Thunderbird Club

[Stealth57]

Happy Father’s Day. Not a Thunderbird but it does bring the thunder.

 

[KaraQ]

Hi, all. Hope everyone is doing ok in this crazy world.

After having my first-rum VP since what 2018 (?) I noticed that when I turn both volume knobs down I was still getting a tone. I took it to one shop and they said some wires were reversed somewhere but could not figure it out. I drove an hour to leave it with a luthier guru but have not heard back from him yet.

Anyone have this issue with either the VP, or any other bird?

Not I.

I've not had that problem either....is this something that's just started, or have you always had this problem?

What sort of tone is it you're getting, like a hum/buzz, or you can still hear actual string vibrations, like the vol(s) isn't shutting off all the way?

As @GBassNorth mentioned, if you could post a pic of your wiring, we should be able to at least help you narrow down where the problem might be

 

[Jonathan Broga]

First of all, you’re right, this is a fast moving thread, so don’t be surprised if your post is buried three or four pages back by the end of the day.

Second of all, Thunderbirds aren’t for everyone. Ergonomically speaking they fit some players styles and don’t fit others. And the Non Reverse like what you bought probably exacerbates that fit preference even further. There are a number of Tbird players that love the more common Reverse body style and just don’t get on with the the Non Reverse. I play and love both (along with my many Fenders).

Third of all, the Schaller Strap Lock Screw issue goes back as far as Schaller has been making strap locks. It’s the same solution regardless of which bass you’re putting it on. The factory bass screw head is too big to fit into the Schaller strap lock and the Schaller screw threaded area is smaller than the bass factory strap pin hole. The solution is to use the bass factory stock screw but to grind the screw head diameter down a tad so it fits all the way inside the Schaller strap lock housing. I just normally Chuck the threaded end of the screw up in a hand drill and pull the trigger and touch it against the concrete patio out back for a split second, it grinds down quick so be careful, literally just a second at a time until the screw head fits into the strap lock. I’ve had to do this on all my Fender basses as well. I think Schaller has a new design out that uses a fixed screw, I haven’t tried that one yet.

I don’t currently own a 2021 NR so I’m not positive, but I’m not aware of any binding on that model. Which binding are you referencing?

Thanks for the heads up on the drill idea. I believe I am misusing the term binding and generically using it to refer to the sides of the neck. The fender has a white binding that is very smooth. The edges of the Gibson are visibly an noticeably bumpy. Not that irritates me when when I notice; but mentally it feels cheap compared to the smoothness of the fender.

 

[Gaolee]

Not trying to cross post but I just asked a Thunderbird strap lock question as its own thread. Not sure if that is a faux pas, but also wasn't sure how quickly a post might get buried here. Either way I just bought a NR and I spent the morning walking around the kitchen feeling like Entwistle. My Jazz feels like a sports car in comparison, and this is like the 18 wheeler in Terminator 2. I had to put them next to each other to see how the bridge position has such a drastic affect.

Also the binding on my Elite Jazz is above reproach. On the Gibson it's like washboard on a gravel road. Like the router was dull and taking chunks. Part of the charm or did I draw a short straw?

Sounds like you may have drawn a short straw on QC. Every Gibson I own is near flawless.

I personally prefer Loxx strap locks, but recent Ginsons have strap buttons that make locks relatively unnecessary. The buttons on my '15 Thunderbird are big enough that I never installed locks. My '13 EB has smaller strap buttons.

 

[Gaolee]

Thanks for the heads up on the drill idea. I believe I am misusing the term binding and generically using it to refer to the sides of the neck. The fender has a white binding that is very smooth. The edges of the Gibson are visibly an noticeably bumpy. Not that irritates me when when I notice; but mentally it feels cheap compared to the smoothness of the fender.

Ah, gotcha. I may have noticed something like that at one point, but it isn't anything I would notice now. I have a new to me well used SG guitar I have been enjoying lately, and the edges of the fretboard look almost fat to me. They are smooth and well polished.

 

[MCF]

Happy Thunderbird Father’s Day my friends!

I’m hopelessly behind. The brush clearing project has taken up all my free time the last three weeks. My son is taking care of his grandfather, so I’ve been doing it all myself. A half acre. Ugh. I’ve even become an expert with a chainsaw; both using and maintaining it. I’m taking today off to let my sore muscles rest.

Still planning to attend the get together in a couple weeks!

 

[TBird1958]

Happy Thunderbird Father’s Day my friends!

I’m hopelessly behind. The brush clearing project has taken up all my free time the last three weeks. My son is taking care of his grandfather, so I’ve been doing it all myself. A half acre. Ugh. I’ve even become an expert with a chainsaw; both using and maintaining it. I’m taking today off to let my sore muscles rest.

