Thunderbird Club

[wolfkeller]

Thanks for the advice guys, well see how it goes. First I need to find some Gibson pick ups!

 

[Haji]

I see 'em rather frequently on Ebay. You might also try Craigslist.

 

[wolfkeller]

Has anyone ever seen a pickguard that matches the sunburst finish on Gibsons? One that would blend in? Can't use a clear one with the rout

 

[Larry V]

Has anyone ever seen a pickguard that matches the sunburst finish on Gibsons? One that would blend in? Can't use a clear one with the rout

Nope. Haven't seen one that I thought matched but I didn't like the original white one so I switched to black with a shiny gold TBird logo.

 

[mr pablo]

So are you saying that there are separate covers that will fit OVER The Gibson pups? Then you could add rings? My issue is on my bass I have epi shaped pups. What can I do?

You'll probably need to do some woodwork as well to make gibson pups fit as they are a different shape and slightly wider than the epi ones, this is just from the mods done to my epi tbird but you may find its different for you

 

[Nocturnal]

The Gibson pickups are a different size as Mr Pablo says. There may need to be some routing done, but I don't think it's a lot. Also the Epi pickups are longer than the Gibsons, but between the covers and rings the cavity is totally hidden.

 

[TBird1958]

Very little woodwork is needed, my Epi Fenderbird has '76 rings and covers it was very easy to fit them into the pup cavity routs.

 

[Dadagoboi]

The Gibson pickups are a different size as Mr Pablo says. There may need to be some routing done, but I don't think it's a lot. Also the Epi pickups are longer than the Gibsons, but between the covers and rings the cavity is totally hidden.

Yep, a little work with a dremel to fit the original pickup cavities will do it.

Here's an Epi Pro IV with ThunderBucker Ranch upgrades: pickups, covers, rings, handrest, bridge, and tailpiece. I did the pickguard.

 

[hillerup]

Yep, a little work with a dremel to fit the original pickup cavities will do it.

Here's an Epi Pro IV with ThunderBucker Ranch upgrades: pickups, covers, rings, handrest, bridge, and tailpiece. I did the pickguard.

Simply gorgeous!

 

[wolfkeller]

Man!

 

[wolfkeller]

The epis are taller so I imagine you had to widen them? What pick ups did you use? How do they compare to stock? Did you also add long stem clover leaf machines?

 

[hillerup]

Simply gorgeous!

Is that a transparent black one, or did you refin it in ebony?

 

[Dadagoboi]

Is that a transparent black one, or did you refin it in ebony?

Trans black.

These picture show approximately how much material needs to be removed from the pup cavities of Epi Pro IV and Epi bolt on, not very much.

You can buy rings and covers from a few sellers on Ebay. Complete pickups from ThunderBucker Ranch include mounting screws and so do their rings. They also sell black ABS ring spacers. They don't sell empty covers.

Here's one of the five 1960's Thunderbird pickups taken apart during the original ThunderBucker cloning process.

 

[wolfkeller]

Very good stuff here

 

[Nocturnal]

Thanks for sharing those photos Carlo. There really is a very small amount of wood to remove from the cavities.

 

[Dadagoboi]

Thanks for sharing those photos Carlo. There really is a very small amount of wood to remove from the cavities.

You're welcome, I just happen to have the stuff lying around. A dremel with drum sander attachment will do the job in a minute or two. A file, chisel or even sandpaper would work.

 

[godofthunder59]

I haven't posted here in a while I've been busy whoring around with Hamers and the like. Shot from a gig two weeks ago. While playing I really can't tell the difference between the Cataldo Signature NR and my 60's NRs, it feels just right, this bass kicks ass!

 

[TBird1958]

You have a fun, new band to gig with Scott!

 

[godofthunder59]

You have a fun, new band to gig with Scott!

I do Mark! I am having a riot with Knight Patrol! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Knight-Patrol/137422269658854 They are a bunch of extremely focused you cats (late teens early20's) who play and sing their asses off! Seriously so much more fun than my old band and dare I say they are much better? Their vocals are what really sets them apart. I have been made a permanent member so I'm pretty stoked! I am happy and proud to be onstage with these guys

 

[Reservoir Dog]

Hey everyone , been playing 40 years and I just scored my first bird off ebay. Trans black epi pro IV . Ex condition with hardshell case for 300.00 plus shipping . I have 2 fenders, 2 spectors, a stingray, and my 79 ibanez musician, and I cant wait for my bird to arrive , should be here in time for my gig this saturday . I will get pics asap . Still giving out numbers ?