I've pretty much been a five-string player exclusively for the past 16 or so years. I've always dug the Thunderbird thing. I waited years to find some killer deal on a Studio V or a Lull T5. But it just started to seem like five-string Thunderbirds were becoming unicorns, going up in price rather than down, so I just bit the bullet and picked up a Studio V. Please forgive my crappy camera skills.
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I haven't played it through a full rig (will next time at rehearsal), but it sounds pretty cool through my headphones. Only think I don't seem to dig is the front strap button placement. It currently has Ernie Ball strap buttons. I've expiremented with a locking strap as well as some Dunlop strap locks I have. The bass seems to lean forward, which I don't really dig. I'm thinking of just putting a strap button in the traditional location. I don't dig drilling holes into a bass, but I think I'd rather deal with a little potential neck dive rather than the bass leaning away from me. Any thoughts on that?
Now you know why Bird players tend to lean back a little.
Nice Bird btw.