Thunderbird Club

[TBird1958]

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

It's in there somewhere.

 

[Syd Rayne]

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!

My white Bicentennial had a 6-digit stamped serial (627xxx), and I never could nail down a proper date. It had the "76" under the bird on the pickguard. I assumed that the bass was a 1976, but more like a 1977. It was during that switchover period.

 

[ectoflanger]

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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First off all props to you for your self-help initiative and craftsmanship-

Regarding the nut I recommend one of GraphTech’s slippery models (black or white TUSQXL) in case you eventually go with a Hipshot X-Tender. I ordered a black one for my 1985 Gibson Explorer bass-

GraphTech Nuts - TUSQ, TUSQ XL, Black TUSQ XL, NuBone XB | Graph Tech

 

[ectoflanger]

Just getting over the flu which hit early in the am Monday morning-

I had been working on recording a bass line to drum tracks for Haphazard Minds and starting to make progress when that happened. Oh well- I did manage to get to my drummer’s place in time to sign for the FedEx delivery of his new iMac (he’s out of town until the 21st) and deliver its companion, a new Novation SL MK III 49 key midi keyboard on Wednesday- but it was a task-

So it’s my first day out, and as I relax with a nice hot orange spice tea, I’m listening to Anthony Jackson at his best playing counterpoint to Steve Khan’s lovely melodic lines on “Guy La Fleur” from the Eyewitness album- I hope you enjoy it as well-

 

[dagrev]

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

Short answer: I don't know, and you are correct, they certainty could be off.

I can't comment on the accuracy of those numbers, nor do I know how they were arrived at. The information there seems well founded and I only assume that whoever compiled those numbers would have known of some Gibson source (pure speculation and hearsay otherwise). That said, Gibson record keeping may indeed not be as accurate as hoped. It's Gibson.... I haven't, or don't recall seeing other sets of Gibson numbers. I don't have a Gibson book of any kind to confirm or discredit the above.

All this suggests and interesting question: Anyone know of or have any other numbers on 60s or 70s Thunderbirds?

 

[dagrev]

Just getting over the flu which hit early in the am Monday morning-

I had been working on recording a bass line to drum tracks for Haphazard Minds and starting to make progress when that happened. Oh well- I did manage to get to my drummer’s place in time to sign for the FedEx delivery of his new iMac (he’s out of town until the 21st) and deliver its companion, a new Novation SL MK III 49 key midi keyboard on Wednesday- but it was a task-

So it’s my first day out, and as I relax with a nice hot orange spice tea, I’m listening to Anthony Jackson at his best playing counterpoint to Steve Khan’s lovely melodic lines on “Guy La Fleur” from the Eyewitness album- I hope you enjoy it as well-

Hope you get to feeling better. Thanks for posting the Khan video. That's some good stuff for sure.

 

[dagrev]

My white Bicentennial had a 6-digit stamped serial (627xxx), and I never could nail down a proper date. It had the "76" under the bird on the pickguard. I assumed that the bass was a 1976, but more like a 1977. It was during that switchover period.

Yeah, those pickguards were used till they ran out it seems, and isn't a good indicator at all. But is one many tend to use. I think a 1976 SN typically or often begins with "00xxxxxx."
99 = 1975
00= 1976
06 = 1977
(Which makes perfect sense....)

The pattern is as follows:
YDDDYRRR
YY is the production year
DDD is the day of the year
RRR is the factory ranking/plant designation number.
Prior to 1984 when the Kalamazoo, MI factory was closed, the numbers 001-499 indicated Kalamazoo production. Ranking numbers 500-999 continued to indicate Nashville production through 1989.

Someone please correct if my info is wrong. It's Gibson after all.....and I'm human.

 

[ectoflanger]

Yeah, those pickguards were used till they ran out it seems, and isn't a good indicator at all. But is one many tend to use. I think a 1976 SN typically or often begins with "00xxxxxx."
99 = 1975
00= 1976
06 = 1977

Someone please correct if my info is wrong.

Speaking of pickguards, how many changes have there been, if any, regarding size, shape, and screw patterns, since the inception of the Thunderbird?

 

[Ringhammer]

Speaking of pickguards, how many changes have there been, if any, regarding size, shape, and screw patterns, since the inception of the Thunderbird?

I know of two as far as Gibson ‘birds, my ‘95 and ‘97 are different than my ‘99 , ‘01 and ‘03.

and my Eppi VP is different from those….

 

[Nocturnal]

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!
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$5,900?

Last night I received an offer from the seller for 10% off, so $5940 I think was the price. Still far more than I can pay. Sure, I could sell a few things to buy it. But I am happy with my ebony '77 so no need to indulge.

 

[Nocturnal]

My white Bicentennial had a 6-digit stamped serial (627xxx), and I never could nail down a proper date. It had the "76" under the bird on the pickguard. I assumed that the bass was a 1976, but more like a 1977. It was during that switchover period.

My '77 pickguard has the 76 in the Bird tail as well. If it is original, I assumed it was leftover parts from '76.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

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.

I thought about it but don’t have the time.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

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

Exactly.

 

[Engle]

Exactly.

I love doing it, but I can barely keep up with the stuff I do for folks in this club!

 

[Engle]

Speaking of pickguards, how many changes have there been, if any, regarding size, shape, and screw patterns, since the inception of the Thunderbird?

I know of two as far as Gibson ‘birds, my ‘95 and ‘97 are different than my ‘99 , ‘01 and ‘03.

and my Eppi VP is different from those….

And the Epiphone models vary. I always ask for a tracing.

 

[0xblood]

Still a little bit of polishing to go. The point wasn't to hide the crack but to make it so I couldn't feel it. Didn't come out too bad... Took it up to 2500 grit with wet sanding.

 

[ectoflanger]

someone mention retirement?…..
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Great Pic!!!

 

[RedVee]

The Paul Macartney stolen Hofner has been recovered.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/pa...original-hofner-found-hofner-says-so.1640622/

 

[dagrev]

Last night I received an offer from the seller for 10% off, so $5940 I think was the price. Still far more than I can pay. Sure, I could sell a few things to buy it. But I am happy with my ebony '77 so no need to indulge.

So you're saying my offer is a good buy?

My '77 pickguard has the 76 in the Bird tail as well. If it is original, I assumed it was leftover parts from '76.

That is a beauty. Yes, I suspect you are right that the pickguard is original. I think V said how far into the late 70s they were used or show up, but I don't remember which year that was. I never cared for the natural finish. Didn't like it when Fender was doing it in the mid-70s either. I like seeing the grain, but I need a little stain and color.

 

[dagrev]

Still a little bit of polishing to go. The point wasn't to hide the crack but to make it so I couldn't feel it. Didn't come out too bad... Took it up to 2500 grit with wet sanding.
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Nice job!