Thunderbird Club

[Eneade]

Tell us about your bass

It's a Mike Lull JT5-24
T.H.U.N.D.E.R.O.U.S

 

[Rickplaysbass]

I've read some of this from Mr. Smith before, but it's a good, quick read for those who wonder about whether wood impacts the tone of an electric instrument.
Paul Reed Smith: "Tonewood" Doesn't Matter

Sadowsky just released a video saying that in his experience the fretboard has been the biggest difference maker tonally.

 

[Haji]

The idea of a 64 reissue Gibson TB is interesting but since it's apparently a CS project I think the price will be insane. They make a short scale Gene Simmons sig model in black with chrome hardware for $6999.00. Holy cheese. My GC has one. For that price I could have the three best (to me) basses in the place that day: a Rex Brown sig model TB, a Suhr precision and a used Dingwall NG3. They also have a trio of Foderas there that I don't really want, but a couple EBMM I'm mildly interested in. The Nashville GC store got a TON of basses from somewhere.

 

[RedVee]

Well I did alright with US sport recently. Celtics won and Oilers runners up.

Makes a nice change!

 

[Instagator]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]ust back from Pat Wilkins guitar paint finishing shop. He knocked it out of the park again!
Set up for fit testing post finish…
The ThunderCaster - if Fender could build a Tbird here’s what would it look like
View attachment 5489615
note: every part used on this bass is from a Fender Telecaster except the body and pickguard, speaking of which - there’s a nod to Fender in the about facing bird logo on the pickguard (design concept by me, but Irv brought it to life).

And The 1966 NR Tribute Tbird with pickups in the proper vintage locations but hot rodded with a Wenge/Wenge neck and a master vol, vol/tone, vol/tone control layout. Finished in Gibson Golden Mist Metallic (same as Fender Shoreline Gold Metallic) complete with a ‘66 badge on the bird.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]ogether…
View attachment 5489612
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]till lots of work to do before complete, but hopefully both will be ready for a test spin next week when @JIO comes down to visit with Pat Wilkins and I.

Friggin' Awesome!

 

[PhR75]

Inverness green is just a great color. If (when) I do my next Telecaster project it will be on top three with other green types (Yucca steel grey and British racing green).

 

[MCF]

The idea of a 64 reissue Gibson TB is interesting but since it's apparently a CS project I think the price will be insane. They make a short scale Gene Simmons sig model in black with chrome hardware for $6999.00. Holy cheese. My GC has one. For that price I could have the three best (to me) basses in the place that day: a Rex Brown sig model TB, a Suhr precision and a used Dingwall NG3. They also have a trio of Foderas there that I don't really want, but a couple EBMM I'm mildly interested in. The Nashville GC store got a TON of basses from somewhere.

Non-starter for me. Frankly, they are abandoning the faithful to get in on some of the insane money some people are willing to pay. I ain’t one of them. I’m happy with what I have and if I never buy another new Gibson, so be it. It ain’t that important to me.

 

[MCF]

Well I did alright with US sport recently. Celtics won and Oilers runners up.

Makes a nice change!

Did you make any change?

 

[dagrev]

Especially for Chuckie:

It's from Australia, isn't it?

Well, not big enough unless it's a baby.

 

[dagrev]

I've read some of this from Mr. Smith before, but it's a good, quick read for those who wonder about whether wood impacts the tone of an electric instrument.
Paul Reed Smith: "Tonewood" Doesn't Matter

Tonewood is a myth--unless it's the tugbar.

 

[GonePlaid]

Tonewood is a myth--unless it's the tugbar.

How soon they forget. It's the purple silks.

 

[Thumper]

Non-starter for me. Frankly, they are abandoning the faithful to get in on some of the insane money some people are willing to pay. I ain’t one of them. I’m happy with what I have and if I never buy another new Gibson, so be it. It ain’t that important to me.

Maybe the next step will be an Epiphone VP II?

 

[MCF]

Maybe the next step will be an Epiphone II?

