Thunderbird Club

[Ringhammer]

Now for Thunderbird talk. My $800 ‘97 T-bird, it turns out, did have a serious headstock/neck break. I took it to my new Luthier, Brian at Gryphon Stringed Instruments, Palo Alto, CA (who is also in one of my bands), and he did a full setup, without going so far as a fret job. In the process he confirmed it had been broken, and rather severely, but he said it was a pretty good repair and he did a little more the re-enforce it. Otherwise now it plays really well, with maybe slightly higher action than I’d like. But it’s all ready to be played for the show I’m doing with both my bands on Saturday 2/4.

And from what I’m gathering. It’s not truly a vintage Gibson if the neck/headstock hasn’t been broken at least once!

I’ll be using the T-Bird for the 1st set (Bad Lemon), on Saturday at Winters Tavern in Pacifica:

 

[GBassNorth]

View attachment 4951642

it’s a single family home on a cul de sac.

I used to live not too far from that address. It’s a residential neighborhood, so the guy must be working out of his house. Kinda wonder if it was a situation where he bought all the inventory and web content some time ago and has just been burning through the inventory he purchased until he ran out. Amazon is out and they have no idea when or if it’ll be back in stock. GHS used to carry it and might have some inventory left that they aren’t sharing with Amazon. A quick call there might answer some questions.

 

[JIO]

No affiliation and sorry if I'm enabling ... but this pristine '66 NR is worth ogling over. You'd be hard pressed to find another (w/OHSC) is better condition.

Gibson Thunderbird II Electric Bass Guitar (1966), ser. #553134, black tolex hard shell case. | Reverb

 

[JIO]

View attachment 4951682View attachment 4951689

Now for Thunderbird talk. My $800 ‘97 T-bird, it turns out, did have a serious headstock/neck break. I took it to my new Luthier, Brian at Gryphon Stringed Instruments, Palo Alto, CA (who is also in one of my bands), and he did a full setup, without going so far as a fret job. In the process he confirmed it had been broken, and rather severely, but he said it was a pretty good repair and he did a little more the re-enforce it. Otherwise now it plays really well, with maybe slightly higher action than I’d like. But it’s all ready to be played for the show I’m doing with both my bands on Saturday 2/4.

And from what I’m gathering. It’s not truly a vintage Gibson if the neck/headstock hasn’t been broken at least once!

I’ll be using the T-Bird for the 1st set (Bad Lemon), on Saturday at Winters Tavern in Pacifica:

View attachment 4951724

I'll be there!

 

[JJR58]

No affiliation and sorry if I'm enabling ... but this pristine '66 NR is worth ogling over. You'd be hard pressed to find another (w/OHSC) is better condition.

Gibson Thunderbird II Electric Bass Guitar (1966), ser. #553134, black tolex hard shell case. | Reverb

Ogling is right!

 

[MCF]

"Get Bach, Get Bach, Get Bach to where it now belongs!"

I am very impressed with the neck.

Great score Marshall!
It's good to see that lovely bass stay within our group, I'm very glad to have one back in my fold.

Thanks V. I’ll be following your swapping a Lull into yours as this is the ideal candidate for that upgrade. Only Ned one as you’ve said. Im not in a hurry, but it’s on the list to do.

As most here know, I’m not picky about necks. But the one on this one is fabulous. It rivals the ‘15 for having my favorite neck.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

My first car was a '61 2 door bubbletop Impala except mine was green (bubbletops had no overhang over the back window), it was a 283 so it didn't go but it was a nice car.

I wanted a 4 speed Roadrunner and since my father was co-signing a loan he said fahgettaboudit!


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This and the same time frame convertibles like Mike’s were the coolest Impalas, IMO.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Ogling is right!

Yow!

 

[Engle]

I like them both equally on your recordings, for me, through the different amps I've tried them with I found the CB's lacked "fullness" that is they were a bit thin in certain frequency ranges in comparison to my other basses with different pickups. I have a set of them in my Orville, they're ok, but if Gibson does decide to sell the 2021 Non Reverse pickups separately I will change them out.

I thought there would be a bigger difference…and it just occurred to me to check if that CB is neck or bridge.

So much for being scientific! Turns out it’s the bridge one at 9.24K. The Bart is the 6.24K neck pickup.
If I have time today, I’ll swap in the 8.55K Bart and run the recording again.

