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Thunderbird Club

#273,042
sc_precision said:
Have a late 80s greco thunderbird in black and want to replace the three point bridge but it also has the other bit where the strings sit. Can I still replace the three point bridge with a hipshot one and just remove that tail piece?

Hipshot returned my call and mentioned both their two-point and three-point Supertone bridge won't fit apparently. Anyone have experience with the greco TBs?
Click to expand...
I don't have a Greco, but a number of us around here do. They are held in very high esteem for their ferocious pickups. As far as the 3-point and replacements, I'm surprised you can't fit a Supertone. It makes no sense that the Japanese 3-point is different from the one Gibson uses. As far as the stop bar, I don't see why you can't just leave it there and use the bridge without it. I would also expect a Babicz bridge to work, but it's a bit longer at the back and might interfere with the stop bar. Babicz bridges are pretty expensive, relative, so there's that.
 
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#273,043
sc_precision said:
Have a late 80s greco thunderbird in black and want to replace the three point bridge but it also has the other bit where the strings sit. Can I still replace the three point bridge with a hipshot one and just remove that tail piece?

Hipshot returned my call and mentioned both their two-point and three-point Supertone bridge won't fit apparently. Anyone have experience with the greco TBs?
Click to expand...

I replaced the Greco 3 point directly with an Epiphone 3 point, on my former tb-70, so if the hipshot will replace an Epiphone I don't see why it wouldn't work, and I am always amazed by companies that don't know their own product.

(I do believe I used the Epiphone studs with the Greco bushings with no issue)


Personally I like the 3 point with the claw tailpiece and have them on my Gibson's and Epiphones with a 3 point

416133877_937002067961636_4790295782147524106_n.jpg
 
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#273,045
JIO said:
It's cool blk & maple. Is it heavy?
Click to expand...
LOL - your kidding right? The original Stingray B00 basses were made when we all had strong backs and weak minds.:D

This one is fairly typical of the era and only weighs 172 ounces (LOL - that sounds better than 10 pounds 12 ounces doesn’t it). I just pulled it out of storage and opened the case so I could take it out and weigh it, it’s been at least a year since I played the beast - that rock hard maple neck was still in perfect tune and sounded glorious (even the G string). Serial number is B012368 so it’s a 1979 and all original.
 
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#273,046
sc_precision said:
Have a late 80s greco thunderbird in black and want to replace the three point bridge but it also has the other bit where the strings sit. Can I still replace the three point bridge with a hipshot one and just remove that tail piece?

Hipshot returned my call and mentioned both their two-point and three-point Supertone bridge won't fit apparently. Anyone have experience with the greco TBs?
Click to expand...
the Hipshot three point will fit…
upload_2024-1-3_13-20-18.jpeg
upload_2024-1-3_13-20-18.jpeg
upload_2024-1-3_13-20-18.jpeg
 
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#273,048
Ringhammer said:
I’ve been watching that one. IF it’s still around in Feb/March, I might pull the trigger. Once I wrap up the three jobs I’m working, then I MIGHT be able to get it.
Click to expand...

I would have them verify the s/n.
They ('76-'79) are a totally different animal. Pickups are way different and so sound best when your pushing a bit of volume through a big rig, they can be rather underwhelming at low volume through a small rig.
 
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#273,049
Do you think the Babicz bridge would fit? Let me get a picture of the bridge really fast. I am just concerned how you place the bridge because under the stock three point there are these metal dowels or something in the holes the screws go into..does that make sense?

I'm considering returning the bass because of the awful bridge. When it arrived the strings were slacked and the bridge had fell off. So I am having a tough time tuning the E string now because fixing the bridge.. can't tell what height to adjust it to. Still have to check that the truss rod works as well.. broke the E string when I got it because tuned at E it was still floppy and when I tried tuning up more..well you get the picture.
 
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#273,051
sc_precision said:
Do you think the Babicz bridge would fit? Let me get a picture of the bridge really fast. I am just concerned how you place the bridge because under the stock three point there are these metal dowels or something in the holes the screws go into..does that make sense?

I'm considering returning the bass because of the awful bridge. When it arrived the strings were slacked and the bridge had fell off. So I am having a tough time tuning the E string now because fixing the bridge.. can't tell what height to adjust it to. Still have to check that the truss rod works as well.. broke the E string when I got it because tuned at E it was still floppy and when I tried tuning up more..well you get the picture.
Click to expand...

The bridge on my Greco was made of case hardened cheez-wiz, hence the replacement, stock tunas were garbage also on an otherwise stellar instrument....

swing by the house and we'll fix it right up...
 
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#273,052
sc_precision said:
Do you think the Babicz bridge would fit? Let me get a picture of the bridge really fast. I am just concerned how you place the bridge because under the stock three point there are these metal dowels or something in the holes the screws go into..does that make sense?

I'm considering returning the bass because of the awful bridge. When it arrived the strings were slacked and the bridge had fell off. So I am having a tough time tuning the E string now because fixing the bridge.. can't tell what height to adjust it to. Still have to check that the truss rod works as well.. broke the E string when I got it because tuned at E it was still floppy and when I tried tuning up more..well you get the picture.
Click to expand...
The bass should work with the 3 point bridge. Maybe the saddles got mixed up? They are different heights and you need to install them in the correct spots so they make an arch to match the fingerboard.
Do you have another E string?
 
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