Thunderbird Club

[BklynKen]

never liked how the bass wants to tip away(?) from one's chest.... something about how the bass swings inwards to give full body contact with the bout button...kinda hard to explain....

I totally get that. That's why I tend to keep my left leg forward when I play, to push the bass back into myself. Also one thing I love about the RNR with no belly cut. Full body contact.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I’ve been curious about those basses since they came out. Never seen one in the wild. I’m not much for single coils. I think a set of humbuckers in one would be a very interesting bass.

Same thing I was thinking. Thunderacinonyx.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Thanks Irv! Nothing beats Old Black.

Apropos for that song.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I suspected as much. I take it you don't like rerouting the other end of the strap in front of the bass?

don't dislike it but it's a band-aid in the end and it still doesn't achieve that pendular hanging pressure against the torso....I really like the vibration of the bass body...

 

[BklynKen]

Didn't want to wait for Mahogany Monday. I love the grain on this.

 

[MCF]

LOL - you don’t know how correct you are with that statement. I’ve already decided I’ll have to buy (or rent) a truck and make several trips to haul all my guitar related stuff.

LOL - someone needs to start a cover band called Evelan Woods, and just do abbreviated versions of epic songs.

And very laid back.

If I’ve quit the clampdown by the time you move, I’ll volunteer to help drive one, at least if it’s to Peyson. A visit with Andy would be great. We’ll have to see if it’s to Texas. While I’d love to see Miles and Sharon…..

 

[/\/\3phist0]

The Flock has a new member in the way!

My Wife just told me to stop looking and just buy the damn thing!
View attachment 7233290
It will be here Friday paid Fedex overnight, so it BETTER be LOL.

FedEx had no issues this time, got it hours earlier than projected!

Now the bad.
LOTS of sharp fret ends :-(
Fretboard has badly sanded sections between frets rounding fretboard edge.
The frets are dressed horribly.

Finish is VERY orange peeled.
The flakes are very sparse.

The nut is cut unevenly and messily.
The slot for the G string is too deep and wide.

It going back

 

[GBassNorth]

If I’ve quit the clampdown by the time you move, I’ll volunteer to help drive one, at least if it’s to Peyson. A visit with Andy would be great. We’ll have to see if it’s to Texas. While I’d love to see Miles and Sharon…..

I might just take you up on that. It’ll either be Prescott/Peyson or Dallas/Ft Worth or Austin/San Antonio- I think we have club members near each of those places. Just looking for the right house before I put mine up for sale.

 

[GBassNorth]

FedEx had no issues this time, got it hours earlier than projected!
View attachment 7234561View attachment 7234562View attachment 7234563View attachment 7234564View attachment 7234565View attachment 7234566
View attachment 7234567View attachment 7234574
Now the bad.
LOTS of sharp fret ends :-(
Fretboard has badly sanded sections between frets rounding fretboard edge.
The frets are dressed horribly.

Finish is VERY orange peeled.
The flakes are very sparse.

The nut is cut unevenly and messily.
The slot for the G string is too deep and wide.

It going back
View attachment 7234572View attachment 7234573

All good reasons for a return. Mine came in just fine, but the metal flakes in it are indeed sparse and as I’ve noted before it’s more lavender than purple. So as long as you’re ok with the color and flake content you might be fine with an exchange, the replacement will most likely be very similar in color and flakes.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

FedEx had no issues this time, got it hours earlier than projected!
View attachment 7234561View attachment 7234562View attachment 7234563View attachment 7234564View attachment 7234565View attachment 7234566
View attachment 7234567View attachment 7234574
Now the bad.
LOTS of sharp fret ends :-(
Fretboard has badly sanded sections between frets rounding fretboard edge.
The frets are dressed horribly.

Finish is VERY orange peeled.
The flakes are very sparse.

The nut is cut unevenly and messily.
The slot for the G string is too deep and wide.

It going back
View attachment 7234572View attachment 7234573

That's crazy. Sorry to hear that. I'd heard QC was inconsistent, but dang. I ht the lottery with mine (though @Bulltrout may have done some work on it). Mine (even in photos) had lots more sparkle than other pics have shown. And my purple, while not a deep purple, wasn't lavender.
It looks like you got a good many flakes, but most of them aren't reflective?

 

[Gaolee]

HA!..now you're taking the piss...

