Is this normal? My new bass' fretboard sits proud of the body. It seems to play fine, but I'm curious if this is a T-bird thing or something.
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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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- club thunderbird
Mine? I'm a musician. I'm in a constant state of "perse auki" and I don't even smoke, hardly drink and don't do drugs. Can't wait for the 31st of March to see my salary disappear magically from my bank account.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,589
- 221,974
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
It's what's called a ledge or ramp or extended fb. Not only on T-birds - it's normal.
That’s a very familiar story around here, pretty much matches my original Tbird experience as well. Fender for many years, then one day a Tbird lands in my hands and Bam, that’s it. I still have the Fenders but my Tbirds get nearly all the play time these days. Welcome to the club! It moves fast, so pop in often.
BTW - nice rig you have there! I’m a huge Bergantino fan and pretty much settled on their cabs for all my bass needs.
Don’t forget the headstock is always just one second away from popping off, the bridge is a joke, the QC is atrocious, it’s a one trick pony, it can’t be used for Jazz or country or worship or contemporary/prog/punk/alt or classic rock, it can’t be slapped, and it’s over priced. Professional players never use them and there aren’t any good songs that have ever been recorded with them. Gibson doesn’t make basses, they make guitars and about the only thing they’ve ever done right is get rid of that obnoxious Henry dude that was running the company, even their employees hate working there.
I think that pretty much sums up the general opinions of many bass players on TB that have never actually spent much time playing a Tbird. Of course we know better.
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I have a Greco II Tbird and a Greco IV Tbird and they do in fact sound different but I chalk that up to mostly the different strings they wear. If there is a difference between an equally outfitted II and a IV it’s probably subtle. One bass that it could possibly make a very noticeable difference on would be the 2015 Tbird with the monster magnet pups, that’s the only bass I’ve ever owned where you can easily pull the strings completely out of intonation by raising the pups. So getting rid of one of those pups might actually change the overall movement of the vibrating strings.I have a knob that turns my IV into a II!
I know it's been said that having two PUs does change the tone a bit, or should/could due to the lack of electrical thingys. It very well may more than on paper, but I don't know if my ears would know the difference.
Also related to two PU instruments--Some of us have noticed a volume or mid drop off with both PUs were full on. At least on some instruments. True for all but maybe one of my basses and true of the strat as well. Anyway, I was watching a review of a new Gibson guitar and when the middle position was selected the meter showed a noticeable decline in output (had P90s). And the reviewer didn't think that odd. Just thought that was interesting.
Looks beautiful! Congrats on the new bird!
…and not just any old Gibson, but one with the same style of pickups that the 2015 Tbird uses.
I’ve always considered most rosewood fretboards as unfinished and therefore in need of occasional oiling to condition the board. I would have assumed the Dunlop 65 lemon oil would be ok to use on a rosewood board as long as you wipe it on and wipe it off. To be honest, I’ve never used that brand before, so if they say don’t (even though I can’t imagine why) then I wouldn’t, but I would find a fretboard conditioner that is compatible with unfinished wood, you’ll need to eventually condition that board.
^This!
godofthunder59
Life is short, buy the bass.
- Feb 19, 2006
- 9,058
- 38,408
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Cataldo Basses, Whirlwind products, Thunderbucker pickups
That's what I'm talk'n about!
Looks fantastic!
I'm sure it was great to meet Gaolee.
Did he mention that bass was hot?
Just kidding, of course. The first two statements are 100% true--the third is 100% false. Enjoy your new Thunderbird! And always take some statements here with healthy suspicion.
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Great idea. Levels the frets as well in one easy step.
Looks the same as my 2018 IV.
Now that I'm setting up the bird, rather than starting a new thread, I think the club is more helpful with responses. Let's talk about the 3 point bridge.
When I was cleaning the bass, I flipped it over to get the backside and the 4 string holders fell out of the bridge. I have since put them back on where I thought they were (based on pictures I took before) and restrung the bass with some old flats I had laying around.
The bass is playable, but the string heights are all wonky now. I see the horizontally set adjustment screws, do I simply tighten/loosen them to move the guide back and forth? I think those would only adjust intonation, right? How do I set the heights?
I also had to file the A-string nut slot. The roundwound that was in there fit fine, but I tried to get a flat in there and realized it was not sitting in the slot. Now it's fitting.
I have yet to check or adjust the neck. The action was lower than I like when I first got it but Gaolee indicated he hadn't touched or set it up in a minute. I may need to adjust the pickup heights as well.
Looking forward to spending some more time with it today between calls for work. Thanks for everyone's input and advice for the new guy!
When I was cleaning the bass, I flipped it over to get the backside and the 4 string holders fell out of the bridge. I have since put them back on where I thought they were (based on pictures I took before) and restrung the bass with some old flats I had laying around.
The bass is playable, but the string heights are all wonky now. I see the horizontally set adjustment screws, do I simply tighten/loosen them to move the guide back and forth? I think those would only adjust intonation, right? How do I set the heights?
I also had to file the A-string nut slot. The roundwound that was in there fit fine, but I tried to get a flat in there and realized it was not sitting in the slot. Now it's fitting.
I have yet to check or adjust the neck. The action was lower than I like when I first got it but Gaolee indicated he hadn't touched or set it up in a minute. I may need to adjust the pickup heights as well.
Looking forward to spending some more time with it today between calls for work. Thanks for everyone's input and advice for the new guy!
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,897
- 142,237
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Check the undersides of the saddles, there may numbers on them, but I don't specifically recall if both Gibson and Epiphone did that.
I'm happy to add you to the club roster if you like, just let me know.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,589
- 221,974
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I don't know if a belt sander was used, but I've seen an example where someone leveled the frets to the fb. (?) One way to have a lined fretless... but not a good way.
recognize the after market goodies?………
godofthunder59
Life is short, buy the bass.
- Feb 19, 2006
- 9,058
- 38,408
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Cataldo Basses, Whirlwind products, Thunderbucker pickups
I dorecognize the after market goodies?………
well, if it means anything, this bass has never played any better…….so, a BIG thank you sir…..I do
godofthunder59
Life is short, buy the bass.
- Feb 19, 2006
- 9,058
- 38,408
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Cataldo Basses, Whirlwind products, Thunderbucker pickups
It does! I'm very pleased!well, if it means anything, this bass has never played any better…….so, a BIG thank you sir…..
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
We aim to enable around here. I'm happy that one is going to get played. It's way too good an instrument to be neglected like it has been.
