt out of the neck socket. The head of the bolt broke off when i was putting it back in and it's been like that ever since a week after i had gotten the bass.
-And it needs a good pro setup. even though i could care less about the height of the strings being not even a cm off, it would be nice since i was foolish enough to not get one when i had the chance. (when you purchase guitars/basses, they give you a setup so it's perfect once you get home.
But what the heck. ANyway i haven't strung up my bird just yet. I'm giving it an extra day to set itself and hopefully it'll be okay. anyway, while in class, I wrote a bunch of stuff that I need to do in order for my bird to fully be to my liking. Here's the list:
Thunderbird mods! to do list.
-White Speed knobs with splattered red paint
-Telecaster jack output
-Fill in existing jack hole
-Chrome washers for strap locks
-Opti-grab
-Remove neck plate
-Recess the screw holes
-Shorter bolts.
-Add wood to neck. (it's hard to explain but i want to add a piece of wood at the bottom of the neck just where it meets the body and have it rounded so that when i slide i don't jab my hand into the body.
Future stuff:
-decal headstock with red stripes. possibly the body too
Thunderbird mods! to do list.
-White Speed knobs with splattered red paint
-Telecaster jack output
-Fill in existing jack hole
-Chrome washers for strap locks
-Opti-grab
-Remove neck plate
-Recess the screw holes
-Shorter bolts.
-Add wood to neck. (it's hard to explain but i want to add a piece of wood at the bottom of the neck just where it meets the body and have it rounded so that when i slide i don't jab my hand into the body.
Future stuff:
-decal headstock with red stripes. possibly the body too
To spice things up, Out of all the birds you guys own, Which one wouldn't bother you if you let it go? I know I can't not my first bird. But if I had more than one, I wouldn't mind parting ways with an epi Vintage sunburst model. classic look but to me not a lot to do to make it look like mine.
The only bass I will never sell is my beginner defretted ibanez gio (because Id have to pay someone to get rid of it). Im still kick myself for selling this Edwards Bird because I figured out how to use it the day I was packing it up to be shipped.
For some reason Ive had to sell every bird that Ive come across, and this time its because I spent a ton on it. Going up on the bay today
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