Thunderbird Club

[Engle]

Are the posts just under 8mm? The metric size I find in different places is 8mm×1.5mm - I would have assumed (quite possibly incorrectly) Epis would use that thread? Philly Luths do metric thread posts, any good? [This invalid link has been removed]

The Epi posts seem to be 8 x 1.25, which is the size PLS sells.
Thanks for the heads up. I'm going to order a set for my Gold Casady, and another set for my Epi IV Tbird, which may get string-through ferrules.
Edit: I checked against an 8 x 1.25 tap and they are that size.

 

[stlrocker]

Regarding this bridge, I have one on my med. scale white bird. It is wider than the raised center block on a t-bird. The part that wraps around the post hangs over the edge of the center block.

It will functionally work because the posts are still just inside of the center block, but the overhang didn't look right to me.

I modified mine and it is working well. Bridge just got chopped off on the ends. Tailpiece got heavily modified.

The intonation has more travel than it looks like. Under the saddle, there are three holes that the black locking screw can thread into. So whie the slot and the saddle isn't very long, you can move the screw to three different holes and then use the slot to fine tune from there.

Look closely through the slot in this picture you can see one of the other holes this saddle is in the middle hole, so there is the hole toward the tailpiece that you can see, and one more toward the neck that is not visible.

 

[JIO]

This is something I struggle with often, especially when I do work for others. How perfect does it need to be? Not that anyone is controlling me, but it's an internal conversation that goes on.

For sure - and the more 'high-end' the work, the more the concept of perfection & control comes into play. Like you I'm very particular about my craft but I'm not a 'perfectionist'. I know a guy who is, and knowing how that is part of every aspect of his life seems suffocating to me and I'm glad to not be like him. For example, I'd never want to be a high-end car finisher. I worked for a guy once who had an immaculately finished vintage car in his garage and when I remarked how nice the finish was, he said he was going to have it completely refinished because of some imperceivable imperfection I couldn't see, even when pointed out.

 

[JIO]

That belly cut you did is just perfect!

Much easier on the belly! I like the late '60s NR's because they had a very large belly bevel, compared to the Gen 1 birds.

 

[GBassNorth]

That's funny because I've been accused of that a number of times. I know we are being light-hearted about it but I look it at is this way...the concept of perfection is warped for most people. In my way of looking at it - perfection is an impossible goal, because it is not concrete. One persons concept of "perfection" will vary from another persons concept of perfection, and that end result will make most people happy, and it will make a few people demanding more. That is where the simple difference gets sullied; aka - the darker "control" difference... "what you did is not as perfect as it should be to me" As in, one persons control over another demanding ultimate perfection (on their terms) to realize their concept of "perfection". (which is to me an unrealistic and unachievable goal) So.., no - I am totally not a perfectionist. I do the best I can do realistically ATC.

This is something I struggle with often, especially when I do work for others. How perfect does it need to be? Not that anyone is controlling me, but it's an internal conversation that goes on.

Like Geo, my background is in art and graphic design. When it came time to put food on the table for a wife and family I realized I wasn’t going to be where I needed to be financially unless I took a divergent path. For me that was mechanical design and industrial art.

That field of art is much more rigid, and all about conformity to industry norms. This was in the days before CAD systems were common, pretty much all technical drawings were still done by hand at a drafting table with a parallel straight edge and triangles or if you were lucky, a mechanical arm.

Object lines had to be three sizes wider than dimension lines, hand printed text was all caps and dead vertical, object drawings with multiple views and notes had to be laid out properly for the drawing size being used, vellum, mylar or other drawing paper had to be a match for the rapidagraph pen or mechanical pencil being used and even pencil lead types and eraser types were dictated.

To Geo’s point, my fist drafting boss drilled into my and everyone else’s head in the drafting pool - that the goal ISN’T perfection. His position was that you’ll never reach perfection, it’s relative, and trying to get there will cost the company unnecessary time and money. Besides, they hire drafting checkers that get paid to find something wrong with your drawing, and they always do.

His expectation that stuck with me throughout my career and still plays a major role in my creative endeavors was simple but powerful. All he wanted was for each of his drafter/designers to “Autograph their work with Excellence”. To this day, I still follow that advice.

I’m my own worst critic, if I create something that has a flaw that I spot, no matter how small or insignificant, I pretty much go all OCD over it until it’s corrected. I’m happy when it’s excellent. Is it perfect, that all depends on who you ask, and really doesn’t weigh in as heavily to me as just putting out excellent work.

 

[Stealth57]

I looked at the neck pocket on the Epi Custom Shop. It is 95mm deep by 60mm wide (tapers to 55mm at end). The only shims that are that size (or slightly bigger) are the Stew Mac. The Amazon ones I looked at were all pretty much 55mm x 75mm.

 

[GBassNorth]

Are the StewMac the right size for a bass? I've only ever used them on a guitar.

The Stewmac shims I’ve used were a perfect for for a P bass pocket. They do work great but aren’t cheap, and I still find myself fine tuning them with sanding, trimming and staining to fit the neck pocket, angle and body color as best I can. Not really a big deal, all just part of a proper setup.

 

[JIO]

His expectation that stuck with me throughout my career and still plays a major role in my creative endeavors was simple but powerful. All he wanted was for each of his drafter/designers to “Autograph their work with Excellence”. To this day, I still follow that advice.

I’m my own worst critic, if I create something that has a flaw that I spot, no matter how small or insignificant, I pretty much go all OCD over it until it’s corrected. I’m happy when it’s excellent. Is it perfect, that all depends on who you ask, and really doesn’t weigh in as heavily to me as just putting out excellent work.

Well put and I like the mantra highlighted.

 

[The EDP]

View attachment 5226158

Regarding this bridge, I have one on my med. scale white bird. It is wider than the raised center block on a t-bird. The part that wraps around the post hangs over the edge of the center block.

It will functionally work because the posts are still just inside of the center block, but the overhang didn't look right to me.

I modified mine and it is working well. Bridge just got chopped off on the ends. Tailpiece got heavily modified.
View attachment 5226167

The intonation has more travel than it looks like. Under the saddle, there are three holes that the black locking screw can thread into. So whie the slot and the saddle isn't very long, you can move the screw to three different holes and then use the slot to fine tune from there.

Look closely through the slot in this picture you can see one of the other holes this saddle is in the middle hole, so there is the hole toward the tailpiece that you can see, and one more toward the neck that is not visible.
View attachment 5226168

That's excellent, thank you very much @stlrocker - am at a beer festival so was thinking any measuring I might do this eve would be somewhat impaired!!

 

[MCF]

Are the StewMac the right size for a bass? I've only ever used them on a guitar.

Yes.

 

[kyral210]

Why is do much of this thread about general life and not about Thunderbirds‽

 

[Stealth57]

Why is do much of this thread about general life and not about Thunderbirds‽

Thunderbirds aren’t our lives and we’ve developed personal relationships. Folks like to know what’s up in their friends’ lives. Nothing more than normal friends hanging out.

 

[MCF]

Thunderbirds aren’t our lives and we’ve developed personal relationships. Folks like to know what’s up in their friends’ lives. Nothing more than normal friends hanging out.

? Don’t know what this is in response to. I’m guessing a post from one of the very few people I’ve ignored. But well put.

 

[MCF]

I spent four hours shedding with the new to me Breedlove acoustic fiver today. I really like it. Played the Silversun Pickups songs that Nikki plays in drop D. It didn’t take long to adjust. And the wider neck isn’t an issue for me.

My learning predated the five string revolution. But playing one is very intuitive. I don’t know why I waited so long.

I’m now on the hunt for a five string Studio Thunderbird. If anyone has one they’d like to sell, please PM me.

 

[kyral210]

Thunderbirds aren’t our lives and we’ve developed personal relationships. Folks like to know what’s up in their friends’ lives. Nothing more than normal friends hanging out.

So this is a social thread for thunderbirds fans not a thread about Thunderbird basses?

 

[GonePlaid]

The Epi posts seem to be 8 x 1.25, which is the size PLS sells.
Thanks for the heads up. I'm going to order a set for my Gold Casady, and another set for my Epi IV Tbird, which may get string-through ferrules.
Edit: I checked against an 8 x 1.25 tap and they are that size.

8x1.25 tap? What kinda beer?

 

[Stealth57]

So this is a social thread for thunderbirds fans not a thread about Thunderbird basses?

Both

 

[GonePlaid]

So this is a social thread for thunderbirds fans not a thread about Thunderbird basses?

No. It's about Thunderbird basses and the people who play them; about strings and pickups-for TBirds; about accessories(cases, bridges, tuners, etc); how they sound through different amps; how they sound whether plucking or picking; how they fit-or not-in one's gigmobile; and much more.
A lot of us have become friends through the Club and care about each other's lives.

 

[RedVee]

So this is a social thread for thunderbirds fans not a thread about Thunderbird basses?

Can’t it be both?
We always come back to the basses because they are the shared love that brought us here.

If you have a question about the basses, just ask it at anytime. Someone will come swiftly back to you with the information if it exists.

Cheers

 

[Keith Rawlings]

Why is do much of this thread about general life and not about Thunderbirds‽

…because life is what happens in between Thunderbird and gear purchases.