Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

I modified my E1 neck to 1.5

I don’t have tools or the skill for that matter. I’m so behind on simpler projects, like getting some tracings done and off to you…I did buy and
address an envelope the other day, so that’s progress.

I haven’t even gotten the pickup routes modified on my two BaCHs yet so I can adjust pickup height on them. I was going to have Jeremy in Filmore do them, but he isn’t doing luthier work anymore. I really need to find somebody to do those.

 

[MCF]

did you get the neck pup cover as well?

No. It would really just be in my way anyway, so I haven’t been all that worried about it. If you know of a source, let me know. It would be nice to have it all the same.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

They sound the same to me.

I am casually looking for one circa ‘14 or thereabouts with the 1.5 neck to potentially swap into my virtually brand new ‘10. The ones with the skinny neck are pretty rare.

Really? My 2012 is a 1.5”. Is your 2010 larger or broken?

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Played our first gig since 5/24/25 last night. Also first time I'd held a bass since 5/24/25(I don't practice). Went pretty well considering the almost total lack of calluses. Also first time singing since 5/24. Missed a coupla notes here and there. May have a gig next Friday night. Might get cancelled(it's the 'off' season here-snowbirds gone).
Using my Epi Embassy(SIT Power Flats) for gigs these days. T-Bird needs some professional work which I can't justify spending $ on for the lack of gigs [and lack of $].

View attachment 7295185

What does the bird need? I just saw paint damage.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I modified my E1 neck to 1.5

Manual sanding?

 

[MCF]

@MCF that Goth is a 2018 and 1.5” nut.

Thanks Dave. I need to get a bunch of other things off my plate though. That is certainly a good deal with case and practice amp. An excellent Thunderbird “starter pack.”

 

[Engle]

Manual sanding?

I don’t have tools or the skill for that matter.

Narrowing the neck doesn't require a lot of tools. Essentially you need to set up the neck on a bench so that it will stay flat. You want the sides of the fingerboard at 90 degrees. (I had the peghead hanging off the end of the bench)
Tape off the fingerboard and mark the new edges. Then with 80 grit on a rectangular block sand close to the lines.
I use a block with velcro paper so the sandpaper is only on the business side.
A bit of re-shaping of the back of the neck is needed, finish sanding and I always use tung oil finish. And redress the fret ends of course.

The side markers have always been deep enough when I've done this, but I install larger aluminum dots while I'm at it.

 

[godofthunder59]

Any suggestions on which T-bird to use to smash the GMC engineer that designed the engine air filter box? Put a cross member over the top of the box, buried the last screw under two hard pipes, then had to remove the accordion inlet and the MAS electrical...

This is what Fenders are for.

 

[Ringhammer]

Please let me know if you have bookings in September.

Saturday Sept 6. In Petaluma:

We play 3rd. A little out of the immediate Bay Area, but, it’s a Saturday so traffic probably won’t be too bad to get there.

 

[GonePlaid]

Excellent! Given the kinds of music you can play (and play very well), I'm certain your no practice is way better than my practiced playing.

IDK about "better", but I'm as good as I'm gonna be these days(but not as good as I usedta was).

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I don’t have tools or the skill for that matter. I’m so behind on simpler projects, like getting some tracings done and off to you…I did buy and
address an envelope the other day, so that’s progress.

I haven’t even gotten the pickup routes modified on my two BaCHs yet so I can adjust pickup height on them. I was going to have Jeremy in Filmore do them, but he isn’t doing luthier work anymore. I really need to find somebody to do those.

After I resettle by the new year, I’ll quickly be setup to do many “luthier “ like things

 

[GonePlaid]

What does the bird need? I just saw paint damage.

Well, for openers, the neck relief is as good as I can get it(not good enuff); I'd like to get the bridge p'up/pot checked out(even though I never use it). The 'Bird is basically a II with a superfluous p'up near the bridge. And it needs a new quartet of EBCFs in 50/65/80/95, which they don't make as a set but I can order from SBM. Right now it's not fun/too much effort to play. Add to that the fact that in the few places we still play, there are space considerations. More than once I've had to set up my rig then take the Coffin(TM) case back out to the gigmobile. PIMA.
Length difference between Embassy/TBird:

 

[MCF]

After I resettle by the new year, I’ll quickly be setup to do many “luthier “ like things

Great to know Ray. Thanks.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Thanks, I also just updated the Wiki with a Fernandez Burny review link, which doesn’t hot link for some reason, but can be copied and pasted in the browser to get there.

Did you use the link button in the editor?

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Let's do this!!!'

 

[TBird1958]

Have a great show, Chuck!

 

[MCF]

After I resettle by the new year, I’ll quickly be setup to do many “luthier “ like things

Great to know Ray. Thanks

Really? My 2012 is a 1.5”. Is your 2010 larger or broken?

My ‘10, which is MIC, is like brand new. It has a 1.73 nut. They used the wider necks until shortly after that. I’m not sure of the exact year they made the switch to 1.5.

 

[MCF]

The smoke from the huge fire in northern Santa Barbara and SLO Counties blew in and is stifling. The “Gifford” fire, so far the largest California fire of the year, was apparently started by an idiot driving on a flat with the steel belts emitting sparks that caught roadside brush on fire.

 

[Stealth57]

The smoke from the huge fire in northern Santa Barbara and SLO Counties blew in and is stifling. The “Gifford” fire, so far the largest California fire of the year, was apparently started by an idiot driving on a flat with the steel belts emitting sparks that caught roadside brush on fire.
View attachment 7295698

But it’s a dry heat.

 

[bylar13]

Jammed with some friends tonight for the first time in ages. Took the Cataldo (strung with SIT Power Steels) and was plugged in to a Fender Rumble 100 and they sounded really good together. I was honestly surprised by the Rumble because I had played one in this same facility right before Covid shut things down and it sounded terrible. What I heard tonight is what I imagine Miles and Mike (and anyone else out that raved about these) like about these amps. Anyhow, Thunderbird!!

I have a Rumble 200 w/ 1x15 and a Rumble 500 head w / Mesa Subway 1x15. I think they work great.
I know the amp “cork sniffers” deride them but to me they are the modern equivalent to Peavey. I always did and still do like Peavey amps.