Thunderbird Club

[dagrev]

I loved my in-laws as well. At least we knew their deaths were coming. We had only a couple weeks realization mom was going fast. That one was tougher. We got out there within a few days of hearing the news, spent a week, came home, and went back the next weekend for the funeral. Still better than completely unexpected.

After date night (qualifies as enjoying life!) I definitely will play a bird or two and think of y'all.

Commenters gotta comment.

Thank you Miles. My MIL has a Thunderbird connection. One year for Christmas she bought me a case that worked for my '64 since the original even if in great shape barely classified as case I've want to take out of the house. I had to pick it out, but she wanted to buy me something musical. I figured asking for another vintage Thunderbird was a bit much.

 

[dagrev]

Not to change the subject, but speaking of weaknesses, one problem I have with my VP is with the bridge. The middle strings sit much higher than the outer strings, which means they are noticeably farther from the pickups and therefore noticeably quieter. I could file the saddles. Or swap the bridge (for what?) Or sell it as "RARE!" on ebay for a few grand, and then buy an early Bird (except for the fact I have no desire to be a conman.)

I've not noticed that with either VP. I do notice the E is more present that the other strings on the NR. I can't lower the low side of the PU too much as it will start affecting the A string.

 

[ThaCoast]

I would wait til thunderbird Thursday, but here's a good preview of Tigerbird 2.0

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^^^All new black hardware: unbranded tuning keys, & hipshot kickass bridge. Neck reshaped to a slim C, few tweaks overall to make things even/more uniform, Plugged half the J pickup route, reburnt all surfaces, shot with Minwax polyeurathane clear for an aged tint, sealed with clear gloss wipe on finish.

I'll be cutting a new bone nut, re-wiring it entirely, & setting up all on thursday. It'll be sweet.

Stunning looks, my Rat Rod thunderbird.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Thank you Miles. My MIL has a Thunderbird connection. One year for Christmas she bought me a case that worked for my '64 since the original even if in great shape barely classified as case I've want to take out of the house. I had to pick it out, but she wanted to buy me something musical. I figured asking for another vintage Thunderbird was a bit much.

That’s awesome, Donnie!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I've not noticed that with either VP. I do notice the E is more present that the other strings on the NR. I can't lower the low side of the PU too much as it will start affecting the A string.

 

[JIO]

Not to change the subject, but speaking of weaknesses, one problem I have with my VP is with the bridge. The middle strings sit much higher than the outer strings, which means they are noticeably farther from the pickups and therefore noticeably quieter. I could file the saddles. Or swap the bridge (for what?) Or sell it as "RARE!" on ebay for a few grand, and then buy an early Bird (except for the fact I have no desire to be a conman.)

File the saddles to how you like/want your string height to be. But before you do that, check your nut. Depress the 3rd fret on each string and witness the gap at the 1st fret. The string should just barely touch the first fret. I use a post-it note sheet and when it can easily slide between the string and the first fret with the 3rd fret depressed - you are there. Then file your saddles heights the way you want. They are made to be fine-tuned to an individual players taste and is a standard set-up method for any luthier/tech, and easy to do yourself. Just move slowly/patiently and check many times so you don't over file either.

 

[JIO]

View attachment 4693589

Interesting - considering this pic - I would file the bottom of the too-high saddles to lower them. Easier with a good sharp metal fine-toothed file as you are filing it flat. But again, a little at a time rechecking as you go.

 

[JIO]

I'm sure Gibson could borrow from the Gibson Garage if necessary.

Gibson Garage?

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Interesting - considering this pic - I would file the bottom of the too-high saddles to lower them. Easier with a good sharp metal fine-toothed file as you are filing it flat. But again, a little at a time rechecking as you go.

That won’t work. The adjustment screws go through holes with no slop on both sides of the bridge.

 

[JIO]

That won’t work. The adjustment screws go through holes with no slop on both sides of the bridge.

hummm... either file the saddle slot (if you can) or replace the bridge

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Gibson Garage?

Nevermind. Someone gave me the impression it was a sort of museum, but it’s a shop.

 

[GonePlaid]

This it going to be good with headphones!

It is.

 

[bobyoung53]

I've had a very different experience. Only stainless steel round I remember being very mid-scooped was the D'Addario Pro Steel. Ripped them right off. SIT Power Steel and RS66 I find have plenty of punch in that area.

Same here, they have all kinds of mids even after the trebly sheen has worn off.

 

[JIO]

I usually prefer nickel - warmer yet articulate with a pick closer to the bridge. Not really into 'clank' with TSC's. My basses provide the mids.

 

[JIO]

Nevermind. Someone gave me the impression it was a sort of museum, but it’s a shop.

next to Joe's garage...

 

[Stealth57]

Not to change the subject, but speaking of weaknesses, one problem I have with my VP is with the bridge. The middle strings sit much higher than the outer strings, which means they are noticeably farther from the pickups and therefore noticeably quieter. I could file the saddles. Or swap the bridge (for what?) Or sell it as "RARE!" on ebay for a few grand, and then buy an early Bird (except for the fact I have no desire to be a conman.)

Is that a VP issue or specific to yours?

 

[GBassNorth]

View attachment 4693589

Interesting. Your A string saddle looks like it is in fact sitting higher than it should.
Here’s a pic of my VP bridge for reference, all strings sound pretty well balanced in mine…

yes, the A string saddle is a tad higher than the rest but just barely, not a lot. At the end of the day the bottoms of the D and A strings should sit about the same distance off the frets. If yours don’t, do as @JIO suggested and check your nut first. If it’s ok then carefully file the A string saddle a little bit at a time to get it where you want it. This will unfortunately take the chrome off at the groove and expose brass plating and whatever the base metal is. Alternatively, you might be able to get a replacement saddle from Epiphone.

 

[KaraQ]

Interesting. Your A string saddle looks like it is in fact sitting higher than it should.
Here’s a pic of my VP bridge for reference, all strings sound pretty well balanced in mine…
View attachment 4693709
yes, the A string saddle is a tad higher than the rest but just barely, not a lot. At the end of the day the bottoms of the D and A strings should sit about the same distance off the frets. If yours don’t, do as @JIO suggested and check your nut first. If it’s ok then carefully file the A string saddle a little bit at a time to get it where you want it. This will unfortunately take the chrome off at the groove and expose brass plating and whatever the base metal is. Alternatively, you might be able to get a replacement saddle from Epiphone.

Mine looks pretty much just like that. A & D just a bit higher to account for fretboard radius:

 

[KaraQ]

Random pic....on the couch with cats & a bird....

 

[godofthunder59]

Is that a VP issue or specific to yours?

I have not encountered this with my three VPs.