Thunderbird Club

[Mosstone]

So the Bird arrived today...well it arrived yesterday but I picked it up today...and I swear to god there was someone out there trying to delay my picking this bass up. I finally got out of work and headed to pick it up. Package was in good shape and it felt really light, especially considering the GC employee told me this bass weighed 10 pounds. So I get it home and unbox it and it's a lot smaller than I thought it would be. But it's absolutely stunning! So I do a quick once over and:
The Bad:
-Small ding in the headstock
-The bridge pickup was completely loose and falling out. The screws were completely loose. Great QC there.
-Setup was horrible. Worst I've ever seen on a new instrument. It appeared the truss rod was maxed out. Board was just on the verge of convex. The bass was unplayable.
-Getting to the truss rod was a pain. I kept having to take the A string out of the nut to adjust. Small inconvenience though, not too bad.
-The nut could use a little filing. Not too much but a little bit on the E string mainly.

The Good:
It's gorgeous!
It weighs 8.1 lbs!
The neck is amazing. it's the perfect width, perfect shape, everything. And I dig the flat radius.
-It sounds exactly like I hoped it would...actually better. Tons of sustain and with a piano-like quality to it. But quite aggressive.
-The electronics are really quiet, knobs turn smoothly, and I find that the V/V/T setup works really really well on this bass. Very usable

So I did a setup on it and I really like the bridge. you can't fine tune, but you make quick adjustments that make a big difference. The action is medium low and it plays exceptionally well. I love it. I found that if I run the rear part of the strap over the back edge it plays easer for me. It kind of leans forward if I don't. It's not hard to play that way, but it plays better the other way. I had big concerns over the reach but honestly it's more playable that a lot of basses I've owned. I love it.

This is obviously honeymoon stage but generally I know immediately if I have doubts. I have zero doubts. It feels like home just like my J bass does.

Thanks for all your help and advice, it is very much appreciated! Oh and pics or it didn't happen, right?View attachment 1044915

Congrats on your new bird! I got a Classic IV in Alpine White a year ago and I'm still on the honeymoon. I sincerely believe it's the best T-Bird you can get right now.

I put a Hipshot bridge on mine for the usual reasons (adjustability, doesn't fall apart, etc.). If it has affected the tone, I haven't noticed. Otherwise, this bass is perfect.

Oh, I also changed the white PG for a finely crafted black one made by our own @Larry V. It just needed something to off-set all that white.

 

[willsellout]

I totally feel you (back) pain! I went to the Dr yesterday and the day before(Mon). He thinks I've had a heart attack sometime in my past! Now I get to meet a Cardiologist

Sorry to hear that. You definitely have to pay more attention to your health as you get older. it's like constant maintenance now.

 

[willsellout]

Congrats on your new bird! I got a Classic IV in Alpine White a year ago and I'm still on the honeymoon. I sincerely believe it's the best T-Bird you can get right now.

I put a Hipshot bridge on mine for the usual reasons (adjustability, doesn't fall apart, etc.). If it has affected the tone, I haven't noticed. Otherwise, this bass is perfect.

Oh, I also changed the white PG for a finely crafted black one made by our own @Larry V. It just needed something to off-set all that white.

So the bridges fall apart? I must have missed that in my research. Doesn't matter to me though, I don't mind replacing the bridge on this bass at all if I have to. So the Hipshot replacement is a big upgrade?

 

[Klondike]

Sorry to hear that. You definitely have to pay more attention to your health as you get older. it's like constant maintenance now.

Going to have to start walking arounf the ball park now. Have already started some light yoga a couple weeks ago but that was because of my back - buldging L4/L5

 

[Klondike]

So the bridges fall apart? I must have missed that in my research. Doesn't matter to me though, I don't mind replacing the bridge on this bass at all if I have to. So the Hipshot replacement is a big upgrade?

Not everyone think that, some do.

On the three point, if/when you remove the strings the saddles are able to come out. Once you understand the inner workings of the three point it isnt that big a deal.

 

[willsellout]

Going to have to start walking arounf the ball park now. Have already started some light yoga a couple weeks ago but that was because of my back - buldging L4/L5

I hear such great things about yoga. As a fat tattoo'd white guy I think I might stand out but I'm definitely curious about it because of my back and shoulder issues. Ideally I'd love to get back into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu but starting that up again and getting wrapped in a pretzel and choked out for an hour a day doesn't really draw me in like it used to.

 

[Klondike]

I hear such great things about yoga. As a fat tattoo'd white guy I think I might stand out but I'm definitely curious about it because of my back and shoulder issues. Ideally I'd love to get back into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu but starting that up again and getting wrapped in a pretzel and choked out for an hour a day doesn't really draw me in like it used to.

Ever seen a fat yogie? Nope

 

[DerekW]

Ever seen a fat yogie? Nope

 

[JIO]

Smarter than the av-ver-rig bear!

 

[willsellout]

I think he's just big boned.

 

[Count Bassie]

Yeah, health. I'm 55, lately have come into some issues, including arthritis in my hips. So I joined a gym, am doing fish oil, glucosamine, etc. I used to be a rubber band, still am in some ways, but things do change a bit.

 

[Korladis]

Yeah, health. I'm 55, lately have come into some issues, including arthritis in my hips. So I joined a gym, am doing fish oil, glucosamine, etc. I used to be a rubber band, still am in some ways, but things do change a bit.

