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Thunderbird Club

#263,161
The EDP said:
Asking for a friend (!):
Does any simply leave the original bolts in the holes on 3-point bridge conversions to 2-point and not bother filling the holes? Is it not poss to simply wind them in snug and leave them or is there a structural issue with the new holes being so close? On this one (love the colour!) it looks like the new bridge was actually installed a little bit more rearward than need be what with the intonation positions of the saddles, so the new holes could be a little bit further away from the original ones - I'm just thinking, sorry, my friend is just thinking ( ;-⁠) ) that could be a lovely, lazy route to take?
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I don't think there would be a structural issue as long as you left the original insert in place. You could probably find or make a small cap/plug to hide the insert, and maybe paint it.
I'd try it on my Epi E1, but the 2 piece bridge would cost more than I paid for the bass!

A plug like that would be another project for an industrious person with a 3D printer...
 
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#263,163
Engle said:
I don't think there would be a structural issue as long as you left the original insert in place. You could probably find or make a small cap/plug to hide the insert, and maybe paint it.
I'd try it on my Epi E1, but the 2 piece bridge would cost more than I paid for the bass!

A plug like that would be another project for an industrious person with a 3D printer...
Click to expand...

Some kind of cap would be the way to go. When I need something specific, I go to the hardware store and look at all the potential solutions in the screws/bolts etc section. There's a chance a same-threaded bolt could be found, but if not - I see no issue with removing the inserts (very easy to do) structurally. Once removed, one could cut out just oversized circles (of thin plastic or cardboard board and using double stick tape cover the holes. Hell, you can tape/glue a coin (dime?) over them for that matter.
 
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#263,171
The EDP said:
Asking for a friend (!):
Does any simply leave the original bolts in the holes on 3-point bridge conversions to 2-point and not bother filling the holes? Is it not poss to simply wind them in snug and leave them or is there a structural issue with the new holes being so close? On this one (love the colour!) it looks like the new bridge was actually installed a little bit more rearward than need be what with the intonation positions of the saddles, so the new holes could be a little bit further away from the original ones - I'm just thinking, sorry, my friend is just thinking ( ;-⁠) ) that could be a lovely, lazy route to take?
Click to expand...

JJR58 said:
Mine might be a good example of what your idea might look like. Once all said and done. Although it won’t completely be the lazy route.
Once it’s done you’ll see.
Click to expand...

An idea I’ve toyed around with in the past - for basses that originally had a three point bridge but were converted to a two point VP style bridge - a vintage inspired adjustable felt padded string mute made from a thin nickel or chrome plate that matches the original three point bridge screw holes and slides under the newly installed VP style bridge.

The only reason I haven’t made one is there’s really no market scale that would make it financially feasible with any profit. Just not that many people taking three points off and replacing them with two points when there are perfectly good after market options like Hipshot and Babicz. And very few potential customers would actually need or use a string mute anyway. It just kinda hints back to a vintage offering on the original Tbirds while hiding the unsightly three point body anchors.

It would be easy for any luthier to do a one off for something in the ballpark of $150 or less I’d think.
 
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#263,172
The EDP said:
Asking for a friend (!):
Does any simply leave the original bolts in the holes on 3-point bridge conversions to 2-point and not bother filling the holes? Is it not poss to simply wind them in snug and leave them or is there a structural issue with the new holes being so close? On this one (love the colour!) it looks like the new bridge was actually installed a little bit more rearward than need be what with the intonation positions of the saddles, so the new holes could be a little bit further away from the original ones - I'm just thinking, sorry, my friend is just thinking ( ;-⁠) ) that could be a lovely, lazy route to take?
Click to expand...

There may not be enough travel in the bridge saddles to intonate properly in the stock position, this would depend on the bridge you choose. I think an Epiphone two point might be a good start. But, yeah it would be nice to have an easy two point conversion.
 
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#263,173
MCF said:
I’m speculating that the Embassy is on the way out. At least that color.
Click to expand...
Since it’s the only color being discounted I’m guessing they have a huge overstock situation with that color and are trying to burn the inventory down a bit. In which case they’ll probably also discontinue that color in the future.
 
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#263,174
GBassNorth said:
Since it’s the only color being discounted I’m guessing they have a huge overstock situation with that color and are trying to burn the inventory down a bit. In which case they’ll probably also discontinue that color in the future.
Click to expand...
Hope that’s the case and they continue producing them in other colors. Early ones had the bridge alignment issue that took awhile for them to get sorted out. But they seem to be great basses now. The New Newport has also had QC issues.
 
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#263,175
Ringhammer said:
I want to know what his wiring is:

“ProBucker 760 humbucking pickups, a pickup blend knob as well as master volume and tone controls, ”

What pots, cap and blend control pot is in there?
Click to expand...


It sounds like maybe the second volume (for the bridge pickup?) is being confused for a blend?
I've seen it happen before.....


Hard to tell without more reference or a pic or something, maybe there's a blend knob that's been added in?
 
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#263,177
MCF said:
Hey V, Frank may like seeing this if he hasn’t already to compare.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Came across it while checking to see if there were any Firebirds on sale during Guitar-A-Thon.
Click to expand...

:laugh: I've been hogging the one he bought in Santa Cruz................But, he has 2 other Firebirds and 4 other guitars, so I'm not encouraging him.
 
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#263,178
Ringhammer said:
enormous and gorgeous. I’d love the have a small collection of cool old late ‘60’s and very early ‘70’s cars with a few random monster 2 door beasts like this. Can you believe people owned these behemoths and lived in places like San Francisco or NYC. I’ve lived in SF and while plenty of homes and apartment buildings have garages, virtually none of them could house something like this. The entirety of the Sunset and Richmond Districts (predominantly single family homes) have no garages where this would fit and if so, you wouldn’t be able to open the door.
Click to expand...
You and me both. And the weird thing, that monster likely doesn't weigh much more than an EV with an average 1,000 lb battery! But they are easier to park. (I haven't looked up the weight of a 70s Chrysler and am only guessing.)
 
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