Thunderbird Club

[Dadagoboi]

I am debating on how to go about letting the seller know. He was a cool kid, suggested we go back to his moms place and swap the case for his better one, and ended up throwing in a Levy's skull strap that is just long enough for my low slung preference. A friend of mine thinks that shows that he knew about the issue. Perhaps he might kick back an extra $50 or maybe offer the other case, which I would trade my crappy fender bag for, which came with my goth, the other bag that is known to barely fit a bird.

Seems to me he was straight with you. Due diligence is your responsibility.

I make sure I take the proper size TR wrench to insure there's no problem when I look at a bass I'm considering buying.

If I'm buying online, I ask those three little words..."How's the Trussrod?" and act accordingly depending on the answer.

 

[marko57]

No, it's made of teflon. I vote for toothpicks/wood glue.

I would agree with Carlo, many of us bagpipers use the plumbers teflon tape on the joints of our drones (see image) to seal them but also to allow the drone stocks to be moved up and down easily for tuning and it's because the tape is non-adhesive that makes it work. While using as you mention, it would fill the gap but again, it would not grip and hold it in place. Again, as Carlo mentioned toothpics/wood glue are the way to go.

 

[PillO]

I would agree with Carlo, many of us bagpipers use the plumbers teflon tape on the joints of our drones (see image) to seal them but also to allow the drone stocks to be moved up and down easily for tuning and it's because the tape is non-adhesive that makes it work. While using as you mention, it would fill the gap but again, it would not grip and hold it in place. Again, as Carlo mentioned toothpics/wood glue are the way to go.

View attachment 1051264

I know I shouldn't, but I always giggle a little when someone mentions tuning bagpipes.

 

[bylar13]

Another question for the group (still relatively new here and new to t-birds): For those who own neck through t-birds, do any of you own say a Lull or Cataldo version with a bolt on neck and is there an appreciable difference in sound, playability etc. ?

Also do any T-Bird club members own T-bird pick up equipped basses, that are not t-birds have any insights opinions on those types vs. say a traditional t-bird? I am trying to get up to speed on the whole t- bird universe....may take a while.....

 

[ubernator]

Seems to me he was straight with you. Due diligence is your responsibility.

I make sure I take the proper size TR wrench to insure there's no problem when I look at a bass I'm considering buying.

If I'm buying online, I ask those three little words..."How's the Trussrod?" and act accordingly depending on the answer.

Nope, my friend was assuming that because he was being so cool about getting me the better case and strap, that he knew about the problems.

I asked and he said there were no issues with the truss rod, but he also said "my buddy gave it to me up in Washington", so basically feigning ignorance.

I just got too trusting, also the drive to meet him, and the time he got off work, did not leave enough time for an inspection of the truss, since I had to be back in time to drop the case, and one of my other basses, back in storage, which closed at 9 with 9:15 latest time to get OUT of the gate. I have been locked in before in the past. So I was pressed for time. Perhaps it was an elaborate ploy to lure me into having to rush with the prospect of a better (condition) case.

But it generally is something I do, shine a light into it to see the hex walls, and give it a little feel with my 4mm key. I was in a rush this time and did not think about it this time.

But yes, I did ask about the truss. I also know the motivations to play dumb about a known truss issue. At the same time I can give benefit of the doubt. I did say I would clean his strings and let him meet me at band practice to get them, to save him $20, since the goth that was in his other case had no strings on it and a bridge in pieces.

I figure if I mention it, maybe he will offer a kick back. Either some cash, or perhaps that other case, which I would trade el crappo fender bag for, so he at least would have something to put his other bass in.

You are correct that I didn't do my due diligence in making the time to physically inspect it, and I should have done so when it was clear that the neck had a lot of relief in it, however I viewed that as me being close to where I was going to set it anyway, less work! I did my ear to the back of the neck, knuckle rap test and nothing was rattling in the neck, so the truss was at least not broken, but had I taken off the cover, shone a light in, and gave it a feel with a 4mm, I would have not bought it, or would have asked for a lower price. At the same time, I don't like to impose that, one guy selling an SX freaked out when I asked if I could give the truss a nudge to verify it wasn't jammed or freewheeling. he backed out of the whole deal (this was in text before going to see it which didn't happen of course). After that it has been a touchy thing. Not sure who was right, me or him? (SX guy)

The question is, do I text him about the truss, or just wait till he comes to get the strings and mention it in person?

It is not really a bridge that needs to be protected from burning, I don't need the guy to like me. But I would hate to have to be that guy who is stuck trying to sell a bass with truss issues.

Would the stewmac gripper likely be a solution that could keep the bass adjustable?

 

[rodv66]

I only paid about 160$ for this bird and have a Gibson now as well. I might just use a hipshot if I can't find a way to keep these bushings in. A guy on youtube used tissue paper to hold them in.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8lq1HIsqZk

 

[marko57]

I know I shouldn't, but I always giggle a little when someone mentions tuning bagpipes.

No worries, trust me, we get used to it!