 

[bobyoung53]

This snd that time frame’s convertibles like Mike’s were the coolest Impalas.

Yes, I liked '61 through '64's. I used to to see a '64 SS Impala years ago every once in a while and drool over the thing, it was also a big block (forgot, 409 or 427, insignias on the side) and four speed.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

My father owns a 1964 Impala SS, convertible, 327, 2(!) speed powerglide automatic. Still in original pale yellow paint with black top, black interior. He bought it new in late ‘64.

I would prefer a ‘65 SS, not convertible, as that would be my favorite Impala body style.

If it ever needs getting rid of, I’m right here.

 

[bobyoung53]

My father owns a 1964 Impala SS, convertible, 327, 2(!) speed powerglide automatic. Still in original pale yellow paint with black top, black interior. He bought it new in late ‘64.

I would prefer a ‘65 SS, not convertible, as that would be my favorite Impala body style.

Wow, I bet that's nice. I had three different Chevy's with powerglides, 61, 64 and a 65. I had an uncle who had a '65 Impala SS, weird color though, aqua.

 

[Ringhammer]

If it ever needs getting rid of, I’m right here.

As much as I want him to keep it so that I may someday maybe inherit it, I do believe it’s being considered to be sold. The 327 and powerglide were recently rebuilt, I think the power steering was all replaced, and new exhaust. He’s always sort of selling anything he owns, but he always prices things just beyond’s what he can reasonably expect to get for said things.

I’m going to make him let me drive it once spring/summer rolls around.

 

[BklynKen]

From the looks of the Amazon website that’s probably a good move, it’s no longer available there or GHS…
View attachment 4951691

Damn. It's a great product. I hope there's a reasonable explanation for it.

 

[wango55]

W

Where did you got the pickups?

I got mine on eBay - but the same seller has the same ones on reverb. They have a website as well - Ey Guitars. Thunderbird Bass Pickup Set w/Rings and Screws | eBay

 

[Nocturnal]

They don’t provide a phone number, so email is it. I’ll whois the domain but if nothing back on Monday I’ll do the same.

I went ahead and requested a refund thru PayPal. The seller had over three weeks to at least acknowledge the sale so pretty safe bet he is no longer selling.

No affiliation and sorry if I'm enabling ... but this pristine '66 NR is worth ogling over. You'd be hard pressed to find another (w/OHSC) is better condition.

Gibson Thunderbird II Electric Bass Guitar (1966), ser. #553134, black tolex hard shell case. | Reverb

That is a beauty!!

 

[TBird1958]

I am very impressed with the neck.

Thanks V. I’ll be following your swapping a Lull into yours as this is the ideal candidate for that upgrade. Only Ned one as you’ve said. Im not in a hurry, but it’s on the list to do.

As most here know, I’m not picky about necks. But the one on this one is fabulous. It rivals the ‘15 for having my favorite neck.

I love the neck on my recently acquired BaCH, it is very close in shape and thickness to my '64 and my '76s. BaCH did a fantastic job on them and give Rob van den Broek @Basvarken all the credit. Regarding the pickups, currently Lull doesn't have any that are not committed to basses in production or planned for the near future, I'm about a month and a half out on mine so my BaCH is on the slow burner for a while which is fine. I have to take PG off and clean up the pickup rout and find a bridge cover for it. Would love to replace the tailpiece with something a bit nicer as well but don't want to drill any more holes into it than I have to.

 

[MCF]

Oh, the first Genzler that was here, lost, went to Tx, came back, went back to Tx and then here again was delivered--after it was refused a few days ago and I was assured it would go back to seller. I'm taking it to the post office tomorrow. I now question anyone's intelligence who would use FedMess.

But in the end, you have one and enjoy it. That’s what matters.

 

[MCF]

We didn't quite give it up, but cut back to red meat only occasionally.

We limit to 4-6 ounces. My wife, son and I are perfectly happy sharing one 16 once ribeye, New York, top sirloin, porterhouse or tri tip (we trim and cut the roast in half). Maybe once, sometimes twice a week. Chicken, pork or only veggies the other days.

 

[JJR58]

We limit to 4-6 ounces. My wife, son and I are perfectly happy sharing one 16 once ribeye, New York, top sirloin, porterhouse or tri tip (we trim and cut the roast in half). Maybe once, sometimes twice a week. Chicken, pork or only veggies the other days.

I caved and made a fat juicy lamb burger last night.
Was delish.