Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

But it's black!!

So, my tongue in cheek justification to my long suffering luthier friend who has seen quite a few of my instruments come his way owing to trussed adjustments over long term storage (loosening for guitars and tightening for the basses), and the third instrument of the same make is revealed in as many weeks is-

He's never said anything but I would respond with-

"Because it was white (or red, or black)!!"

His reply- "You already have a black one!!"

And it’s the very rare short scale. You really need to get it. Today!

 

[Ringhammer]

Nooo!! Nooo!!! I want to!!!

We’re talking about the one at GC, right? It’s a short scale, only 400 made. I don’t think the ad specifically says it but you can tell by the notches in the pickguard to accommodate the pickups. Looks like they don’t know what they have and It’s a great price. When they come up, they are usually going for $2000-$2200 (lately).
I love mine, and will not likely ever part with it. Fun to play.

It isn't a bicentennial, and it sure isn't from the 1960s. It's not all that unique, is it?

One of 400 makes it kinda unique. I went further with mine and changed the tuners to nickel Hipshot USA ultralights, put in some vintage style nickel humbuckers, (Gemini UK), a nickel three point and a custom black pickguard from Irv that allowed for the nickel rings, and also polished off the matte finish.

 

[MCF]

It isn't a bicentennial, and it sure isn't from the 1960s. It's not all that unique, is it?

It’s an ‘11 short scale. Only 1 of 400 made. True to form, GC doesn’t know it’s a short scale.

 

[MCF]

.

 

[MCF]

We’re talking about the one at GC, right? It’s a short scale, only 400 made. I don’t think the ad specifically says it but you can tell by the notches in the pickguard to accommodate the pickups. Looks like they don’t know what they have and It’s a great price. When they come up, they are usually going for $2000-$2200 (lately).
I love mine, and will not likely ever part with it. Fun to play.



One of 400 makes it kinda unique. I went further with mine and changed the tuners to nickel Hipshot USA ultralights, put in some vintage style nickel humbuckers, (Gemini UK), a nickel three point and a custom black pickguard from Irv that allowed for the nickel rings, and also polished off the matte finish.

View attachment 7342426

That has got to be the classiest shortie around Rich. What difference did the Geminis make?

 

[Ringhammer]

That has got to be the classiest shortie around Rich. What difference did the Geminis make?

Well, not being a fan of TB+, nor black hardware, I knew I was gonna put something in there. I had a set of Gemini UK Devastators in my ‘99. These are kind of a PB-90 style with A5 magnets below and on each side of a blade (or close to this). I can’t actually remember exactly, but it’s not a conventional set up. They are hotter than say the Gibson vintage re-issues, and have a bit of bite, but not too much. I really like them in the ‘99, so I got another set for the SS. Basically I feel like they add a lot when I get up on the neck, closer to the 12th and on the thin strings. Great for recording those songs that have me playing up the neck, where sometimes the higher notes on the thinner strings get lost in the mix.

 

[dagrev]

I really enjoyed the lamb we had at dinner that night in Sydney. I assume that was Aussie lamb?

I haven't got to the reply, but I'm really hoping Geoff said, "Well, that wasn't lamb." And let it ride for a few pages.

Knew a guy who traveled a lot in the military and ended up in lesser known places and he said it wasn't long before he learned to not ask what things were. (Not implying OZ is such a place.)

 

[dagrev]

Yes Andy, correct.

Could you not have posted something like this, just for a little while?

 

[bylar13]

Saw this in the classifieds. If I liked the neck on these more I would have purchased it.

Gibson Non-Reverse Thunderbird (2013) in Pelham Blue

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

no need to go to New England to see foliage.....

 

[Engle]

I recently watched a video where a guy used a piece of masonite as a mounting piece/template for filing an aftermarket pickguard replacement on a P-bass and I wondered "Where did he get that from?"

My usual method is to make a template out of pickguard material or similar soft plastic. Then I use that template to make a template out of plexiglass.
But I wouldnt bother for a Pbass pickguard. They are a P.I.T.A. to get right and you can get them for the cost of a sheet of material - or less!

 

[MCF]

Saw this in the classifieds. If I liked the neck on these more I would have purchased it.

Gibson Non-Reverse Thunderbird (2013) in Pelham Blue

Fantastic deal with the Lollars. I don’t mind the chunkier neck on mine at all. There were 400 of the PB ones made for ‘13 (it was listed as a ‘13, although most, if not all were made in ‘12). The finish has a bit of sparkle in it.

 

[GBassNorth]

It isn't a bicentennial, and it sure isn't from the 1960s. It's not all that unique, is it?

It’s a short scale Gibby bird. Not sure how many were made or what years they made them but it’s pretty rare to see one come up for sale. Maybe only the second one I’ve ever seen on the block. I already have a SS Tbird (actually a very rare youth model by Sammick) or I’d be all over it.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

It’s a short scale Gibby bird. Not sure how many were made or what years they made them but it’s pretty rare to see one come up for sale. Maybe only the second one I’ve ever seen on the block. I already have a SS Tbird (actually a very rare youth model by Sammick) or I’d be all over it.

I'm with in the camp of those who dislike NRs and Js with SS Birds....to me, what's the point? Ymmv off course....

 

[ectoflanger]

I'm with in the camp of those who dislike NRs and Js with SS Birds....to me, what's the point? Ymmv off course....

What's an NR?

 

[GBassNorth]

I'm with in the camp of those who dislike NRs and Js with SS Birds....to me, what's the point? Ymmv off course....

LOL - I’d probably agree with you if I could figure out what you just said.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

LOL - I’d probably agree with you if I could figure out what you just said.

lost in wording, sorry, just saying I'm not a fan of SS Birds the same way some are not fans of Js, NR or even tort......for me the long scale is part of the essence of the TBird bass.

 

[Ringhammer]

I'm with in the camp of those who dislike NRs and Js with SS Birds....to me, what's the point? Ymmv off course....

Does that go for all Short Scale basses?

 

[sleddogn]

i'm kinda slow... what are J's? Jazz? I know the NR is non reverse... lol

 

[sleddogn]

SS Birds....to me, what's the point? Ymmv off course....

I've heard chicks don't dig the shorties....