Thunderbird Club

[JJR58]

I liked Eric’s Bicentennial a lot when I played it. But I don’t necessarily prefer one pickup over the other. Except for maybe Veronica’s Lulls. The Gibson Vintage reissue that is now in my BaCH is really great.

I do have my favs and preferences.

 

[JJR58]

I was going to get two one footers for my wireless transmitters. Then I forgot. The overhyped Mogami cable’s I’ve been using loosen all the time. Thanks for the reminder.

Mogamis aren’t all they’re cracked up to be, those Digiflex look really well made.

 

[MCF]

Went to see Sir Paul last night. He played the Hofner a lot (as well as a Les Paul, a Martin acoustic, a Ukulele (that George gave him) a mandolin and 2 different pianos - a Yamaha grand and an upright.

Brian Ray played a P bass and a black Epiphone JC bass in the quieter songs. Plus a black Epi SG (stupendous looking and sounding), a Gretsch and a couple others that now escape my mind. All his looked brand new.

They finished with The End, and included the 3 of them doing guitar solos as per the recorded version.

My bass rating on sound was
Epi JCB, Hofner, P bass. But of course Paul’s Hofner remains an icon.

Way cool Geoff.

 

[MCF]

Just an FYI

View attachment 5233685

So you’re picking it up today?

 

[Roger W]

yessir!….you can also hear the sidewinder through a class AB amp into 4 x 8 and 1 x 15….
https://youtube.com/shorts/qfuUq0PX_Mo?si=7A7N22sHkOJbolTS
View attachment 5233922

I did not even go to California and Chucky managed to steal my shirt. Sad.

 

[MCF]

Insight from the kingdom; should i upgrade the 3 point on my epiphone for the Babicz bridge, or should I find a solid tail piece that i can screw behind the bridge itself (ala orville/greco birds)? I've never had a problem setting up the 3 point bridge (& i've got my 70's grabber copy & built Ripper bass which both sport 3 point bridges). The overall advantage of the babicz is 360 setup (individual string height, intonation, direct body contact), where the tailpiece behind the current bridge would just have the ball ends (& fatter wrap) sit way before the actual saddle for better setup (for at least the E & A strings).

Big Babicz fan here. They allow for the lowest string height adjustment compared to the three point and the Hipshot. I also like how they look. I know @GBassNorth has mentioned that his Greco bridges slide some due to less tension to hold them in place.

 

[GonePlaid]

Heading in the opposite direction here.

View attachment 5233272

Same as always here: ~80something F. w/ ~80something% humididity.

 

[MCF]

If I pretend to be Marshall, the answer is Babicz. I have no issues with the 3 point save for my CP where the bridge is bottomed out and the string height could be a touch lower.

The Babicz will get you down lower.

 

[MCF]

Have you been to a Suzi Quatro show? She’s coming to Australia for the 38th time! She’s on my list of acts to catch live while we both are.

Mine to.

 

[GonePlaid]

This is the only time in my life I wish I lived in Florida. A great price for a great Berg NV212T cab.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/bergantino-nv212t.1627379/

I'll actually be in Central FL today. However, the weight is a killer for me. And the price. And the fact I need it like I need another hole in my head.

 

[MCF]

Hey guys, so I just got my first T-bird (an Epi 60s T-bird) and I'm surprised that I like it so much, while it is pretty unwieldy (especially the 60s headstock which will not fit in a gig bag :/), I actually like how it sits on a strap and it balanced much better than I though it would. It's currently got flats on it and sings with a nice throaty thump.

In terms of weight I feel like I got pretty lucky with one being 8.5-9lbs. Would it be unreasonable to expect a more recent Gibson thunderbird like a standard T-Bird or Rex Brown Model to weight around the same? I know weight has been one of the historical cons people have slapped over T-birds over the decades.

I have 14 Thunderbirds. The only ones that are in the 9 pound rage are the thick bodied Epi IVs. The rest are in the 8 pound range except for my ‘15 which is around 7 pounds, 13 ounces and my short scale which is around 7 1/2 pounds.

 

[MCF]

Has anyone ever heard of or dealt with "UOTS INC?" There's something I'm interested in on their site, but so much is weird that I'm extremely hesitant to even attempt dealing with them. I emailed the address listed on their site and it bounced back that the domain name doesn't exist. And there's all sorts of mismatched info on their web site, which is under myshopify.

uotsinc.myshopify.com

I’ve looked there before. I’d be wary. The prices seem a little too low to be true. I’d be interested in hearing if anyone has ever tried buying from them.

