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Thunderbird Club

#313,441
MCF said:
Chris shipped it with a fresh set of Lo Riders. Time will tell. But the Bicentennial sounds fabulous through the SVT with them. I’ve been cranking it for a few hours now. Stopped to make dinner. I may not go to bed tonight. No one around to tell me to stop. I’m in heaven.
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Playing through the time change. Love it.
 
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#313,443
Bighouse said:
Based on the recommendations of many in this club, I’ve ordered some EBCF and they should arrive tomorrow. However, in the meanwhile I decided to adjust the intonation on the factory strings. I noticed something when working on them that I hadn’t really seen during playing the bass and checking it out in the store. The D string makes a kind of dobro rattling sound, like a high pitched resonator. Doesn’t matter which fret I use from 1 to the end or even open, that tinny buzzing sound is present. I’ve the volumes up/down on each pickup and it’s still present. I’ve played with the tone adjustments, and it’s still present. I can’t really hear it on the instrument, but I hear it through my Mesa Boogie D-800+ and 115 cab. None of the other strings exhibit this issue. Is this the sound of a broken or cracked string maybe??? Could it be a pickup problem, even though it seems to happen with either pickup?
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Likely no problem. Play with pickup height. Start at 5mm between the bottom of the strings and top of the pickups and move up and down until it sounds good to you. Dialing it in takes patience and some time.
 
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#313,445
MCF said:
Hi Gang!

Wow pretty much says it all.

The ‘77 Bicentennial arrived almost exactly four days after leaving Edmonton and arriving at the Bakersfield house. I pulled it off the FedEx truck, signed for it, and loaded it in the Subie to take it up to the mountain to unpack it and take it through its first play through the SVT VR and Berg NV610. Talk about angry piano. Anyone who says Sidewinders wired in series was a mistake needs to reconsider their opinion. This Thunderbird is wonderful.

This came courtesy of @Bulltrout. A great club member. I can’t believe my fortune in connecting with him and being able to acquire a bucket list Thunderbird. The transaction and the bass exceeds every expectation. This was his listing:
1977 Bicentennial Gibson Thunderbird

For sale 1977 Bicentennial Gibson Thunderbird

1977 Bicentennial Thunderbird. Second owner. In great condition for its age, but does show some signs of use, commensurate with age,. Knobs are replacement otherwise all original, including original hardshell case. Strap pin was moved to the neck heel. A great sounding and playing 1977...
$3,850.00
2 watching

It arrived expertly packed.
View attachment 7171039View attachment 7171040

The 48 year old case is in good condition:
View attachment 7171041View attachment 7171042
View attachment 7171060View attachment 7171061

I’ll post more later.
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Marshall, that looks beautiful! I’m sure it sounds wonderful thru the SVT/Berg rig. Play it in good health.
 
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#313,449
Engle said:
This looks like a pretty good deal. Comes with a bonus Hipshot 2 point!
Epiphone 60s Thunderbird w/ Hipshot Mods

For sale Epiphone 60s Thunderbird w/ Hipshot Mods

Old-school T-Bird with modern hardware
$625.00
4 watching
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I’d buy if if I had time to mess with it. It has been leveled and crowned. Hopefully a good job. Price includes shipping. Huh. I’m wondering if seller realizes what that costs these days. They’re including the original hardware. I’d put the original hardware back on, sell the replacement bridge and tuners for $150.00, and flip it.
 
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#313,452
Bighouse said:
Based on the recommendations of many in this club, I’ve ordered some EBCF and they should arrive tomorrow. However, in the meanwhile I decided to adjust the intonation on the factory strings. I noticed something when working on them that I hadn’t really seen during playing the bass and checking it out in the store. The D string makes a kind of dobro rattling sound, like a high pitched resonator. Doesn’t matter which fret I use from 1 to the end or even open, that tinny buzzing sound is present. I’ve the volumes up/down on each pickup and it’s still present. I’ve played with the tone adjustments, and it’s still present. I can’t really hear it on the instrument, but I hear it through my Mesa Boogie D-800+ and 115 cab. None of the other strings exhibit this issue. Is this the sound of a broken or cracked string maybe??? Could it be a pickup problem, even though it seems to happen with either pickup?
Click to expand...
If you've tightened everything and still can't get rid of the vibration try switching the tuner of the vibrating string with another one. I had this problem when I got my Lull. The open E caused a loud sympathetic vibration that sounded like the truss rod was rattling inside the neck. I checked everything that could be tightened on the bass. I changed strings, adjusted the truss rod, still couldn't get rid of it. I switched the E tuner with the A and it was gone.
 
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#313,453
saltymonkey said:
If you've tightened everything and still can't get rid of the vibration try switching the tuner of the vibrating string with another one. I had this problem when I got my Lull. The open E caused a loud sympathetic vibration that sounded like the truss rod was rattling inside the neck. I checked everything that could be tightened on the bass. I changed strings, adjusted the truss rod, still couldn't get rid of it. I switched the E tuner with the A and it was gone.
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sorry to hear, had a similar problem with a Stingray and had to finally let go of the bass as nothing would get rid of the rattle....bummer.
 
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#313,454
GBassNorth said:
That Markbass combo I mentioned does just that and would do it in spades with a 212 extension cabinet. Alternatively, I have a Mesa Walkabout head in mint condition (gobs of bottom end, punch and clarity at all volumes) I’m not using it anymore, if interested make me an offer I can’t refuse and it’s yours. Paired with a Bergantino 212 cab this thing would be the bomb!
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Which Walkabout do you have? I'm doing homework.
I just got the Peavey Alpha, partly because a friend had held into it for me, and it was important to follow through. I had been gassing for it, but I'm not sure it's what I actually need. After hearing my sound at that gig the other night I'm really ready to get rid of everything and make a smart purchase...
 
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#313,455
Thunderbird Last Friday... Here's an example of the need for a proper Doom-able bass rig.
But check out the guitar solo, this dude can play. Three of us are ex-Plan 9 folk, so we're pretty acclimated as an ensemble.
But the bass is largely buried. 🤨

This one's called "Burning Couch", vid by The Earthmen bandmate Lori... Fun to have friends! 😁
 
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#313,456
Chucky Stiletti said:
sorry to hear, had a similar problem with a Stingray and had to finally let go of the bass as nothing would get rid of the rattle....bummer.
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I’m going to swap out the D-string from my Pbass this morning to test that. If the buzz goes away, great, that tells me it’s the string. If it’s still there, I’ll swap the D and G tuners. If it’s still there, I’ll tighten the truss rod just a bit to move it. If it’s still there…then I may be forced to take it back to the store for a full refund. Used instruments must be returned in 48 hours…and I purchased the bass on Friday morning, right when they opened at 11am.

I’m hopeful, but I don’t want a bass, no matter how lovely it looks and feels to play, if the sound it puts out is bad and can’t be fixed. I suppose I may have to surrender my TBird membership number. If that worse case scenario happens, guess I’ll put the coconut bra and grass skirt up on eBay.
 
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#313,457
Count Bassie said:
Thunderbird Last Friday... Here's an example of the need for a proper Doom-able bass rig.
But check out the guitar solo, this dude can play. Three of us are ex-Plan 9 folk, so we're pretty acclimated as an ensemble.
But the bass is largely buried. 🤨

This one's called "Burning Couch", vid by The Earthmen bandmate Lori... Fun to have friends! 😁
Click to expand...

You're tearin it up Rog!
Love this tune!
 
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