Still planning to attend the get together in a couple weeks!

Wondered where you'd gotten off to!

Are you bringing your NR?

 

[GBassNorth]

Thanks for the heads up on the drill idea. I believe I am misusing the term binding and generically using it to refer to the sides of the neck. The fender has a white binding that is very smooth. The edges of the Gibson are visibly an noticeably bumpy. Not that irritates me when when I notice; but mentally it feels cheap compared to the smoothness of the fender.

Got it. You might have a bit of fret sprout going on the neck, if so a very easy and quick fix for any luthier. It can be caused by a dried out fret board or low humidity or just lack of attention to detail by the manufacturer. Pretty much any luthier should be able to smooth the edges out and maybe do a slight rounding of the fretboard edge and fret ends for about $100. I’ve had it done on one of my Alembics and a couple of my Fenders, so far it hasn’t been necessary on my Tbirds with the exception of the one in my Avatar which has a Fender P bass neck.

 

[GBassNorth]

Happy Father’s Day. Not a Thunderbird but it does bring the thunder.

View attachment 4725256

Looks like fun. I need to get back out there as well. Been putting it off since ammo is so hard to get and bloody expensive down here.

 

[PillO]

Fanned frets are automatic, chords may take some practice though

You underestimate my intelligence and overestimate my talent and skill.

 

[PillO]

If I have a side band, it'll be called Non Dairy Creamer.

I like it. It has "ahem" all over it.

My brother and I are still labouring under the placeholder Taylor Swift Kick in the Nuts.

 

[PhR75]

Don't know about you folk but one of my favourite drummers I always forgot when listing such things is Dave Mattacks. Here playing with the great unsung Mickey Jupp. The snare fill around 3:10 gets me every time.

 

[PillO]

Happy Father’s Day. Not a Thunderbird but it does bring the thunder.

View attachment 4725256

1. Post a picture of your target!
2. We never had such comfortable accommodations in the army. We just laid there in the dirt. And no fancy bipods.
3. Despite hearing protection, I think this is the activity that is responsible for reduced hearing in my right ear compared to left. I only noticed last summer when I kept thinking that my right ear bud must not be fully inserted because the music wasn't as loud that side...

 

[PillO]

Happy Thunderbird Father’s Day my friends!

I’m hopelessly behind. The brush clearing project has taken up all my free time the last three weeks. My son is taking care of his grandfather, so I’ve been doing it all myself. A half acre. Ugh. I’ve even become an expert with a chainsaw; both using and maintaining it. I’m taking today off to let my sore muscles rest.

Still planning to attend the get together in a couple weeks!

Thanks for checking in. Happy Fathers day to you!

 

[Stealth57]

1. Post a picture of your target!
2. We never had such comfortable accommodations in the army. We just laid there in the dirt. And no fancy bipods.
3. Despite hearing protection, I think this is the activity that is responsible for reduced hearing in my right ear compared to left. I only noticed last summer when I kept thinking that my right ear bud must not be fully inserted because the music wasn't as loud that side...

upper left was mine. 10/10 at 100 yards.

 

[PillO]

upper left was mine. 10/10 at 100 yards.
View attachment 4725366

 

[PillO]

upper left was mine. 10/10 at 100 yards.
View attachment 4725366

Requalifying on weapons for deployment to the Gulf War, I got the greatest compliment. The Master Warrant Officer running the range saw my 100yd target (I think my second time shooting a C7, previously I had been shooting a C1A1) with everything in a nice tight grouping on the "Ivan" target in the inner ring and he just said "Not bad shooting, sir".

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

upper left was mine. 10/10 at 100 yards.
View attachment 4725366

sabía que nos íbamos a llevar bien…..great prone range off Syline…

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Thanks for the heads up on the drill idea. I believe I am misusing the term binding and generically using it to refer to the sides of the neck. The fender has a white binding that is very smooth. The edges of the Gibson are visibly an noticeably bumpy. Not that irritates me when when I notice; but mentally it feels cheap compared to the smoothness of the fender.

What year?

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Got it. You might have a bit of fret sprout going on the neck, if so a very easy and quick fix for any luthier. It can be caused by a dried out fret board or low humidity or just lack of attention to detail by the manufacturer. Pretty much any luthier should be able to smooth the edges out and maybe do a slight rounding of the fretboard edge and fret ends for about $100. I’ve had it done on one of my Alembics and a couple of my Fenders, so far it hasn’t been necessary on my Tbirds with the exception of the one in my Avatar which has a Fender P bass neck.

Although if it’s new I’d have Gibson fix it.