Thunderbird Club

[Stealth57]

I'd also like to know, my '19 has Wilkinsons, not sure what the '21 has, which I'd also like a drop on

My 17 and 21 VPs have the same tuners.

 

[The EDP]

WW…………
View attachment 5245062 View attachment 5245063

These pickup covers look eerily similar to the pickup covers on the original '54 type P bass

Are they actually the same part?
The ears where the screw holes are look a different shape, but I wondered if they might fit over the central section (the neck thru part) of a reverse T'Bird?

 

[kyral210]

Sunday Thunderbird Demo: Dropbox - rats - 12:11:2023, 17.18.mp3 - Simplify your life

Song: Ghost (Rats)
Bass: Thunderbird Pro V
Pickups: Gemini Devastators
Compressor: Laney The Custard Factory
Preamp: Darkglass B7K (Helix)
Amp: Acoustic 160 (Helix)
Cab: EBS 4x10 (Helix)

 

[GonePlaid]

Curious. It even had a bridge cover.

One of 2 mods I did to it. Other was a custom thumb rest.

 

[BklynKen]

One of 2 mods I did to it. Other was a custom thumb rest.
View attachment 5249212

Is that a Zero Mod? Great guy. He made the one I have on my BC Rich.

 

[GonePlaid]

One of 2 mods I did to it. Other was a custom thumb rest.
View attachment 5249212

The '09 Epi EB-0 replaced it. I also did 3 mods to the Epi. Supertone bridge, custom TRC, and thumb rest(ex-tug bar)from the 67NR.

 

[GonePlaid]

Is that a Zero Mod? Great guy. He made the one I have on my BC Rich.

Yep. He hadn't done one yet for that model bass. I got(then sold-with the bass)the first one.

 

[Ringhammer]

Anyone please tell me which Hipshot Xtender could fit the Vintage Pro?

There is no direct fit extender, I had checked with Hipshot back when I got my first VP. The best recommendation they had was this:

BT7 Bass Xtender

I bought a set of three matching standard keys and one extender, but ultimately changed my mind, and sold them off. The screw holes don’t line up, and I felt the the post was just a touch to short, not quite fully passing through the headstock, so the shoulder of the post was not coming out above the edge of the bushing, and the strings would possibly bind on the bushing

 

[WillyW]

Any chance someone knows what are drop in replacement tuners for Greco Thunderbirds?

I went to replace my Greco machines recently and tried some ½" Hipshot Ultralites (well, tried one), tho the Greco posts are kinda ½" the Ultras didn't fit, annoyed the out of me at the time !!
The bushings for the Greco parts are not the same size as the bushings for the Hipshots. So I ended up using the ⅜" Hipshot Ultralites and those bushings were a teeny bit loose in the headstock holes but careful installation of the things - marking up and drilling the single screw holes needed and patiently tightening the hex bushings - they are on there solidly and have noticeably improved the neck heaviness as well as having no baggy play (as per the original machines).
The instrument wasn't appallingly neck heavy but would try to drop to the horizontal - now it sits and stays where I hang it with no dive at all!
View attachment 5247967 View attachment 5247968

the 7ender style plate tuners are all over the place as far as screw placement and bushing size
is concerned.

I got some Grover import from Philadelphia luthier, and I honestly don’t remember if I had to ream out for the bushings, but I don’t think so… they were the screw on bushings.

 

[JJR58]

the 7ender style plate tuners are all over the place as far as screw placement and bushing size
is concerned.

I got some Grover import from Philadelphia luthier, and I honestly don’t remember if I had to ream out for the bushings, but I don’t think so… they were the screw on bushings.

I’m not sure why no one ever considers the Gotoh Resolite GB640’s for a VP.
Direct fit, and the top of the plate holes cover the original holes.

 

[Thumper]

I’m not sure why no one ever considers the Gotoh Resolite GB640’s for a VP.
Direct fit, and the top of the plate holes cover the original holes.

I'd like to replace 1 tuner with a drop tuner. How about the GB7?

 

[Ringhammer]

I’m not sure why no one ever considers the Gotoh Resolite GB640’s for a VP.
Direct fit, and the top of the plate holes cover the original holes.

In this case he wants an extender key.

 

[Instagator]

My GF helped me buy a Vintage Pro in an emergency that my Ric had its truss rod snapped (all my other basses were sold, including my former Gibson 'Bird). She didn't initially like its look, but agreed with me that we'd rather buy a rock solid bass with tried-and-true playability, which can hold its own even after I've got my Ric repaired.
Anyone please tell me which Hipshot Xtender could fit the Vintage Pro? Thanks!

If you have the small plate on the VP it’s the BT 1
If you have an early VP with the large plate it is the BT 2

 

[JJR58]

In this case he wants an extender key.

I know, I was just being redundant about the Gotohs.

 

[WillyW]

I’m not sure why no one ever considers the Gotoh Resolite GB640’s for a VP.
Direct fit, and the top of the plate holes cover the original holes.

I have a set of the reverse on my DCTeleBird…. shaging hate them. I’m going hipshot headless…

 

[Instagator]

These pickup covers look eerily similar to the pickup covers on the original '54 type P bass

View attachment 5249152
Are they actually the same part?
The ears where the screw holes are look a different shape, but I wondered if they might fit over the central section (the neck thru part) of a reverse T'Bird?

I am on the hunt for a Gibson cover for a 77’ G3
That one came from a 54 RI Precision

 

[Engle]

View attachment 5249372 View attachment 5249373

I am on the hunt for a Gibson cover for a 77’ G3
That one came from a 54 RI Precision

This one on ebay isn't tall enough?
True Custom Shop® Chrome Neck Pickup Cover for Gibson & Epiphone EB3/EBO Guitars | eBay
I'm sure you already know, but that G3 is in a Blondie video for Heart of Glass.

 

[JJR58]

I have a set of the reverse on my DCTeleBird…. shaging hate them. I’m going hipshot headless…

That's too funny. But understood.

 

[Ringhammer]

If you have the small plate on the VP it’s the BT 1
If you have an early VP with the large plate it is the BT 2
View attachment 5249329

Just to be absolutely clear, the one on the left (black) is the smaller plate and the BT1?

 

[TBird1958]

Sunday Thunderbird Demo: Dropbox - rats - 12:11:2023, 17.18.mp3 - Simplify your life

Song: Ghost (Rats)
Bass: Thunderbird Pro V
Pickups: Gemini Devastators
Compressor: Laney The Custard Factory
Preamp: Darkglass B7K (Helix)
Amp: Acoustic 160 (Helix)
Cab: EBS 4x10 (Helix)

Sounds great! I like it!