Thunderbird Club

[Gaolee]

Have any of you guys swapped out your stock Epiphone VP/60s Thunderbird pickups for higher quality ones?
If so and you'd like to sell the stock ones you took out, I'd like to buy them and put them in this bass.
Also, if any of you experts think I'll run into trouble making this swap, let me know.View attachment 4974934 View attachment 4974935

Finding the pickups will be the hard part.

 

[JIO]

Anyone have any suggestions on where to find National bass serial numbers? Since the headstock is missing a logo, all I have as identification is a serial number. The confusing part is the serial number looks more like what I’ve seen on Teisco basses but Teisco tends to be engraved on the neck plate and this is a printed foil.

View attachment 4975678

P.S. image searches after posting indicate it is a National. Just curious about the year. Could be mid 60s to early 70s.

You are going to find it difficult to date these '60s-'70s Japanese guitars/basses, even with serial numbers. Your guestimation is most likely as close as you're going to get. National was one of over 25 branded guitars/basses made by Sakai Mokko, [Sakai Mokko Company Ltd.] from the Nagoya area of Japan. They are often confused with Teisco or Kawai as they used similar components. Like many of the Japanese '60s guitar makers/factories, it was a woodworking shop making cabinets started in 1923. Teisco folded in 1970 after being acquired by Kawai in '67 but Sakai continued making guitars/basses into the '70s.

 

[Stealth57]

S

You are going to find it difficult to date these '60s-'70s Japanese guitars/basses, even with serial numbers. Your guestimation is most likely as close as you're going to get. National was one of over 25 branded guitars/basses made by Sakai Mokko, [Sakai Mokko Company Ltd.] from the Nagoya area of Japan. They are often confused with Teisco or Kawai as they used similar components. Like many of the Japanese '60s guitar makers/factories, it was a woodworking shop making cabinets started in 1923. Teisco folded in 1970 after being acquired by Kawai in '67 but Sakai continued making guitars/basses into the '70s.

Somehow I knew you’d have a story on these basses. I wrote to National, but I’m not expecting anything useful.

 

[MCF]

Anyone have any suggestions on where to find National bass serial numbers? Since the headstock is missing a logo, all I have as identification is a serial number. The confusing part is the serial number looks more like what I’ve seen on Teisco basses but Teisco tends to be engraved on the neck plate and this is a printed foil.

View attachment 4975678

P.S. image searches after posting indicate it is a National. Just curious about the year. Could be mid 60s to early 70s.

I’m pretty sure it’s a ‘70.

Here is a pic of my Silvertone’s label:

As best as I can recall, I got it for Christmas in 1970. That’s what my parents recall too. I was in 7th grade and just quit boring piano lessons. It came right out of the Sears wish book. It is possible that it was Christmas ‘71, but we doubt it. By 8th grade I was in a band and annoying the neighbors. Our version of Wipe Out was, well……..

You asked about cracks. Here’s the back:

Here’s the front:

I only see a few finish cracks.

This model was also made with a rocker switch. I don’t know if it was the previous or subsequent incarnation.

Anyway, shim the neck to get the action lower, set it up as best you can and it’s a great little bass if your grandson is so inclined.

 

[BklynKen]

I’m pretty sure it’s a ‘70.

Here is a pic of my Silvertone’s label:
View attachment 4975993
As best as I can recall, I got it for Christmas in 1970. That’s what my parents recall too. I was in 7th grade and just quit boring piano lessons. It came right out of the Sears wish book. It is possible that it was Christmas ‘71, but we doubt it. By 8th grade I was in a band and annoying the neighbors. Our version of Wipe Out was, well……..

You asked about cracks. Here’s the back:
View attachment 4975994
Here’s the front:
View attachment 4975995
I only see a few finish cracks.

This model was also made with a rocker switch. I don’t know if it was the previous or subsequent incarnation.

