There were VWs with working windshield wipers? Seems that was a common problem. The potato was good idea. Just wouldn't want one to go bad in the car.
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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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- club thunderbird
IIRC Iacocca wrote in his biography that it was the minivan (that he brought over from Ford because they thought it was a loser) that was the savior of Chrysler.
Could be a few more likely reasons, but one being the wood got really dried out and shrank, but I would think there would be other indications of that much drying. Not most likely, but one wouldn't think a Gibson tech would yield a likely possibility either.
So many wonderful idiosyncrasies with those cars. The gas heater - it had to be really cold to use that as it killed fuel economy. The front defroster didn't work unless the little side windows were open. Battery in the hidden compartment under the back seat. Secret trunk in the back.
Correct, The problem with the anchor design will only show itself if the bolts are over torqued or if the string tension is too high. The problem with relying on proper torque or tension is there is no torque or tension spec available for the bolts or the bass. The problem with trying to define a proper torque or tension spec is that every bass can be different because the anchor fit is determined by hole size and snugness of the anchor which is impacted by the moisture of the wood.
So, bottom line - you can do everything you think is right but if Gibby or Eppi drilled the holes sloppy or when the wood was more hydrated then the anchors might pull out under “normal” (whatever that is) string tension or bolt torque. Inversely, Gibby or Eppi could have done everything right and the user could accidentally over torque (whatever that is) the bolts or unknowingly install strings with too much tension.
Out of all my Tbirds, I’ve only had one anchor pull out (it was an Eppi and I hear it’s more common than with Gibby) so it’s a real thing but not so common you have to worry about it all the time. There are quick fixes that usually work (wood and glue filler) that didn’t work for me. And a more permanent fix that will work every time, that I ended up resorting to on my Korea Goth. I made the fix on a Hipshot bridge but it would be just as easy and even cleaner on a Babicz.
On a Bab bridge - remove the strings and bridge and gently tap the anchor back into the correct position. Then drill four or five (I used five but 4 would work just as good) Fender sized countersunk bridge screw holes in the Babicz lower plate. Place the plate on your bass in the correct position and drill corresponding bridge screw holes in the bass (make sure they are smaller than the holes in the plate, you want the screw threads to bite into the wood). Install flat top counter sunk bridge screws in place on the plate and tighten down until flush with top of plate. Install the rest of the bridge and restring. You’ll never need to worry about the anchors pulling out again.
I don’t think it’s shady. Just a business trying to make money. Sweetwater is starting to compete with Reverb through its Gear Exchange program as a used broker. It will be interesting to see how that works out in the coming year or so. I’ve read Sweetwater had been reluctant to get into used gear due to the concern it would cannibalize sales of new gear. Recall that one of Sweetwater’s big competitors, Chicago Music Exchange, started Reverb before selling it off to Etsy a few years ago. Sweetwater obviously did some research and feels the time is right to expand into that side of the business.
I believe you are correct.
I used to go there once a week. I found anything that looked decent went for more than I was willing to pay. And they really don’t offer any recourse should there be a problem.
A Bassman 50 just like that was my second amp. It was a good practice amp. Terrible for gigs. I kinda miss it now though. I’ve seen them in working condition for as “low” as $1200. That one will probably go for about that and it doesn’t even work.
Just got to listen, and definitely liked the LP much better (more VP territory). However, I can't say my modern Gibson sounds like that Thunderbird example. Fortunately. If it did I would have sold it by now though it feels like perfection. The LP pickups may be closer together and help with a little more presence.
Now that car was a total POS. Maybe not Yugo or the original Hyundai awfulness, but pretty darn close.most don’t know it was actually AMC that negotiated the import of Renault (Alliance) into the US in the 80’s……
from this….
View attachment 4787041
to this…..
View attachment 4787042
Get the spare room ready. I want to come up and try that bass.
I’ll pay for gas (well, pay something more than half anyway) if you want to fly up in the AMC.Congrats!!….time for a trip up there……
Thanks V. I’ve been spending lot of time up here at the mountain house. Job search in the morning, chores in the afternoon. I’ll probably accept a job next week so it’ll be back to the clampdown soon enough.
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,894
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- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
It’s the pic. It’s the lightest colored fretboard I have other than a PBass with a maple board. But since that I’ve had it for almost a year, I’ll go ahead and give it some TLC. I gave it some F1 when I got it….
Wasn't the bass just shipped from Gibson? Could be that traveling in hot and humid weather had a side effect on the insert?
I wish. But I have another gear purchase in the works once I start working again. Should be a couple weeks or so. And besides, my wife figured out how many basses I have. I think my son ratted me out even though they’re all in plain view, just in a bunch of different places.
You’re thinking of the washer fluid. There was no pump. It used air pressure from the spare.I had a 73 fastback. When the windshield wipers started getting slow, it meant that the spare tire needed air. Fill up the spare and the wipers worked properly.
