Thunderbird Club

[PaleAngel_90]

See those passenger armrests on the trunk, I had a double gigbag that fit in between them nicely. Double pull straps hooked to the luggage rack. Backroads, no freeway. I live in a pretty rural area just East of the Great Salt Lake.

That's a risky move, bass could've fell while you were driving.

 

[GonePlaid]

I would as well if going more for a muscle car instead of just a big car. Superbird would be my first and really expensive choice.

And I could apparently get my wife to lay on the fin.
View attachment 4780876

Were money no object(IT IS!), I'd have sumpin' like this, on modern running gear.

 

[tewnty_two]

I have a ‘21 NR Bird that I love and I want to add another to my small collection but would like to get one in the Thunderbird II style.
I will never be able to afford an authentic 1960’s one so I’m asking y’all (the experts) if there are any companies that make a fairly faithful reproduction or would I have to do a DIY project and if so do you have any leads on parts etc?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Hondapunk]

Sounds good, but pardon my language. Holy turd, that's an ugly one.

I'd love to own an Alembic anything

 

[GBassNorth]

I'd love to add a 410 or 412 to my 215... Just can't find them easily.

How about a mint condition Bergantino NV610? I know, not a Sunn but still damn good.
Actually more portable than most 410’s and pushes almost as much air as an 810.
I have one for sale and could possibly meet you half way to avoid shipping.
Also have a mint SVT-VR at a steep discount if sold with the 610 cab.
PM me if interested.

 

[PaleAngel_90]

How about a mint condition Bergantino NV610? I know, not a Sunn but still damn good.
Actually more portable than most 410’s and pushes almost as much air as an 810.
I have one for sale and could possibly meet you half way to avoid shipping.
Also have a mint SVT-VR at a steep discount if sold with the 610 cab.
PM me if interested.

Are we talking about amps or engines?

 

[Thumper]

That's a risky move, bass could've fell while you were driving.

Guess I was lucky, rode from 1972 to 2018 (2 years in England), always kept the shiny side up. Our singer lost half a leg and died twice, years ago, in a motorcycle/car accdent.

 

[MCF]

Clean up if you must
We’re a meandering lot
Please don’t drop a Zot!

I will.

 

[GBassNorth]

I have a ‘21 NR Bird that I love and I want to add another to my small collection but would like to get one in the Thunderbird II style.
I will never be able to afford an authentic 1960’s one so I’m asking y’all (the experts) if there are any companies that make a fairly faithful reproduction or would I have to do a DIY project and if so do you have any leads on parts etc?
Thanks in advance!

- If you want a Tbird II in the Reverse body style at a reasonable cost look no further than a vintage (1990 or older) Greco. They sound every bit as good (if not better) than the Gibson and look nearly identical, usually found for a price of $1200 or less.

- In the NR body shape your best bet might be a BaCH, but good luck finding one, very few made and they rarely come up for sale.

- As far as making your own - it can be done for under $2000 if you don’t mind a bolt on Fender neck. Or for a bit more money you could contact a Luthier like @Dadagoboi or @JIO to see if they can make you a NR inspired masterpiece.

- The other NR option is obviously one of the new Gibson models used for a bit over $1500 or new for around $2000. Those that have them claim they are very good sounding and very near the originals as well. But you’d need to remove a pup and fill and repaint.

I'd love to own an Alembic anything

I have a couple, and they would be some of the last basses I would ever let go. Heirloom quality, studio perfect sound and very unique body designs and wood selections.

Are we talking about amps or engines?

LOL - amps and cabs. But we can talk engines if you want.

 

[dagrev]

Were money no object(IT IS!), I'd have sumpin' like this, on modern running gear.

You could paint, "Thunderbird for Hire" on the side. Thundervan? Thundertruck? (Not to be confused with with a thunderpot or mug.)

 

[Gaolee]

Saturday saludos.
So here she is; very relic; beyond my OCD limits.... oops... my taste.
So I just cleaned and did chromes polish.

That is a J I would happily rock the zlobbers out of. But then the Flamingo is that color, so maybe not. The color slot is taken.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Just re-discovered this. Forgot it existed. More proof that "ya can't play jazz on a Thunderbird".
WARNING: bass solo @ 4:25.[added octaver, 1 octave up ~1/2 way through]

 

[dagrev]

I have a ‘21 NR Bird that I love and I want to add another to my small collection but would like to get one in the Thunderbird II style.
I will never be able to afford an authentic 1960’s one so I’m asking y’all (the experts) if there are any companies that make a fairly faithful reproduction or would I have to do a DIY project and if so do you have any leads on parts etc?

Thanks in advance!

You could get a Epi Vintage Pro (now called "60s Bass") and remove the bridge pickup. Someone here did that. You won't have a tone of money in it but will have a Thunderbird that sounds as close as you can get to the original without spending thousands.

 

[TBird1958]

Here's Frank's ride taking off yesterday........And a shot over Bellevue, WA

 

[TBird1958]

I have a ‘21 NR Bird that I love and I want to add another to my small collection but would like to get one in the Thunderbird II style.
I will never be able to afford an authentic 1960’s one so I’m asking y’all (the experts) if there are any companies that make a fairly faithful reproduction or would I have to do a DIY project and if so do you have any leads on parts etc?

Thanks in advance!

A Greco Thunderbird II is what you want, it is a Sonic Destroyer of Worlds.

 

[Hondapunk]

Here's Frank's ride taking off yesterday........And a shot over Bellevue, WA
Is that a B-29 Superfortress ? Exquisite!!

 

[GBassNorth]

I have a ‘21 NR Bird that I love and I want to add another to my small collection but would like to get one in the Thunderbird II style.
I will never be able to afford an authentic 1960’s one so I’m asking y’all (the experts) if there are any companies that make a fairly faithful reproduction or would I have to do a DIY project and if so do you have any leads on parts etc?

Thanks in advance!

Two great choices for a Tbird II at reasonable prices…

…on the left - a BaCH NR Tbird II - very hard to find, run in the sub $1000 bracket
…on the right - a 1977 Greco Tbird II - getting harder to find but still findable in the sub $1500 bracket

 

[godofthunder59]

Looks good!

I have a ‘21 NR Bird that I love and I want to add another to my small collection but would like to get one in the Thunderbird II style.
I will never be able to afford an authentic 1960’s one so I’m asking y’all (the experts) if there are any companies that make a fairly faithful reproduction or would I have to do a DIY project and if so do you have any leads on parts etc?

Thanks in advance!

Our Queens suggestion of the Greco should not be ignored, I've been looking for one myself but I wouldn't overlook the Epiphone Vintage Pro now called the 60s Thunderbird. I was absolutely blown away when these first came out, so much so I bought three. Best Thunderbird built since the 60s imho. Better than Gibson's Bicentennials or any modern offering. My 2 cents. Ah I just reread the original post, a Thunderbird II. Yeah Greco is the only game in town unless you convert a Vintage Pro

 

[dagrev]

Here's Frank's ride taking off yesterday........And a shot over Bellevue, WA

Sound. We need THAT sound that goes along with it!!!

 

[Stealth57]

How about a mint condition Bergantino NV610? I know, not a Sunn but still damn good.
Actually more portable than most 410’s and pushes almost as much air as an 810.
I have one for sale and could possibly meet you half way to avoid shipping.
Also have a mint SVT-VR at a steep discount if sold with the 610 cab.
PM me if interested.

Thanks. Might be a bit of overkill for the 4x4 space my wife grants me in my own garage...