Thunderbird Club

[PillO]

Agreed about it being stock, from what I can tell in that pic, looks like the bridge on my Pro 5

View attachment 4672371

Pssst. Missing one string...

 

[WillyW]

Thanks. Then you have your mission. I and others are having trouble finding out where the trussrod cavity is in the neck, so slimming the neck down from the back won't hit it, ruining the neck.

the rods are the same depth every year, they guy at the belt sander changes.

ya ain’t gonna hit it.

 

[PillO]

The Epiphone Pro 4 & Pro 5 Thunderbirds are pretty much their own thing, just happen to be shaped like T-birds.

Special 4-wire pickups, active electronics (4 knobs), a unique bridge, and iirc (not at home atm), a regular stereo output jack on a jack plate on the rear edge (same place modern 'birds have a barrel jack)

The stereo jack is to allow the (mono) cable to act as a switch for the electronics.

 

[PillO]

dunno, they were evil, not necessarily fashionable.

Absolutely fashionable!

 

[BklynKen]

the rods are the same depth every year, they guy at the belt sander changes.

ya ain’t gonna hit it.

So you're saying the NR just has extra junk in the trunk and the trussrod is the same depth as the Reverse? Will you buy me a new one if somehow it does differ and a luthier hits it and ruins it?

 

[WillyW]

So you're saying the NR just has extra junk in the trunk and the trussrod is the same depth as the Reverse? Will you buy me a new one if somehow it does differ and a luthier hits it and ruins it?

grow a pair and shave it down yourself!

the guy at geetar center isn’t a luthier!

 

[BklynKen]

grow a pair and shave it down yourself!

the guy at geetar center isn’t a luthier!

This doesn't make any sense. I live in a NYC apartment and don't have the space, tools, or skill to do something like that. And I would have a real luthier do it. Just like the left-hand conversion of the NR.

 

[Stealth57]

This doesn't make any sense. I live in a NYC apartment and don't have the space, tools, or skill to do something like that. And I would have a real luthier do it. Just like the left-hand conversion of the NR.

Ask one of the Nets to work on it if you really want something screwed up...

 

[WillyW]

This doesn't make any sense. I live in a NYC apartment and don't have the space, tools, or skill to do something like that. And I would have a real luthier do it. Just like the left-hand conversion of the NR.

It really wouldn’t take much in the way of tools depending on how much you are taking off.

if your luthier is scared of hitting the truss rod they may not be the person for the job.

truss rods are under the fretboard.

I have an 89 charvel that has such a thin neck I can almost feel the frets from the back.

swing by the house and we’ll knock it out in an afternoon.

 

[dagrev]

Thanks. Then you have your mission. I and others are having trouble finding out where the trussrod cavity is in the neck, so slimming the neck down from the back won't hit it, ruining the neck.

Ah, now I remember you mentioned this a few weeks back, and I believe there was mention of X-ray to determine it's location. Where would you even get that done? Seems like the only useful option to literally see it. Everything else is more along the lines of an informed (maybe) guess. Unless you could find one trashed and cut into it, but that doesn't seem likely or practical. But I think you could get enough off to get it where you want. Unless you're shooting for Geddy Lee Jazz type neck profile. But understand the concern and hope you get it figured out. I certainly understand the need for a neck you love instead of tolerate and often fight.

 

[dagrev]

@PillO String option.
SIT NR4095L Power Wound Bass Strings, (.40-.95) | Reverb
I bet these would sound good. Not sure how that works in getting them to Canada.

I've got a set of nickels and Power Steels in carts I keep pondering.

 

[Engle]

It really wouldn’t take much in the way of tools depending on how much you are taking off.

if your luthier is scared of hitting the truss rod they may not be the person for the job.

truss rods are under the fretboard.

I have an 89 charvel that has such a thin neck I can almost feel the frets from the back.

swing by the house and we’ll knock it out in an afternoon.

We’ll truss rods are under the fingerboard, but a standard compression style truss rod should be closer to the back of the neck around frets 7-9.

Agreed, most necks can be carved thinner without an issue. I’ve done it a number of times myself. Get out the rasp and giver!
But it is possible to go too far.

This is my Ric copy. A previous owner shaved the back of the neck to the point where the skunk stripe is thin - enough that it cracked. (Maybe with an impact)

I mixed up some epoxy with walnut dust and it’s fine. The trick is to glue it without gluing the truss rod

I can’t blame Ken for being cautious!

 

[GBassNorth]

In High School I majored in Applied Narcotics.

LOL - I think we went to the same trade school. I majored in the same field with minors in manufacturing, marketing and distribution. Fortunately I got smart and decided on a career change.

 

[PillO]

This doesn't make any sense. I live in a NYC apartment and don't have the space, tools, or skill to do something like that. And I would have a real luthier do it. Just like the left-hand conversion of the NR.

Yes, it is that left-handed handicap. You can't get left-handed luthier tools...

 

[PillO]

grow a pair and shave it down yourself!

the guy at geetar center isn’t a luthier!

There are times when it is really worthwhile knowing your limitations - things like, don't do your own amateur orthopaedic surgery... Eschew the Dunning Kruger effect (those who know little tend to overestimate their skill/knowledge and those skilled/knowledgable tend to have great respect for where they lack skill/knowledge).

Ken makes a good point. He has invested sweat and treasure in getting that bird to accommodate his backwards hand wiring and the last thing he needs is to mess it up in the final stages. I don't know the first or last thing about getting the neck into the shape he wants; I would take it to a professional who actually knows what they are doing and is cautious about destroying the project.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

My tribute to Tube Tuesday.
This one’s for @Chucky Stiletti

View attachment 4672343

Sweeeeeeet!!!

 

[PillO]

Ah, now I remember you mentioned this a few weeks back, and I believe there was mention of X-ray to determine it's location. Where would you even get that done? Seems like the only useful option to literally see it. Everything else is more along the lines of an informed (maybe) guess. Unless you could find one trashed and cut into it, but that doesn't seem likely or practical. But I think you could get enough off to get it where you want. Unless you're shooting for Geddy Lee Jazz type neck profile. But understand the concern and hope you get it figured out. I certainly understand the need for a neck you love instead of tolerate and often fight.

He's in NYC. I bet I could find a diagnostic imaging tech who would put it through a CT after hours for $200...

 

[PillO]

@PillO String option.
SIT NR4095L Power Wound Bass Strings, (.40-.95) | Reverb
I bet these would sound good. Not sure how that works in getting them to Canada.

I've got a set of nickels and Power Steels in carts I keep pondering.

I am still pondering how to get SIT steels. I may still default to the Thunderbird loving RS66.

 

[MCF]

gotta love real diners…..
View attachment 4667265

Nice. There’s a place like that in Flagstaff we go to when visiting our son when he went to NAU. I miss the trips to Flagstaff.

 

[MCF]

I am still pondering how to get SIT steels. I may still default to the Thunderbird loving RS66.

PM me. I’ll order a couple sets and mail them to you.