Thunderbird Club

[dagrev]

With 76-79 there's a lot of opportunity for confusion when it comes to s/n. Production was slow to get going in '76, I think some were made in Nashville before Kalamazoo. All '76s and some '77s have decaled s/n, production shifted entirely to Kalamazoo in '77 and Gibson went to stamping the s/n into the back of the headstock. The '76 PG got used well into '77, there were consistency problems with the pickups as well as Scott has noted - I had similar problems with my green '76 as I was restoring it, the first one I found to replace it's missing bridge pickup was totally anemic, the second much better.
IIRC Donnie's white '76 has a stamped 5 digit s/n, again Gibson doesn't make it easy!

Yes, you are correct, but it's an 8 digit number (00232277), which doesn't help anything with this odd Thunderbird, other than "00" prefix =1976 and "06" = 1977 on some/all(?) Gibsons.... Then again, Gibson.... Given the number it was either made in 1976 or 2002! I think mine was made and stamped correctly as a 1976, but there was flaw (does have an odd nut and dark dot that could be considered a small blemish in the fretboard grain), and not finished until early 1977. Seems to be the consensus from a few Gibson-knowledgable people anyway. But then again....

The white '76 on Reverb was one that didn't seem to be from 1976 that I mentioned. The stamped S/N didn't seem right either. No "00" prefix.

 

[D.M.N.]

Thanks for the help all. Will try the Hipshot bridge then.

Any links or recommendations for a new strap button so I can place on the back? Want to cure neck dive.

Are Greco tuners easy to replace btw? Any drop in replacements?

New to the modding stuff. Pickups are not even and a little wonky. Worried about the truss rod too. Haven’t checked it yet.

Thought about returning it and investing in a real Gibson thunderbird if I start spending more on mods. I paid about a grand for the Greco used.

IIRC, Gotoh GB10 and Hipshot HB10s are modern replacements for what Greco used back then on most of their basses:
GB10 - G-GOTOH
HB10 Bass Tuning Machine

 

[MCF]

whoooohhhhh hooooooo!

Seymore Duncan may rewind my Maxon bridge pickup for me!

so excited!

got to pull it and send them some pics.... rewind starts at $95.....

That doesn’t sound all that bad…

 

[Thumper]

I never could get used to 4" Italia's, they dig into my neck, the leather is very thick, and would most likely to take years to break in. I've, gone to Lakota 3" Buffalo hide straps. They are light, supple with some give.

 

[kyral210]

whoooohhhhh hooooooo!

Seymore Duncan may rewind my Maxon bridge pickup for me!

so excited!

got to pull it and send them some pics.... rewind starts at $95.....

That’s new pickup money, so all good. However, I don’t bond with SD pickups over almost any other manufacturer. But more power to you!

 

[kyral210]

I never could get used to 4" Italia's, they dig into my neck, the leather is very thick, and would most likely to take years to break in. I've, gone to Lakota 3" Buffalo hide straps. They are light, supple with some give.

These? Guitar Straps from Lakota Leathers

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I never could get used to 4" Italia's, they dig into my neck, the leather is very thick, and would most likely to take years to break in. I've, gone to Lakota 3" Buffalo hide straps. They are light, supple with some give.

Those look really interesting, but too short at 58" max.

 

[Thumper]

These? Guitar Straps from Lakota Leathers

Yes, I have a black and a chocolate. 58" is plenty for me, my basses are at the same height sitting or standing, so 53" is all I need (I'm 5'10")

 

[dagrev]

It's only four days into the New Year, but so far I'm doing well in keeping my resolution to not set resolutions. I love it when I keep my resolutions. Such a great feeling.

 

[GonePlaid]

Cover.
You wanted to say cover.

Well, the holes are already there, so...

 

[WillyW]

That doesn’t sound all that bad…

That’s new pickup money, so all good. However, I don’t bond with SD pickups over almost any other manufacturer. But more power to you!

yeah it’s new pickup money, but these aren’t off the shelf pickups, I do have a few Duncan pickups, but I generally prefer Gibson factory pickups.

I chose to contact Duncan because they are a class act business and unlike some fly by night “custom” winder, I know I’ll actually get the work done, AND actually get my pickup back, and done correctly.

I can find a similar but not quite the same maxon pickup on the eBay for about the same price. And Duncan will make it to my specs and wax pot it.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

It's only four days into the New Year, but so far I'm doing well in keeping my resolution to not set resolutions. I love it when I keep my resolutions. Such a great feeling.

I have kept all[1] my NY resolutions since 15 or 20 years ago when my sole NY resolution was to never make another.

[1] All of them. The number is zero. All zero. Perfect record.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Did this get posted here? Best new product video in a long time.

These guys use a bunch of pedals to duplicate a Klon, which explains how the Klon works. More verbose than they need to be, but a good explanation.

Anyone used a Klon (or more likely klone) with a Thunderbird?

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

LOVE Neckdive….TT!..

 

[PhR75]

Anyone used a Klon (or more likely klone) with a Thunderbird?

