Thunderbird Club

[JIO]

That is cool, but not being a hardcore collector, I'd customize one myself for a lot less, even with a pro paint job.

I wonder what it cost new in '99?

 

[JIO]

Still out of my league, even if I wanted a Flying V.

A Greco 'Bird popped up for less than $1K locally on Craigslist. It is one neighborhood to the north of me, and I almost called the seller. It looks like it could be a decent one, although I prefer chrome hardware to black.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

There's over 300 T-birds of various brands/years on eBay today, (most over $1k) - more than I've ever seen listed there. Used to only be a dozen or so...

 

[Engle]

Not as pretty, but more affordable: Greco Electric Bass Guitar Flying V Black Used Product Shipping From Japan | eBay

Strange how the controls are rear mounted in the body and the pickguard is cut out around the knobs and switch.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I thought you'd like that - colour is pretty close to yours. Curious that the bridge/tail-piece are snugged up to each other. Possibly the bridge was relocated lower prior to the re-fin for proper intonation.

yeah, noticed that as well…def not stock spacing…..’

 

[Engle]

GC outlet deals: an NR and three Casady basses
Epiphone Bass Outlet | Guitar Center

The Casadys seem expensive to me. Something to keep in mind when considering a Casady is the colour is only on the top, so a person could refinish that one surface and be done.

 

[Engle]

I thought you'd like that - colour is pretty close to yours. Curious that the bridge/tail-piece are snugged up to each other. Possibly the bridge was relocated lower prior to the re-fin for proper intonation.

Good eye. That should have been fixed before refinishing, along with the weird routing around the control cavity.
It's pretty janky for the money.

 

[godofthunder59]

The block versions I've used do seem to have a boost, but didn't quite nail the soup-y sound I was going for. A bit more quack-y in the mids. The script, at least mine, had a bit of a volume drop, probably due to a bit off low end loss, but the mods fixed that and gave it a boost when on. Trying to remember if I added the "R28" feedback resistor or not. Increased the input cap (maybe output cap as well) from 47nF to 100nF, think it sits somewhere between a Script and Block now.

It's the phaser I used here:




If I ever need to replace mine, I'll grab a Whirlwind.

My brother in law Michael Laiacona was a one of the owners of MXR and went on to found Whirlwind. I have both the original MXR and Whirlwind pedal. Michael very generously gave me a complete set of the Whirlwind pedals.

 

[TBird1958]

Strange how the controls are rear mounted in the body and the pickguard is cut out around the knobs and switch.

That doesn't look right to me either.

 

[Gaolee]

There's over 300 T-birds of various brands/years on eBay today, (most over $1k) - more than I've ever seen listed there. Used to only be a dozen or so...

We are spreading. BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I thought you'd like that - colour is pretty close to yours. Curious that the bridge/tail-piece are snugged up to each other. Possibly the bridge was relocated lower prior to the re-fin for proper intonation.

That is one of the prettiest faded whites around.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I'd 86 the tort pg...

I like tort on some instruments, but here I'd ditch the PG all together and just go for a solid color. That green V was gorgeous. Thinking maybe a slightly dark blue or an Easter egg yellow.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I wonder what it cost new in '99?

No clue. If I were said hardcore collector, I probably would. 8^)

 

[Miles_ONeal]

The Casadys seem expensive to me. Something to keep in mind when considering a Casady is the colour is only on the top, so a person could refinish that one surface and be done.

$800 Epi, so about what I'd expect to see...

 

[JIO]

Good eye. That should have been fixed before refinishing, along with the weird routing around the control cavity.
It's pretty janky for the money.
View attachment 5323023

So they hack it, don't correct their hack - repaint it and attempt to sell it for a ridiculous price. No-one in their right mind would pay what they are asking for that. If you look close at the hs pic - it doesn't look like a "top notch" paint-job to me. Chucky's NR has a top-notch finish.

 

[JIO]

Strange how the controls are rear mounted in the body and the pickguard is cut out around the knobs and switch.

I doubt the pg is original.

 

[kyral210]

How important are Gibson pickups in the Thunderbird tone? I love my Thunderbirds tone, which are hand wound in modern humbuckers. Yet I wonder how much of the Thunderbird tone is the pickups (which I’m missing out on) and how much is everything else (which I have).

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

classic example of seat of the pants engineering……

“we got a noise problem!”…

“it’s coming from the input!”…

“quick! we need a grounding shield!”
“start ECO (engineering change order) NO. xxxxx and write up the rework instructions”…

PROBLEM FIXED!

Kudos! bonus in your next check….

 

[Gaolee]

How important are Gibson pickups in the Thunderbird tone? I love my Thunderbirds tone, which are hand wound in modern humbuckers. Yet I wonder how much of the Thunderbird tone is the pickups (which I’m missing out on) and how much is everything else (which I have).

It depends. Modern Gibson pickups sound a bit different from original '60s pickups which are different again from '70s Gibson sidewinders. There's also pickup placement that has a hand in it. I don't remember what Thunderbird you have. You let us know, and now I have completely forgotten.

 

[JJR58]

How important are Gibson pickups in the Thunderbird tone? I love my Thunderbirds tone, which are hand wound in modern humbuckers. Yet I wonder how much of the Thunderbird tone is the pickups (which I’m missing out on) and how much is everything else (which I have).

You have to experience the originals from the 60’s.
Next best, a Sidewinder from a Bi-centennial.
But then you have Lulls which are practically unobtainable.

 

[TBird1958]

classic example of seat of the pants engineering……

“we got a noise problem!”…
View attachment 5323054

“it’s coming from the input!”…
View attachment 5323055

“quick! we need a grounding shield!”
“start ECO (engineering change order) NO. xxxxx and write up the rework instructions”…
View attachment 5323057
View attachment 5323058

PROBLEM FIXED!
View attachment 5323061
Kudos! bonus in your next check….

Sheepishly, oh gawd, is that my amp.