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Thunderbird Club

#273,362
MCF said:
The GC’s closest to me, Bako and Santa Clarita, are duds these days. There is still Front Porch in Bako that is hanging on. And Bako Sound Co., which is owned by nice guys but not much inventory. There’s a good independent in Santa Clarita, but I pretty much have to go into LA proper or down to the OC for fun stores. I just get everything from SW and a few other sellers these days.
Click to expand...

There's a big GC on Van Ness - I have bought things there but never a bass. My go-to shop is small in an alley, "Real Guitars" - all used guitars/basses/amps and some pedals. Bought my '66 P there. Also, my luthier Dan Ransom has a space there and Gary Brawer (famous SF guitar tech/repair) used to have a space there but moved to Oakland near where he lives during Covid. There's "Banana's at Large" in Marin, (bought a bass there-still have it) and a couple small specialty shops here and there. (tube-amp repair/acoustic guitars) Down the Peninsula is Gelb Music - been there as long as I remember. Bought my SWR rig there (new) in the mid-'90s. There was a small shop in Palo Alto where Jerry Garcia worked at one time but it's gone since the late '90s. Further down (San Jose) is a big music store (can't recall the name) but have never been there.
 
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#273,364
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#273,369
And here you have the end result.
With the most excellent work from
@Engle and Luthier Merchantile.

IMG_3254.jpeg

IMG_3256.jpeg
 
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#273,370
JIO said:
Yes, that's it - you been there?
Click to expand...

Yeah, but not for a long time. I think it’s technically in Campbell. WAY back in the mid ‘80’s, the first good instrument I owned was a black Ibanez Roadstar II that I bought new. There was a luthier shop there, and I think I remember the guys name as Hideo Yamamoto. Anyway, I had him swap the original P-Bass style pup and add a J-bass pup in the bridge position, doing EMG’s P/J setup in it. Also probably swapped the bridge for a black Schaller style roller bridge. As a beginning bass player in my first band, I’ll tell you, when I got that bass back from a professional luthier with all the mods I asked for, and set up by a pro, I thought it was the best possible bass ever!

Until about 5 years later when I bought my 1970 Fender Jazz. I got the Jazz in 1992 at Black Market Music in SF, and it needed some work, as the block inlay at first fret location was slightly popped out. I seem to recall that the reason for that was truss rod anchor was twisted, thus causing the problem(?). I brought it back to Guitar Showcase and the same luthier fixed it all up for me, got it back as a stellar playing instrument! I still have this bass. It’s THE one I will never sell. I have a few others I’m not likely to ever sell either, but I have had this Jazz for 30 years now so… it’s my definite keeper.

I also have a ‘72 P-bass I got back in the ‘90’s, sold to a friend (guitar player I’m currently in one of my bands with) and he had it all this time. 6 years or so ago we started hanging out and I got it back from him. I’ll probably never sell that one either.


Edit: I won’t sell my ‘95 Gibson Thunderbird either, it’s my first ‘bird, and was bought at a obscene low price ($800) from a friend…
 
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#273,374
After V posted about changing the pots in her Orville from 250K to 500K, I decided to do the same.
And then I thought I’d like to do some pickup comparisons.
And what would make that easier would be to use Phoenix connectors. So I installed one on each pot. This gives me screw terminals to connect the pickups and the tone cap.
I’m not averse to soldering at all, (trained as an electronics tech) but I don’t like soldering braided shields onto pots repeatedly.
And the pots cases don’t need a ground soldered onto them. They are grounded by contact with the cavity shield. I star wired all grounds to one lug.
IMG_1955.jpeg
IMG_1956.jpeg
IMG_1958.jpeg
 
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#273,375
MCF said:
Sorry PHR. I tried finding a web link. I don’t know if it’s available in all countries. I know licensing arrangements vary by location. I subscribe, and play through the app. It, and a lot of audio books are included with the subscription. One of the perks of paying the monthly fee I guess?
Click to expand...

I subscribe too with a monthly fee (can't stand the advertisements) and use the app too so I guess it must be a territorial thing.

I'm planning to buy the book anyway. I may have to read it aloud with my best Geddy imitation.

JJR58 said:
And here you have the end result.
With the most excellent work from
@Engle and Luthier Merchantile.

View attachment 5308518
View attachment 5308519
Click to expand...

Next step: sound samples

Is the neck pickup in the modern T-bird location?
The middle one must do a pretty good Ric bridge or Stingray -stylish sound. In the ballpark anyway.
 
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#273,376
JJR58 said:
Thanks Irv.
Your logo turned out amazing.
And does different things depending on the light.

The DIY part on the pick guard isn’t exactly perfect.
But I’m fairly imperfect to begin with.
I’m ok with that.
Click to expand...
Yeah I plan to do more with that red foil at some point. It’s hard to work with, but really catches the light.
 
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#273,377
PhR75 said:
I subscribe too with a monthly fee (can't stand the advertisements) and use the app too so I guess it must be a territorial thing.

I'm planning to buy the book anyway. I may have to read it aloud with my best Geddy imitation.



Next step: sound samples

Is the neck pickup in the modern T-bird location?
The middle one must do a pretty good Ric bridge or Stingray -stylish sound. In the ballpark anyway.
Click to expand...
Just say eh a lot.
 
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#273,379
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