 

[GBassNorth]

I only paid about 160$ for this bird and have a Gibson now as well. I might just use a hipshot if I can't find a way to keep these bushings in. A guy on youtube used tissue paper to hold them in.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8lq1HIsqZk

Looks like a very temporary fix. Maybe a neat hack for a gigging bassist on the road or between sets but I wouldn't assume this is a robust fix.

 

[marko57]

Looks like a very temporary fix. Maybe a neat hack for a gigging bassist on the road or between sets but I wouldn't assume this is a robust fix.

A MacGyver if you will?

 

[Basvarken]

Terrible backtilt on that toilet papered bridge!

 

[Christine]

I have a Hipshot on my bird and it's just swell. I just wanted individual string adjustability, and something that wouldn't affect the tone (I love it just the way it is). The Hipshot delivers on both counts. The Babicz may be a better engineered bridge, but I'm not convinced the return in any perceivable 'improvement' over the Hipshot is worth nearly double the investment to me.

I have the Hipshot kickass bridge on my jazz and it's done wonders but I think I like the idea of the Babicz more, I will probably use one on my next build which shouldn't be too far away now. If I use a 5 hole version then I can directly compare on both basses to see

 

[Gaolee]

Another question for the group (still relatively new here and new to t-birds): For those who own neck through t-birds, do any of you own say a Lull or Cataldo version with a bolt on neck and is there an appreciable difference in sound, playability etc. ?

Also do any T-Bird club members own T-bird pick up equipped basses, that are not t-birds have any insights opinions on those types vs. say a traditional t-bird? I am trying to get up to speed on the whole t- bird universe....may take a while.....

I think our Queen has a Lull as well as a flock of other 'Birds. I know he has Lull pickups in some of those 'Birds. As far as different shaped bass guitars that use 'Bird pickups, I would expect you might get a very similar sound, but I can say that the 2013 EB I have that uses the same pickups and other electronic parts as the 2015 'Bird sounds a bit different. Not a huge amount, but it's there. Going the other direction, I'm very slowly building a Thunderbird shaped Fenderbird (Bumperbird - thanks Kat!) that will have Precision pickups, an ash body, a bolt-on neck, and be a Precision in all but body shape. Once it's built, probably sometime this summer, I can compare it to an actual Precision and see how different they sound. My expectation is not much, since the wood, construction, and electronics will be very similar. The shape and specific pickup will be different, and that's not that huge a difference, assuming I also use the same strings.

 

[Gaolee]

By the way, the Gibson Bass Book arrived a couple days ago. I'm amazed at how many different bass guitars Gibson built that I didn't know about. Apparently Gibson also made some upright basses sometime in the past, but all I know is that they exist in some small number.

 

[hillerup]

I only paid about 160$ for this bird and have a Gibson now as well. I might just use a hipshot if I can't find a way to keep these bushings in. A guy on youtube used tissue paper to hold them in.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8lq1HIsqZk

Terrible backtilt on that toilet papered bridge!

The general consensus for avoiding the bridge studs from popping up, is to adjust the bridge with a sligtly backtilt...

 

[TBird1958]

Another question for the group (still relatively new here and new to t-birds): For those who own neck through t-birds, do any of you own say a Lull or Cataldo version with a bolt on neck and is there an appreciable difference in sound, playability etc. ?

Also do any T-Bird club members own T-bird pick up equipped basses, that are not t-birds have any insights opinions on those types vs. say a traditional t-bird? I am trying to get up to speed on the whole t- bird universe....may take a while.....

I own a Lull T4, the third one he made, the simple equation is that it compares best to a set neck bass like the original Gibson Non Reverse of the late '60s. The note is focused and a bit tighter, my Orville is very similar - no surprise since it's set neck as well.
Carlo makes a great bass, hopefully he'll chime in soon.

 

[rodv66]

The general consensus for avoiding the bridge studs from popping up, is to adjust the bridge with a sligtly backtilt...

Tried it more than once. even held bridge in place while tightening strings. as soon as I let go, one would pop out. Maybe supergluing the bushings in might be only choice.

 

[JIO]

Tried it more than once. even held bridge in place while tightening strings. as soon as I let go, one would pop out. Maybe supergluing the bushings in might be only choice.

To avoid reoccurring issues as a result of 'fixes' - the post holes should be plugged and re-drilled for a proper secure fit.

 

[rodv66]

To avoid reoccurring issues as a result of 'fixes' - the post holes should be plugged and re-drilled for a proper secure fit.

So, you would plug holes with say wood filler, then when dried re drill them out?

 

[Basvarken]

To avoid reoccurring issues as a result of 'fixes' - the post holes should be plugged and re-drilled for a proper secure fit.

+1

So, you would plug holes with say wood filler, then when dried re drill them out?

I'd use proper wooden plugs.

 

[GBassNorth]

So, you would plug holes with say wood filler, then when dried re drill them out?

Actually JIO is outlining the correct luthier method for a proper and permanent fix. The glue and toothpick solution is more of the do it yourself quick fix.