Thunderbird Club

[Count Bassie]

That doesn't really cover all the little abbreviations that get tossed around here, so, should questions arise, we encourage asking and no one here is going to say anything negative.

(See?)

 

[BklynKen]

For the record, there is no VI that I'm aware of. IV gets used as the model with two pickups, but also as the number of strings on some Epis, especially when they made a V as well. A VI could be number of strings or it could be three pickups. There's a gorgeous three pickup in an avatar here (it plays as good as it looks). I have wanted to make a three pickup as a VI from before I knew anyone else had done it, but I've been slacking off on that for quite some time.

I think it's because of the Firebird guitar. The Firebirds for the most part use odd Roman numerals, the Thunderbirds use even.

 

[JJR58]

Ok, let me rephrase....
I don't feel like asking the question every time I see something and would prefer to just digest it all in one swoop.

Can someone put together an info sheet of popular acronyms or abbreviations as well as a list of some of the more popular models to learn about the differences?

Some here would say just buy one of each.

 

[semiprohooker]

Not so much the "fear" of asking, more like the combination of ADHD and laziness that leads me to thinking about asking then winding up five tabs open learning about the ad that just popped up and realizing I forgot to move/start the load of laundry I threw in earlier. Then remembering two hours later that I was going to ask somebody something but not being sure who or what. Then I see it three days later again and go, "oh yeah! Damn, some Kool aid sounds really good right now."

 

[Count Bassie]

Not so much the "fear" of asking, more like the combination of ADHD and laziness that leads me to thinking about asking then winding up five tabs open learning about the ad that just popped up and realizing I forgot to move/start the load of laundry I threw in earlier. Then remembering two hours later that I was going to ask somebody something but not being sure who or what. Then I see it three days later again and go, "oh yeah! Damn, some Kool aid sounds really good right now."

Yeah I get it...

 

[Gaolee]

Yeah, I know that he “can’t”, but hoping he “would”. Also was hoping he was within 3’ish hours of the SF Bay Area, I really don’t want to ship. Considering having an ‘01 bird redone in black, from the typical burst, but don’t really want poly like my VP. I think someone praised a “thin poly”? Maybe that could be my answer. The other alternative, to stay authentic with nitro, is sending it to Missouri (MJT), but again, very reluctant to ship…

I will be sending the fretless 'Bird to MJT sometime soon. Timing TBD. Refinish instead of NBD is like NBD, but without the storage problems.

 

[JJR58]

I will be sending the fretless 'Bird to MJT sometime soon. Timing TBD. Refinish instead of NBD is like NBD, but without the storage problems.

MJT does great work, you wont be disappointed.

 

[Gaolee]

True on all counts. I also like the way lacquer ages with amber'ing and checking. On my DIY finishes which start with a rattle-can colour, I shoot a couple thin coats of clear satin lacquer on top to achieve that result. It's also easier to repair/blend into. Some of the newer finishes are a poly-resin and incredibly difficult to remove. Lacquer started off on guitars because cars were done like that. The goal on both was to create a durable finish. On carved instruments (violins, cello's, double basses), the seal-coating was critical to their sound and were usually varnishes of secret formula developed by their maker. Acoustic guitars/basses are somewhat in that neighborhood, but sold-body guitars/basses are not. The ('70s) too-thick early acrylic finishes added weight and looked bad, but how it effected tone is debatable. Most people want their instrument to look good which means a durable finish. As much as makers have catered to the "lacquer is better" contingency offering some products in that coating - their goal is still centered on durability. An finally, lacquer is toxic - so there's that.

I prefer nitro, but its effect on tone is something I cannot hear. I just like the way it feels, relative. Poly is fine and not at all an automatic no. All things being equal, though, I will take nitro as a personal preference.

 

[MCF]

I dunno, my VP’s, both black and white, look and feel rather candy coated. And that’s fine, nice and shiny and durable!

I’m hoping I can just find a black Gibson ‘bird, with ebony fretboard, and then sell the 2nd (the 2001) of two tobacco burst ‘birds I have. My ‘95 is nice and worn naturally from what appears to be lots of use, which I am continuing, and it’s the one burst I’m keeping.
The 2001 is in really nice shape and a really good player, and very pretty. I just know eventually, if I don’t run across a suitable and fair priced one in black, then having the ‘01 refinished is something I’ll consider. I simply want it to look and feel authentic, as if it came from the factory. However it would be a shame to refinish this one as it is a good looking burst. But, it is already in my hands. If I do find a black one, selling this one could take a long time. There are two others (a ‘91 and a ‘13) locally for sale that have been on my CL for months.

There are a couple of black ones I’ve seen for sale at reasonable prices but the fretboard is rosewood and too light colored. The best ones I have seen are (of course) coming from Japan.

Has anyone here bought that is in Japan off eBay?

My ‘05 ebony Studio turned really nice after some polishing. The fretboard is nice and dark. I’m really enjoying it. I want a red one to go with it. But they’re rarer.

 

[BklynKen]

I prefer nitro, but its effect on tone is something I cannot hear. I just like the way it feels, relative. Poly is fine and not at all an automatic no. All things being equal, though, I will take nitro as a personal preference.

Sometimes nothing is also nice.

 

[RedVee]

Not so much the "fear" of asking, more like the combination of ADHD and laziness that leads me to thinking about asking then winding up five tabs open learning about the ad that just popped up and realizing I forgot to move/start the load of laundry I threw in earlier. Then remembering two hours later that I was going to ask somebody something but not being sure who or what. Then I see it three days later again and go, "oh yeah! Damn, some Kool aid sounds really good right now."

