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Thunderbird Club

#238,622
JIO said:
I thought the same thing - front looks mahogany and the back looks faux. That does throw in a wrench, like who did that and why? And what else did they do?
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I’m not so sure it’s not solid mahogany. I took some close ups of my Grecos just in case it helps you with the one you’re interested in…
Close up of 1977 Greco Project series bass, The control cavity has exposed end grain that is clearly mahogany…
C87410F2-631B-474F-8B3C-B55890198BC2.jpeg


My 1990 Greco has a thick poly coat even in the control cavity and pup routes. There is a chip in the paint on the back of the bass at the rear upper horn that looks much too dark to be basswood, so I’m guessing mahogany, I did try to press a fingernail into the exposed wood, it left no mark, basswood would have probably dented…
97703A4E-3137-449A-A9C9-9432F1E12722.jpeg


and a chip on the neck that looks like maple underneath…
20B172AC-A1B4-40ED-A43D-AFCADFAA1DA7.jpeg


If the seller can send you a pic of the inside of the control cavity it might be easier to tell if it’s solid mahogany or not.
 
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#238,623
Chucky Stiletti said:
you referring to the Italian made Sica drivers?…..myself, never experienced an Ashdown speaker problem but I can shoot Mark or Guy a note inquiring……
my issue with them is the lack of output DC protection ….
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Thanks. I guess both of my cabs have those drivers. They do sound good, at least to my ears.
I made this comparison with two amps set identically. The first cab is the 115.
[This invalid link has been removed]

I like them both but if I stack them with the Hiwatt I'll try the 15 on top. The Hiwatt is so clear that the 15 is more pleasant on ear level.
 
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#238,624
GBassNorth said:
I’m not so sure it’s not solid mahogany. I took some close ups of my Grecos just in case it helps you with the one you’re interested in…
Close up of 1977 Greco Project series bass, The control cavity has exposed end grain that is clearly mahogany…
View attachment 4981085

My 1990 Greco has a thick poly coat even in the control cavity and pup routes. There is a chip in the paint on the back of the bass at the rear upper horn that looks much too dark to be basswood, so I’m guessing mahogany, I did try to press a fingernail into the exposed wood, it left no mark, basswood would have probably dented…
View attachment 4981086

and a chip on the neck that looks like maple underneath…
View attachment 4981084

If the seller can send you a pic of the inside of the control cavity it might be easier to tell if it’s solid mahogany or not.
Click to expand...

Thanks G - either wood is ok with me. I'm just wondering about the back-side. A mahogany body with a basswood veneer on the backside doesn't make much sense.
 
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#238,628
PhR75 said:
Thanks. I guess both of my cabs have those drivers. They do sound good, at least to my ears.
I made this comparison with two amps set identically. The first cab is the 115.
[This invalid link has been removed]

I like them both but if I stack them with the Hiwatt I'll try the 15 on top. The Hiwatt is so clear that the 15 is more pleasant on ear level.
Click to expand...
I can’t get it to play.
 
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#238,630
GBassNorth said:
The Greco rundown…
- Stock pickups are to die for! By far the best sounding, boldest, most authoritative and well balanced TBird pickup I’ve played. If you get the bass and don’t like the pickups I’d be interested in buying them from you. The pickup placements are part of the magic of this bass. The neck pup is further from the neck than a modern bird (closer to vintage spec) and the bridge pup is further from the bridge than vintage or modern spec. (Note: scale length is not 34” so a direct comparison between Gibby and Greco pup locations isn’t accurate).
- The neck is a slightly shorter scale than a standard Tbird. IIRC it’s 33-1/2” scale. The neck feels like something between a P bass and a Jazz bass in girth. The FB radius is similar to or the same as a Tbird. It’s a set neck, not neck through. I believe the neck wood is mahogany, not positive (just checked - it’s 3 piece maple) The necks are stable, I suspect the truss is dual acting. Mine both hold tune for months of sitting or playing.
- The overall weight is about a half pound more than a typical Gibson Tbird which is normally in the 8 to 9 pound range.
- The tuners are typical Gibson quality in feel and action but the chrome or black plating is vastly inferior and prone to oxidizing and blistering (possibly from being in a salt air environment in Japan???).
- Frets are good and durable, standard Gibson quality.
- Bridge is typical Gibson design three point but again inferior plating (or possibly base metal selection or salt air issues).
- Claw is the same situation as the bridge and tuners on plating.
- Body is a basic slab, no tummy or forearm cut. I believe the body wood is mahogany, not positive (just checked - both of my Grecos have the mahogany body, there was a basswood body option as well). Pickup placements are part of the magic

General impression - the Greco is an Epiphone level Tbird with nearly Lull level pickups which have been uniquely placed in this bird to maximize the forceful bold output of the humbucker design. Fair market value in my opinion for a very good condition all original Greco bird with a basic hard case is $1200. More than $1300 would be over paying and anything under $1000 is a great buy. Anything under $800 should be suspect - double check for neck issues and non original pups, either of which are a deal breaker in my book at any price.
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Chucky Stiletti said:
that right there my friends, is a heck of a lot of Thunderbird for the money….paid almost twice for my 89 and would have paid more (didn’t know about them until V talked about hers) if I knew what a superb instrument they are….
Click to expand...

I would just add that short of the real deal a Greco is the next best thing, love mine!
 
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#238,631
PhR75 said:
Thanks. I guess both of my cabs have those drivers. They do sound good, at least to my ears.
I made this comparison with two amps set identically. The first cab is the 115.
[This invalid link has been removed]

I like them both but if I stack them with the Hiwatt I'll try the 15 on top. The Hiwatt is so clear that the 15 is more pleasant on ear level.
Click to expand...
:thumbsup:
 
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#238,635
MCF said:
I can’t get it to play.
Click to expand...
Google's services historically suck. I always have trouble with Google Drive links via TalkBass. Click the pop-out button at the top right of the video to open at Google Drive and it should work.

There are much better sharing services that TalkBass doesn't support. I've requested support for them, but it falls on deaf ears.
 
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#238,636
BklynKen said:
Google's services historically suck. I always have trouble with Google Drive links via TalkBass. Click the pop-out button at the top right of the video to open at Google Drive and it should work.

There are much better sharing services that TalkBass doesn't support. I've requested support for them, but it falls on deaf ears.
Click to expand...
There is no pop-out button. I’ve been able to play his other posts. Weird.
 
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#238,637
BklynKen said:
Google's services historically suck. I always have trouble with Google Drive links via TalkBass. Click the pop-out button at the top right of the video to open at Google Drive and it should work.

There are much better sharing services that TalkBass doesn't support. I've requested support for them, but it falls on deaf ears.
Click to expand...
I haven't had anyone say the Onedrive links I post don't work...but that's assuming people try them:laugh:
 
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#238,638
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#238,640
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