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Thunderbird Club

#22,401
GBassNorth said:
I'm not so sure the flanges would ever come into play on a low setting. Mine doesn't have flanges but here's a side shot of the bridge that shows about 3 exposed threads ...
image.jpg1_zpsjss4lrr4.jpg

...and I have my action set incredibly low. I can pin a dime in place on the 12 fret under the "E" string while the bass in in the playing position...
image.jpg4_zps6vti53xq.jpg
Click to expand...
Is the gap for the strings with the 1st and 20th depressed or natural?
 
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#22,402
Christine said:
Is the gap for the strings with the 1st and 20th depressed or natural?
Click to expand...
Here's my post on it from a year ago...
GBassNorth said:
Ok you asked for it. Here's pictures of my bird held in playing position that give a good feel for my setup...
Dime pinned under E string at 12th fret with no strings depressed...
image.jpg5_zpsoamw6mgx.jpg

image.jpg4_zps6vti53xq.jpg

Leading edge (or PU side) of bridge at about 1/4" off body...
image.jpg1_zpsjss4lrr4.jpg

E string depressed at fret closest to neck PU does not allow a dime to slide underneath neck PU...
image.jpg3_zpspps6szld.jpg

E string depressed at fret closest to neck PU pins dime at bridge PU...
image.jpg2_zpsfp4vye83.jpg

Again, all these pictures were taken with the bass held in playing position (not laying flat on a table).
Click to expand...

When asked how much relief I have set in the neck...
GBassNorth said:
Not much at all. I'd have to measure it but if I had to guess I'd say its about half the thickness of a dime between the bottom of the string and the top of the 12th fret if you fret the string at both the first and last fret.

I will admit, out of all my basses, my TBird and for some crazy reason my Bronco bass hold the lowest action with very little if any seasonal fuss. I have Alembic basses that cost 10 times what I paid for my Bird that I can't get this low without constant adjustments. In the year I've had the bird its pretty much been a set it and forget it instrument. The neck is rock solid. How the $75 Bronco does it I haven't a clue but its the second one I've owned and the other was just as solid.
Click to expand...
 
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#22,407
MonsterGirl said:
Hi, can I join?

I just brought home a new-to-me Epiphone Thunderbird Classic-IV PRO. I recently discovered that I have more fun playing bass than I do guitar so it was time to move past my borrowed Yamaha. I'm looking forward to playing my awesome new Thunderbird more.
Click to expand...

Yes, and thanks for asking, I'll bring the club roster forward - we do like pics as proof.

 
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#22,409
Bent77 said:
My bird is in dire need of a nut job. I can shove 2 quarters above the first fret on the E string.
I did find this bird has a brass nut
Click to expand...
An easy way to check nut height is to depress your string at the third fret. When you do, you should find that string is nearly touching the first and second frets. If you think the strings are set in the grooves properly then don't mess with them, file the bottom of the nut down instead. Or if you're so inclined, take it to a tech for a full set up including nut and fret adjustments as needed.
 
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#22,410
GBassNorth said:
An easy way to check nut height is to depress your string at the third fret. When you do, you should find that string is nearly touching the first and second frets. If you think the strings are set in the grooves properly then don't mess with them, file the bottom of the nut down instead. Or if you're so inclined, take it to a tech for a full set up including nut and fret adjustments as needed.
Click to expand...
Yeah I don't take stuff to other people...but you knew that ;)

It's too high, needs work. I will look at bottom. I like looking at bottoms. And bows
 
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#22,411
Continued: Stock 3 point bridge replacement on 2009/12 Epiphone bird, with Babicz aftermarket replacement bridge.

IMG_20161228_113106724_zpsynksaxrd.jpg

I pulled the bushing out using the method described earlier. Thick cloth down, with a piece of wood. Then screwed in the bolt and used a claw hammer to lift it straight up. I'm surprised how easy they came out. Anybody considering doing this, but afraid...this step was very easy.
IMG_20161228_113857848_HDR_zpshu1av3jw.jpg

Also in this photo you can slightly see how much more silver the finish on this used to be (where it has been covered by the bridge), it has really "yellowed" in just a few years.
 
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#22,413
tastelikedirt said:
Continued: Stock 3 point bridge replacement on 2009/12 Epiphone bird, with Babicz aftermarket replacement bridge.

I pulled the bushing out using the method described earlier. Thick cloth down, with a piece of wood. Then screwed in the bolt and used a claw hammer to lift it straight up. I'm surprised how easy they came out. Anybody considering doing this, but afraid...this step was very easy.
Click to expand...

Are you going to use a spot of epoxy to hold the new bridge posts in?

 
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#22,415
Are you going to use a spot of epoxy to hold the new bridge posts in?

I guess it couldn't hurt. Unless someone around here knows why it might not be a good idea.

Ha! I wish I could see him applying the epoxy to the bushing in the video, but yes, I get the idea. He shows how much is on the second one. Nothing too extreme for sure.
 
Last edited:
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#22,418
kat888 said:
Has anyone used a chrome replacement 3-point (Babicz/Hipshot) on a bass with all nickel hardware? Is the colour difference noticeable?
Click to expand...
I put covers over the bridge and neck pickup. I believe those are chrome, so that skews things. The Babicz is such a complex shape that it is harder to see the slightly bluer quality of chrome vs the slightly yellowed nickel plate on other things. The tuners are so far away it doesn't matter. To me. I am CroMagnon and don't usually care anyway.
 
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#22,419
Christine said:
Not on a Gibson but on a jazz bass I used a hipshot and the tone darkened hugely over the bit of bent tin that comes standard, I love it
Click to expand...

Colour difference in the metal you numpty! But you knew that... Thinking about an EB3 bridge here, although I'm happy to give the 3-point a chance. A higher mass bridge and ultra light tuners would help the balance as well.
 
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#22,420
Gaolee said:
I put covers over the bridge and neck pickup. I believe those are chrome, so that skews things. The Babicz is such a complex shape that it is harder to see the slightly bluer quality of chrome vs the slightly yellowed nickel plate on other things. The tuners are so far away it doesn't matter. To me. I am CroMagnon and don't usually care anyway.
Click to expand...

Cro-Magnon or not, you are still made out of star stuff like the rest of us (thank you Carl Sagan).

Yeah, and if the bridge and tuners were chrome, only the pup covers would be nickel and nobody would probably notice anyway.
 
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