Thunderbird Club

[dagrev]

I used to have the Epi version of that Fire bird, it was just the right shade of red to go with the gold - do it!

Thanks.

Kinda match the truck. (Which is deep and rich in the daylight). It's called Ruby Red Metallic. Actually is more deep than the pic indicates. Just kooks kind of red.

 

[Engle]

Anyone of the bass modding folks in this group ever move a Precision bass, split pickup into the Jazz bass/Thunderbird neck pick up position? What was the end result, if you did?

Isn't it the same?

 

[dagrev]

Love that.

But the green was really nice as well.

You mentioned a Burgundy type several weeks ago. I have to admit that my '21 NR is stunning in person.
That said, I really like the idea of the green which would make it very unique. I've got some time to think on it. I filled holes and sanded a little today. Progress.

 

[bylar13]

Isn't it the same?

About 2 inches difference between my 2014 T-Bird and 2016 P Bass.

 

[dagrev]

Anyone of the bass modding folks in this group ever move a Precision bass, split pickup into the Jazz bass/Thunderbird neck pick up position? What was the end result, if you did?

That wouldn't be moved much. Are you leaving one in the regular Pbass position?
I put one in the Jazz bridge position years ago. Uninteresting and a waste of time as I recall.

 

[bylar13]

That wouldn't be moved much. Are you leaving one in the regular Pbass position?
I put one in the Jazz bridge position years ago. Uninteresting and a waste of time as I recall.

I have been playing and really liking the P -bass I have. The down side is the pickup is where it feels most comfortable to play.
I use a pick and I get hung up on the pickup frequently.
I was curious if I moved the pickup forward a bit if it would change the sound in a meaningful way.

 

[MCF]

Looks like Schallers.

Thank you. You’re correct. I went to GC yesterday and picked up a set. I was shocked they had them in stock. Installed the female on the Gibson Slingshot strap. Four birds in the rack had the male pins. Including the BaCH Andy owned at one time. I haven’t checked downstairs or at the other place. A little clunky, but they work well. So I guess I’m now a Schaller guy by default. I’ll probably put the new pins on the ‘15. And get a couple more sets.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Opened the wallet again.

916 AlNeo Tbird pickups in raw nickel will be on their way to me in just about a week.

Thanks @Matt Kustom

Now to decide:
Purple 64 or Ebony Vintage Pro bird to be blessed with the upgrade.

 

[GBassNorth]

Which ones? Curious what you think of them.

This pair…

Recall, I was trying to match a set of Blue Steels from ages ago to come as close as possible to my existing Warwick BO5 sound on my new ThunderWick build. The strings on the Warwick were probably installed around 2005 or earlier. The general consensus was that they were probably Blue Steels (bought a set of those just in case) but that those strings were reformulated years ago, so the potential closest I could get in sound would have maybe been the Apex set. Won’t know if that’s true until I finish the build, maybe in a couple of months.

 

[Matt Kustom]

Ordered the steel today to make blades for "Super Humbuckers" the Bill Lawrence designed pickups that came in the Gibson Rippers. Someone asked if i could build them a custom ripper. Knowing how Bill designed stuff i figured it was a cost effective design. Its basically a small EB. I already have the ceramic mags from the custom Strat/tele sized p90 offerings. The bobbins are Mini Humbucker just need to cut the center blade from Italian steel. For whatever reason the size steel needed my distributor has is Italian. I need to confirm but these should fit EMG35 , Humbucker , EB , i don't think barts will work. Since the pickup will be 1 1/4

 

[/\/\3phist0]

This pair…
View attachment 7237299
Recall, I was trying to match a set of Blue Steels from ages ago to come as close as possible to my existing Warwick BO5 sound on my new ThunderWick build. The strings on the Warwick were probably installed around 2005 or earlier. The general consensus was that they were probably Blue Steels (bought a set of those just in case) but that those strings were reformulated years ago, so the potential closest I could get in sound would have maybe been the Apex set. Won’t know if that’s true until I finish the build, maybe in a couple of months.

Well if you want another set of Apex you are SOL

 

[GBassNorth]

Actually I was living in KY at the time. There was a music store in a town called Glasgow where my first guitar came from as well.

I have one of his Bird bodies but the lower horn is shaped a little differently. I am using it for the project I am planning for my granddaughter.
Did yours come with a belly contour?

No, I added both belly and forearm contours.
On the ThunderWick I’m even considering significantly changing the body edge contour to something much more rounded (similar to a Warwick or Spector NS2 edge radius). I’ll be using a metallic pearl paint so I really need to “un slab” this bass as much as possible to get the pearl highlights to show.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

No, I added both belly and forearm contours.
On the ThunderWick I’m even considering significantly changing the body edge contour to something much more rounded (similar to a Warwick or Spector NS2 edge radius). I’ll be using a metallic pearl paint so I really need to “un slab” this bass as much as possible to get the pearl highlights to show.

You could do a “pebble” edge like this walnut Jazz I made for @StereoPlayer

 

[GBassNorth]

You could do a “pebble” edge like this walnut Jazz I made for @StereoPlayerView attachment 7237318View attachment 7237319View attachment 7237320

That’s pretty much the look I’m after. Never heard it called a pebble edge. Did you use a rounding bit or did you just contour sand?

 

[Matt Kustom]

Getting the Bird Bobbins cut. Im going to contact my magnet lady tonight about adding T Bird mags to the next order.

 

[BklynKen]

Thank you. You’re correct. I went to GC yesterday and picked up a set. I was shocked they had them in stock. Installed the female on the Gibson Slingshot strap. Four birds in the rack had the male pins. Including the BaCH Andy owned at one time. I haven’t checked downstairs or at the other place. A little clunky, but they work well. So I guess I’m now a Schaller guy by default. I’ll probably put the new pins on the ‘15. And get a couple more sets.
View attachment 7237271

Schaller is dead to me, but I totally understand where you're at and why you'd standardize on that.

 

[BklynKen]

Well if you want another set of Apex you are SOL
View attachment 7237315

Post in thread 'Thunderbird Club'

May 24, 2025

This is sad. If anyone here uses, or was thinking about trying out, Apex strings, this is their web page now.

• BklynKen

• 
• 

 

[MCF]

Schaller is dead to me, but I totally understand where you're at and why you'd standardize on that.

I’m basically a cheapskate and pretty lazy.

 

[RedVee]

Opened the wallet again.

916 AlNeo Tbird pickups in raw nickel will be on their way to me in just about a week.

Thanks @Matt Kustom

Now to decide:
Purple 64 or Ebony Vintage Pro bird to be blessed with the upgrade.

Nah, buy a body blank for the 916’s.

Happy spending other peoples money!

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Thanks.

Kinda match the truck. (Which is deep and rich in the daylight). It's called Ruby Red Metallic. Actually is more deep than the pic indicates. Just kooks kind of red.
View attachment 7237239

nice truck, 5 liter?