Damn stock parts wearing out.

 

[willsellout]

Yeah, health. I'm 55, lately have come into some issues, including arthritis in my hips. So I joined a gym, am doing fish oil, glucosamine, etc. I used to be a rubber band, still am in some ways, but things do change a bit.

I recently started back up with fish oil. I have some Barleans Omega Swirl that I take a couple teaspoons of in the morning. It's basically fish oil but it has a smoothie texture and the taste is actually really good.

I haven't noticed too much of a difference yet but my coat is extra shiny!

 

[DerekW]

Yeah, health. I'm 55, lately have come into some issues, including arthritis in my hips. So I joined a gym, am doing fish oil, glucosamine, etc. I used to be a rubber band, still am in some ways, but things do change a bit.

Damn stock parts wearing out.

I recommend the HipShot replacement parts.

 

[GBassNorth]

For those new to the three point bridge - the intonation screws and saddles basically rest in slots in the bridge. If you remove the strings and flip the bass over for some reason they will fall out. Good news is, it only takes about a second to put them back in (just be sure to put the correct saddle in the correct slot since they are matched to the neck radius). The saddles will not fall out with the strings removed as long as you don't flip the bass over, so it's really a non issue.

My biggest beef with the bridge is that ideally you should remove some tension on the strings if you intend to raise or lower the bridge to adjust the action. Of course that means you have to tune to pitch to check for fret buzz then detune to adjust the bridge, then retune to see if you have it right, then detune and make more adjustments, then retune to check again, and so on. If you decide that's too much work and try to adjust the bridge under tension you run the risk of pulling a threaded insert out of the body or having the screwdriver slip off the screw head and damaging the body. Other than that, I really like the three point.

 

[Mosstone]

So the bridges fall apart? I must have missed that in my research. Doesn't matter to me though, I don't mind replacing the bridge on this bass at all if I have to. So the Hipshot replacement is a big upgrade?

The bridge is kept together by string tension. If you remove all the strings, the whole assembly can slide apart... the saddles fall out.. could scratch/dent the top of the bass. It's usually ok as long as you don't move it, bump it, or shake it while you have the strings off.

That wasn't the main reason why I changed the bridge, though. I actually like the look of the 3-point, but not as much as I like being able to adjust the height of each string individually. In that way, it's an upgrade. Aesthetically, it's a little bit of a downgrade for me, but I can live with it. Tonally, it's a draw. Sounds about the same as the stock bridge to me.

 

[hillerup]

So far the only Epi's I've encountered with a 1.5" nut are the Pro IV, Classic Pro IV and limited edition TV Silver ones, although I've read that newer vintage sunburst ones should have them now as well.

In regards to tilted necks/shims, I haven't seen any like that so far.

Necks on the vintage sunbursts can vary in color scheme: Old Korean made ones have a very brownish sunburst with a matching colored neck (very vintage looking), whereas newer Chinese ones have a sunburst with a pronounced black edge and almost black neck and headstock - But that can vary as well...

Quoting myself here:

Forgot to mention the Epi Blackbird, which also has a 1.5" nut to the best of my knowledge...

 

[hillerup]

...(except one who was quite arrogant, but was quickly put in his place when I demonstrated that my knowledge was superior to his)...

Know that exact feeling... Having more than 30 years of experience as a Recovery/ICU nurse, I've met quite a few "new" doctors that had lesser knowledge than myself on certain matters....

 

[hillerup]

So the bridges fall apart? I must have missed that in my research. Doesn't matter to me though, I don't mind replacing the bridge on this bass at all if I have to. So the Hipshot replacement is a big upgrade?

Fall apart? Depends on how you view this...

If you break a string - The individual saddle might fall off, as the pressure of the string keeps it in place.

If you remove all the strings - The bridge comes off, as it's held in place by the pressure of the strings...

If you tilt the bridge forwards (front stud is lower than the two rear studs) - You might pull out the rear inserts of the body.

As long as there are strings on it and you keep the two rear studs lower than the front stud, everything should be perfect...

Whether the Hipshot is an upgrade or not is a matter of opinion - Personally I don't think so, and find it pretty ugly - But I'm pretty sure others here think otherwise...

 

[ubernator]

So far the only Epi's I've encountered with a 1.5" nut are the Pro IV, Classic Pro IV and limited edition TV Silver ones, although I've read that newer vintage sunburst ones should have them now as well.

In regards to tilted necks/shims, I haven't seen any like that so far.

Necks on the vintage sunbursts can vary in color scheme: Old Korean made ones have a very brownish sunburst with a matching colored neck (very vintage looking), whereas newer Chinese ones have a sunburst with a pronounced black edge and almost black neck and headstock - But that can vary as well...

Yeah the 2 I saw, GCs and Dickwads, had the woodgrain showing under a clear gloss on the back of the neck and were 1.5" at least the GC one was. Both were vintage sunburst. And I am going to check out another one soon. Would be nice of it was also 1.5"

Yipes! That dude has a really bad self loathing of himself! Keep away!

In other non related news, glad you discovered you dont want that bird

. Good thing, because someone else accepted my offer of $200 for one with a case, more recent vintage sunburst apparently. $50 more with an epiphone case makes me feel good, hope it checks out.