Shouldn't that be bassball?
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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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- club thunderbird
Shouldn't that be bassball?
I did the same.....but I wasn't just doing string-change, but clean-up as well. Also found out later the saddles are numbered for correct positioning.....
One of the things I like about the 3-point is its level of adjustability.
The only time I need individual string height adjustability is on 5-string basses.
Otherwise, I'm just going to set the strings equal to fretboard radius anyway......
True, but... Depending on how you like your bridge angled, that radius may not fit as well as you like.
But intonation is more what I was referring to.
Des Moines has one of those too, not named for the bass however, the #2 runway of Seatac is directly beneath it - Nothing quite like a 727 or a DC-8 at 105% on takeoff. I don't miss those days much.
I got all excited when I bicycled past a Thunderbird street a few months ago, and planned to get a pic on my bike with a bass there, but the next time I looked more closely- Thundercloud. We have a Thunderbird Coffee shop in Austin, but no Thunderbird streets AFAIK.
yeah, my hs teacher played a Birdland through a peavey 2x12 combo and it sounded massive..
yesh
yeah, dig how it floats….aren’t bridges on uprights held by the strings?….I did the same.....but I wasn't just doing string-change, but clean-up as well. Also found out later the saddles are numbered for correct positioning.....
One of the things I like about the 3-point is its level of adjustability.
The only time I need individual string height adjustability is on 5-string basses.
Otherwise, I'm just going to set the strings equal to fretboard radius anyway......
Don't skip your "Don't do stupid things" pill. Actually, don't turn it upside down with no strings. Saddles will fall out.
Yes
I'm not very knowledgeable about David Bowie's songs; I discovered this cool bassline just recently.
- Jun 30, 2010
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
That is one of a few things I like about the Schaller 3D bridge - the cast base-plate is slightly curved to follow a standard fb radius. It has grooves that the height adjustment screws ride - so no side-to-side slipping. It has 5 grounding screws - two are under the saddles - not 'drop-in' for Fender bridge screw spacing (other than the center one) but once installed - who would ever know. (or care) And it is sorta 'high-mass' without getting carried away with the dubious concept. The roller-saddles can position the strings exactly over the pu poles, and a 1/8" spacer plate is available to raise the whole bridge if needed. The spacer has aligning tabs so they can be stacked (more than one) if required. A very well thought out/designed bridge.
Butcherboy
Supporting Member
…yes, it is the imprint of a Hipshot Supertone…the body has not arrived yet…it was sold as Hamer USA 1987 Thunderbird body, should come with 1987 Hamer pots…pics later…
- Jun 30, 2010
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
- Mar 13, 2008
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- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
48 seconds of watermelon fun............
@PillO can you explain this? My head hurts from watching that.
- Jun 30, 2010
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It's an interesting premise to ponder - on electric basses (both solid & hollow-bodied), you have either a "floating" bridge, or an "anchored" bridge. Within each category - there are different levels of float & fixed. Each version can also offer a string-stop, or not. On some '60s basses, the bridge cover doubled as the string stop. Some fixed bridges are 'string-thru' and most anchor/stop the strings at the bridge. Dano's original bridge plate is attached by only one centrally located screw near the bottom of the plate - the top two screws L&R sat under the bridge-plate and height adjustment is accessed through open-holes in the plate over each screw. Crude - but effective.
The eternal question is - which is the best.., which results in the best "sound"/"tone", regardless of design simple or complex, minimal or "high-mass", floating or fixed, or string-thru or top-load. As long as every version covers the functional requirements - each players' ears will be the judge of which works best for them. Even still, as a functional designed element - it's still very subjective depending on so many aspects/details.
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On the road again
Across 50+ years of playing/installing pretty much everything around I have at least 6 basses/deliberate builds with the Schaller 3D bridge, including my #1, and I find it to be my favorite (along with the threaded saddle bent plate). Well done on every level and those stackable base plates can always make it work.
Would love to join the club. Just purchased my first Thunderbird. A Gibson 120th Anniversary model in natural. Has been upgraded with a Hipshot Supertone bridge, Seymour Duncan Custom Shop Hawkbuckers, and La Bella Black Tapewounds. Really enjoying it.
- Jun 30, 2010
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Awesome! I bet it sounds monstrous!
(being one who knows those SD pu's) 
Can you post close-up pic of the pu's?
