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Thunderbird Club

I would just polish the dings and not bother filling anything. When you play the bass it's just going to get more little dings and scratches because it's nitro. Embrace the imperfections!

Yes to gluing the pickguard. I believe pickguard material is pvc. I would do some test gluing on a scrap piece.
That's a pretty rough looking beveled edge to my eye. I know that's how they come from the factory, but I would sand and polish it.

Good advice, echoed by several. I'm just so awed by the condition and quality, the instinct to try to preserve is strong indeed.

It's... so... pretty!

Waited a long time for this once to come along. 7 or 8 years I think.; ever since I first got that Epi then had to let it go.

It was gorgeous too but this is at a whole different level.

On pickguard edges I tend to scrape them, as is done with binding. Usually using the back side of a fresh xacto blade, for the crisp 90-degree corner. Gives a nice smooth but matte finish and it's easier to keep the bevel right. Easier cleanup from the shavings, too.
 
The lighting guy got fired after that photo was taken.
For that shot I agree - the central focus was not lighted correctly!

This one is better... er, not the drummer.., the lead singer!

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I could bring this up on a general public tb thread.., but I've just readjusted my strap length to correlate with my seated position playing the bass. (whichever bass I play...) Standing/rehearsals it feels a little high.., but I'm liking it. I know the classic "R&R" position is more straight-armed with the bass over one's pelvic area but that's never been my thing. (and honestly, to each their own - do you) but I'm finding the position I regularly rehearse/woodshed at seated also works standing. It's not as high-up as some bass-players from the '60s, but let's say somewhere in between that and the low-slung version. Life is about fine-tuning and for me this is why I'm tightening the guitar strap a bit. Pic's will be posted once we play live.
 
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Hi, I’m back after TB hiatus. Back to playing bass again (had to stop playing music and sell some stuff because I got laid off last year, almost sell the Bird).

Looking to upgrade my Vintage Pro. I like the pickup, but I think it lack something. Anyone mods them? Considering the Gibson reissue pickup, anyone tried them?

Bonus: my latest live performance using the Thunderbird it’s in my native language, so some of you might not understand, but it’s a prove that Thunderbird can be used for slower song like this
 
So cool.! But poor Gary looks like he can barely keep his eyes open.
I read the book "The Impossible Dream" on Scott & the Walker Brothers history and it is a very interesting story about that era of pop music. Gary was their trios' "promoter" but he was a marginal drummer at best. All recordings had studio musicians playing their parts.., not to dissimilar to the '60s Beach Boys. Scott was a competent bass player and John could play guitar.., but Gary was a personality who "played drums"...
 
Hi, I’m back after TB hiatus. Back to playing bass again (had to stop playing music and sell some stuff because I got laid off last year, almost sell the Bird).

Looking to upgrade my Vintage Pro. I like the pickup, but I think it lack something. Anyone mods them? Considering the Gibson reissue pickup, anyone tried them?

Bonus: my latest live performance using the Thunderbird it’s in my native language, so some of you might not understand, but it’s a prove that Thunderbird can be used for slower song like this

Good on you! A Thunderbird is a bass that makes bass sounds and it's 100% the player who makes any bass sound worth listening to.
 
Hi, I’m back after TB hiatus. Back to playing bass again (had to stop playing music and sell some stuff because I got laid off last year, almost sell the Bird).

Looking to upgrade my Vintage Pro. I like the pickup, but I think it lack something. Anyone mods them? Considering the Gibson reissue pickup, anyone tried them?

Bonus: my latest live performance using the Thunderbird it’s in my native language, so some of you might not understand, but it’s a prove that Thunderbird can be used for slower song like this

Welcome back! Hope things work out on the job front.

Some of us find those pickups missing a little something in the bottom. IMO, the Gibson Vintage Reissues are a good, medium priced alternative. Veronica swapped them into her VP and seems pleased with the result.
 
OK, so I said I'd share "The bad" 2%... Truth is I feel bad noting the negatives because the bass and case overall are in such awesome condition for almost 8 years old I'd be tempted to call it "NOS."

But you can't spell "Analyst" without... yeah. So I'm going to find everything, and fix everything I can. It's in my nature.

