Thunderbird Club

[Engle]

So I finally got one of these, 2011 Short Scale Gibson Thunderbird (for a great price too!):
View attachment 7013347

But it needed to be made to be mine, so step by step:
View attachment 7013349
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:
View attachment 7013351
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:

View attachment 7013353

View attachment 7013354

View attachment 7013355

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.

Wow, that turned out great!
Maybe try posting in the EB club. There are lots of folks that don't like the 3 point.

 

[Ringhammer]

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!
View attachment 7013392

It came up on Reverb and after letting a couple go I decided to give this one a shot, made an offer of $1800 and he took it. Just a couple dollars over $2k total to my door with original case.

I just put some DR Hi-beams on it and they are very bright. Stainless round core. I think that will be ok for now, but, ultimately I think ultimately it will get EBCF’s. They make them for short scales now! I put them on another short scale and they are perfect. They come in two gauge sets, 105-45 and 110-50. The 110-50 allow me to tune one of my other short scales basses to D-standard and it plays perfectly.

 

[Ringhammer]

Wow, that turned out great!
Maybe try posting in the EB club. There are lots of folks that don't like the 3 point.

Including me, but if I were to use a Babicz or Hipshot I think the silks on some strings will be going over the nut. It’s 30.5 scale and the last set of SS chromes that were on it had the silks just a touch over the nut. The Babicz and Hipshot will bring the ball end back just enough to cause problems.

 

[Engle]

My daughter and I played a duet at her recital yesterday

That was the most challenging piece of music I have ever performed. (Angel Suite II. Resurreccion del Angel by Astor Piazolla)
My reading is too slow so memorized the whole thing.

My next challenge is to learn Part 1!

 

[MCF]

It came up on Reverb and after letting a couple go I decided to give this one a shot, made an offer of $1800 and he took it. Just a couple dollars over $2k total to my door with original case.

I just put some DR Hi-beams on it and they are very bright. Stainless round core. I think that will be ok for now, but, ultimately I think ultimately it will get EBCF’s. They make them for short scales now! I put them on another short scale and they are perfect. They come in two gauge sets, 105-45 and 110-50. The 110-50 allow me to tune one of my other short scales basses to D-standard and it plays perfectly.

That is about ballpark these days. And yours looks to be pretty pristine.

I get random private messages from people on TB asking about them and if I am considering selling mine. No way! I doubt Gibson will do them again, Gibson being Gibson.

 

[MCF]

Including me, but if I were to use a Babicz or Hipshot I think the silks on some strings will be going over the nut. It’s 30.5 scale and the last set of SS chromes that were on it had the silks just a touch over the nut. The Babicz and Hipshot will bring the ball end back just enough to cause problems.

I thought about a Babicz on mine. I don’t do strings with silks. But there is no need. I get low action and perfect intonation with the three-point as is.

 

[JJR58]

I know that is surely true. But I keep managing to stomp out the GAS flames.

I’m impervious to gas now.
If there is any residual, I just blow it out my….

 

[TBird1958]

So I finally got one of these, 2011 Short Scale Gibson Thunderbird (for a great price too!):
View attachment 7013347

But it needed to be made to be mine, so step by step:
View attachment 7013349
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:
View attachment 7013351
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:

View attachment 7013353

View attachment 7013354

View attachment 7013355

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 looks fantastic! Great job!

 

[TBird1958]

@TBird1958
I know this is not the one you’re getting.
Just ramping up the excitement.

View attachment 7013368

Seismic disturbances were created with that bass! Yay, girl clothes!

 

[MCF]

It came up on Reverb and after letting a couple go I decided to give this one a shot, made an offer of $1800 and he took it. Just a couple dollars over $2k total to my door with original case.

I just put some DR Hi-beams on it and they are very bright. Stainless round core. I think that will be ok for now, but, ultimately I think ultimately it will get EBCF’s. They make them for short scales now! I put them on another short scale and they are perfect. They come in two gauge sets, 105-45 and 110-50. The 110-50 allow me to tune one of my other short scales basses to D-standard and it plays perfectly.