I used to use a Bad Monkey which can be dialled very close to sounding like Klon, ask JHS if you don't believe me?

To be serious; I like a Tube Screamer -like circuit with a high passed clean signal mixed in. So I'd probably like the Klon too.

 

[Gaolee]

Yes, you are correct, but it's an 8 digit number (00232277), which doesn't help anything with this odd Thunderbird, other than "00" prefix =1976 and "06" = 1977 on some/all(?) Gibsons.... Then again, Gibson.... Given the number it was either made in 1976 or 2002! I think mine was made and stamped correctly as a 1976, but there was flaw (does have an odd nut and dark dot that could be considered a small blemish in the fretboard grain), and not finished until early 1977. Seems to be the consensus from a few Gibson-knowledgable people anyway. But then again....

The white '76 on Reverb was one that didn't seem to be from 1976 that I mentioned. The stamped S/N didn't seem right either. No "00" prefix.

The serial number for my EB-2 could three or more different years. Gibson was not consistent in the late 1960s. Why would they change?

 

[ThaCoast]

It’s gone. Just as well, I have too many basses, and a really good collection of Thunderbirds. My goal is to stop buying and at least consider selling some stuff. Problem is is that I have sold all but one I want to get rid of, and although many don’t get much use at the moment, I feel like I’d regret selling anything I currently have. Just because I’m not using it now doesn’t mean it won’t get used. Especially since I’m in an exclusive Thunderbird mode at the moment. My late 60’s/early 70’s Fender P’s and J’s (and a couple Tele’s), a Ric 4003, some fretless Fenders, short scale Fenders, and 5-string Ric 4003s/5, are all good tools to have.

Some short scale Gibson Thunderbirds came up recently and one was a good price. I should have swooped it, but it was bad timing money wise. I guess that’s the only real item I want to get my hands on.

So Thunderbird Thursday!

View attachment 5305893

All my Gibsons, from left to right:
1995, Lollars, Ken Smith Bass Burners, 115-55, tuned D-Standard.

1997, Gibson re-issues, Ken Smith Metal Masters, 110-50, tuned Eb.

2001, Thunderbuckers, SIT Nickel Rock Brights, 110-50, tuned Eb.

2003, Curtis Novaks, EBCF 105-50, tuned E-Standard.

2001, Lollars, Dean Markley Blue Steels (that have been on a few other basses and around for a long time), 105-50, tuned E-Standard.

…and not pictured:
2017 white VP, with its original 760’s and TI PowerBass 107-80-68-47, tuned E-Standard. (THIS string set on this bass is pure magic, perfect feel and tone for my fingers and ears).

2022 black VP, Gemini Devastators, GHS 115-50, tuned Eb. Still trying to figure this one out, I just can’t seem to get this one where I want it. It’s likely I’ll probably put the 760’s back in and sell.

Ah, that 2001 would be the first i'd play . & man, you play with some heavy gauges, I've done 110, & that felt too much for me after a while. So i've stuck with 105, never looked back.

Where would you want that 22' black VP? Also thoughts on Devastators?

 

[Ringhammer]

Ah, that 2001 would be the first i'd play . & man, you play with some heavy gauges, I've done 110, & that felt too much for me after a while. So i've stuck with 105, never looked back.

Where would you want that 22' black VP? Also thoughts on Devastators?

which 2001? Natural or burst?

The reason for heavy gauge(s) is the lower tunings, keeping the string tension closer to the typical feeling of a 105-45 set @ E-Standard.

Jury is still out on the Devastators. I have yet to play it with the band….

 

[WillyW]

Did this get posted here? Best new product video in a long time.

These guys use a bunch of pedals to duplicate a Klon, which explains how the Klon works. More verbose than they need to be, but a good explanation.

Anyone used a Klon (or more likely klone) with a Thunderbird?

I honestly have no clue what a klon is really supposed to do and why it’s a big deal, BUT I have seen hours of those Klon komparison videos.

early on I found the EHX Soul Food and it always did well in those videos.

You won’t find them in the komparison videos anymore because they usually only use $300+ boobtique pedals in the videos anymore.

I currently have a Soul Food pedal with germanium hooserwhatzits in it which are supposedly magical and make your farts smell like Kit Kats.

it’s just fine with a bird or whatever, but I do quite like the Wilson sparkling blue pedal and quite a few other pedals are awesome too depending on what you are going for.

xotic EP boost is awesome
Spark is ok
Boss FB-2 is beyond awesome

 

[ThaCoast]

which 2001? Natural or burst?

The reason for heavy gauge(s) is the lower tunings, keeping the string tension closer to the typical feeling of a 105-45 set @ E-Standard.

Jury is still out on the Devastators. I have yet to play it with the band….

Natural one, Thunderbuckers & SIT strings. Gotchya for the heavy gauge/lower tunings, whe i had 50-110 on my epi bird, i was in eb tuning & still felt like too much (but my band's music is in that tuning since i write the songs for my better "wider" vocal range.