My man!!! Killin it on the repair and a fretless!!
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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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- club thunderbird
My man!!! Killin it on the repair and a fretless!!
Good get. The prices for them are only going up. They were pretty reasonably priced pre-pandemic. I almost got one around ‘17 from the Sunset GC. They had three of them. Two were a bit rough. The one I was interested in was in surprisingly good shape. It was a nice player. I couldn’t decide. When I went back about a month later that one was gone.Late ‘60s early’70s Slothead EB-3
I would not let the cosmetic condition sway my decision on an old EB.
Exactly. Honest player wear and original pups and controls is a sure fire way to get the most for your money on an EB.
Speaking of vintage, I just pulled the trigger on a 1966 B-18 flip top. Should have it in a week or so. Might end up with @Chucky Stiletti if it needs some rejuvenation spa time.
Congrats!!!!Late ‘60s early’70s Slothead EB-3
We played through one in Seattle. 1963. I think he was asking $1,800 but can't recall 100%.
The first time I saw a B-18 was back in the 70’s. A friend of my dad, Jim Pepper a had a gig at Ray’s Helm here in Portland and invited me to come out. On bass was “Ratso” Harris and he had his upright going through one.
Good times
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,895
- 142,215
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
This one seems to have it's bits intact with the exception of the TRC, I'll need to sort out what's correct after I date it. The combination of the slotted headstock and the mudbucker in the correct position make this one very attractive to me. The finish is heavily check'd but not too many dings.
Should be at Chez V on Friday.
Photo bomb the heck out of us once you have it.
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,895
- 142,215
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Oh I will, have wanted a short scale bass for quite awhile now, playing that one at Mike and Mike's obviously didn't help.....
Oh I will, have wanted a short scale bass for quite awhile now, playing that one at Mike and Mike's obviously didn't help.....
Sounds wonderful!
I personally view vintage checking and wear as a badge of honor! Even on my investment grade basses, age checking is a must. Without it it throws the whole stock vintage claim up in the air. Other musts especially on the EB* are stock pickups and controls. Pots and some wiring can be replaced as long as they are like for like, if it has a choke, it along with all caps should be original or period correct.
Once you get it be sure to connect with @JIO with some pictures about the natural relic finish, he has an outstanding thread highlighting true relics.
*there are a few truly iconic vintage basses out there as far as sound goes and the EB is at the top of that list. If the pups or electronics have been changed it throws the whole resale value up in the air. Others would include Pre EB Stingrays, pre CBS Fenders, Early G&L basses (see a Leo trend?) Alembics, Thunderbirds, Greco Tbirds and a few others.
I have three shorties. My Thunderbird, a MIM Mustang, and my 55 year old Silvertone. And I have the Wattplower on my wish list.Oh I will, have wanted a short scale bass for quite awhile now, playing that one at Mike and Mike's obviously didn't help.....
So how did it sound compared to your B15? Too boomy? Louder? Mush???
I haven’t done a side by side of the two but jumped on the 18 only because you can’t find the 15 local and no one wants to ship one. Figured I’d give the 18 a spin and see if it’s worth keeping. For the price I paid I could potentially make a profit flipping it if I don’t like the sound.
It sounded pretty much like the B15 to me. Check the Portaflex sub as there are folks that have played seriously through both.
Do you know the year or serial number?
I could see it in my music room……
Short trip to Lincoln's birthplace. Hodgenville, KY. About 1:10hr from Lou.
Inside is an "interpretation" of the house he grew up in. To the left is a small path going down to where they would have gone to a spring to get water.
Inside is an "interpretation" of the house he grew up in. To the left is a small path going down to where they would have gone to a spring to get water.
