Thunderbird Club

[PillO]

I’m glad he’s explained “Free Will.” That one always puzzled me.

It's about a killer whale right??

 

[WillyW]

my latest wiring project....

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/concentric-jazz-pot-wiring.1629256/#post-27948751

 

[godofthunder59]

Hey folks, I'm reviewing the Clifton Thunderbird bass, and let's just say, it's been an interesting experience. As a tech journalist and a bass enthusiast, I always look forward to trying out new gear, but this one... well, it's a bit of a letdown.

I'm using my new setup with the Ampeg SCR-DI. The Clifton Thunderbird had the potential to be a solid choice for entry level bassists, but unfortunately, it falls short in several areas.

There are quite a few aspects that Clifton could have done better. I'll be going into detail about what works and what doesn't with this bass. Whether you're considering buying it or just curious about it, this review should give you a clear picture of what to expect.

(Clifton Guitars is a local Philippine brand)

MM style pickups would be the first red flag

 

[JIO]

Believe it or not I saw them in Santa Cruz in the '80's

I saw them when that song was new.

 

[JIO]

I didn't know that Chucky knew Jeff Spicoli!!

That's a first! (being compared to Sean Penn)

 

[Stealth57]

Well, I sat down to play the 2015 the other day and saw a perfectly round hole on the front edge of the lower, front horn. Lying on the ground was the matching piece of finish. Air bubble pop? Who knows as it wasn’t touched, just sitting safely in the rack. That part the bass is towards the back of the rack so no one could have hit it or dropped something on it. Good thing I remembered previous comments from the luthier group. Can hardly see the repair.

 

[Thumper]

We had a Halloween get together at practice, for some reason, nobody could figure out my what my costume was, any guesses? Oh well, nice shot of my number 1 bass. The Eppi Vintage Pro with cobalt flats has been getting a lot of play lately, it's moved into the #2 spot.

 

[GonePlaid]

Thunderbird content:

 

[JIO]

Well, I sat down to play the 2015 the other day and saw a perfectly round hole on the front edge of the lower, front horn. Lying on the ground was the matching piece of finish. Air bubble pop? Who knows as it wasn’t touched, just sitting safely in the rack. That part the bass is towards the back of the rack so no one could have hit it or dropped something on it. Good thing I remembered previous comments from the luthier group. Can hardly see the repair.

View attachment 5253357

Did you use super-glue?

 

[Nocturnal]

Hey folks, I'm reviewing the Clifton Thunderbird bass, and let's just say, it's been an interesting experience. As a tech journalist and a bass enthusiast, I always look forward to trying out new gear, but this one... well, it's a bit of a letdown.

I'm using my new setup with the Ampeg SCR-DI. The Clifton Thunderbird had the potential to be a solid choice for entry level bassists, but unfortunately, it falls short in several areas.

There are quite a few aspects that Clifton could have done better. I'll be going into detail about what works and what doesn't with this bass. Whether you're considering buying it or just curious about it, this review should give you a clear picture of what to expect.

(Clifton Guitars is a local Philippine brand)

Thanks for sharing your review!!

 

[Gaolee]

Does your VCR flash 12:00?

Doesn't it always?

 

[Stealth57]

Did you use super-glue?

Used thin CA to wick the glue under the chip to hold it down. Once dry, I built up thick black CA over the top. When that was dry I planed it down with a razor with a curled over edge (strike the edge at angle on hard metal). The outer edges of the razor have a single layer of Scotch tape to make sure not to go too deep. Then sand the area with dry 600 and 1000 grit followed by wet 1500 and 2000. Final step is to polish with three progressively finer car polishes. Not 100% perfect but unless you stuck your nose on it, you wouldn’t notice.

 

[Gaolee]

I tried other compressors w/o success - new expensive ones too. This one just works for me and was bought used -

I have given up on compressors completely. I tried them for a while and never found one I liked or settings that worked very well and didn't foul me up. That experiment is over.

 

[MCF]

White Classic Pro alert!
Grover machine heads, Hipshot Supertone and chrome pickups:
Gibson/Epiphone Thunderbird IV Bass Guitar Classic | eBay

That’s quite an aspirational price.

 

[JIO]

Used thin CA to wick the glue under the chip to hold it down. Once dry, I built up thick black CA over the top. When that was dry I planed it down with a razor with a curled over edge (strike the edge at angle on hard metal). The outer edges of the razor have a single layer of Scotch tape to make sure not to go too deep. Then sand the area with dry 600 and 1000 grit followed by wet 1500 and 2000. Final step is to polish with three progressively finer car polishes. Not 100% perfect but unless you stuck your nose on it, you wouldn’t notice.

I've used CA (super-glue) to do those sorts of repairs. You just have to be careful as sometimes it can fog paint due to the heat of curing. Do you get your CA glues from Stew-Mac?

 

[Engle]

That’s quite an aspirational price.

There seems to be a lot of that going around.

 

[Gaolee]

Cream
99 % of The Beatles
The Grateful Dead
Hot Tuna
Yes
Big Brother and the Holding Company
Anything involving Steve Swallow

Pretty much all jazz ever recorded.

 

[MCF]

I bid y'all a good day

They played L.A. a lot in the seventies. Usually as an opener. We saw them three or four? Times. I remember them opening for YES between Turn of the Century and Tormato. It was a good bill.

 

[dagrev]

MM style pickups would be the first red flag

Indeed!

 

[MCF]

That's a lot of issues for what appears to be a US$200 bass. I don't see it on their website, so maybe not fully released?

I guess you get what you pay for. The body could make a decent mod platform. But that neck is iffy.

I expect Gibson sent them a cease and desist.