Thunderbird Club

[JJR58]

I have never seen a 68-75 style headstock logo/font style WITH the serial on the headstock. I always thought the serial moved from the neck plate to the headstock when they reduced the size of and removed the serifs from the font for the Precision or Jazz Bass part of the decal.

I have a ‘75 maple fretless and the body weights a ton. I think the whole bass weighs almost 12 lbs. And a previous owner hack in a j-bass pickup in the bridge position, very poorly, and put it too close to the bridge. I’m deciding if I wand to fill the j-bass hole and refinish in white-blonde, or just replace the body with something lighter, and store the original body to keep it for if and when I ever sell it.

Got this ‘71 already butchered.
There’s a rout in the neck position under the pick guard for a humbucker.
And the bridge position which you can clearly see what I have in there.

When I got the bass, the original neck had issues.
So replaced it with an AllParts neck, which is only a temporary fix, and replaced the p-pup, and bridge pup.
Bass weighs around 8lbs,
and sounds killer.

I anticipate some other mods to come.
With no further routing.

 

[GonePlaid]

I tune down my E to D for individual songs. The trick is to remember to tune it back up for the next song.

Yep. I've written notes to myself on the sheet music.

 

[GBassNorth]

Got this ‘71 already butchered.
There’s a rout in the neck position under the pick guard for a humbucker.
And the bridge position which you can clearly see what I have in there.

When I got the bass, the original neck had issues.
So replaced it with an AllParts neck, which is only a temporary fix, and replaced the p-pup, and bridge pup.
Bass weighs around 8lbs,
and sounds killer.

I anticipate some other mods to com.
With no further routing.

View attachment 5132222

Nice! Must be Fender Friday, I’m in….

There’s a few more that aren’t shown in this photo. All great players, just not played as much anymore.

 

[Stealth57]

Nice! Must be Fender Friday, I’m in….
View attachment 5132233
There’s a few more that aren’t shown in this photo. All great players, just not played as much anymore.

Bar and pool table...time for a SoCal GTG

 

[TBird1958]

There's four 7enders at my house!

 

[Basvarken]

Thunderbird in disguise.
The Brooks UV (aka Thundervee). Built for none other than Godfather of Gibson basses: Uwe Hornung

More pics and build process here:
Thunderbird meets Flying V: Brooks UV

 

[Gaolee]

It’s like all these people claiming that “swamp ash” (it’s just ash that grew in a swamp, not a separate species), alder, and maple are the tone woodz because Leo picked them. They were cheap and available.

And they work pretty well. I was a tone wood skeptic until comparing the sound of a 2015 Thunderbird to the sound of a 2013 EB. Mahogany is a little darker sounding than ash/maple. Which is probably not a surprise, but it's there. It's also minor. String choice, EQ, and how you play makes a bigger difference.

 

[GBassNorth]

Bar and pool table...time for a SoCal GTG

LOL - that was at my last house (in Kentucky). I finished off a 1500 sqft basement as my guitar and bass room - complete with pool table, full wet bar, poker table, a theater with a 12ft diagonal drop down screen and projection TV, a fitness room, a wood shop, and bathroom. Sold it in 2012. It just went back on the market again…
1076 Colina Dr, Villa Hills, KY 41017 - 4 beds/6 baths
photos 21-29 show most of the basement area I finished (I did everything except hang the drywall).

 

[MCF]

It’s like all these people claiming that “swamp ash” (it’s just ash that grew in a swamp, not a separate species), alder, and maple are the tone woodz because Leo picked them. They were cheap and available.

Mahogany for the win!

 

[PhR75]

On this subject, I've got a spare Pbass, thinking of replacing the P PUP with a Chinabucker bridge PUP. Will look to put it in the '64 Thunderbird position. Has anyone here done this yet?

This bass has never had any other pickups than those Chinabuckers. Both in '64 positions.

 

[Gaolee]

There's four 7enders at my house!

I only see two in that picture. Where are the other two?

 

[TBird1958]

Thunderbird in disguise.
The Brooks UV (aka Thundervee). Built for none other than Godfather of Gibson basses: Uwe Hornung

More pics and build process here:
Thunderbird meets Flying V: Brooks UV

Rob, that is just stunning, beautifully done, I'm sure Uwe will love it! The chrome hardware will match his replaced knee hardware nicely!

 

[MCF]

Try talking to your Pharm. They can possibly recommend something to take that can offset that a little. May (or may not) be as simple as taking a tums every so often, or a mild nausea med that won't add to the effects of the Gaba. Food on your stomach can help, but I know it's hard to eat.

I’ve had a few days where the thought of food made it even worse. I’ve been working on dialing in all my basses that are at this house and playing. That is the best therapy. It’s better when I don’t think about it.

 

[MCF]

On this subject, I've got a spare Pbass, thinking of replacing the P PUP with a Chinabucker bridge PUP. Will look to put it in the '64 Thunderbird position. Has anyone here done this yet?

No. But I have a beater Squier Affinity PJ that I practice and learn some luthier skills on and try different strings on to get an idea if I like them or not. I may do that to it as a fun retirement project. A refinish from black to Daphne Blue is also something I may try to do. A Chinabucker or maybe a Darkstar, Bisonic, or something else cool. The only redeeming qualities of that bass are that it is slightly thinner alder than other P’s and a little lighter weight; close to 8 lbs. The Squier PUP’s in it are pretty abysmal.

 

[MCF]

Thunderbird in disguise.
The Brooks UV (aka Thundervee). Built for none other than Godfather of Gibson basses: Uwe Hornung

More pics and build process here:
Thunderbird meets Flying V: Brooks UV

O.M.G. I would love to own that. Maybe one of the most beautiful basses ever.

I’m happy to see Brooks getting resurrected. There is an Anderton’s vid with some new reissues out. Pretty cool.

 

[MCF]

Hey, it’s Fretless Friday! Where’s @WillyW ?

He’s around. I was messaging with him earlier.

 

[MCF]

Is this anything ? Or just your average cheapie
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For that price with the very unique looking amp, what have you got to loose?

 

[MCF]

That’s my cheapest find and best deal I guess.
Here’s what it looked like after restoration.
I did give the guy two six packs for the deal.

View attachment 5132022 View attachment 5132023 View attachment 5132024 View attachment 5132025 View attachment 5132026

Turned out great!

 

[MCF]

Got this ‘71 already butchered.
There’s a rout in the neck position under the pick guard for a humbucker.
And the bridge position which you can clearly see what I have in there.

When I got the bass, the original neck had issues.
So replaced it with an AllParts neck, which is only a temporary fix, and replaced the p-pup, and bridge pup.
Bass weighs around 8lbs,
and sounds killer.

I anticipate some other mods to come.
With no further routing.

View attachment 5132222

I’ve always liked the understated elegance of the finish on that Jeff. I wish you could bring it to the GTG.

 

[WillyW]