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Thunderbird Club

#248,321
PillO said:
A couple of eastern European gangsters looking for trouble.

If you see mister trouble, these two are looking to buy him a beer...
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There's only 3 things for sure - taxes, death and watermelons. (at least here)

upload_2023-5-26_18-16-16.jpeg
 
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#248,323
Albert Ross said:
I've have searching for the right used Thunderbird the last year. A few days ago I found this one; a 2018 in really nice shape. I mostly play Fenders and Music Mans (men?), so the T.Bird is quite a different beast to say the least. I figured it would take some getting used to, but it felt great right off the bat. The sound is amazing - super clear and articulate. Light-ish weight and perfect balance. I'm loving it. View attachment 5074939
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Nice!
 
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#248,326
JIO said:
Yes. Some of the 1st J's to have that new bridge pu location. The cliff-hanger saddles bridge location (like it has) is a tell-tail sign that CBS/Fender had 'issues' when the suits demanded the tangs from the pu be completely covered by the huge ashtray. They got it under control in mid-year '72.
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so you are implying that with the old trays/spacing the bridge pup way exposed?
 
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#248,327
MCF said:
I like that. It would need to be a four though.
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Just an FYI, while they do not advertise them due to Gibson's noise making it is perfectly legal for Lull to make you a T4 should you wish to have one.
 
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#248,328
Albert Ross said:
I've have searching for the right used Thunderbird the last year. A few days ago I found this one; a 2018 in really nice shape. I mostly play Fenders and Music Mans (men?), so the T.Bird is quite a different beast to say the least. I figured it would take some getting used to, but it felt great right off the bat. The sound is amazing - super clear and articulate. Light-ish weight and perfect balance. I'm loving it. View attachment 5074939
Click to expand...

Being a diehard Thunderbird person, stories such as yours always warm my heart, good on you for trying something new, we welcome you here and of course, please let me know if you would like a club number.
 
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#248,331
Chucky Stiletti said:
so you are implying that with the old trays/spacing the bridge pup way exposed?
Click to expand...

Yes, the pre-CBS Fender J bridge pu being closer to the neck pu had its upper 2 flanges (where it's screwed in) exposed above the bridge cover. I'm sure Leo & co were only thinking about covering the bridge, the original mute and sorta the pu with that huge cover/"ashtray" and weren't especially anal-retentive about it. (OCD hadn't been invented yet...) But the suits at CBS (according to "folk lore") who knew nothing wanted the visuals "cleaned-up" and so the pu was shifted south to completely hide under the cover.

Now.., if you just move the bridge south which they first did, the saddles which were originally more centrally staggered will then end up at the top of the bridge plate requiring a longer bolt for the G-string saddle. (which was overkill IMO) There aren't thoroughly documented hard-facts from that time, but let's just say things went down in the factory during the early transition from Fender to CBS/Fender.
 
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#248,334
Albert Ross said:
I've have searching for the right used Thunderbird the last year. A few days ago I found this one; a 2018 in really nice shape. I mostly play Fenders and Music Mans (men?), so the T.Bird is quite a different beast to say the least. I figured it would take some getting used to, but it felt great right off the bat. The sound is amazing - super clear and articulate. Light-ish weight and perfect balance. I'm loving it. View attachment 5074939
Click to expand...

Lovely bird, serious amplification!
 
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#248,336
Chucky Stiletti said:
cannot be disputed Mr. Kitta is the BEST..
can’t wait to get the BaCH II for fitting the sidewinder…..if it plays anything like this when done I’ll be happy happy happy..
this thing literally plays itself, THANK YOU @JIO !!!!!
View attachment 5074970
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It plays itself? So it has no superfluous picker?
 
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#248,339
JIO said:
Yes, the pre-CBS Fender J bridge pu being closer to the neck pu had its upper 2 flanges (where it's screwed in) exposed above the bridge cover. I'm sure Leo & co were only thinking about covering the bridge, the original mute and sorta the pu with that huge cover/"ashtray" and weren't especially anal-retentive about it. (OCD hadn't been invented yet...) But the suits at CBS (according to "folk lore") who knew nothing wanted the visuals "cleaned-up" and so the pu was shifted south to completely hide under the cover.

Now.., if you just move the bridge south which they first did, the saddles which were originally more centrally staggered will then end up at the top of the bridge plate requiring a longer bolt for the G-string saddle. (which was overkill IMO) There aren't thoroughly documented hard-facts from that time, but let's just say things went down in the factory during the early transition from Fender to CBS/Fender.
Click to expand...
the Gibson tray design seemed more functional in that it stayed on when you swapped strings….guess you weren’t supposed to swap strings back then…..
 
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