I was going to get strings for mine a couple months ago. Then I got distracted with a new job and all. I’m going to give Hi-Beams a shot. They come in short scale 45-105. I just ordered from SW. In stock from the AZ warehouse. They’ll probably get here on Wednesday.

The only DR’s I’ve used before are Black Beauties. I like them on the sparking red Epi LE Custom Shop IV for something a bit different.

Thanks for reminding me to do that.

I hope to have some other things done that were back burnered for a while. Pickup a bass, pickup a cab, see what’s up with a couple other possible basses.

 

[Ringhammer]

And then there’s this:

Absolute ridiculous awesomeness!

Using this (more ridiculous awesomeness):

Completely over the top bi-amp setup.

Top is an Ampeg V2 60W all tube guitar amp that has been modified to use two 6550’s (my tech added a transformer to support the additional voltages needed for the 6550’s, and a small fan) in place of the 7027A’s. This now gets about 72W. The V2 head is connected to the top cabinet, a rear ported Ampeg SVT48e, with custom Eminence 4 x 16ohm 8” drivers, so the cab runs @4 ohm.

The bottom is an Ampeg V4B-AV (V4BH), 100W all tube bass amp. Connected to the bottom cabinet, an Ampeg SVT-212AV.

I was concerned that the V4B-AV might not have enough power to push enough lows with my band at the volume we practice at.

I was worried for nothing.

The signal is split after the compressor and the top amp/cab gets all the effects with another HPF at the end to cleanup any lows that might sneak in with any effects being used (and because I had it). The bottom amp/cab is just clean bass with a passive HPF at the end to clean up any lows that might come in after the compressor (a because I had it). The last thing on the board is a ground loop isolator (again, just cause I had it, and it can’t hurt).

So far I have only used it once, this past Tuesday, just set up with the ABY after the compressor and the top amp/cab signal with a couple effects, just to ensure it would work and would be enough for the rehearsal space. I put this pedalboard together yesterday and will have to wait until Wednesday to go back and start messing with the whole thing.

The V2 / 4x8” is surprisingly strong sounding and has some strong lows. Much more than I expected it to. My idea is to have it more dialed towards low’ish mids and up. I may even use a smidge of the onboard reverb!

The V4B-AV is well matched with the SVT212AV, and it seems as if it’s naturally not very bright sounding, and this works since I plan to mostly drive mids and lower through it.

This is all simply because I have this stuff and was trying to figure out a way to make use of it. This rig will stay parked right where it is and be used for Bad Lemon practice and I suppose recording. Maybe some interesting recording options if mixing the top and bottom cabinets on separate channels?

 

[TBird1958]

I have to drop by The bass Shop on Thursday and pick this bass up....

 

[JIO]

About the same time for me. Martin Turner had me hooked. But I didn’t own one until ‘15. Better late than never.

That's funny - shortly after I got my '63 T-bird II I saw Wishbone Ash live in KC/Mo with MT rockin' his T-bird.

 

[JIO]

Wow, that turned out great!
Maybe try posting in the EB club. There are lots of folks that don't like the 3 point.

...you rang?

 

[Miles_ONeal]

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.

I can’t compare the two, but it sounded great.

 

[JIO]

And then there’s this:

View attachment 7013442
Absolute ridiculous awesomeness!

Using this (more ridiculous awesomeness):
View attachment 7013443

Completely over the top bi-amp setup.

Top is an Ampeg V2 60W all tube guitar amp that has been modified to use two 6550’s (my tech added a transformer to support the additional voltages needed for the 6550’s, and a small fan) in place of the 7027A’s. This now gets about 72W. The V2 head is connected to the top cabinet, a rear ported Ampeg SVT48e, with custom Eminence 4 x 16ohm 8” drivers, so the cab runs @4 ohm.

The bottom is an Ampeg V4B-AV (V4BH), 100W all tube bass amp. Connected to the bottom cabinet, an Ampeg SVT-212AV.

I was concerned that the V4B-AV might not have enough power to push enough lows with my band at the volume we practice at.

I was worried for nothing.

