Thunderbird Club

[dagrev]

I've mentioned-numerous times-that I've used the TBird for a bunch of different genres of music. Yesterday(2/14), I got a call from a bassist friend that just came back from a visit to England. It seems he brought back something he didn't want(COVID) and asked if I could take his place on a big band gig last night. I'd played most of their charts-all written out-B4, so it wasn't a BFD for me. It pays(tho not enuff)to be versatile.

Cool. Would love to have been there. I like big band, and imagine am certain, playing it would require skill beyond my ability, which would be cool to see.

 

[0xblood]

There have been a couple of us who have had Epi Vintage Pro (60s) Thunderbirds with that issue.
In the pic below it looks huge, but isn't that bad. Mine has very little movement, and none with the strings on which hold it tight. I later got a little glue in there but it was difficult due to the crack not flexing open much. It was used and paid just under $400 for it. Been solid/stable for several years now and is a great bass. With your fix I wouldn't think you would have any problems.
View attachment 5352781

Yeah, mine was pretty tight but I used a synthetic shim to open up just a hair then a industrial syringe to get the glue as far in as possible. I agree that it should be just fine.

 

[MCF]

That was a guy that initially listed it as a '76 and I sent him some info indicating Gibson didn't record making any white '76s, and his SN didn't seem to indicate 1976 (what could be read). He didn't respond and left it as a '76 until a few weeks ago.

My weird one with a '76 SN is in better shape. If anyone wants that rare bird I'll sell it for $6,000 and ship free or hand deliver!
View attachment 5352769

Until recently, I would have said you’re nuts. But the ask on those has gone way up the last couple years. I have no idea what they may actually sell for. I’d love to get one though. But not at that price.

 

[Engle]

Well my thunderbird came in and it has an issue. I bought it as second stock but it was a little more "blemished" than I expected. Big ol neck crack. While I wait on the company I bought it from to call me back I'm just gonna fix it. I've built a few guitars along the way so why not. Maybe I can get them to knock a few more bucks off so this one doesn't end up in the trash.

It's kinda hard to see in the first picture, I was rushing and didn't get a clear shot. You can see a bit better after I spread it and flooded it with glue. I used some of my daughter's oven dry clay to make a plug for the truss rod. I'll color match the crack tomorrow and refinish it to a gloss before I knock it back down. I like satin necks. Then I'll decide if it's worth exchanging it or not.

While it's apart, anyone got any recommendations for a good nut?

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I'd be concerned the seller will ask you to send it back, and you've done the work for free, but maybe you'll get some money back.

For nuts, I use Corian (I have scraps and samples of countertop material) or bone blanks.

 

[Engle]

So there is that pickup winder still available that someone pointed out. Irv needs to buy it. And start Engle’s Mod Shop offering pickups, 3D printed accessories, pick guards, TR covers, etc.

That would be fun if I was retiring anytime soon. If I did it now, I wouldn't have enough time to play bass!

 

[MCF]

There have been a couple of us who have had Epi Vintage Pro (60s) Thunderbirds with that issue.
In the pic below it looks huge, but isn't that bad. Mine has very little movement, and none with the strings on which hold it tight. I later got a little glue in there but it was difficult due to the crack not flexing open much. It was used and paid just under $400 for it. Been solid/stable for several years now and is a great bass. With your fix I wouldn't think you would have any problems.
View attachment 5352781

Then there’s this one I got for cheap to use the body for my Thunderbird II conversion project.

 

[MCF]

I'd be concerned the seller will ask you to send it back, and you've done the work for free, but maybe you'll get some money back.

For nuts, I use Corian (I have scraps and samples of countertop material) or bone blanks.

There are stock Corian nuts on the ‘13 NR and the ‘11 Short Scale. I like them.

TT!

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

TT…..
sometime back, had just installed TBuckers and totally blown away with them into 800 Watt and 4 NEO 10” drivers……

 

[Engle]

A quick search brought up a bunch of STL files for picks. This one had some unique ones too!

You probably already know all of these sites.

View attachment 5352801

Yes, I've been looking at those sites.
Printed this camera to mic stand thread adapter the other day:

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

That would be fun if I was retiring anytime soon. If I did it now, I wouldn't have enough time to play bass!

someone mention retirement?…..

 

[Engle]

someone mention retirement?…..
View attachment 5352858

You’re gonna need a bigger bass! Or a longer endpin

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

You’re gonna need a bigger bass! Or a longer endpin

lower protein diet?….

 

[JJR58]

someone mention retirement?…..
View attachment 5352858

This pic is so you.

 

[Gaolee]

Well my thunderbird came in and it has an issue. I bought it as second stock but it was a little more "blemished" than I expected. Big ol neck crack. While I wait on the company I bought it from to call me back I'm just gonna fix it. I've built a few guitars along the way so why not. Maybe I can get them to knock a few more bucks off so this one doesn't end up in the trash.

It's kinda hard to see in the first picture, I was rushing and didn't get a clear shot. You can see a bit better after I spread it and flooded it with glue. I used some of my daughter's oven dry clay to make a plug for the truss rod. I'll color match the crack tomorrow and refinish it to a gloss before I knock it back down. I like satin necks. Then I'll decide if it's worth exchanging it or not.

While it's apart, anyone got any recommendations for a good nut?

View attachment 5352612
View attachment 5352613

Well gosh, it's even more authentic to the 1960s now. That was a pretty common problem back when.

 

[Gaolee]

You’re gonna need a bigger bass! Or a longer endpin

Maybe a printed end pin. Or a whole printed upright bass.

 

[dagrev]

Until recently, I would have said you’re nuts. But the ask on those has gone way up the last couple years. I have no idea what they may actually sell for. I’d love to get one though. But not at that price.

$5,900?

 

[dagrev]

Get them while you can. Not many around. Definitely not many white 70s Thunderbirds.
1976 Gibson Bicentennial Thunderbird bass >> FlyGuitars

 

[dagrev]

Well gosh, it's even more authentic to the 1960s now. That was a pretty common problem back when.

"Period True Relicing." I like it.

 

[Gaolee]

Get them while you can. Not many around. Definitely not many white 70s Thunderbirds.
1976 Gibson Bicentennial Thunderbird bass >> FlyGuitars
View attachment 5352967View attachment 5352967

Those are Gibson's official numbers, right? Gibson record keeping could be a little off.

 

[0xblood]

I'd be concerned the seller will ask you to send it back, and you've done the work for free, but maybe you'll get some money back.

Maybe. They already said they would replace it for free; I'm just waiting for their "Returns" department to call me. If not I'll just keep it.

Thanks for the tip on nuts!