Thunderbird Club

[Miles_ONeal]

I remeasured my 2018 IV and it matched my previous measurement of 10 3/4"/14 11/16". Same with the 2014 CP at 10 1/8"/14 7/16". My 2021 VP is 10 15/16"/14 3/4", which is supposed to be close to the 60s Gibson but the bridge pickup is a good 3/8" - 1/2" closer to the bridge. A new measurement on Marshall's 2005 Gibson Studio is 10 1/2"/14 1/2".

Can y'all please add your observed measurements to the Wiki page?

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Method looks correct so the data should be good.

The obvious variability in method will be the measuring device. Some folks will use a construction tape measure that may be divided into 1/16” increments which may or may not start at the hook vs a bit away. Construction tape measures usually also have a tension vs compression requirement for accuracy. Miniature household tape measures might not have a slip rivet at the hook end. Some folks may use a wooden or plastic school ruler. Others might use a steel machinist’s rule, and others might use a micrometer, or even a fabric seamstress tape. If we’re shooting for a general reference accuracy of about +-1/8” then the different measuring equipment listed above shouldn’t be an issue and our current data set is adequate as a reference guide.

Its when folks start talking about measuring from the center line of a fret that I start getting nervous, because the current data collected doesn’t reflect that level of accuracy, and any attempt to go forward without a measuring protocol will only make it worse.

OT1H, I agree. OTOH, with an error of 1/16" to 1/8", we're still able to get things quite close to the original locations (or any others we choose) - much closer than Gibson has been putting most bird pickups for years. OTGH, the GTG gives us an opportunity to apply a single protocol (with witnesses! 8^) to measure whatever basses people bring. We can document that with photos and videos so that we have a baseline going forward.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Noted, and no worries! I'm just used to measuring from the center of the 12th fret when working on basses/guitars.
If using a tape measure on an instrument, I usually go from the 1" mark to avoid that variability of the hook.

I do that, and I do it with our yardstick when I use it.

 

[_Tay_]

Here's s Blue Thunderbird.

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Drool!!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Anyone looking for a budget hard case that will fit Gibson Reverses and Epi IVs, Pros, and Classic Pros? Gator has B stock of their wooden Thunderbird case available for $99. These will not fit non-reverses or the Epi Vintage Pro/60s.
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There were two. Now there is one. I almost bought both but decided to leave one in case someone else needed it.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Here's s Blue Thunderbird.

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A bit reminiscent of Leon's blueburst revurst (sic).

 

[davelowell2]

You guys are killin me!


Nice looking slab of mahogany there! What pickup will you be using? Did Rosser drill for the grounding wire under the bridge? Have you decided on a finish yet? If you need a custom pickguard @Engle does great work.

What did you use for the jack plate? Just a Les Paul or Explorer plate?

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I'm howling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I believe you are howelling.

 

[dagrev]

angled headstocks….
hate to say it but Leo had it right….
View attachment 5131428

I agree. The angle has a good function and in some ways may look better, but all at a catastrophic cost. It is nice that you can just lay a Fender down on it's back and not have to lay it face down or find some other way to rest it quickly.

 

[GBassNorth]

Sure wish I had known about that back then. I hadn't found this club yet. But happy for y'all who got them!

Love mine now, but I gotta say, it took me a year to obtain that relationship. I gotta go back and find some receipts, but IIRC I paid just under $1000 for it used in March of 2019.

 

[icefly]

Here's s Blue Thunderbird.

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Dat color!!

 

[dagrev]

A bit reminiscent of Leon's blueburst revurst (sic).

That was the first thing I thought as well. Intentional? Who knows.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Snagging one is worthwhile. I'm really happy to have gotten mine when I did. The guy who was selling it said he had progressed to fivers and didn't play four string basses any more. He was kinda snobbish about it. When I got the bass, there were marks between the frets that said what note the E string was at each fret. The marks were nearly gone, like he had tried to remove them but couldn't completely. I thought it was really funny. The marks are completely gone now, but at the time, they were still there in residue form.

Hmmm. Maybe "Now that I've learned my notes, I'm ready for a *man's* bass."

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I also bring a class D amp (MB200) as a backup. Sometimes I think I should get another one for when the MB200 is the primary.
For an outdoor gig a few years ago where rain was imminent, I didn't want to bring my D800+, so I did the gig with the MB200 and put my Peavey Centurion in the truck - just in case

I play through two Rumbles. I technically only *need* one, but two sounds even better and provides a safety net.

 

[icefly]

Unlike this place which is like family. Or Gilligan's Island. Or both!

 

[GBassNorth]

angled headstocks….
hate to say it but Leo had it right….
View attachment 5131428

His is certainly a more robust design - but never forget - Happens…

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Would Mary Ann join a biker gang like this, anyway?

One like this? Sure.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

That was the first thing I thought as well. Intentional? Who knows.

I knew it would be!

 

[Stealth57]

Can y'all please add your observed measurements to the Wiki page?

I did

 

[Miles_ONeal]

That song never gets old.