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Thunderbird Club

#282,021
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#282,022
Stealth57 said:
I did some research on the Kawai bass I picked up the other day for $200. It is a 1966 SB100 that is a full 34" scale. Most of what I have seen from Japan in that time period were short scale, like my National. Based on what I see on Reverb, I got a deal...of course, people advertise prices that may or may not be realistic. Keep in mind the one on Reverb is missing the bridge cover and that funky mid-string guard. There is a video with a sound demo.

Video Demo 1966 Kawai Full Scale SB100 Dual Pickup Pro Setup New Hard Shell Case | Reverb
Click to expand...

guy I knowed just got this for $100, axed him if he wanted to make $5 profit…


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#282,024
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#282,027
SubHuman said:
I totally agree! I would scour these forums for info on what the players are talking about and what they are suggesting as updates or even issues!
If I'm trying out a new recipe I look online for suggestions. I don't just sit there and think "what would make this taste better?" I read what other people have tried. Note: Some recipes online suck!
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Leo Fender used to give instruments to players to get their feedback. What they liked, disliked, wanted. Gibson can do that without giving anything away. Just turn your computer on and "Shazam!" There is a brain trust at your fingertips with no telling how many combined decades of playing. What a waste (or act of stupidity or sheer arrogance), to not avail yourself of such real-life information. Free!

That is one thing I like about manufactures who have people like Jon Moody from GHS active on TB string forum to interact with a huge number of players. Hear what they like and don't find helpful. That's just smart, if not caring about your customers or potential customers.
 
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#282,028
godofthunder59 said:
I didn't notice at first ( was pointed out to me on the Facebook Thunderbird group) but they did change the specs on the 64, they added neck angle at the heel. Can't say I'm wild about it. First image is my tobacco sunburst VP, second picture is the new Inverness 64.View attachment 5377871 View attachment 5377872
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Interesting observation. I wonder what problem that change "fixed"? I must say I don't care for how it looks. I'm sure the closeup makes it much more pronounced.

I'm sure glad I have two of the original VPs (and a limited edition sure to be collector's White one!:smug:).
 
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#282,029
Stealth57 said:
I did some research on the Kawai bass I picked up the other day for $200. It is a 1966 SB100 that is a full 34" scale. Most of what I have seen from Japan in that time period were short scale, like my National. Based on what I see on Reverb, I got a deal...of course, people advertise prices that may or may not be realistic. Keep in mind the one on Reverb is missing the bridge cover and that funky mid-string guard. There is a video with a sound demo.

Video Demo 1966 Kawai Full Scale SB100 Dual Pickup Pro Setup New Hard Shell Case | Reverb
Click to expand...
They make really great pianos. Or used to, anyway. I can't speak for the new ones.
 
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#282,031
godofthunder59 said:
Here's my modded 2021 NR Epiphone 760 Probucker in the neck position ( moved to 60s location) 60s repro pg, tug bar, Badbird II bridge and moved controls and input jack . No pickup in the bridge position just a empty cover.
The 60s style pg left three screw holes exposed those have been filled then drop filled with Inverness Green laquer leveled and polished. The color doesn't match all that well it's a bit dark. I may redo it at some point if I can find a better match. View attachment 5376363
Click to expand...

Did you fill in the unused portion of old PU hole, or just cover it with the PG?
 
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#282,032
godofthunder59 said:
I have brought this up but the answers really didn't make much sense. I was told that it would be to expensive to make one 60s spec. So instead they literally did a redesign, makes absolutely no sense. Making a 60s style pg and putting the pickup in the 60s location would have in no way added to development cost or finished product , if anything development cost would have been less.
While I appreciate the 2021 NRs three things keep them from being spectacular. Lack of 60s pickup position, 60s two piece tune O matic bridge and a 1.5 nut. Missed it by that much. Oh one more thing, a big headstock with big tuners.
Click to expand...

I suspect it was designed by someone in the marketing department who wanted to make their mark and/or just thought it looked better (or "like it will sound better") this way.
 
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#282,034
Miles_ONeal said:
I suspect it was designed by someone in the marketing department who wanted to make their mark and/or just thought it looked better (or "like it will sound better") this way.
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They shifted manufacturing from Indonesia to China, this is the end result. Somewhere along the way someone thought they could add thier stink to it and improve it. Didn't Tbirds from the late 80's early 90s have this feature? If I remember right they did, causing the three point bridge to be raised quite high and leaving it looking like a oil rig bobbing around in the ocean.
 
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#282,035
Gaolee said:
I'm not sure anybody here has replaced the tuners on a Greco with Hipshots. If anybody has, that person will probably be along and say what they were soon enough. Hipshot is usually really helpful in figuring out things like that. You will need to measure the posts to make sure whatever you put on it fits. The base may not be quite the same, but once you start drilling holes in a bass, the sense of freedom is wonderful. I suppose it's a little like Willy and pulling out frets.
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Willy put small-ish Gotohs (model unknown) to me on the red Greco he sold me. They work great and look great.
 
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#282,038
I think y'all give them way too much credit. The only way they redesigned anything for that bass is if it was solely a cost cutting measure. I'd be willing to bet that any intentional discrepancies canes as a result of saving money. Changing a factory tolerances are bound to get shifted. Chinese factory probably just builds those basses in such a manner to cause the neck angle. I highly doubt anybody spent any billable time determining that h that was something that needed to be done. Just a simple by product.


At least that's my guess. My wife would probably tell you I'm full of crap.
 
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#282,039
dagrev said:
Too busy focusing on figuring out where the pickups should be located in the new 2025 Les Paul design.

Oh, wait.... that's never changed (other than one 3rd one in the middle), so that can't be it either.
Click to expand...

Now I want to go measure pickup distances in a bunch of Les Pauls in shops around town.
 
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