Anyway, shim the neck to get the action lower, set it up as best you can and it’s a great little bass if your grandson is so inclined.

First mod I'd do is adding an Oxford comma on the neck plate sticker.

 

[MCF]

First mod I'd do is adding an Oxford comma on the neck plate sticker.

You’re a funny guy Ken.

 

[GBassNorth]

I made another clip with my modded/mutated/mutilated "Richard Sinclair" J-bass. This time I went on full-Squire and I have to say it could fool people. I also wouldn't hesitate to replace my Ric 4003's bridge pickup with that kind of J-humbucker or a T-Bird pickup if I had to.
View attachment 4975737

Very Squire indeed! Possibly as much the player as the pickups I suspect. Well done!

 

[dagrev]

Very Squire indeed! Possibly as much the player as the pickups I suspect. Well done!

That no doubt explains why my Ric never sounded that good. No tone in the fingers (and no purple silks).

 

[GBassNorth]

That no doubt explains why my Ric never sounded that good. No tone in the fingers (and no purple silks).

LOL - when I want to sound like Squier I pull out one of my Squier basses and sure enough, I sound just like Squier.

 

[PhR75]

Squier should do a Chris Squire Telecaster Bass. Just change the logo to the Squire spelling.

 

[TBird1958]

Twofer (II for) Tuesday.
Let's see your II

 

[Stealth57]

Twofer (II for) Tuesday.
Let's see your II

Trying to fool us with a trifecta?

 

[Stealth57]

Noir

 

[JJR58]

I made another clip with my modded/mutated/mutilated "Richard Sinclair" J-bass. This time I went on full-Squire and I have to say it could fool people. I also wouldn't hesitate to replace my Ric 4003's bridge pickup with that kind of J-humbucker or a T-Bird pickup if I had to.
View attachment 4975737

Sounds killer!!!

 

[RedVee]

I’m pretty sure it’s a ‘70.

Here is a pic of my Silvertone’s label:
View attachment 4975993
As best as I can recall, I got it for Christmas in 1970. That’s what my parents recall too. I was in 7th grade and just quit boring piano lessons. It came right out of the Sears wish book. It is possible that it was Christmas ‘71, but we doubt it. By 8th grade I was in a band and annoying the neighbors. Our version of Wipe Out was, well……..

You asked about cracks. Here’s the back:
View attachment 4975994
Here’s the front:
View attachment 4975995
I only see a few finish cracks.

This model was also made with a rocker switch. I don’t know if it was the previous or subsequent incarnation.

Anyway, shim the neck to get the action lower, set it up as best you can and it’s a great little bass if your grandson is so inclined.

Ok, those pickups and bridge look like mine.

 

[GonePlaid]

Twofer (II for) Tuesday.
Let's see your II

Since I never use the bridge/superfluous pup...

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I’m pretty sure it’s a ‘70.

Here is a pic of my Silvertone’s label:
View attachment 4975993
As best as I can recall, I got it for Christmas in 1970. That’s what my parents recall too. I was in 7th grade and just quit boring piano lessons. It came right out of the Sears wish book. It is possible that it was Christmas ‘71, but we doubt it. By 8th grade I was in a band and annoying the neighbors. Our version of Wipe Out was, well……..

You asked about cracks. Here’s the back:
View attachment 4975994
Here’s the front:
View attachment 4975995
I only see a few finish cracks.

This model was also made with a rocker switch. I don’t know if it was the previous or subsequent incarnation.

Anyway, shim the neck to get the action lower, set it up as best you can and it’s a great little bass if your grandson is so inclined.

Oddest TV I can recall seeing.

 

[MCF]

Ok, those pickups and bridge look like mine.

View attachment 4976356 View attachment 4976358

Same pickups. Show us the bridge and the rest.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Play because you have to!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Play because you have to!

This explains whey when I listen to something over and over, it's much easier to play, because the more I listen, the more it's burned in, and the louder it seems.