Thunderbird Club

[Mosstone]

I'll be honest... I just like the way the Babicz looks more than the Hipshot (though I like how it looks, too).

I agree. It is more faithful to the shape of the original 3-point.

 

[Larry V]

Most people would not be able to do the fill and re-drill method properly at home. This is not a hand drill operation. Do the toothpicks and glue thing and call it done.

 

[bluesblaster]

I would like an opinion on the Greco version versus the Orville version , actual hands on users only please. I am sort of leaning more towards the Orville but would like to hear from anyone that has experience with either or both

 

[Gospel Bass Player]

Ah yes, I used to use one, stepped down to a 700RB-II, the 1001 was beyond loud, never could really get it to "open up"

Just got a GK 700rb-II yesterday...near mint condition. Looking forward to connecting to my SBX Plus 4x10 and SBX Plus 1x15. What are your settings on the 700-rb II ? I understand you drive two SBX 4x10 cabs, correct?

 

[Christine]

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.

I know what you mean, I thought I was quite clued up on the pre 90s Gibsons but what did I know it turns out Great little book, I'm glad I bought it, not many books I say that about after a couple or three months

 

[Christine]

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

It's the only way, a close fitting plug is the best fix next to a dedicated tapered plug cutter that has a near pointed base and a matching tapered drill.

 

[GBassNorth]

Most people would not be able to do the fill and re-drill method properly at home. This is not a hand drill operation. Do the toothpicks and glue thing and call it done.

Exactly.

To fill and re drill you'd have to have an exact diameter and exact size wood dowel for each hole or possibly a metal dowel sizing rule to pound the peg through so it matched the hole size. Then after wood or super glueing the peg in the hole you'd have to have a drill press with a small pilot hole drill followed by an exact size full size drill. Then you'd possibly need a long flex shaft hand drill bit to re drill the ground wire hole from the control cavity. And you'd have to do all that work on the drill press and with the super glue and with the hand drill very carefully so as not to damage the finish.

Can it be done that way? Sure, in fact it's the way I'd demand a $2000 plus keeper or collector bass be repaired and by a qualified luthier to boot. Does it have to be done that way? Nope, toothpicks and wood glue will do exactly the same thing and can easily be done at home with an exacto knife, hammer and wood block - which is the method I'd recommend for a less expensive workhorse bass.

Like I said in my original post on this topic a few pages back - there's lots of ways to skin this cat.

 

[Gaolee]

I agree. It is more faithful to the shape of the original 3-point.

The truly original was a two point or something like it, with a stop bar. My EB-2 just has a two point, no stop bar.

 

[TBird1958]

I would like an opinion on the Greco version versus the Orville version , actual hands on users only please. I am sort of leaning more towards the Orville but would like to hear from anyone that has experience with either or both

They' re both set neck bases, Orville is more faithful to the Gibson original in terms of the neck, and overall proportions, it uses chrome covered Gibson pickups, that are pretty hot but don't have a lot high treble, mine is a re fin and has a sexy two point.

My Greco is Thunderbird II single pickup, its very hot, has a RAWR to it that no other bass does, the neck is not very Thunderbird like ( a bit more like a P Bass) and it's not 34" scale. Mine has a Badbird bridge and tailpiece.

It's close to an Apples vs. Oranges comparison, they're actually that different, I don't prefer one over the other, my fave is the one I'm playing now.

 

[TBird1958]

Just got a GK 700rb-II yesterday...near mint condition. Looking forward to connecting to my SBX Plus 4x10 and SBX Plus 1x15. What are your settings on the 700-rb II ? I understand you drive two SBX 4x10 cabs, correct?

I'll shoot a pic for you after I get home from work - Just remember I'm on the Left Coast

 

[Inky13]

I played one of theseveral the other day at The House of Guitars, not bad for the price point, I need a real guitar I would consider one of these.

Love the HOG reference! Haven't been there in years. Does it still have that funky vibe? It was always rumoured to be run by ex-cons.

 

[Nocturnal]

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.

I have 2 of the Epi Non-Reverse models from the 90's. One is virtually identical in build components to my St. Blues P bass (wood, pickups, etc). They sound very similar to my ears with the Epi being a bit brighter but that might be the difference in bridges.

 

[JIO]

My Greco is Thunderbird II single pickup, its very hot, has a RAWR to it that no other bass does, the neck is not very Thunderbird like ( a bit more like a P Bass) and it's not 34" scale. Mine has a Badbird bridge and tailpiece.

So is it 32" scale?

 

[Mosstone]

The truly original was a two point or something like it, with a stop bar. My EB-2 just has a two point, no stop bar.

Thanks, but I meant the original bridge that came on the bass, which is a 3-point, not the original design.

 

[bluesblaster]

They' re both set neck bases, Orville is more faithful to the Gibson original in terms of the neck, and overall proportions, it uses chrome covered Gibson pickups, that are pretty hot but don't have a lot high treble, mine is a re fin and has a sexy two point.

My Greco is Thunderbird II single pickup, its very hot, has a RAWR to it that no other bass does, the neck is not very Thunderbird like ( a bit more like a P Bass) and it's not 34" scale. Mine has a Badbird bridge and tailpiece.

It's close to an Apples vs. Oranges comparison, they're actually that different, I don't prefer one over the other, my fave is the one I'm playing now.

Thanks, do you prefer the Orville to a more recent Gibson ? I always liked the sound of the original 60's era 'birds but have no experience with the modern ones, we just don't see them much around here except maybe the epiphone version.

 

[godofthunder59]

Love the HOG reference! Haven't been there in years. Does it still have that funky vibe? It was always rumoured to be run by ex-cons.

Armmond did spend time in Attica. I know the brothers well, started shopping there in like 69, started working there in 76! I still have a business relationship with them, he'll they are like family.

 

[TBird1958]

So is it 32" scale?

33 1/4"........ Not like any other Bird. At one point I had a red Gibson Explorer from the '80s that was 32" - Which is the reason I don't still have it. Should have kept it, was a very rare bass as it turns out.

Thanks, do you prefer the Orville to a more recent Gibson ? I always liked the sound of the original 60's era 'birds but have no experience with the modern ones, we just don't see them much around here except maybe the epiphone version.

I don't have a stock post '88 Gibson to compare the Oriville to, mine all have Lull pickups in them so can't help there.

 

[kat888]

In my mind, 33.25" is as near 'full' scale as damn it. 19mm is not a significant difference compared to 102mm.

 

[JIO]

33 1/4"........ Not like any other Bird. At one point I had a red Gibson Explorer from the '80s that was 32" - Which is the reason I don't still have it. Should have kept it, was a very rare bass as it turns out.

Not like any other bass in general. I mean, a manufacturer can set whatever scale they choose but it's most usually 30", 32" 34" and for some fivers 35".

 

[kat888]

Not like any other bass in general. I mean, a manufacturer can set whatever scale they choose but it's most usually 30", 32" 34" and for some fivers 35".

...other than Rics