Thunderbird Club

[Gaolee]

I need a miracle plan, will be 65 in December and I see no soon retirement in sight

I am not far behind you and will be full time until 70 most likely. And part time after that.

 

[JJR58]

I am not far behind you and will be full time until 70 most likely. And part time after that.

My only caveat is that I might have to stay here till I’m 70.
That thought so gives me the shivers.

 

[MCF]

Wow on the BadA$$.
But I think it’s a perfectly fine bridge for that bass.
I thought it okayed great as it was.
But I also would get everything cleaned up on it.

The stock bridge it came with was fine for that bass and should have never been changed. It played Ok at first blush. But it wasn’t intonated. And it couldn’t be because both the A and E strings were bound and twisted. The string height seemed ok at fist, but was way high on the 6th to 10th frets. I guess I’m just miffed because someone decided to make a great bass “better.” And didn’t.

 

[RedVee]

Like a piano? Beats me what you do with it.

I kinda thought zither.

 

[JJR58]

The stock bridge it came with was fine for that bass and should have never been changed. It played Ok at first blush. But it wasn’t intonated. And it couldn’t be because both the A and E strings were bound and twisted. The string height seemed ok at fist, but was way high on the 6th to 10th frets.

As long as you don’t have to bottom out the saddles on that bridge.
If you do have to…….
Then that’s not good.

 

[JJR58]

No, they are not, but that photo has metal show energy.

Yes, that I agree with.

 

[Stealth57]

My only caveat is that I might have to stay here till I’m 70.
That thought so gives me the shivers.

That’s 5 GTGs. Think of all that fun.

 

[MCF]

There was a lot of orange peel in that finish. What did you use for polish as it looks fantastic now! Great work. Hope you still feel it was a good purchase.

Gibson polish. It was a great deal. I could sell it for more now that it’s right. But won’t. I really like it.

 

[MCF]

As long as you don’t have to bottom out the saddles on that bridge.
If you do have to…….
Then that’s not good.

It’s fine now.

 

[TBird1958]

The stock bridge it came with was fine for that bass and should have never been changed. It played Ok at first blush. But it wasn’t intonated. And it couldn’t be because both the A and E strings were bound and twisted. The string height seemed ok at fist, but was way high on the 6th to 10th frets. I guess I’m just miffed because someone decided to make a great bass “better.” And didn’t.

I meant to sit down with that bass at the GTG and somehow it didn't happen, I wanted to compare it to mine....Which I really like, the TB Plus pickups sound very good with a set neck bass like this. I got mine from a fellow TBer for a ridiculously low price and honestly other than replacing the flats with some SIT Power Steels I haven't done a thing to it - It's a rock solid bass that goes completely unnoticed.

 

[dagrev]

I just blast some Motorhead.

I'd need another shower! Just not my thing.

 

[MCF]

I meant to sit down with that bass at the GTG and somehow it didn't happen, I wanted to compare it to mine....Which I really like, the TB Plus pickups sound very good with a set neck bass like this. I got mine from a fellow TBer for a ridiculously low price and honestly other than replacing the flats with some SIT Power Steels I haven't done a thing to it - It's a rock solid bass that goes completely unnoticed.

It sounds awesome! If you have a chance V, can you get a picture of the control cavity to compare and a pic of your bridge?

 

[Stealth57]

I'd need another shower! Just not my thing.

Ahem

 

[dagrev]

*Disclaimer. The opinions expressed here are my own. They do not reflect those of other members of this club.

I finally got the new to me ‘05 Studio set up, cleaned and polished. It took freaking forever because the previous owner or owners had no clue.

This was a SF Bay Area Craigslist find that Dave noticed and offered to check out. My instructions were to buy it unless there was something obvious that couldn’t be corrected. It was a very good deal at $1K, with case. And with no tax or shipping charge.

I stared work on it on Friday. Removed completely dead rounds that were on it and tossed them. Cleaned and polished the frets, cleaned and oiled the fretboard and made sure frets were sound. They are. No high or loose frets. No noticeable wear. I can’t tell if they have ever been leveled or crowned. Fret end work is immaculate.
View attachment 5156748
Opened the control cavity. I have no clues if this is how it came from Gibson or if it had been modified. Any thoughts?
View attachment 5156750
I popped the TBird Plus pups. I assume this is how they came from Gibson. Does anyone know differently? Anyway, they sound AMAZING! Ken would love them.

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Restrung with Dunlop MM Stainless Steel Superbrights. I was going to use 50-105 SIT Power Steels that I ordered but couldn’t find. They came when I was at the GTG. My wife put them somewhere, but couldn’t remember where. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise. After installing them, it was obvious how dead the old strings were. I was a bit concerned there may have been a tone pot issue, put new strings put that concern to rest.

Then the “fun” began. Look at how the saddles were placed on the. Bridge. And they were set at weird heights. Whoever messed with it was an idiot. And I’m trying to be nice. And the neck was nowhere near straight, but the TR works perfectly so that issue was easily rectified.
View attachment 5156768

Notice that it’s a Badass II bridge. That is not what these basses came with. While the stock bridge was not a three point, it was a Gibson version of the 7ender 5 screw mount high mass style bridge. And this bass would have come with a chrome, not black, bridge. Putting the Badass on this Bird was a total fail. Whoever installed it on this Thunderbird is a complete moron. The Badass was originally designed for 7ender string through body applications. The holes in this bridge were not drilled wide enough for a common set of 45-105s with thick end windings at the ball ends to pass through easily. Again, what an idiot. The bass was “chorusy” before I started working on it. I’m not surprised given that the old strings were bound and twisted. Ugh.

