Thunderbird Club

[RedVee]

The mid 2000s. I'm not sure when they moved production to China. There may be some baseball bat necks from China, but the Korean bolt on necks are reliably wide and chunky in my experience.

My Goth is Chinese which I think means post 2009. The neck is wide, but I don't think fat.
But I reckon it's real nice.

I was actually worried at first 'cos it is w i d e, but no issue. Same bit opposite with the neck on my nephews Pro IV, I was worried about it because it was so narrow (1.5). Again, no issue. Opposite but both really nice necks imo. (But I don't have your hands @theFixer )

 

[RedVee]

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I like it !

 

[marko57]

Has anyone heard from Colin, our Welsh TBird brother? I know he was taking some time off to help his wife slay the "C" dragon. Hope she and they are doing well. Colin, if you peek in from time to time, you remain in our thoughts and hope all is well.

 

[hillerup]

I kinda hava tendency to type how I speak... 'case ya hadn't figgerdat out already

Yes, I've noticed...

 

[Gaolee]

They aren't....

I guess it is normal variation then. My bolt on Epi has the wide nut and round back both. From a shape standpoint, it is like the Pro IV and 1991 and 2001 Gibsons. Just a lot bigger. The 2015 is flatter on the back, very much like the 1998 and 2006 Rics I had for a while.

 

[hillerup]

I guess it is normal variation then. My bolt on Epi has the wide nut and round back both. From a shape standpoint, it is like the Pro IV and 1991 and 2001 Gibsons. Just a lot bigger. The 2015 is flatter on the back, very much like the 1998 and 2006 Rics I had for a while.

Probably...

Pesonally the differences doesn't bother me that much, so I don't think much of it - Only current bass of mine, that bothers me is the Epi Pro-V, which has a fretboard the size of an aircraft carrier...

 

[JJR58]

View attachment 1156110

Ok, you got me.
I like!

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

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Is that middle knob a lok-knob or whatever they're called?

 

[JJR58]

I'll second the Warwick note. Mine all fit beautifully in alternative rock, metal and grunge. Not so well in classic, punk or heaven forbid - country. On the other hand, my Spector bird fits in just about anywhere my Gibson bird fits. Until I get my hands on a Five string Gibson bird the Spector will do. Here's the flock at my house...

I like Goldie.

 

[JJR58]

Im a little late to the party but did anyone notice the color of the VSB on the Sweetwater pic looks way different than the one on the "leaked" pdf?

I noticed that as well.
But i presume the pictures we are looking at are some sort of computer mock up.
We need to see the real thing.

 

[JIO]

Is that middle knob a lok-knob or whatever they're called?

It was custom made for me by Devin Cline at www.dclinedesign.com of ebony & brass.

 

[RikiP]

Oh i have the epiphone classic wirh gibson pickups so id like to keep them!

I meant the current Gibson company is doing a very poor job.
Just listen a custom Thunderbird pickups like Thunderbucker, Lollar or Lull.
Another dimension.

 

[theFixer]

I kinda tried to avoid a direct comparison in neck sizes between my Spector Rex and my Gibson Thunderbird because of the apples and oranges of comparing a 5 string size neck to a 4 string size neck. But since you seem genuinely interested I'll run up to the studio and grab some quick measurements of the two necks.

I'll measure the width of the nut, the thickness of the neck at the first fret, the width and thickness of the neck at the 12th fret the width of the neck at the 20th fret and the centerline to centerline of the outside strings at the bridge and string spacing at the bridge of each bass.

If someone with a Five string Thunderbird can chime in with actual dimensions of the same spots on their bass it would be very helpful.

Here ya go...

Spector Rex 5 Pro data first vs 4 string Gibson Anniversary Issue Thunderbird data
Nut width: 1.75" vs 1.5"
Thickness of neck at fret 1: .75" vs .75"
Thickness of neck at fret 12: .875" vs .875"
Width of neck at fret 12: 2.375" vs 2.125"
Width of neck at fret 20: 2.75" vs 2.25"
Centerline to centerline of Outside strings at the bridge: 2.75" vs 2.125"
String spacing at bridge: just shy of .75" vs just shy of .75"

Apparently both basses have the same string spacing and both basses have roughly the same neck thickness. The widths of the two basses fret boards is obviously different because of the number of strings. Both necks have a similar contour - D shaped vs a more rounded C shape.

Just to give you another point of reference - my Squire Affinity Jazz 5 has a 1.875" nut, is 2.5" across at the 12th fret, is 2.875" across at the 20th fret and is about the same thickness at the 1st fret and 12th fret as both the Spector and Gibson with a more rounded almost C shaped neck.

Hope this helps.

HELPS??? You just put the neck in my hand, from the other side of the country!!! I want you to know that I sincerely appreciate your time and effort! Thank you!

I'm surprised at how similar the dimensions are between the two. It's no wonder that they both found you!
That Spector was built for speed (which kinda makes sense with the Pantera tie-in). The Spector is a Porche, & I'm shoppin' for a '55 Roadmaster! You also very kindly showed me why I have that Squier sitting' here with me. However, I find it odd that they put such a large neck on a Jazz bass. It seems they would've put a neck like this one on a P-bass 5, and something more like the Spector's profile on the J-bass 5. Oh well... speculate in one hand & s#!t in the other...

You're right though... I would love to see those numbers on a T-bird 5.

 

[theFixer]

My Goth is Chinese which I think means post 2009. The neck is wide, but I don't think fat.
But I reckon it's real nice.

I was actually worried at first 'cos it is w i d e, but no issue. Same bit opposite with the neck on my nephews Pro IV, I was worried about it because it was so narrow (1.5). Again, no issue. Opposite but both really nice necks imo. (But I don't have your hands @theFixer )

Wanna trade?
I should warn you though... last time my hands went "down under", I got slapped & was asked to leave! (giggety giggety giggety)

 

[theFixer]

Just buy the neck ?

Not in this particular case... but I have been component shopping to see If I could create a fat-necked Frankenstein. The largest 4 string neck that I've been able to find, is from the Roger Waters signature P-bass. I can't recall all the specs... but I remember that it's 1 3/4" at the (brass) nut! Only found one available, though. It was over-used & over-priced!

 

[theFixer]

Probably...

Pesonally the differences doesn't bother me that much, so I don't think much of it - Only current bass of mine, that bothers me is the Epi Pro-V, which has a fretboard the size of an aircraft carrier...

Aircraft carrier you say??? I'm intrigued...

 

[JJR58]

Hey Fixer, if you're considering a 5banger with an aircraft carrier neck, this might fit the bill.

For Sale - Spector Rex 5 Pro Neck-Thru – Like New – Free Shipping - FSO

 

[TBird1958]

So, just an update on the new Epiphone Thunderbird:
Still on schedule for mid July per my Sweetwater Rep, yes, Cherry.

 

[JJR58]

So, just an update on the new Epiphone Thunderbird:
Still on schedule for mid July per my Sweetwater Rep, yes, Cherry.

I'm starting to believe the delivery time.
When the new JC in Cherry was announced for June distribution.
It happened.

 

[theFixer]

Hey Fixer, if you're considering a 5banger with an aircraft carrier neck, this might fit the bill.

For Sale - Spector Rex 5 Pro Neck-Thru – Like New – Free Shipping - FSO

Good lookin' out braaahhhh! If you'll scroll up the page a bit, you'll see @GBassNorth has been very generous with his time regarding his Spector Rex. I'm afraid this J-bass 5 is closer to aircraft carrier status than the Spector though.