Thunderbird Club

[JIO]

August 1978 - Thunderbird Thursday

 

[Nocturnal]

sunburst originally?

Yes, originally a sunburst. A previous owner had beat the Hell out of it. The chunks of finish missing on the side were part of the "player wear" that was all over the sides. It looked like they slammed it against everything they could. I bought it from a friend that had rescued it from its previous owner and I refurbished it. The bass had been played a LOT because the Precision pickup had a huge thumb spot worn into it. But it had also been abused a lot.

 

[dagrev]

If I were ever to start need to play guitar, I'd likely sell my strat and get an Epi (if they are as good as the VPs).

 

[GBassNorth]

I'm with you. If you don't hit the ball you don't have to chase and find it. Duh! But golf balls make great targets. Can't say more. But it's great fun.

LOL - sounds like I’m not the only one that’s done that. I can tag 3 out 5 from the hip at 10 yards in under 5 seconds.
As for golf, just remember every swing of the club gets the ball that much closer to the 19th hole and the libation that resides there.

 

[RedVee]

What are your dream/favorite guitars (Not basses)? Anyone here has had/has a Firebird? My dream guitar is Brian May's Red Special.

Maton SRS60c

which I have now.
Electric? All the standards, Les Paul, ES335, Stratocaster, etc. but to be a little different I’d like to try the Epiphone Firebird Bonamassa “Treasure” in Firemist Gold. Edit: Polymist Gold.
From the history books a Maton Fyrbird like @JIO posted, or a Maton Wildcat. If Maton ever make electrics again maybe a BB1200 like Josh Homme (QOTSA) uses

Or a T-Bryd
MS T-Byrd | Maton Guitars Australia

But on ability, I should probably stick with an SX Strat or Tele.

 

[TBird1958]

If I were ever to start need to play guitar, I'd likely sell my strat and get an Epi (if they are as good as the VPs).
View attachment 4862712

Frank has two Epi Firebirds, Burst and Olive green, both are super nice - I was actually playing the Burst (badly) today.

Happy Thursday!

 

[Nocturnal]

A well used ebony Bird was listed on Craigslist last week. It was listed at $1500, now reduced to $1300. Seems high for one with this much wear.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Yes, originally a sunburst. A previous owner had beat the Hell out of it. The chunks of finish missing on the side were part of the "player wear" that was all over the sides. It looked like they slammed it against everything they could. I bought it from a friend that had rescued it from its previous owner and I refurbished it. The bass had been played a LOT because the Precision pickup had a huge thumb spot worn into it. But it had also been abused a lot.

looks like it plays beautiful (even if it doesn’t)….nice work, P sounding?..

 

[Bassmike62]

Maton SRS60c
View attachment 4862746
which I have now.
Electric? All the standards, Les Paul, ES335, Stratocaster, etc. but to be a little different I’d like to try the Epiphone Firebird Bonamassa “Treasure” in Firemist Gold. Edit: Polymist Gold.
From the history books a Maton Fyrbird like @JIO posted, or a Maton Wildcat. If Maton ever make electrics again maybe a BB1200 like Josh Homme (QOTSA) uses
View attachment 4862757
Or a T-Bryd
MS T-Byrd | Maton Guitars Australia


View attachment 4862758
But on ability, I should probably stick with an SX Strat or Tele.

Maton... Tommy Emmanuel plays those, right ?
Saw him at a Montreal show eons ago, great performance

 

[BklynKen]

A well used ebony Bird was listed on Craigslist last week. It was listed at $1500, now reduced to $1300. Seems high for one with this much wear.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Yeah, that's a ton of wear. I wonder what the seller will ultimately get for it.

 

[RedVee]

Maton... Tommy Emmanuel plays those, right ?
Saw him at a Montreal show eons ago, great performance

Yes he does. He is unbelievable.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I'm so happy i got the pleasure to play this beast!

Ditto!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

That's too bad, I only played around with it for a little while until I read about all the bad things it could do to you. How long was he inside until they found him?

Oh, right away. His buddy tried to stop him but was unsuccessful, and pulled the alarm quickly. But still too late.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Ok some fun for the day, help me spend my money!

I’m totally undecided what color or finish to put on my next build. Here’s the finishing company I want to try out, they have tons of great finishes shown on their website…
Gallery - GuitarPaintGuys - Check out some of our work!

Which finish would you choose?

Design parameters:
Most likely a NR Fenderbird dual pickup build.
Neck will most likely be vintage stained maple with a maple fretboard, black blocks, black binding.
Hardware will be chrome or nickel
Pickguard will be parchment (not white)
I already have black, white, gold, brown and pink Tbirds - so extra points for picking something other than those colors.

I'm thinking you need the Kamelon 8 from page 2.

Do you know someone who's used them?

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Might sound crazy but I think a metallic silver bird with a black pickguard and white etching would pop

I've thought for a long time that I'd love to have a chrome guitar or bass.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I see your dilemma. You would make yourself and everyone here really happy if you built about 10-15 (for starters) with various finishes. Problem solved. Just a thought.

Christmas presents for the regulars! <3

 

[GonePlaid]

That’s a color I hadn’t really considered, but might be far enough off the brown hue that it could work. They have a couple of examples close to what you’ve shown…
View attachment 4862200 View attachment 4862199
I’ve been trying to avoid brown because I already have a number of birds and other basses in that color.

I originally saw it as a Chrysler color called Emberglow. Had my 62 Impala convertible repainted in that color. A month later got 'hit-and-runned'. The car never felt right after that. Sold it.

 

[GBassNorth]

A well used ebony Bird was listed on Craigslist last week. It was listed at $1500, now reduced to $1300. Seems high for one with this much wear.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Assuming the wear is legit it is a well played bird.
One could argue that a bass with this much wear might be a very decent player, otherwise it wouldn’t have that much wear. Of course one could also argue that most serious players that would put that kind of wear on a bass know a good player when they have one, so why would he be selling it.
IMHO, if I were in the market for a solid player I’d take a chance on that one at anything at or below $1200 delivered.

 

[GonePlaid]

Get one before they are gone (no affiliation) Gibson Bass Thumb Rest, Bicentennial Thunderbird, Tug Bar | eBay

View attachment 4862256

 

[GonePlaid]

What about the new Gibson N.R. bass cases, still too short?

IDK. Not willing to pay the $500+ for the one that keeps coming up on fleabay to find out it won't work.