Thunderbird Club

[D.M.N.]

I so wanted a Traynor rig in the mid 70s, but the only shop in Miami that carried them was firm on prices, so I wound up with a blue line SVT/810 setup-which I never really liked. Sold it when the 2 1/2 year gig I got it for ended.

I've never been able to get on with Ampeg heads. Almost like the tone controls are...too extreme? Like the mids seem honky, or the bass seems too boomy or the highs too clicky. I keep trying them as I can, thinking maybe one day I'll stumble on the settings or the Ampeg that makes me get the Ampeg thing, but no luck so far. Guess I'll stick with the Sunns and Hiwatt and Acoustics.

 

[MCF]

I've been teying to hunt down a heritage cherry 5 string Thunderbird Studio. Every time one pops up someone beats me to it or I dont have that cash at the moment.

Fair warning. I’m on the hunt for one. But like you, it needs to come up at the right time. I want a fiver. I’m looking at others besides Thunderbirds. But a Studio is at the top of the list.

 

[MCF]

Gibson did at different times. Mine is a 2014. They pop up from time to time.

View attachment 5380104

Nikki is playing hers for most of the songs on the current tour.

If I get a red one, I’m going to ask Irv to do a black pickguard with a red logo and TR cover to match.

 

[MCF]

View attachment 5379972
@TBird1958 After seeing the black on that headstock I think you're right about painting yours black!

I did a fiver in Pelham Blue just for fun. Once configured how I would want it, we’re approaching Lull territory for the price once shipping and all is added in. But I prefer the Phoenix headstock. Although I would prefer Lull pickups over DiMarzio. Bottom line is you can get want you want. For a price. I think though I would rather do that than shell out big bucks for a 60 year old Thunderbird, nice as it would be to have one.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

View attachment 5380062

You’re a brave man.[/QUOTE]
Probably but the only music store I ever had *any* kind of problem (besides limited stock) with in the area was a botiquey store. The stores here are inevitably staffed by musicians, and they’re generally knowledgable and helpful.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

String Saturday

although the camera thought it was Stopbar Saturday based on focus…
I finally broke down and put a set of EBCFs on Nikki. The Pyramid Golds were pure bliss to my fingers but I never quite got the tone I wanted from them. I will try them on the CP at some point; that’s probably a better fit than the Greco.
The strings started off oriented vertically, but they all just did their own thing as I tensioned them.

 

[MCF]

You’re a brave man.

Probably but the only music store I ever had *any* kind of problem (besides limited stock) with in the area was a botiquey store. The stores here are inevitably staffed by musicians, and they’re generally knowledgable and helpful.[/QUOTE]

The GC closest to me is staffed by musicians. I’m not in Austin. And to be fair, it’s a tiny, cramped store that corporate has never given much attention to. There is the poor guy I actually bought the ‘15 from. He has a good band. I’ve seen them a few times. He was a manager at one time. He has quit and returned at least a dozen times in the last ten years. He works PT as an associate now. He just shrugs his shoulders, smiles, and says “it’s a job.” He does care, although some of his coworkers don’t.

I only go there out of desperation, like a few weeks ago when I needed some polish on a Sunday. And they didn’t even have what I wanted. Although the Dunlop bottle I bought is actually good stuff.

 

[Stealth57]

String Saturday
View attachment 5380370
although the camera thought it was Stopbar Saturday based on focus…
I finally broke down and put a set of EBCFs on Nikki. The Pyramid Golds were pure bliss to my fingers but I never quite got the tone I wanted from them. I will try them on the CP at some point; that’s probably a better fit than the Greco.
The strings started off oriented vertically, but they all just did their own thing as I tensioned them.

OCD

 

[SubHuman]

BEADG Ric is coming along…

if I were refinishing I’d move the E tuna up a bit more centered.

The washer covered moving the A tuna toward the midline.

1/2” hipshots on the bass side.

stock ric tunas on the treble side.

IF I were to use the 1/2” hipshots on the treble side the washer on the D tuna would sit under the truss rod cover AND I would have to index the nut so it lay along the edge of the trc.

I could get 2, 3/8” tunas for the treble side and it would look a little more better, but it functions as it is.

I am going to make an ebony nut tomorrow, and I can string it up and play it. I still need to do some work on the bridge but I have a functional backup.

View attachment 5379402

That should be a pretty slim necked fiver! I see you’re ditching the Brass nut. I hope to finish filing my brass nut tomorrow.

 

[Rickplaysbass]

Gibson question... My brother got a Gibson Les Paul Special Double cut w/ P90s around 2001. It was a red color, kinda like TV Yellow but red. Anybody know what that color is called?

 

[MCF]

String Saturday
View attachment 5380370
although the camera thought it was Stopbar Saturday based on focus…
I finally broke down and put a set of EBCFs on Nikki. The Pyramid Golds were pure bliss to my fingers but I never quite got the tone I wanted from them. I will try them on the CP at some point; that’s probably a better fit than the Greco.
The strings started off oriented vertically, but they all just did their own thing as I tensioned them.

Part of me wishes I had bought that when Willy and I were talking about it. I ultimately passed. I had bought three other Thunderbirds in a short time frame and just couldn’t justify it at the time. I’m ecstatic it chose you. It is definitely where it should be.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Part of me wishes I had bought that when Willy and I were talking about it. I ultimately passed. I had bought three other Thunderbirds in a short time frame and just couldn’t justify it at the time. I’m ecstatic it chose you. It is definitely where it should be.

Ironically I passed on it the first time he talked about selling it. I was grateful to get that second chance.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

It looks like at some point someone tried putting a strap button on the other side of the bass. Playing it lefty? But then I’d expect it on the outer bit of the wing, not by the neck. (My tobaccoburst 1990 Greco)
Smallish hole- what else might it be for?

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

all this and the wedding hasn’t even happened yet……happens later today…..apparently the groom rides in on horseback….

uncle’s EVOO is a hit….

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I've never been able to get on with Ampeg heads. Almost like the tone controls are...too extreme? Like the mids seem honky, or the bass seems too boomy or the highs too clicky. I keep trying them as I can, thinking maybe one day I'll stumble on the settings or the Ampeg that makes me get the Ampeg thing, but no luck so far. Guess I'll stick with the Sunns and Hiwatt and Acoustics.

yeah, I can get a workable tone from an SVT but not my cup of tea…. tube amps are slow…..early Darlington output topology GK (400/600B) all day long for me..

 

[Stealth57]

all this and the wedding hasn’t even happened yet……happens later today…..apparently the groom rides in on horseback….
View attachment 5380433 View attachment 5380434 View attachment 5380435
uncle’s EVOO is a hit….
View attachment 5380436

And lots of henna.

 

[BklynKen]

The strings started off oriented vertically, but they all just did their own thing as I tensioned them.

I just let them do what they want. Better than twisted strings. I rarely see the ball ends after installation anyway. Plus I change them out every 3-4 months.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I just let them do what they want. Better than twisted strings. I rarely see the ball ends after installation anyway. Plus I change them out every 3-4 months.

I’m not sure EBCFs ever need changing unless the player is a member of The Princess Fingers club.

 

[BklynKen]

Cool spine on the Fusion Wound string.

 

[SubHuman]

Cool spine on the Fusion Wound string.

View attachment 5380470

Reminds me of Bowie!