Nah, I'm always serous. Very serious. And maybe an impostor, but nobody's telling.

 

[MCF]

what to do....what to do...really want to gig this thing tonight....
View attachment 7234508

But not really a fan of this button location..

View attachment 7234511

But this 79 does NOT have a bout button (could have sworn my 77 did) and I don't feel good about drilling here......hmmm...

View attachment 7234517

My ‘77 has two matching buttons and one that is different. I was told that the original bout button was moved to the heel. With the different one put in the bout location. If that’s correct, the ‘77 came with the button installed on the bout.

 

[Gaolee]

Here’s Mimosa 21 lbs, just over 2 years old and still growing.
View attachment 7234408
That headstock doesn’t look so big now.

View attachment 7234510
L-R : Bailey , Kissy, Mimosa.

Kissy and Mimosa are litter mates: Maine Coon/ Rag Doll hybrid.

Bailey is TICA ACF purebred.

That's a load of feline right there.

 

[Gaolee]

what to do....what to do...really want to gig this thing tonight....
View attachment 7234508

But not really a fan of this button location..

View attachment 7234511

But this 79 does NOT have a bout button (could have sworn my 77 did) and I don't feel good about drilling here......hmmm...

View attachment 7234517

You prefer the button on the vestigial upper bout? Interesting. I find that a Thunderbird balances the way I like it with the button where it is on your bass. (And I like the non-burst finish of that bass. More impostor.)

 

[/\/\3phist0]

That's crazy. Sorry to hear that. I'd heard QC was inconsistent, but dang. I ht the lottery with mine (though @Bulltrout may have done some work on it). Mine (even in photos) had lots more sparkle than other pics have shown. And my purple, while not a deep purple, wasn't lavender.
It looks like you got a good many flakes, but most of them aren't reflective?

See all the space between the flakes at the tip of the headstock? It’s worse on the body.
Dull spots, that the clear coat isn’t thick enough or burned through during polishing.
With the amount of orange peeled I suspect way too little clear coat.

But that nut and fret ends? My 129.00 Squier Debut was better!!!
I’m bummed and pissed.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

All good reasons for a return. Mine came in just fine, but the metal flakes in it are indeed sparse and as I’ve noted before it’s more lavender than purple. So as long as you’re ok with the color and flake content you might be fine with an exchange, the replacement will most likely be very similar in color and flakes.

Color ok, flakes, disappointing ORANGE PEEL and gossamer thin clear coat? Not.

 

[BklynKen]

My ‘77 has two matching buttons and one that is different. I was told that the original bout button was moved to the heel. With the different one put in the bout location. If that’s correct, the ‘77 came with the button installed on the bout.
View attachment 7234580
View attachment 7234581

I'd guess that the one on the bout is original and the other two are aftermarket strap lock buttons.

 

[MCF]

FedEx had no issues this time, got it hours earlier than projected!
View attachment 7234561View attachment 7234562View attachment 7234563View attachment 7234564View attachment 7234565View attachment 7234566
View attachment 7234567View attachment 7234574
Now the bad.
LOTS of sharp fret ends :-(
Fretboard has badly sanded sections between frets rounding fretboard edge.
The frets are dressed horribly.
View attachment 7234569
Finish is VERY orange peeled.
The flakes are very sparse.
View attachment 7234571View attachment 7234570

The nut is cut unevenly and messily.
The slot for the G string is too deep and wide.

It going back
View attachment 7234568
View attachment 7234572View attachment 7234573

Wow. Sorry to see this. It seems these are a crapshoot. Yeah. Return until you get an acceptable one. Seems to be the issue with some of these. A few sharp fret ends is one thing. But an overall terrible end dress job is unacceptable. As are a whacked finish and a nut that looks to have been cut by a kid at GC using a butcher knife.

While I rarely play my ‘17 VP, it is the epitome of a well crafted instrument that far exceeded the price.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

View attachment 7234582
See all the space between the flakes at the tip of the headstock? It’s worse on the body.
Dull spots, that the clear coat isn’t thick enough or burned through during polishing.
With the amount of orange peeled I suspect way too little clear coat.

But that nut and fret ends? My 129.00 Squier Debut was better!!!
I’m bummed and pissed.
View attachment 7234583

As you have every right to be.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I'd guess that the one on the bout is original and the other two are aftermarket strap lock buttons.

D'accord.