 

[MCF]

Does anyone know what amp Roy Babbington used when playing the Bass VI in Soft Machine?

No clue what he used back in the day. I think he played through GKs more recently.

 

[Stealth57]

yessir!….you can also hear the sidewinder through a class AB amp into 4 x 8 and 1 x 15….
https://youtube.com/shorts/qfuUq0PX_Mo?si=7A7N22sHkOJbolTS
View attachment 5233922

Wow, Chucky up front.

 

[MCF]

Hi there, since a week a proud owner of an epiphone thunderbird 60's. I love the bass, but as many i have issues with the intonation and I am considering replacing the bridge. I am however not at all technical and am not sure which bridge, if any, would fit preferably without having to drill new holes.
Anybody here with more experience on this? As in: which bridge to order? I am looking at:
Hipshot supertone. I assume the 2 point? SuperTone Gibson® Bass Replacement Bridge

Also heard good things about Babicz but honestly have no idea which bridge is the correct one.

Congratulations!

Many of us like the VP/60’s bridge and tailpiece. I’d be hesitant to change it.

It has been a long time since anyone mentioned intonation issues with one. And that was usually with the E string if heavier gauge strings were used. Your D saddle looks to be way back from the normal position. Is that your main issue? That bridge shouldn’t be an issue with standard 45-105 strings.

I would loosen all the strings and make sure there is no string twisting going on. And make sure there is no binding at the nut. If there is, a little graphite in the slots could help. Try that first. Then reset the saddles so they look like this:

Then adjust the intonation of each string from there.

Once dialed in, you’ll love the Thunderbird.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Wow, Chucky up front.

yeah….JM was perusing around the crowd singing the anthem and all his usual weirdness……Barts sounded awesome through the rig as well….
https://youtube.com/shorts/si44VKlkZN4?si=Z66pKv5HsXkHmBzL

 

[Stealth57]

Congratulations!

Many of us like the VP/60’s bridge and tailpiece. I’d be hesitant to change it.

It has been a long time since anyone mentioned intonation issues with one. And that was usually with the E string if heavier gauge strings were used. Your D saddle looks to be way back from the normal position. Is that your main issue? That bridge shouldn’t be an issue with standard 45-105 strings.

I would loosen all the strings and make sure there is no string twisting going on. And make sure there is no binding at the nut. If there is, a little graphite in the slots could help. Try that first. Then reset the saddles so they look like this:
View attachment 5234201

Then adjust the intonation of each string from there.

Once dialed in, you’ll love the Thunderbird.

Intonation on mine works but the E has no more travel. .45-.105 flats.

 

[JIO]

yessir!….you can also hear the sidewinder through a class AB amp into 4 x 8 and 1 x 15….
https://youtube.com/shorts/qfuUq0PX_Mo?si=7A7N22sHkOJbolTS
View attachment 5233922

 

[Engle]

Hey guys, so I just got my first T-bird (an Epi 60s T-bird) and I'm surprised that I like it so much, while it is pretty unwieldy (especially the 60s headstock which will not fit in a gig bag :/), I actually like how it sits on a strap and it balanced much better than I though it would. It's currently got flats on it and sings with a nice throaty thump.

In terms of weight I feel like I got pretty lucky with one being 8.5-9lbs. Would it be unreasonable to expect a more recent Gibson thunderbird like a standard T-Bird or Rex Brown Model to weight around the same? I know weight has been one of the historical cons people have slapped over T-birds over the decades.

Congrats and welcome!
The Rex Brown and Gene Simmons Tbirds are set neck with flat back, so probably heavier. Standard Tbirds have thinner wings.
You can reduce the weight further and improve the balance of your 60s/VP with hipshot ultralight tuners.

 

[Engle]

I can't speak for the Gen II (late '65-'68) T-bird NR I or II, but as the long-time owner/player of a '64 II - the recent Epi VP IV is the closest you'll get to a vintage "reverse" T-bird in looks and sound for a fraction of the price of an actual vintage example.

I've been looking at my Orville, and it's actually closer to a 60's reverse than a VP. The VP has the neck set out further for more access to the highest frets and the pickups are closer to the bridge. And the headstock is bigger!
As far as I can tell, the dimensions of the Orville match the original. It has a set-neck and a 3 point bridge, so that's different.