In 2017 when the VP came out, I hoped there would soon be an Epi NR. Instead, Gibson did it, but with a three-point. At least they got the pickups right. So who knows. It would be easy enough for them. Sell it for $699. But I’m just a Thunderbird enthusiast, not a marketing genius. Although I would do a better job than most of the people they have.

 

[GonePlaid]

Maybe the next step will be an Epiphone II?

IMO, neither Gibson nor Epi will make a II('cept maybe CS). They prolly figger most people want the the flexibility of a IV. Like me: I like the fact I can-and do-turn the superfluous pup 'off'. Always.

 

[GonePlaid]

In 2017 when the VP came out, I hoped there would soon be an Epi NR. Instead, Gibson did it, but with a three-point. At least they got the pickups right. So who knows. It would be easy enough for them. Sell it for $699. But I’m just a Thunderbird enthusiast, not a marketing genius. Although I would do a better job than most of the people they have.

I have 2 Gibby's(67NRTBird and LPB2/5)and one Epi('09 EB-0). The EB-0 came with a 3 point, of course, but I replaced it with a hipshot right away 'cos I wanted to. My '06 Epi EB-3 had a 3 point and I don't recall any problems with the bridge. I sold it 'cos it neckdove if I even thought about letting go with my fret hand. Sounded good though. I kinda wish I'd known about EBCF's B4 I got rid of it. That could've convinced me to keep it and deal with the diving. Might've saved me a coupla purchases. Oh, well.

 

[WillyW]

In 2017 when the VP came out, I hoped there would soon be an Epi NR. Instead, Gibson did it, but with a three-point. At least they got the pickups right. So who knows. It would be easy enough for them. Sell it for $699. But I’m just a Thunderbird enthusiast, not a marketing genius. Although I would do a better job than most of the people they have.

I think the mean price for epimophams is now set at $849, they are still worth it, but inflation sucks, but we will give you a .002% raise to account for 5% inflation.... since you mean so much to the company....

 

[Stealth57]

I think the mean price for epimophams is now set at $849, they are still worth it, but inflation sucks, but we will give you a .002% raise to account for 5% inflation.... since you mean so much to the company....

In the 80s when inflation was double digits, I worked for Philips. They gave me a 2% raise. I told them I refuse to accept it...and quit. Moved to a competitor and then hired the guy Philips sent from Chicago to the Bay Area to replace me. How was copper wire invented? Two Dutchmen fighting over a penny. What does the Philips logo mean? Double cross and shaky deal. If you ain't Dutch, you ain't much. Those were the sayings inside Philips...no, I'm not bitter.

 

[GonePlaid]

In the 80s when inflation was double digits, I worked for Philips. They gave me a 2% raise. I told them I refuse to accept it...and quit. Moved to a competitor and then hired the guy Philips sent from Chicago to the Bay Area to replace me. How was copper wire invented? Two Dutchmen fighting over a penny. What does the Philips logo mean? Double cross and shaky deal. If you ain't Dutch, you ain't much. Those were the sayings inside Philips...no, I'm not bitter.
View attachment 5490134

Aw, HELL no. I can identify. The best trucking company I worked for was bought out by another outfit. They'd said they were impressed with the number of people who'd been there for years. Care to guess who got on first? Then they turned to us 'owner/operators'-put me and ~35 other guys-who felt they had a 'home'-outta business.

 

[Stealth57]

Aw, HELL no. I can identify. The best trucking company I worked for was bought out by another outfit. They'd said they were impressed with the number of people who'd been there for years. Care to guess who got on first? Then they turned to us 'owner/operators'-put me and ~35 other guys-who felt they had a 'home'-outta business.

 

[MCF]

I think the mean price for epimophams is now set at $849, they are still worth it, but inflation sucks, but we will give you a .002% raise to account for 5% inflation.... since you mean so much to the company....

Less electronics in a II. Market it as a value leader. Thanks for the raise Willy.