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Thunderbird Club

#202,082
GonePlaid said:
When you first posted you were getting that, I knew were gonna fall head over(high)heels for it.
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Yeah, it's just a fact that nothing sounds like those '60s Thunderbirds. Once anyone plays one they get it and other Thunderbirds drop down on the tree a bit. Not far, but nothing takes the high nest like the originals.
 
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#202,083
lildrgn said:
ok, just played through a yacht rock set I'm learning for a new project. All TB all the time for about an hour or so, standing in my basement, singing backing vocals and playing bass. The bass (fixed, now, thanks for the nut tips) performed admirably, but I GOTTA get a wider strap. Even with the strap pin at the heel of the neck, it dives like a pelican. Even if I put the strap over the rear fin, still dives. I put a wider strap (3") on a birthday list but that means I can't buy it just yet.

Not only the neck dive, but also hello shoulder pain! Never had that before, but right where the strap sits on my shoulder is a little sore now. Never had that with my other basses.

Maybe it's like a new pair of shoes; I gotta break the bass in (and my body to play it)!
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Good leather straps work for me, generally padded. (I also have 4" Italia that feels really good but never use it.) If a leather strap doesn't have suede on the back they will slide more until it gets formed to your shoulder. That can take some time. I have a nice padded leather that has formed to me and the suede isn't needed. All my straps are padded except the Italia, which is wide enough to not need it.
 
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#202,086
lildrgn said:
ok, just played through a yacht rock set I'm learning for a new project. All TB all the time for about an hour or so, standing in my basement, singing backing vocals and playing bass. The bass (fixed, now, thanks for the nut tips) performed admirably, but I GOTTA get a wider strap. Even with the strap pin at the heel of the neck, it dives like a pelican. Even if I put the strap over the rear fin, still dives. I put a wider strap (3") on a birthday list but that means I can't buy it just yet.

Not only the neck dive, but also hello shoulder pain! Never had that before, but right where the strap sits on my shoulder is a little sore now. Never had that with my other basses.

Maybe it's like a new pair of shoes; I gotta break the bass in (and my body to play it)!
Click to expand...
A longer strap helps. Have the bass lower; on your hip and angle the neck up.
 
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#202,087
PillO said:
A longer strap helps. Have the bass lower; on your hip and angle the neck up.
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Like this? But you have to be no more than 6" taller than the bass for it to work. This makes the strap look longer. Even like this you can tell it's even more painful.
Hint: If you can reach the volume/tone knobs, you ain't doin' it right.
anBn.jpg
 
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#202,089
MCF said:
Doing your own repairs, setups and maintenance can be a fulfilling part of the hobby.
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I like having a bass tech. I call him up whenever I want and say, "Hey goofball, this bass needs some attention." Then I generally get right on it. It's a good arrangement. ;). But I often think of firing that guy, but he's cheap.
 
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#202,093
lildrgn said:
ok, just played through a yacht rock set I'm learning for a new project. All TB all the time for about an hour or so, standing in my basement, singing backing vocals and playing bass. The bass (fixed, now, thanks for the nut tips) performed admirably, but I GOTTA get a wider strap. Even with the strap pin at the heel of the neck, it dives like a pelican. Even if I put the strap over the rear fin, still dives. I put a wider strap (3") on a birthday list but that means I can't buy it just yet.

Not only the neck dive, but also hello shoulder pain! Never had that before, but right where the strap sits on my shoulder is a little sore now. Never had that with my other basses.

Maybe it's like a new pair of shoes; I gotta break the bass in (and my body to play it)!
Click to expand...
You’ll find the best way for you to hold it. I like the 4” Italia straps Guitar Straps | Custom Leather Guitar Straps | Bass Guitar Straps or the now discontinued Gibson Slingshot straps. I don’t know what neck dive is. YMMV.
 
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#202,094
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#202,099
PillO said:
Some say that the Hipshot shouldn't be used on a Gibson as there are recesses for the raised flange on the anchor and with the flush flanges on a Gibson, it is possible to pull out the anchors. However, I would dispute that, as I have seen no problem on my own installation. It could simply be a matter of applying correct torque.
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That happened to my EB4-L. I put the original tilt-o-matic back on anyway as I couldn't get the action low enough with the Hipshot. The 2 point stays put once you get by the excruciating PITA of getting it set the way you like it. Three points are a walk in the park compared to a two point.
 
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#202,100
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