Thunderbird Club

[Engle]

I have a few ‘70’s P’s that I have used a new Fender Deluxe string thru bridge on, and that seems to help some.

I have a new build I’ll be tackling, a ‘79 P-Bass neck (rosewood) on a ‘78 P-Bass body, (over 8 lbs alone), and using parts I already have. A pair of vintage (80’s?) EMG pickups, going for the double P setup, and a hard to find Fender “Big Block” string through bridge:

View attachment 7233609


With this ash body weighing in at over 8 lbs, this bass could be well on its way to becoming a 12 lb beast when fully assembled. Just the body and neck with three out of the four keys installed, is just over 10 lbs… My plan is to remove as much wood from under the pickguard, minding the neck joint, leaving a bit of a boarder around the pickup rout, and attempting to leave a little tower where the middle pickguard screw goes. Going deep, leaving only about a 3/8” thickness between the cavity and back of the body where all the routing is going to be done. My hope is to keep it under 11 lbs. While still much heavier than I’d like, a slightly sub 11lb bass is something I can live with. One of my others I play rather regularly is just under 11 and it’s manageable.

With a Pbass, it's a lot easier to just get a lighter body than to try to remove enough material from a heavy body to get the weight down.
That said, it will be a fun experiment. Maybe assemble it first to get a before recording to see if the wood removal makes any difference. I did a big route under the pickguard on a Squier Jag body and it didn't seem to sound different.

 

[Engle]

Shake it off. You're just dehydrated.

That's what she said!

 

[PhR75]

I've been enjoying your latest album on my walkabouts with the dog. You have some really nice sounds there - bass and other instruments!

That is very nice to hear, thank you! As it happens, all the trumpet work on it were done by Michael White who is from Toronto, Canada. He does some modular synthesizer stuff too (not on my album 'though) and has done some soundtrack work etc. There's also another Canadian, Stephen Skratt who plays some additional synth and piano on the track "Rupert" and was the catalyst in getting Michael in. The world is small.

 

[PhR75]

I had possession of an original Goya Panther for about a month decades ago. Quirky but had “something “ going on aside from the looks.

Got this Acinonyx in trade.
Awesome little bass, Cary addressed the headstock issue of the original, and these pickups really bring it.

Light, thin fast neck easy player with a good setup, intuitive push button tone and pickup button control.

They’ve been discontinued: get one soon.

I need plenty of more airplay royalties to afford one...
And I don't really need one...(that went unnoticed even by me).
I have to think of this bass being my substitute. The pickups are different of course but the sounds is in the same ballpark. Short scale and pickup positions are also similar or sort of. I love the fact that they chose to put the bridge pickup to the Stingray/Rickenbacker -like position and as the space between the bridge and the neck heel isn't as wide as on a long scale bass the neck pickup isn't as boomy as it would be on a long scale in that position. With both on the sound is very tasty.

Of course it's a bit clumsy and as long as my non-reverse but there's some certain charm on it.

 

[GBassNorth]

I need plenty of more airplay royalties to afford one...
And I don't really need one...(that went unnoticed even by me).
I have to think of this bass being my substitute. The pickups are different of course but the sounds is in the same ballpark. Short scale and pickup positions are also similar or sort of. I love the fact that they chose to put the bridge pickup to the Stingray/Rickenbacker -like position and as the space between the bridge and the neck heel isn't as wide as on a long scale bass the neck pickup isn't as boomy as it would be on a long scale in that position. With both on the sound is very tasty.
View attachment 7233782
Of course it's a bit clumsy and as long as my non-reverse but there's some certain charm on it.

Those and the Fender Wide Range humbucker pickups are some of my favorite non Tbird pups.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

1964

1976 I think this and the '64 are the same length overall, but the '76 has a different shape to the upper bout, I don't like it quite as much as the original.

2024 VP

Epi's are a different shape from true Gibson Birds, at a glance yes, they look the same, but if you really look, there are differences.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Speak to me of that blue and lavender beauty, please!

I have a mild love/hate affair with those bridges, but I didn't even notice that one for like, ten seconds.