1) First noted when unpacking: The seller did an above-average job packing (almost an entire roll of bubble wrap came out of the box) but UPS will be UPS.
Spotted even before openeing, the exterior screws holding the divider inside the case were loose and crooked. Uh. oh.
Investigation showed the MDF had split from some impact.
I have already fixed this - pulled the divider, glued and clamped the split, drilled and doweled the screw holes, re-glued the fabric, and all back together overnight. No huhu. Not really worth even a picture.
But when I opened the case for the first time, I saw this: The bass had shifted out of the recessed pocket and crushed the foam under the cloth, and was able to hit the (fur-covered) hinge on the lower right:
View attachment 7353386

This left a tiny set of scratches in the finish on the lower bout. They 90% rubbed out on first cleaning.
View attachment 7353388
I feared the worst, but everything else about the bass checks out, so the case gave it's life to the noble cause of protecting the instrument.
I will in future replace the damaged foam; "ablative armor." Upholstery and I are old friends, so NBD to repair.

2) The pickguard is in awesome shape, even still bits of the protective film caught under some screws, zero scratches, logo absolutely unmarked...
But the lower corner is cracked, looks like from overtightening at the factory as I doubt it's ever been removed.
View attachment 7353392
This looks very gluable to me - preferably by solvent repair from the rear before it cracks the rest of the way.
Does anyone know for certain what type of plastic it is, so I can select the right glue/cement/solvent? It's clearly not celluloid, feels like styrene or PVC something softish like that. I'll do CA if I have to, but would prefer a solvent repair for longer-term strength.
Haven't removed it yet, but I did slack all the screws slightly. It closed up almost invisibly, so definitely fixable..

3) One tuner has a scratch on it, not real obvious, and it looks like the nitro finish under it may have crazed slightly from an impact (or maybe at assembly - nitro is like that). Not really too concerned about fixing that unless it's likely to cause premature checking, in which case I should probably drop-fill and repolish. Opinions?
View attachment 7353393

4) The upper horn has a TINY dig in it, just enough that it's not going to buff out. Probably not worth worrying about, or a tiny bit of solvent and then polish would fix it.
View attachment 7353395

5) The nut has a crosswise scratch on it (hard to photograph) between D and G, probably from the strings having dragged sidewise, which has nut lube graphite in it. If it bothers me enough I'll polish it out.
The nut slots have taken impression from the string windings (obviously they sat without moving for a long time), so there's pinging when tuning. They need a polish. As I'm 90% sure I'm going to restring with EBCFs, probably today, I'll do it then.
View attachment 7353398

I realized that as the existing strings have no silks, and are unworn, I can remove them and keep them if I ever want to go back to "as original" because you can't spell 'analyst' without... yeah. In another life I probably would have been an archeologist. Or a librarian.

6) (doesn't really count) The soldering is clearly original and to my (NASA certified, multi-layer PCB repair trained) eye, OMG horrible. Cold joints, melted insulation, "rat hair" from shields untrimmed, tag ends untrimmed.
But it works, and it's original, so it stays. I did trim the rat hair though, as me no likey shorts in me wiring.
View attachment 7353400
They set me a real easy bar to clear in my own build there.
But TBCH my LPDC Tribute was about the same - I had to resolder the pickup leads as they were stripped back so long they were shorting.

And that friends & neighbors is absolutely EVERYthing I found I could possibly criticize; This bass is so near to perfect and no sunlight shines between.

I have instruments I bought new-out-the-box that had more and larger issues, truly.

I am gloriously happeh with it, and look forward to obsessing over it for probably the rest of my life.

Overall feelings:
I have a Thunderbird at last.
Regrets over selling the original RH Epi that had me joining this club, all gone.
It's way above my level of play, which will inspire me to try to level up.
I'm happy the previous one "got away" as clearly it was in rougher shape, and more money.
Feeling as lucky as my club number of "777"would imply.

Later, will post the outside sunshine beauty shots I finally got to take today. They be glorious.

And now... I have to try to make my fretless build "worthy" of the heritage.
Love the details and commentary. Almost as good as being there.
If it plays and feels as nice as my '06, it's going to be a joy to play. The QC was supposedly off and on for a few years--which I don't recall. I don't remember what my control cavity looked like (yeah I know...). But these basses were made to go to bars not the Mars! :smug: But your point is definitely well taken. Now you know it was a Monday or Friday bass!
Congrats on finding a lefty in such great condition!
 