The signal is split after the compressor and the top amp/cab gets all the effects with another HPF at the end to cleanup any lows that might sneak in with any effects being used (and because I had it). The bottom amp/cab is just clean bass with a passive HPF at the end to clean up any lows that might come in after the compressor (a because I had it). The last thing on the board is a ground loop isolator (again, just cause I had it, and it can’t hurt).

So far I have only used it once, this past Tuesday, just set up with the ABY after the compressor and the top amp/cab signal with a couple effects, just to ensure it would work and would be enough for the rehearsal space. I put this pedalboard together yesterday and will have to wait until Wednesday to go back and start messing with the whole thing.

The V2 / 4x8” is surprisingly strong sounding and has some strong lows. Much more than I expected it to. My idea is to have it more dialed towards low’ish mids and up. I may even use a smidge of the onboard reverb!

The V4B-AV is well matched with the SVT212AV, and it seems as if it’s naturally not very bright sounding, and this works since I plan to mostly drive mids and lower through it.

This is all simply because I have this stuff and was trying to figure out a way to make use of it. This rig will stay parked right where it is and be used for Bad Lemon practice and I suppose recording. Maybe some interesting recording options if mixing the top and bottom cabinets on separate channels?

Hah! Cherie always gives me a bit of ribbing for having more pedals than she uses, but no where near your train. I explain to her that w/o specific pedals for specific songs - our sonic footprint as a band would be compromised. Since TSC is my band... it's never an issue!

Main train - MXR d.i.+ & BOSS CS-2 Compression Sustainer always on, BOSS TU-2 'on' when tuning (duh!), BOSS Tremolo used for two songs w/TSC, MXR bass chorus deluxe used for one song each BG & TSC, MXR bass fuzz deluxe used for two BG songs and one TSC song.

outboard unit for TSC & BG : BBE Sonic Stomp & BOSS RV-6 Reverb always on, EH micro POG for one song with BG. Sonic Stomp is always the last pedal to the amp.

BG (only) outbound unit - used for one song : "History Repeating" by Propeller Heads sang by Shirely Bassy. Underlined pedals create my tone - the rest are for colour when appropriate/needed.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I have to drop by The bass Shop on Thursday and pick this bass up....

Gosh, dude. I’m sorry.

 

[JIO]

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.

I can't imagine you not liking the way it will sound, but everyone's ideal bass-sound/tone is different. If you can appreciate it for what it was designed for - it will deliver in spades. I played one in my High School combo in the early '70s but had no idea how special it was as a young teen. It was borrowed for a show at the Offutt Air Base officers club when my Heathkit was in the shop. I just remember liking the green glowing plexiglass plaque and how it folded into itself.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

The tuners lined up almost perfectly since I tuned DGCF. Not planned, but kinda cool.

 

[Ringhammer]

Hah! Cherie always gives me a bit of ribbing for having more pedals than she uses, but no where near your train. I explain to her that w/o specific pedals for specific songs - our sonic footprint as a band would be compromised. Since TSC is my band... it's never an issue!

Main train - MXR d.i.+ & BOSS CS-2 Compression Sustainer always on, BOSS TU-2 'on' when tuning (duh!), BOSS Tremolo used for two songs w/TSC, MXR bass chorus deluxe used for one song each BG & TSC, MXR bass fuzz deluxe used for two BG songs and one TSC song.
View attachment 7013699
outboard unit for TSC & BG : BBE Sonic Stomp & BOSS RV-6 Reverb always on, EH micro POG for one song with BG. Sonic Stomp is always the last pedal to the amp.
View attachment 7013716
BG (only) outbound unit - used for one song : "History Repeating" by Propeller Heads sang by Shirely Bassy. Underlined pedals create my tone - the rest are for colour when appropriate/needed.
View attachment 7013708

That board I pictured is mainly for splitting the signal to the two amps, and for screwing around in the BL studio. I have another at home for experimenting as well. The one I take to gigs is the smallest, with tuner, HPF, compressor, an overdrive, a phaser and a tremolo. Still a lot for a bass player. The tuner, HPF and compressor are always on (the compressor has a three way switch for flat, mid-scoop, and mid boost, nice for on the fly tone changes). The last three only get used on small parts of some of the songs, like how you do.