So the obvious solution to me was to replace the stupid Badass bridge with a chrome Babicz 5 screw mount bridge. But wait. The idiot who installed it over tightened the screws. This thing won’t come off. And even if it did, the indentations made by the oversized Badass bridge would be visible.

So realizing that the bridge stays, I worked to file the old holes using the old strings. It was slow going. But I got enough paint and metal removed from the holes to make it work. It took about two hours to get this accomplished.

The bridge is a POS. I will never buy one. .050 hex key is required. Gibson multi-tool to the rescue for that fail. It took forever to get the height and intonation set. About two hours yesterday of back and forth adjustments and another half hour today.

At the end of the day, it’s a great Thunderbird. Beautiful in fact. And it sounds and now plays awesome. But man, it was a project getting it to fly right again.

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You sure have it looking fantastic!

 

[dagrev]

For some BG style picking...


Not all strict BG players, but playing that style. Even some Aussie Bloke in there is pretty good!

 

[TBird1958]

It sounds awesome! If you have a chance V, can you get a picture of the control cavity to compare and a pic of your bridge?

It's hanging in the display case, might be Thursday - Irv's coming for a visit Friday so I do have to get it out.

 

[Gaolee]

My only caveat is that I might have to stay here till I’m 70.
That thought so gives me the shivers.

Then we need to find you a different job. What else is there to do?

 

[Roger W]

*Disclaimer. The opinions expressed here are my own. They do not reflect those of other members of this club.

I finally got the new to me ‘05 Studio set up, cleaned and polished. It took freaking forever because the previous owner or owners had no clue.

This was a SF Bay Area Craigslist find that Dave noticed and offered to check out. My instructions were to buy it unless there was something obvious that couldn’t be corrected. It was a very good deal at $1K, with case. And with no tax or shipping charge.

I stared work on it on Friday. Removed completely dead rounds that were on it and tossed them. Cleaned and polished the frets, cleaned and oiled the fretboard and made sure frets were sound. They are. No high or loose frets. No noticeable wear. I can’t tell if they have ever been leveled or crowned. Fret end work is immaculate.
View attachment 5156748
Opened the control cavity. I have no clues if this is how it came from Gibson or if it had been modified. Any thoughts?
View attachment 5156750
I popped the TBird Plus pups. I assume this is how they came from Gibson. Does anyone know differently? Anyway, they sound AMAZING! Ken would love them.

View attachment 5156763
View attachment 5156764
View attachment 5156765


Restrung with Dunlop MM Stainless Steel Superbrights. I was going to use 50-105 SIT Power Steels that I ordered but couldn’t find. They came when I was at the GTG. My wife put them somewhere, but couldn’t remember where. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise. After installing them, it was obvious how dead the old strings were. I was a bit concerned there may have been a tone pot issue, put new strings put that concern to rest.

Then the “fun” began. Look at how the saddles were placed on the. Bridge. And they were set at weird heights. Whoever messed with it was an idiot. And I’m trying to be nice. And the neck was nowhere near straight, but the TR works perfectly so that issue was easily rectified.
View attachment 5156768

Notice that it’s a Badass II bridge. That is not what these basses came with. While the stock bridge was not a three point, it was a Gibson version of the 7ender 5 screw mount high mass style bridge. And this bass would have come with a chrome, not black, bridge. Putting the Badass on this Bird was a total fail. Whoever installed it on this Thunderbird is a complete moron. The Badass was originally designed for 7ender string through body applications. The holes in this bridge were not drilled wide enough for a common set of 45-105s with thick end windings at the ball ends to pass through easily. Again, what an idiot. The bass was “chorusy” before I started working on it. I’m not surprised given that the old strings were bound and twisted. Ugh.

So the obvious solution to me was to replace the stupid Badass bridge with a chrome Babicz 5 screw mount bridge. But wait. The idiot who installed it over tightened the screws. This thing won’t come off. And even if it did, the indentations made by the oversized Badass bridge would be visible.

So realizing that the bridge stays, I worked to file the old holes using the old strings. It was slow going. But I got enough paint and metal removed from the holes to make it work. It took about two hours to get this accomplished.

The bridge is a POS. I will never buy one. .050 hex key is required. Gibson multi-tool to the rescue for that fail. It took forever to get the height and intonation set. About two hours yesterday of back and forth adjustments and another half hour today.

At the end of the day, it’s a great Thunderbird. Beautiful in fact. And it sounds and now plays awesome. But man, it was a project getting it to fly right again.

View attachment 5156867
View attachment 5156868
View attachment 5156869
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The control cavity looks more DIY than factory, but I could be wrong. The solder joints look half baked and the rubber tube that looks suspiciously like shrink tubing that somebody didn’t heat up.

 

[dagrev]

that’s my main stand.

I use the "Ultimate Support" which is the same kind of stand. I have two and they are great. I would never ever go back to the typical stands.

 

[Stealth57]

Then we need to find you a different job. What else is there to do?

I hear rumor he’s good with his hands.