Thunderbird Club

[Count Bassie]

Got a non-bird question here- and I won't belabor it: I'm looking at a Matsumoku era Westone, which comes in Ash or Poplar. I know there's a significant difference in those woods for our purposes... but do any of you knowledgeable folks have experience with the Poplar version of the Westone Genesis XA6520 bass?

Thanks, and thanks for your forbearance!

 

[Haji]

Just buy it. You know you want it. How often do you come across one? Spendspendspendspendspend!!!

IIRC, the MIJ Charvel basses from the 80's were also poplar. My 88 4B has a wonderful, lively resonance that my TB IV shares.

 

[Leiria]

Not sure if this has been shared yet. May be of interest to some of you

So it looks like Jack Bruce actually owned a 1990's MIJ Bass VI as well as a Thunderbird.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

See, I don't get that. I'd think that all parts being equal, it would sound the same. I mean, did all the early birds sound different?

Correct me if I'm wrong but back then I'm pretty sure every pickup was wound by hand so each pickup would sound a little different. Making all part not equal.

 

[rodv66]

Just buy it. You know you want it. How often do you come across one? Spendspendspendspendspend!!!

IIRC, the MIJ Charvel basses from the 80's were also poplar. My 88 4B has a wonderful, lively resonance that my TB IV shares.

I had a late 80's Charvel MIJ bass and it was good quality and was a great deal.

 

[JJR58]

No totally I get it. I ask the same question all the time of some builders prices. But if these guys do it for a living they have to make a pretty big markup on their instruments to make a living. Mike Lull builds a great T-bird for about 4 grand. It's a bolt on though, not neck through.

His reverse engineered T-bird pickups are the best I've ever heard. Those damn things are 500.00 for a pair!

Speaking of Lull Birds, there is a white one in the classifieds. Looks pretty sweet.
But my non existent budget.........

 

[Dadagoboi]

Correct me if I'm wrong but back then I'm pretty sure every pickup was wound by hand so each pickup would sound a little different. Making all part not equal.

Wound on machines. Unlike Fender, Gibson used timers instead of revolution counters, so there can be less consistency.

Totally hand wound pickups can be very consistent, depends on the winder.

 

[JIO]

Wow, I saw an Orville at last years Sydney GTG and the head stock was HUGE. so an original must be remarkable!

Other than Orville it appears, it's never been replicated on the many versions over the years. The size of the hs and the narrow nut area explains why it has a history of breaks there. By comparison Pete Townsend had to sling really hard to break a Strat neck back in the day. When considering differences of the original to others, it may also contribute to the sound/tone of that bass - but that's a rabbit hole I'll leave for other bunnies.

 

[Count Bassie]

Just buy it. You know you want it. How often do you come across one? Spendspendspendspendspend!!

Well, that makes me feel kinda terrible! Lol...

 

[rodv66]

I said, "Honey, can I buy a Lull Thunderbird?" "When you are a professional musician and can buy me a Mustang GT", says honey. My reply, "Guess no Thunderbird."

 

[Dadagoboi]

Other than Orville it appears, it's never been replicated on the many versions over the years. The size of the hs and the narrow nut area explains why it has a history of breaks there. By comparison Pete Townsend had to sling really hard to break a Strat neck back in the day. When considering differences of the original to others, it may also contribute to the sound/tone of that bass - but that's a rabbit hole I'll leave for other bunnies.

My unbroken pair of '64s have different neck profiles although the widths are similar. The IV is chunky and the II is thin. I prefer the chunky neck. It's similar to a 70s Jazz.

Since TBirds were 'bench made' they varied in woodworking and neck profile. The sunbursts also varied depending on who was applying the translucent toner.

A Bicentennial has the same size headstock as a '60s. The raised part is black plastic on the Bicen (even on the white ones). It's routed into the headstock blank and painted on the 60s. More work...

 

[TBird1958]

Burny Headstock next to a '76 Gibson............
Like I said, Mother of All!

 

[BklynKen]

I'd love to see the assembly nowadays.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

I said, "Honey, can I buy a Lull Thunderbird?" "When you are a professional musician and can buy me a Mustang GT", says honey. My reply, "Guess no Thunderbird."

Start a YouTube channel and buy her a Hot Wheels Mustang

 

[Count Bassie]

Burny Headstock next to a '76 Gibson............
Like I said, Mother of All!

I like the smaller, sleeker headstock. To my eye a Tbird is a "fast" looking design, so the slimmer headstock...

Just mulling at it.

 

[BklynKen]

Start a YouTube channel and buy her a Hot Wheels Mustang

Good point. Doesn't sound like she specified what scale.

 

[Larry V]

Good point. Doesn't sound like she specified what scale.

If that is all it takes to get it buy her, just buy it and tell her you found it in the alley.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

If that is all it takes to get it buy her, just buy it and tell her you found it in the alley.

At that point tell her someone gave it to you... and there was a $100 bill in the case.

 

[TBird1958]

I like the smaller, sleeker headstock. To my eye a Tbird is a "fast" looking design, so the slimmer headstock...

Just mulling at it.

You "really need" several of each to make a proper judgment Roger

 

[Count Bassie]

You "really need" several of each to make a proper judgment Roger

You are right. I spoke out of turn.