(all three from ‘64 including me)….
Uh, Wow!!!!
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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
- Start date
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- club thunderbird
Uh, Wow!!!!
I played my 66 EB-3(Mudbucker only)through a guy's B-18. Unbelievable tone/fullness. It was for sale. Unfortunately-for me-he knew what he had. Only 'peg I've liked.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
- 221,964
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
It's late... or I mean, early... just got home from our Hotel Utah gig. We (Bond Girl) were second up at about 10:20. Everything went smoothly - I used the last bands (Markbass) bass rig so getting set-up quickly was easy. Sound person was competent (luck of the draw usually) and had us dialed good. Hotel Utah is a very old SF 'intimate' (smallish) establishment and there was a good crowd. First up was Megaflame, an SF cabaret band with really good players. (piano, guitar, trumpet, female singer (BL), upright bass, drums) Megaflames' BL is buds w/Cherie. We've shared bills with them over the years. Last band 'Monkey' was a Ska band from San Jose. Party band (sax, trumpet/singer, guitar/lead singer, drums, bass)- I like Ska ok... just gotta be in the mood for partying. They delivered the Skank.
Played there a number of times with both of my bands since Covid subsided, but everything was ideal tonight - best yet. I could hear my bass clearly which gave me confidence and I played better. If I have trouble hearing myself in the mix it's a struggle. I actually like having more ceiling - that way I can control levels with my articulation more subtly. But now... sleep.
Original Ska -
Played there a number of times with both of my bands since Covid subsided, but everything was ideal tonight - best yet. I could hear my bass clearly which gave me confidence and I played better. If I have trouble hearing myself in the mix it's a struggle. I actually like having more ceiling - that way I can control levels with my articulation more subtly. But now... sleep.
Original Ska -
Last edited:
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
- 221,964
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Awesome George! If you look up "more bass" in the dictionary, it shows a picture of a B18.
A while back we were talking about flowering pear trees. The ones outside are flowering - same as yours?
I have a massive one in my front yard. Planted in 1986. Taller than my 2 story house. I'll have to wait about 6 months for flowers.
That’s on the list when I come out for a visit.
I had a great time seeing Richard there. Need to make it back up.
So I finally got one of these, 2011 Short Scale Gibson Thunderbird (for a great price too!):
But it needed to be made to be mine, so step by step:
I “de-satin’ed” it, oiled the fretboard, and changed the first piece of black hardware for nickel, using an AllParts direct replacement 3point. **
Then:
I installed some nickel Gemini “Devastators” (P-90 like humbuckers) that I had and wasn’t using, along with nickel Hipshot extender and matching USA ultralights.
Then the final touches needed to be made and I was finally able to wrap it all up yesterday:
Thanks to Irv (again!) for making the custom fit 3-ply B-W-B pickguard and TRC! The pickguard is cut out just enough to accommodate the rings. And perfectly fit! He made a few for me, including another TRC/PG set in single ply black and also a 3-ply parchment one that can be used with the rings. Also a couple of TRC/PG sets in 3-ply and single black, that could be used if one was to go back to the stock TB+ pickups(I don’t ever see myself doing that, but one never knows. If I ever sell it-also don’t see that ever happening- I can add the extra TRC/PG’s to the sale).
All this was done with no changes to the bass that can’t be reversed. Only two extra pickguard screw holes were made, for the modified PG for the rings, and those would be covered if the stock or stock matching black PG’s were used. The rings are stuck on with double sided tape, the tuners use the stock holes.
Now I just need to find the ideal strings.
**I’d like to actually have a genuine Gibson 3-point bridge. If anyone has a nickel one from a Ripper, Grabber or any other old bass that Gibson put them on, and they don’t want it, please let me know.
But it needed to be made to be mine, so step by step:
I “de-satin’ed” it, oiled the fretboard, and changed the first piece of black hardware for nickel, using an AllParts direct replacement 3point. **
Then:
I installed some nickel Gemini “Devastators” (P-90 like humbuckers) that I had and wasn’t using, along with nickel Hipshot extender and matching USA ultralights.
Then the final touches needed to be made and I was finally able to wrap it all up yesterday:
Thanks to Irv (again!) for making the custom fit 3-ply B-W-B pickguard and TRC! The pickguard is cut out just enough to accommodate the rings. And perfectly fit! He made a few for me, including another TRC/PG set in single ply black and also a 3-ply parchment one that can be used with the rings. Also a couple of TRC/PG sets in 3-ply and single black, that could be used if one was to go back to the stock TB+ pickups(I don’t ever see myself doing that, but one never knows. If I ever sell it-also don’t see that ever happening- I can add the extra TRC/PG’s to the sale).
All this was done with no changes to the bass that can’t be reversed. Only two extra pickguard screw holes were made, for the modified PG for the rings, and those would be covered if the stock or stock matching black PG’s were used. The rings are stuck on with double sided tape, the tuners use the stock holes.
Now I just need to find the ideal strings.
**I’d like to actually have a genuine Gibson 3-point bridge. If anyone has a nickel one from a Ripper, Grabber or any other old bass that Gibson put them on, and they don’t want it, please let me know.
It is a cool shop. I’m still pinning for the blue Mosrite they had.
@TBird1958
I know this is not the one you’re getting.
Just ramping up the excitement.
I know this is not the one you’re getting.
Just ramping up the excitement.
Gemini Devastators. P-90 style humbuckers, with the bar magnets on the bottom.
Nice score and cool upgrades! Congrats!!
Wow!!!!!
I’m at a loss for words Richard. Big congrats! And nice work. It’s great to have another owner of one here in the club. They only did 400 of them, so they’re rare. Where did you find it?
I had Irv look at my stock pickguard because it doesn’t fit as well as it should. The cutouts for the pickups don’t have enough material removed. I may just go with having him make a black one for me after seeing yours. Since the top of mine is refinished in Silverburst, I think black may look better.
I like the Tbird plus pickups in mine. So I’m keeping them for now. I have the Gibson short scale nickel rounds on mine in 45-105. But I’lm looking for stainless rounds. I was going to try RS 66’s, but they only do 40-90’s. Too light for my taste. I want something to brighten it up a bit and the Gibson nickels come up a bit short in the mids to my ears. Although I can get close by fiddling with the eq an my amps. There aren’t a lot of options. I may try a set of DA 45-100’s. Otherwise I might just try my go to SIT Powersteels and cut them.
Shorties rock!
It's late... or I mean, early... just got home from our Hotel Utah gig. We (Bond Girl) were second up at about 10:20. Everything went smoothly - I used the last bands (Markbass) bass rig so getting set-up quickly was easy. Sound person was competent (luck of the draw usually) and had us dialed good. Hotel Utah is a very old SF 'intimate' (smallish) establishment and there was a good crowd. First up was Megaflame, an SF cabaret band with really good players. (piano, guitar, trumpet, female singer (BL), upright bass, drums) Last band 'Monkey' was a Ska band from San Jose. Party band (sax, trumpet/singer, guitar/lead singer, drums, bass)- I like Ska ok... just gotta be in the mood for partying. They delivered the Skank.
Played there a number of times with both of my bands since Covid subsided, but everything was ideal tonight - best yet. I could hear my bass clearly which gave me confidence and I played better. If I have trouble hearing myself in the mix it's a struggle. I actually like having more ceiling - that way I can control levels with my articulation more subtly. But now... sleep.
View attachment 7013159
Original Ska -
I like that place. Was Bad Lemon’s cute groupie there?
About the same time for me. Martin Turner had me hooked. But I didn’t own one until ‘15. Better late than never.Since 1974
