• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Thunderbird Club

#280,683
A rare non-bird has shown up…. I only had to do an even trade for the most expensive base geetar I ever bought….

but I got me a 1979 Rickenbacker 4001FL. I had to trade my Rickenbacker 4003AC for it, but I honestly never thought I’d get a factory fretless.



now I just need a 64-67ish non reverse thunderbuzzard II and I’ll be ready to take over the known universe.

and maybe that ripper that @Ringhammer posted earlier
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Miles_ONeal, Rezdog, MCF and 13 others
#280,685
MCF said:
I have no idea the mix between the II’s and IV’s. But I know the goal was to keep costs down. It is such a shame only 90 were built. They are wonderful Thunderbirds.
View attachment 5365079
Click to expand...
from that post it seems like IVs were only made in the 4th series/run….don’t know if this implies lower number of IVs since there are no quantities listed but intuitively, one would think so…
E523F0D5-1362-42B1-92E2-F7AA6D67B76F.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Miles_ONeal, MCF, dagrev and 2 others
#280,686
MCF said:
I have no idea the mix between the II’s and IV’s. But I know the goal was to keep costs down. It is such a shame only 90 were built. They are wonderful Thunderbirds.
View attachment 5365079
Click to expand...

I like the dark brown walls :thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, dagrev, Engle and 3 others
#280,687
Engle said:
I’m planning to build my own NR.
Click to expand...

I've considered it - with ergo-sculpting like my Coral Deluxe Bass - they are in the same ballpark shape-wise. I made a tracing of Chuckies late-'60s NR the first time I met him.

upload_2024-2-25_18-25-23.jpeg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Miles_ONeal, Rezdog, MCF and 8 others
#280,688
WillyW said:
A rare non-bird has shown up…. I only had to do an even trade for the most expensive base geetar I ever bought….

but I got me a 1979 Rickenbacker 4001FL. I had to trade my Rickenbacker 4003AC for it, but I honestly never thought I’d get a factory fretless.



now I just need a 64-67ish non reverse thunderbuzzard II and I’ll be ready to take over the known universe.

and maybe that ripper that @Ringhammer posted earlier
Click to expand...

I like the ripper's look so much I got a Serek Lincoln.

Happened to have the start date marked in the cavity as my brother that passed away's birthday. It's a keeper now. Lol
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Engle, JJR58 and 4 others
#280,689
MCF said:
It is very vibrant in SoCal. But I think for the most part you are correct. The last rock band that inspired a lot of kids was (cough) Oasis. We need a popular “Taylor Swift” like young rocker to come along. I keep looking.
Click to expand...

Oasis is sorta' like U2 - big hits, fun vids, talent, attitude.., love um' or hate um' but they both achieved mega-stardom so it's clear many people liked them. I like some of both bands songs but never followed either.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Rickplaysbass and GBassNorth
#280,690
GBassNorth said:
With a seller like this one it best to assume it’s in limbo until shipping has been confirmed. So, I’ll have to get back to you on that in a few days. :thumbsup:
But yes, it’s exactly what I was looking for.
Click to expand...

Nice purchase - I'll assume you will install some other pu's as those textured/squared-off ones are asking to be replaced. I bought a bass from Japan w/no issues and fast shipping to the West Coast.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, dagrev, Engle and 3 others
#280,691
JIO said:
Nice purchase - I'll assume you will install some other pu's as those textured/squared-off ones are asking to be replaced. I bought a bass from Japan w/no issues and fast shipping to the West Coast.
Click to expand...
That’s the plan (assuming it gets here). The Artec pups sound good but not stellar. Some Gibson or Eppi or even Chinabuckers are good choices. A couple of the club members have even wandered into uncharted pup territory with Gemini and some other pups from Europe. Of course Lulls would be the top choice but they’re pretty much unobtainable from what I hear.
I’ve bought a couple of basses from Japan, no issues. Fingers crossed for more of the same.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, dagrev, Bent77 and 8 others
#280,692
GBassNorth said:
That’s the plan (assuming it gets here). The Artec pups sound good but not stellar. Some Gibson or Eppi or even Chinabuckers are good choices. A couple of the club members have even wandered into uncharted pup territory with Gemini and some other pups from Europe. Of course Lulls would be the top choice but they’re pretty much unobtainable from what I hear.
I’ve bought a couple of basses from Japan, no issues. Fingers crossed for more of the same.
Click to expand...

It'll get to you ok - sans HSC or gig-bag?
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Engle and GBassNorth
#280,693
GBassNorth said:
That’s the plan (assuming it gets here). The Artec pups sound good but not stellar. Some Gibson or Eppi or even Chinabuckers are good choices. A couple of the club members have even wandered into uncharted pup territory with Gemini and some other pups from Europe. Of course Lulls would be the top choice but they’re pretty much unobtainable from what I hear.
I’ve bought a couple of basses from Japan, no issues. Fingers crossed for more of the same.
Click to expand...

I've been bugging Spencer at least once a month about a pair of pickups for close to a year now. Cool guy for sure. Supposedly he had one extra set from the last IMA run he was going to sell me but a JT5 got special ordered and he used them for that.

Which reminds me, I only have a few days left to bug him for February.....
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, GBassNorth, TBird1958 and 1 other person
#280,695
GBassNorth said:
That’s the plan (assuming it gets here). The Artec pups sound good but not stellar. Some Gibson or Eppi or even Chinabuckers are good choices. A couple of the club members have even wandered into uncharted pup territory with Gemini and some other pups from Europe. Of course Lulls would be the top choice but they’re pretty much unobtainable from what I hear.
I’ve bought a couple of basses from Japan, no issues. Fingers crossed for more of the same.
Click to expand...


Pickups you say:

Gibson Thunderbird Pickups Early 1960s / Reverse Body | Reverb
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, dagrev, Bent77 and 2 others
#280,696
JDGA fan said:
No, but I doubt it. There are maybe 6 or 7 JD Tbirds and I have seen pictures of most of them. Here is one made for the late Neil Rodgers, bass player for the Welsh NWOBHM band Samurai in the 80's.

View attachment 5365190
Click to expand...

I dig the two-part circular string stops -:thumbsup: :bassist:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Miles_ONeal, MCF, dagrev and 2 others
#280,697
Lammchop93 said:
I just joined the club finally!!!

bought of slight fixer-upper Greco single pickup bird on reverb. I’m so pumped!!!

it currently has a Bartolini pickup in it which I plan to replace with a more vintage nickel/chrome pickup. What do you all recommend?

also, anyone know what tbird pickguards for early 80’s Greco basses?
Click to expand...

Post us a pic and I can add you to the roster :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Miles_ONeal, MCF, dagrev and 7 others
#280,698
  • Like
Reactions: Miles_ONeal, MCF, JJR58 and 6 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back