Acinonyx is metallic blue with a white pearl guard. Sunset light caused a purple cast:

 

[MCF]

I thought this one got purchased by someone here:

https://reverb.com/item/89924085-1976-gibson-thunderbird-bass-aged-pelham-blue-restoration

But i just got an offer from the seller because I had looked at it on Reverb.

I had to decline. We had an emergency come up. Everyone is ok. But we had to pay out a ton of dough. So no new PB bass for me.

 

[MCF]

That bass has been up for awhile, I know George, Scott and I discussed it when it first came up. There *where* some rather telling photos in the listing when first posted that have since been removed, that bass need some serious help, unfortunately.

Hard pass here. It was evident in about fifteen seconds just looking at pics. The electronics are worth something. And the original hardware. There are some here with the skills to restore it. But the buy in should be more realistic. Whatever they were on with the original ask must be some potent stuff.

 

[MCF]

something like that would make many so very happy...meanwhile.....
View attachment 7233297

Back in the States

 

[BuddhaFingas]

That's what she said!

Totally wrong set of calluses.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Acinonyx is metallic blue with a white pearl guard. Sunset light caused a purple cast:

And what are all the controls?

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I had to decline. We had an emergency come up. Everyone is ok. But we had to pay out a ton of dough. So no new PB bass for me.

Well, carp! I'm glad everyone is ok, but sad there was an emergency.

 

[Ringhammer]

With a Pbass, it's a lot easier to just get a lighter body than to try to remove enough material from a heavy body to get the weight down.
That said, it will be a fun experiment. Maybe assemble it first to get a before recording to see if the wood removal makes any difference. I did a big route under the pickguard on a Squier Jag body and it didn't seem to sound different.

I know it would have been easier, and a little cheaper to source a body from Warmoth, but, even though I’m gonna butcher a genuine, era specific body, it doesn’t matter since I’ll be adding the bridge P rout. Also, the finish is already genuinely aged and will match the neck as far as player wear and age. I’m really curious how much weight I can remove without any evidence of anything being done once the pickguard is on. In addition to everything I can remove from under the guard, there will also be the rout for the bridge P and a battery box on the back. Minor I know but every little ounce will help with this one. Given I already had most of the other parts, I’ll be $1600 in the neck and body to make a complete bass. Heck if I ever sell it I may be able to get at least that back.

 

[Gaolee]

View attachment 7233552

A view from the balcony. The weather can't decide if it should rain or shine. The reflection was unintentional, luckily I had my clothes on.

Considering that you are Finnish, that's probably not a given, either. But it isn't a sauna, so we are all safe.

 

[Gaolee]

I have a few ‘70’s P’s that I have used a new Fender Deluxe string thru bridge on, and that seems to help some.

I have a new build I’ll be tackling, a ‘79 P-Bass neck (rosewood) on a ‘78 P-Bass body, (over 8 lbs alone), and using parts I already have. A pair of vintage (80’s?) EMG pickups, going for the double P setup, and a hard to find Fender “Big Block” string through bridge:

View attachment 7233609


With this ash body weighing in at over 8 lbs, this bass could be well on its way to becoming a 12 lb beast when fully assembled. Just the body and neck with three out of the four keys installed, is just over 10 lbs… My plan is to remove as much wood from under the pickguard, minding the neck joint, leaving a bit of a boarder around the pickup rout, and attempting to leave a little tower where the middle pickguard screw goes. Going deep, leaving only about a 3/8” thickness between the cavity and back of the body where all the routing is going to be done. My hope is to keep it under 11 lbs. While still much heavier than I’d like, a slightly sub 11lb bass is something I can live with. One of my others I play rather regularly is just under 11 and it’s manageable.

I dunno, maybe you should go for it and see if you can get it to hit 15 lbs.

 

[BklynKen]

And what are all the controls?

Doesn't matter. They're set for the heart of the sun.

 

[Ringhammer]

I dunno, maybe you should go for it and see if you can get it to hit 15 lbs.

I will bolt the neck on and weigh it with all the parts piled on. And I’m definitely getting an exact weight of the body before/after.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

And what are all the controls?

Does anyone find it ironic that I have a Little Cat, and a Big’Bird?

 

[bylar13]

I had to decline. We had an emergency come up. Everyone is ok. But we had to pay out a ton of dough. So no new PB bass for me.

Can’t like that. Hope all is well.