Hi, I’m back after TB hiatus. Back to playing bass again (had to stop playing music and sell some stuff because I got laid off last year, almost sell the Bird).

Looking to upgrade my Vintage Pro. I like the pickup, but I think it lack something. Anyone mods them? Considering the Gibson reissue pickup, anyone tried them?

Bonus: my latest live performance using the Thunderbird it’s in my native language, so some of you might not understand, but it’s a prove that Thunderbird can be used for slower song like this

Glad you are playing. Nothing a Thunderbird can't do. Music is good in any language. (Not all music, but that certainly was).

The first version can lack some lows. However, it depends on the rig and strings as well. I love huge lows and never had a problem with VPs. But I use strings that are not shy in the lows and my heads and cabs have plenty (Ampeg). I can see where something might be missing if the strings and rig aren't helping. Playing in home-sized rooms dosn't help either as mine don't sound great at home, but sound much bigger in a live setting in a big room.
The newer versions have more lows (and less mids according to the guy I talked with at Gibson, so its a trade off they are aware of). You might try something like Round Core GHS Boomers which have less mids and more lows first. Cheaper than new pickups. Or flats even. They sound great on Thunderbirds (assuming it works for you), and you'll be good on strings for 10+ yrs on that bass! But in the end you may need to change the pickups, but I'm just suggesting something less costly at first.
 
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Hi, I’m back after TB hiatus. Back to playing bass again (had to stop playing music and sell some stuff because I got laid off last year, almost sell the Bird).

Looking to upgrade my Vintage Pro. I like the pickup, but I think it lack something. Anyone mods them? Considering the Gibson reissue pickup, anyone tried them?

Bonus: my latest live performance using the Thunderbird it’s in my native language, so some of you might not understand, but it’s a prove that Thunderbird can be used for slower song like this

Nice playing!
 
Love the details and commentary. Almost as good as being there.
If it plays and feels as nice as my '06, it's going to be a joy to play. The QC was supposedly off and on for a few years--which I don't recall. I don't remember what my control cavity looked like (yeah I know...). But these basses were made to go to bars not the Mars! :smug: But your point is definitely well taken. Now you know it was a Monday or Friday bass!
Congrats on finding a lefty in such great condition!
The truth is even scarier... it was a THURSDAY bass!

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I have always agreed with Artur Dent... never have got the hang of Thursdays.

Does feel and play wonderfully tho, even with rounds on it, and with the neck still settling. I *really* like the neck dimensions.

Once dialled in... I cant wait.

A friend of mine who has a 2018 LP goldtop says that Gibson was using cryotreated frets at the time. If so, supposedly reduces wear.

So yay.
 
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The truth is even scarier... it was a THURSDAY bass!

View attachment 7353922

I have always agreed with Artur Dent... never have got the hang of Thursdays.

Does feel and play wonderfully tho, even with rounds on it, and with the neck still settling. I *really* like the neck dimensions.

Once dialled in... I cant wait.

A friend of mine who has a 2018 LP goldtop says that Gibson was using cryotreated frets at the time. If so, supposedly reduces wear.

So yay.
I’m assuming the neck dimensions of the ‘18 are the same as the ‘15. If so, pretty much perfect in my book.
 
Hi, I’m back after TB hiatus. Back to playing bass again (had to stop playing music and sell some stuff because I got laid off last year, almost sell the Bird).

Looking to upgrade my Vintage Pro. I like the pickup, but I think it lack something. Anyone mods them? Considering the Gibson reissue pickup, anyone tried them?

Bonus: my latest live performance using the Thunderbird it’s in my native language, so some of you might not understand, but it’s a prove that Thunderbird can be used for slower song like this



I have replaced the pickups in my original production Vintage Pro (2017) I found them to lacking in lows and lo-mids, especially when compared to basses with good Repro pickups. I used Gibson re-issues and would do so again in a heart best.
They sound great to my ear, well defined low end and lo-mid presence, a bit less high end. The fact that Epiphone changed them on the China production '64 makes me think I was not alone in thinking they could have done better with the originals.
Hard to tell here but the Gibson pickups are chrome, Epi hardware shows a bit of Nickel so there's a mismatch on the finishes - i don't mind a bit.