I've been trying to narrow down the year for my first Thunderbird, the burst bolt-on.
It's pre-2006, Korean-made, based on the layout of the pickups (the end with the double screws are on the bass-side, instead of the treble-side like '07+ Chinese 'birds).
But the original neck-plate was gone when I got it, so not sure of the year. It has an unusual bridge, with noticeably more radius arch than any of the other 3-points I've had.
Other than that, the only thing I've really got to go on is the wiring, I thought maybe one of you might be able to help me narrow it down. If not, it's not super important, just curious to see if I can figure it out
So....wiring pics.
This first one is of the Thunderbird Classic IV in question:
Neck pot is wired to bridge pot, which is wired to tone pot.
Orange cap with no markings.
Pots have brown boards, output jack is yellow-ish.
Black sleeves over the pickup wires.
This second pic is from my "Redbird", 2006 made in Korea, Custom Shop Classic IV
Neck pot is wired to bridge pot, and to tone pot. Bridge pot not wired to tone pot.
Slightly darker orange cap of same shape/size as the previous, also no markings.
Pots have brown boards, as does the output jack.
Pickups now have different colored covers for the wires; I've not had the pickups out to verify, but based on the way they're wired, red for neck, black for bridge.
Pickups also of the Korean layout, double screws on the bass side, single on the treble side.
Last pic is of the only other "regular" Classic IV I've had, an early 2007 made in China model.
From what I could find when I had it, these were a bit unique, as they had different pickup spacing from the earlier Korean-built bolt-on Thunderbirds, and from the later ones built in China.
Neck pot is wired to tone pot. Bridge pot wired to tone pot. They've no wiring to each other.
Pot & jack board color appears different, lighter, than the Korean 'birds. Stamping on casings appears different, also.
I've had the pickups out in this one and verified, the wiring colors for the pickups is red for neck pickup, black for bridge.
Tone pot cap is green, similar shape to the previous orange caps, and has visible writing - "2A683J" - on one side.
Pickups are typical Chinese-style, double screw end is on the treble side, with single on the bass side, backwards from the Korean 'birds (my 2008 Blackbird has pickups oriented the same way, with the same color-coding for the pickup wiring)
So, it looks like the only real difference in the three is the way they are wired. And the cap on the '07.
Any ideas, suggestions, comments?
