Thunderbird Club

[RedVee]

for a club this devoted to Birds, you'd think someone would know.....

Didn’t they have Gibson branded strings back in those days?
Any idea who supplied them?

 

[Stealth57]

In 1964, I discovered that skating on a puddle in a gravel driveway while wearing rubber boots could result in a trip to the emergency room and a whole lot of stitches in my chin. The car wouldn't start, so I got a ride in a tow truck. I thought that was great. My mother was less enthusiastic. I also got my tonsils out. The smell of ether is forever etched into my brain from that, because that's what they used to knock out a 4 year old me. Other than that, I don't remember 1964 very well. It was another year before I discovered the downside of jumping off of the back of a kiddy slide and landing on my face. That was memorable in 1965. Thunderbirds were not even close to my conscious knowledge at the time. Nor was music, beyond whatever preschool and kindergarten songs were current at the time.

And, yet, you’re still alive.

 

[RedVee]

The claw and screws were in the box. I did a quick fix on the holes. Likely have to do a better job.
Does have the original 760s!
But there's a problem.....

View attachment 7168190



The bass is in fantastic condition. Light scratches on one pickup cover, but other than that it looks like it's been barely played...and I'm not sure I want to gut it for parts. It ends up being a fantastic deal on a really nice bass. Feels very quality made. As nice as both VPs and better than many 70s Fenders!

And a match for your 64.
The Embassy’s are a nice looking thing, certainly of interest to me - though I hadn’t thought of them in a long time.

 

[RedVee]

Here’s a quick clip of the Greco with boomers, 2012 CP with NYXLs and the ‘66 Tribute NR with Fender 7520’s in that order…
View attachment 7168212
After I played back the recording I realized I had the bridge tone knob rolled way back on the ‘66. It would normally be brighter in the recording. The other two basses on board knobs were set at neck vol 7, bridge vol 5 and tone at 5. Played finger style over the top of the neck pickup and recorded direct from bass to iPad going through a SSL12 interface.

Later today I’ll put some labella black tapes on the CP so folks can hear what difference they make.

I still like the CP, mind you I’ll have to relisten with the earbuds in or through other headphones / speakers. I was surprised a bit by the 66, but I see why now. At least you know the tone control works.

 

[Nocturnal]

Consider this a sign from the universe to just buy a set of the Gibson Thunderbird pickups and be done with it! I have had things like this happen to me so many times! I try to save some money and end up spending 3x what I would have if I had just taken the easier "more expensive" option in the first place.

I have done this several times. It drives my wife insane!!

 

[TBird1958]

I think George asked about recordings for the Thunderbird II. Here are some samples of the muted 64, Willbird, VP, CP, and 2015. The 2015 had a lot of string noise when tone was dimed. If I can get the mutes out of the way, I'll add that to the recording.

Please take those felt pads of that '64.

Don't make me me drive down there!

 

[MCF]

In 1964, I discovered that skating on a puddle in a gravel driveway while wearing rubber boots could result in a trip to the emergency room and a whole lot of stitches in my chin. The car wouldn't start, so I got a ride in a tow truck. I thought that was great. My mother was less enthusiastic. I also got my tonsils out. The smell of ether is forever etched into my brain from that, because that's what they used to knock out a 4 year old me. Other than that, I don't remember 1964 very well. It was another year before I discovered the downside of jumping off of the back of a kiddy slide and landing on my face. That was memorable in 1965. Thunderbirds were not even close to my conscious knowledge at the time. Nor was music, beyond whatever preschool and kindergarten songs were current at the time.

I do recall that was also the year I had measles. Both strains. I was really sick for a few days with the dangerous type.

 

[Stealth57]

Please take those felt pads of that '64.

Don't make me me drive down there!

As the Queen commands. Badbird should be here next week? Already threw some cash at our resident God of Thunder.

 

[MCF]

Didn’t they have Gibson branded strings back in those days?
Any idea who supplied them?

I know they actually owned a factory in Illinois for some time. But I have no idea what years they made their own bass strings, if they made bass strings, versus having another supplier.

 

[GonePlaid]

1964: graduated H.S.; joined the Navy.

 

[Stealth57]

Second grade. Split class second and third. That’s all I remember.

 

[TBird1958]

As the Queen commands. Badbird should be here next week? Already threw some cash at our resident God of Thunder.

Did you try to intonate it without the felts? Inquiring minds and all.............

 

[TBird1958]

I know they actually owned a factory in Illinois for some time. But I have no idea what years they made their own bass strings, if they made bass strings, versus having another supplier.

Whatever strings they were, likely they weren't Rounds - JAE kinda got that ball rolling IIRC.

 

[Stealth57]

Did you try to intonate it without the felts? Inquiring minds and all.............

I am under the impression that the felts are glued to the mute. My paranoia prevents me from tearing it apart. Short answer, no.

 

[Engle]

That is really good Irv. Hope you can get another project going with that guitarist.

Thanks Marshall! I was talking to him today and we had both forgotten about those recordings. I'll collaborate with him on some stuff for sure.

 

[Engle]

I have done this several times. It drives my wife insane!!

Could be worse. You could be buying parts cars and keeping them.

 

[Engle]

As the Queen commands. Badbird should be here next week? Already threw some cash at our resident God of Thunder.

Sweet!

 

[Stealth57]

Could be worse. You could be buying parts cars and keeping them.

Isn't that what Will does?

 

[MCF]

Whatever strings they were, likely they weren't Rounds - JAE kinda got that ball rolling IIRC.

Yeah. All flats originally. Not sure when they started officially coming with rounds. But it was obviously later than ‘64. Other than EBCFs for a hot minute, I have not used any flats on the Thunderbirds. I’m generally a stainless rounds only guy.

Which leads me to ask and I’ll be doing some digging. Does anyone happen to know what strings shipped on ‘77 Bicentennials?

 

[GonePlaid]

Sad and funny at the same time: