Thunderbird Club

[Gaolee]

This place already feels like home. The nerdiest home, which is the best kind of home.

We are the biker gang of dorks.

 

[MCF]

That warms my heart. My kiddo is 13 and she and I started going to shows a couple of years ago. So far we've seen Mitski 2x, Pixies, and The Vibrators together. She has a lot to learn but I feel good about our choices thus far. For now we're working through the Boy Genius song book, as well as the obligatory Taylor Swift track. I want her to dive into The Cure and Soundgarden and Radiohead (the bands that really moved me over the years) but I want her to mold her own passion without ttttoooooo much of my influence.

You’re a great Dad.

I did not know the Vibrators were still around. I was an original fan from ‘76. They have gone through so many personnel changes I lost track years ago.

I saw them in Edinburgh in ‘77. The enticement was a free hamburger. A slice of spam on a tiny stale roll. Good times!

 

[Gaolee]

My 68 National has its original case and Marshall can testify it looks like it was stored under a bed for 50+ years.

The Flamingo looked pounded when I got it. Refinishing it just made the flaws more visible. I am completely OK with that, since it gets played and hauled around all the time these days.

 

[Engle]

That looks like a great deal if the pickups are good and Greco-like.

If they are the Alnico ones, that would be a bonus!

 

[Engle]

AC/DC with a '77.....Sheesh, 16 years ago!

That's some nice playing! And that wig rocks!

 

[Engle]

Hmmm, 1960s Japanese basses at $200 each asking. Funky placement on the covers.

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You can probably put a Hishot 2 point on that EB3. That looks like the tin saddle bridge in the picture.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

The 2 GC's near me(sorta)never have EBCFs-which last forever anyway. I got my most recent set(2814-45/65/80/100)from SW.

I just need a set when I get a new to me bass.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I’m not sure that I have the stomach to go through 14,000+ pages, but as I’m considering a Thunderbird, are there any post or posts that the club can point to when debating the merits of the through-neck versions versus the bolt on?

I’m coming from the world of bolt on neck, fenders, if that context is useful.

Besides the obvious (bolt-on makes neck changes easy) the biggest differences are mainly related to the bolt-ons primarily being more entry level. They’re still good basses, just not as good as most of the rest. Except the custom runs- those seem pretty awesome. @MCF is a good guide for those. The standard BO nut is plastic and the pickups are (1) good but not great and (2) shorter and wider than most Thunderbird pickups so nothing else just drops in.
I got by fine with just my bolt-on for several years. Now it’s set up BEAD for when I want serious low end.

 

[SubHuman]

my 75 iban-ez, with the set of strings on the invoice…

Definitely a bass that was barely or never used!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

This place already feels like home. The nerdiest home, which is the best kind of home.

Bird nerds (some of whom have taken Nerd Birds).

 

[Miles_ONeal]

ply

So please do feel free to hang out here, we do like questions a lot and I have the feeling you'll get a couple more replies to your question. There are many different Thunderbirds out there, this is the latest version of the Epiphone neck thru, the call it a '64 Thunderbird", it's been labeled as a "60s Thunderbird and "Vintage Pro" in the past. 9 ply laminated neck thru, 2 nice pickups, a 2 point bridge.

And finally in colors other than black, white, or tobaccoburst!

 

[Stealth57]

Besides the obvious (bolt-on makes neck changes easy) the biggest differences are mainly related to the bolt-ons primarily being more entry level. They’re still good basses, just not as good as most of the rest. Except the custom runs- those seem pretty awesome. @MCF is a good guide for those. The standard BO nut is plastic and the pickups are (1) good but not great and (2) shorter and wider than most Thunderbird pickups so nothing else just drops in.
I got by fine with just my bolt-on for several years. Now it’s set up BEAD for when I want serious low end.

The 2010 Epi custom shop is an exception to the bolt on neck line. Wider nut and LP pickups. Low end out the wazoo

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Have heard of SIT, but the only strings I have used outside of company brands (Fenders on my Fenders, Rickenbackers on my 4003, and Warwicks on my Warwicks , particularly the five string sets which offer the only 135 low B’s that I know of) are D’Addario ESXL’s on my headless Steinbergers and DR Neon White coated strings on my 1985 Aria Pro II’s.

Ernie Ball and LaBella both offer 50-135 sets (but alas, not in Cobalt Flats afaik).

 

[Miles_ONeal]

And bassoon?

Don’t call his daughter a bassoon! How rude!

 

[Stealth57]

Don’t call his daughter a bassoon! How rude!

But we are bass-goons

 

[SubHuman]

The only nice HSC’s I own are the instruments I bought after I stopped playing out. Of course that’s what the case is for. The damage to the guitars and basses I consider love or battle scars depending on the venue!

 

[Rickplaysbass]

The only nice HSC’s I own are the instruments I bought after I stopped playing out. Of course that’s what the case is for. The damage to the guitars and basses I consider love or battle scars depending on the venue!

When I was touring heavy I had a HSC for every instrument I owned. Only had one nice gig bag for in town stuff. Now I haven't taken a HSC out of my house in years and somehow have like 5 upscale gig bags. As if I could take all of those to a gig. Lol

 

[Rickplaysbass]

Which reminds me.... Speaking of questions that have been asked before.... Good quality gig bag for a 35" scale TBird with a big headstock and body (my lull)???

 

[GonePlaid]

Which reminds me.... Speaking of questions that have been asked before.... Good quality gig bag for a 35" scale TBird with a big headstock and body (my lull)???

I've looked at the specs of a few gig bags that TBirders have mentioned-all too short for my 67NR(52" OAL).
I found this thing(Dean Rockbag)a few years ago. It's actually slightly too big but that's better than too short. I put rolled up towels in there for extra protection.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I've looked at the specs of a few gig bags that TBirders have mentioned-all too short for my 67NR(52" OAL).
I found this thing(Dean Rockbag)a few years ago. It's actually slightly too big but that's better than too short. I put rolled up towels in there for extra protection.
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i have one that came with a Bird I bought used. No logo anywhere. Just a small tag inside saying “hand made with pride India”. It’s snug for a VP, but it works.