Thunderbird Club

[Bassmike62]

It either came as a bolt-on or if it was a neck-thru, the neck was cut off, the body routed for a neck pocket and tr scallop, and it was refinished - at least the black halo. Anythings possible. I remember seeing a black Fenderbird for sale on ebay years ago by a Florida seller. It supposedly was a '65 body/pu's/bridge married to a '68 Fender J neck. I was tempted to buy it but it was a little past my limit. Seller said Jaco played it once... possible I guess for whatever that was worth.

My bet is that its an Epi Classic Pro that probably had a bad neck break or someone just wanted to make it a bolt neck. You can see the neck ply's in the center of the body, and the jack is on the butt of the body. A bolt-neck Epi wouldn't have the neck ply's and there would be some sort of evidence of a plugged input jack on the face. As always, I could be wrong.

Or a set neck? Any of the LEs have the jack at the end?? But not a standard bolt-on IV and definitely not a Pro. Seems like a lot of work on a CP but could be. A lot of things match that.

Any of the LEs have the jack at the end??
Nope.

Thx guys. So it's most probably a CP body (it has the same pickups) upgraded with a Schaller bridge. Makes some kind of sense, since the the tuners are Schallers. At 1st glance, pickup spacing thew me off, but its probably due to it sporting a different bridge. I messaged the seller and hoping to get clear answers about the neck.

My 1st Bird was an Alpine White CP and I remember it sounding absolutely fantastic, although from reading about it here, I learned they are more of a take on how should a modern Thunderbird should sound, than the real thing itself ?

 

[Bassmike62]

I briefly had a Trooper - worst vehicle I've ever owned, nothing but trouble. You don't see them out here anymore - probably for good reason.

The recent Mustang failed testing for NSW Highway Patrol to replace the deceased local build Commodores and Falcons. Overheated in short order, I believe they suggest that it was the auto box that was the issue.
We went for the 300C SVT but they aren’t imported anymore, some Kia Stingers that are on the way out. Mostly see BMWs now.

Isuzu Trooper?
(Holden Jackaroo in Australia).

Yes, Isuzu Trooper - I was told Isuzu is a huge truck company in Europe/Asia and was assured it was a good vehicle. Maybe I just got a bad one.

Mine must have been a lemon - it was too big anyway. My Honda Element is much better.

I had the 4 door Isuzu Trooper. Loved it due to the ancient tech. You could do things like add aftermarket cruise control in a few minutes.

All this talk about Isuzus is bringing me back to fond memories...

I had an Isuzu Impulse for a couple of years, just before my then-partner got pregnant with our daughter (who just turned 29 last month, geez...). That little pseudo-sports car is certainly the car I loved the most to this day, I remember back then dreaming I sold it and then running to the bedroom window when I woke up, just to make sure it was still there. Actually that dream a couple of times and they were the only dreams I had about owning a car. I remember the moment I realized I had to get rid of it, happened after I almost banged my baby's head on the door edge, trying to fit the carseat in that tight little space they called the backseat, which it was by name only. I still feel the gentle tap on my shoulder from my GF and her softly saying: "Maybe we should get a van before she gets a concussion". Was planning to get a Rodeo, but I think the company pulled out of Canada at one point.

 

[MCF]

Ibanez makes some very nice basses.

I like most Ibenez necks. And they’re well made, even the budget ones. Just don’t care for the pickups.

 

[MCF]

This is what we do.
Well, some of us.

View attachment 5097686

That is a great pic.

 

[JIO]

Spell check please

View attachment 5097765

5 out of 6 ain't bad...

 

[MCF]

Thunderbird people, if you had a choice between a 2012 reverse TB and a 2020 non-reverse TB and they were about the same price (maybe $50 difference including shipping), which would you lean towards? Both are being sold by reputable shops and are described as never broken. The 2012 has some finish rubbed off where the lower wing connects to the neck through part of the body. Both have original the original bridge and tuners.

Both! They are different. The neck through ‘12 reverse has a skinnier neck and modern ceramic TBird+ pickups. The ‘21 NR has a chunkier set neck and more vintage sounding Alnico pickups. What color is the NR you’re looking at? Do both come with their OEM cases?

 

[MCF]

Hi. Haven't had much time to catch up what's been going on here and while I got my new white VP properly set up last week I only had time to play it "amplified" just 15 minutes ago.
I recorded a bassline for this rather lazy trippy thing I'm working on. The sound is intentionally a bit mushy as the drums are intentionally sh*tty.
View attachment 5097698

Sounds great!

 

[Stealth57]

5 out of 6 ain't bad...

New glasses? 4 out of 6 on the same word

 

[MCF]

Spell check please

View attachment 5097765

I guess that’s one way to escape the heat wave over there.

 

[Stealth57]

I guess that’s one way to escape the heat wave over there.

Rainy season but just cloudy and 88. Humidity is probably 70%, but the 15mph breeze makes it feel much less.

 

[JIO]

New glasses? 4 out of 6 on the same word

Hah! missed the "Back Massge"

 

[Roger W]

Both! They are different. The neck through ‘12 reverse has a skinnier neck and modern ceramic TBird+ pickups. The ‘21 NR has a chunkier set neck and more vintage sounding Alnico pickups. What color is the NR you’re looking at? Do both come with their OEM cases?

The NR is Inverness green and while deciding, it was sold. Both did come with original cases.

 

[Stealth57]

The NR is Inverness green and while deciding, it was sold. Both did come with original cases.

Dang

 

[Engle]

My bet is that its an Epi Classic Pro that probably had a bad neck break or someone just wanted to make it a bolt neck. You can see the neck ply's in the center of the body, and the jack is on the butt of the body. A bolt-neck Epi wouldn't have the neck ply's and there would be some sort of evidence of a plugged input jack on the face. As always, I could be wrong.

I think you're right.

 

[JJR58]

Such a cool pic. I love that bass.

 

[Engle]

Early, early BC Rich with Hi-A pickups!!!!

Ken recently got some history on it, actually a Bodine. All mahogany.

 

[PillO]

Mine must have been a lemon - it was too big anyway. My Honda Element is much better.

The Element was supposed to attract young people with active lifestyles. However, the purchasers ended up being much older than expected. It became popular amoungst grandparents.

 

[PillO]

I've decided to start a side project. I've got the instrumentalists lined up but I need a male vocalist who can memorise lyrics quickly. Doesn't need to be able to carry a tune. It'll be a Bob Dylan Tribute band.

Why the need to memorize lyrics? Dylan used cue cards...

 

[PillO]

This is what we do.
Well, some of us.

View attachment 5097686

Use mirror images to confuse the rest of the band?

 

[PillO]

Thunderbird people, if you had a choice between a 2012 reverse TB and a 2020 non-reverse TB and they were about the same price (maybe $50 difference including shipping), which would you lean towards? Both are being sold by reputable shops and are described as never broken. The 2012 has some finish rubbed off where the lower wing connects to the neck through part of the body. Both have original the original bridge and tuners.

I would take the NR. Absolute incredible sound out of it. The sound I was always looking for. And sounds best in Inverness Green.