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Thunderbird Club

Well, I’m finally done with the Lake Placid Blue Vintage Pro Thunderbird.
It started in January.
I’d forgotten what a pain it is to wet sand nitro. :)
It’s my only one set up with flat wounds.I dig it.
The finish buffed out mirror smooth..Sorta why I kept my clothes on while shooting a few pictures. There are a couple of micro scratches that I may re-buff in the near future.I was out of time for the weekend and wanted to get it built to plug in.
The truss rod cover is a prototype until I find the right cover.
Dust flakes do show up well in some of the pictures.
I’ve been kinda slack posting of late due to grandkids,garden and the boat. Not to mention work.
This may be a little bit picture heavy.
Cheers to all of my Thunderbird brothers and sisters!
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Looks beautiful!
 
Gig report! The Ozzy Sabbath tribute I am in just got a new guitar player and he makes all the difference! Frankly we were struggling before. Jim comes in and nails it to the wall with two rehersal. The venue was so impressed they are going to make room in the summer schedule for us, they like many venues are booked well over a year in advance. We went on at 8:30 to a iffy forecast by 9:00 the place was packed. This is the first number of the set. It felt great to be back on stage.

:thumbsup:
 
Make that four. I have the to be started later this year or next retro sixties inspired II reverse that will be Pelham Blue. I can have Wilkins do it, but he can only do poly because of our Air Resources Board restrictions here.
The fretless 'Bird is about to go to MJT. It will be nitro. It's currently got an absurdly thick poly finish that feels awful.

As long as we are on that subject, I'm thinking about swapping hardware for chrome. Only problem is that is is a Pro IV, the originally active one. I don't have an inkling what bridge would fit, not that it would stop me from drilling holes if necessary. Any ideas?
 
The fretless 'Bird is about to go to MJT. It will be nitro. It's currently got an absurdly thick poly finish that feels awful.

As long as we are on that subject, I'm thinking about swapping hardware for chrome. Only problem is that is is a Pro IV, the originally active one. I don't have an inkling what bridge would fit, not that it would stop me from drilling holes if necessary. Any ideas?
Maybe look into a Hipshot KickAss? I haven’t had good luck with Hipshot bridges I’ve tried on Thunderbirds though. But those were three points. The Pro has the different bridge type IIRC. Ask @JIO? And maybe @Nocturnal? I’m not very knowledgeable about the Epi Pros.
 
Maybe look into a Hipshot KickAss? I haven’t had good luck with Hipshot bridges I’ve tried on Thunderbirds though. But those were three points. The Pro has the different bridge type IIRC. Ask @JIO? And maybe @Nocturnal? I’m not very knowledgeable about the Epi Pros.
The stock bridge has four screws into the body. It doesn't have inserts and studs, and it doesn't seem to have the same pattern as a 7ender. I don't have any idea what it is. It will be painted this color when it's done:
5c5cc9cb4a9a2_chevrolet_camaro_154764562365ef66e7dff9f9876IMG_4130.jpg

Black hardware might look OK with it, but chrome always is a bonus.
 
The stock bridge has four screws into the body. It doesn't have inserts and studs, and it doesn't seem to have the same pattern as a 7ender. I don't have any idea what it is. It will be painted this color when it's done:
5c5cc9cb4a9a2_chevrolet_camaro_154764562365ef66e7dff9f9876IMG_4130.jpg

Black hardware might look OK with it, but chrome always is a bonus.
What it comes down to is the neck angle. I’ve played Pros, but they had the stock bridge that I didn’t pay attention to. @Stealth57 had one that he has since parted with. It played really well. He might have a suggestion too.
 
Maybe look into a Hipshot KickAss? I haven’t had good luck with Hipshot bridges I’ve tried on Thunderbirds though. But those were three points. The Pro has the different bridge type IIRC. Ask @JIO? And maybe @Nocturnal? I’m not very knowledgeable about the Epi Pros.

The bridge lives up to its name. ;)

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The bridge lives up to its name. ;)

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And their customer service is stellar. If you need longer or shorter intonation screws, they’ll send them to you. Great company. I never could get the Epi three point replacement to work on my Goth or the Epi Nikki Sixx. I just couldn’t get the action low enough (I’m picky and like it ridiculously low) even after shimming. But I kept it because I anticipate having a use for it at some point.
 
And their customer service is stellar. If you need longer or shorter intonation screws, they’ll send them to you. Great company. I never could get the Epi three point replacement to work on my Goth or the Epi Nikki Sixx. I just couldn’t get the action low enough (I’m picky and like it ridiculously low) even after shimming. But I kept it because I anticipate having a use for it at some point.
"Shim-shimminee, shim-shimminee, shim-shim-sherree"...
 
Well, I’m finally done with the Lake Placid Blue Vintage Pro Thunderbird.
It started in January.
I’d forgotten what a pain it is to wet sand nitro. :)
It’s my only one set up with flat wounds.I dig it.
The finish buffed out mirror smooth..Sorta why I kept my clothes on while shooting a few pictures. There are a couple of micro scratches that I may re-buff in the near future.I was out of time for the weekend and wanted to get it built to plug in.
The truss rod cover is a prototype until I find the right cover.
Dust flakes do show up well in some of the pictures.
I’ve been kinda slack posting of late due to grandkids,garden and the boat. Not to mention work.
This may be a little bit picture heavy.
Cheers to all of my Thunderbird brothers and sisters!
View attachment 5474563 View attachment 5474564 View attachment 5474565 View attachment 5474566 View attachment 5474567 View attachment 5474568 View attachment 5474569 View attachment 5474570 View attachment 5474571 View attachment 5474572 View attachment 5474573 View attachment 5474574 View attachment 5474575 View attachment 5474576

Nice job!!!
 
Maybe look into a Hipshot KickAss? I haven’t had good luck with Hipshot bridges I’ve tried on Thunderbirds though. But those were three points. The Pro has the different bridge type IIRC. Ask @JIO? And maybe @Nocturnal? I’m not very knowledgeable about the Epi Pros.

Not versed in specific years/models...other than '60s birds... :rolleyes: :bassist:
 
Did I miss much being out of touch for a couple of weeks??
Nope. Other than the usual where’s PillO inquiries. Actually, we were all confident you’ld check in once you closed your next deal. Of note is that the Nasty Habbits are sounding better than ever, and Scott found a wonderful guitarist for his Ozzy tribute. Chucky is in Mexico. Again. Glenn finished his project, a fabulous LPB VP refinish. Of course Donnie is still chasing tone. I started a new job Friday, although I don’t think I’ve said much about it. And we were discussing Rics again.
 
Mopar rocks. I’d have one of the new Challengers but for the wife.
Me too. The only "reissue" muscle car I would like. Come to think of it, it's the only car I would like to have.

My cousin sent I listing where the first Cuda Hemi made was for sale. Asking over $2 mill. People loved the Cudas more more, but I always preferred the Challengers.
 

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