Epiphone.
IV - base model Tbird, 2 pu
Goth - black version of IV
CP - Classic Pro, neck through like the Gibson, also uses the modern Gibson USA TB+ pu’s (the ones in black covers). Discontinued.
VP - Vintage Pro, neck through, giant headstock, uses chrome covered pu’s wound to sound like original 1960’s Gibson pu’s. See also:
60’s - see VP. Replaced VP
Pro IV - active neck through, 4 strings, 2 pu. Discontinued
Pro V - as per Pro IV but 5 string. Discontinued

All.
II - 1 pu
IV - 2 pu
(fits around Firebird I, III, V, VII)
Reverse - the original shape, horn ‘below’
NR - Non Reverse, the second shape horn on ‘top’, set neck

 

[semiprohooker]

Epiphone.
IV - base model Tbird, 2 pu
Goth - black version of IV
CP - Classic Pro, neck through like the Gibson, also uses the modern Gibson USA TB+ pu’s (the ones in black covers). Discontinued.
VP - Vintage Pro, neck through, giant headstock, uses chrome covered pu’s wound to sound like original 1960’s Gibson pu’s. See also:
60’s - see VP. Replaced VP
Pro IV - active neck through, 4 strings, 2 pu. Discontinued
Pro V - as per Pro IV but 5 string. Discontinued

All.
II - 1 pu
IV - 2 pu
(fits around Firebird I, III, V, VII)
Reverse - the original shape, horn ‘below’
NR - Non Reverse, the second shape horn on ‘top’, set neck

Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

Now what's the deal the pickup placement? Sounds like there's some 60s v 70s jazz type things going on

 

[Stealth57]

Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

Now what's the deal the pickup placement? Sounds like there's some 60s v 70s jazz type things going on

Thunderbird Pickup Distances | TalkBass.com

 

[GBassNorth]

Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

Now what's the deal the pickup placement? Sounds like there's some 60s v 70s jazz type things going on

Generally speaking, over the years Gibby has migrated the Tbird neck pup closer to the neck, which has a tendency to darken the overall tone of the bass. The Eppi VP comes very close to the original neck pup location as does the 2012/13 Epiphone CP.

Truth be told, there’s nothing wrong with the modern Gibby pup placement, it sounds great, especially if you lean to a bit darker tone. String selection, EQ and playing style can offset a lot of the difference. Case in point, the Gibby 2021 NR is a fantastic sounding beast especially with bright strings on it like SITs or flats like EBCF. Its pickup is located much closer to the neck than the original vintage NR basses.

Key:
Gibby = Gibson
Eppi = Epiphone
VP = Vintage Pro
CP = Classic Pro
EQ = Equalization
Pup = pickup
SIT = Stay In Tune brand strings
EBCF = Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats

 

[JIO]

I prefer nitro, but its effect on tone is something I cannot hear. I just like the way it feels, relative. Poly is fine and not at all an automatic no. All things being equal, though, I will take nitro as a personal preference.

"And that's... Ok!" (as Stewart Smally would say, and gosh darn it - people like him!)

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Generally speaking, over the years Gibby has migrated the Tbird neck pup closer to the neck, which has a tendency to darken the overall tone of the bass. The Eppi VP comes very close to the original neck pup location as does the 2012/13 Epiphone CP.

Truth be told, there’s nothing wrong with the modern Gibby pup placement, it sounds great, especially if you lean to a bit darker tone. String selection, EQ and playing style can offset a lot of the difference. Case in point, the Gibby 2021 NR is a fantastic sounding beast especially with bright strings on it like SITs or flats like EBCF. Its pickup is located much closer to the neck than the original vintage NR basses.

Key:
Gibby = Gibson
Eppi = Epiphone
VP = Vintage Pro
CP = Classic Pro
EQ = Equalization
Pup = pickup
SIT = Stay In Tune brand strings
EBCF = Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats

was waiting for your level of detail…..

 

[Engle]

Sometimes nothing is also nice.

View attachment 5192493

Yes! I like tung oil. It protects the wood, but doesn't feel like a finish.

 

[MCF]

I know what you're saying. There is a certain level of belief that nitro lacquer somehow affects the sound and makes an electric guitar better. I just like the way it checks and wears. It's really an inferior finish compared to modern choices.

If you look at the water based acrylic finishes on Rick's drums, they don't look like plastic coating at all.

Epiphone uses polyurethane finishes, which I believe are oil based. (I stand to be corrected). They are thick! And tough! My Casady and VP have beautiful finishes. On my Epi Explorer it's very apparent how thick the finish is because one of the points has a big chip out of it. It does look like plastic on that one.

Lacquer also comes in acrylic and nitro. And modern nitro is different from the stuff they used in the 60's.

Yeah. That was very apparent on the LE Custom Shop IV that Geo is having a go at trying to make the chip on the lower bout look better. The poly is extremely thick.

The modern nitro Gibson uses on the current NRs is very thin. I know that because somewhere along the line mine got a very small chip.

 

[MCF]

This is definitely the right place. But I don't necessarily want to ask for clarification on every abbreviation that I don't know, while everybody else pretty much does.

That is why we don’t use the TB search tool that really sucks. Just ask. We all learn that way.

BTW, you earned an official Ahem with your post about abbreviations.

 

[MCF]

Right on. Thank you kindly.

There was an Epi Thunderbird Wiki too which was decent. But it sadly disappeared a few years ago.