Thunderbird Club

[Miles_ONeal]

One more very important Birthday today, Ms. Jackie Fox of the Runaways.

Oh, yeah!

 

[dagrev]

Happy Birthday Miles and George!
I figured this was better than me popping out of a cake, or anything for that matter.

Both of you on the same day. It must mean something!
I guess you were born on the same day is what it means. Double bonus good day!

 

[Butcherboy]

Happy Birthday to all who are concerned from over the pond…Tbird in action last Saturday in Augsburg at Bootleg Memorial…

Photo by Hapeck Hapeck

 

[JIO]

Happy Birthday Miles and George!

 

[BuddhaFingas]

Saw that but assumed they meant bowed lengthwise, not cupped crosswise.


Still on honeydews.

So, here's the situation, and again, discussion is very appreciated as I try to work thru this.

I was trying just to insert the hangers so I could measure and plan mounting height, etc. I want them 'up' but not so close to my 9' ceiling that I risk headstocks bumping. Especially the 'bird as it has the tallest.

But could not get them in, an I'm unwilling to drill rails and wall if there's an issue.

So that said, two issues:

Rail 1: the lower aluminum channel is clearly 'pinched'. It slides up and down in its slot nearly an eighth inch, freely. None of the other three channels are loose like this:

The cut slot is the same width as the others, 0.425, so the one aluminum channel is bent closed. Probably got squished before install; cant see how it could have happened after.

That needs fixing. If it slops the wrong direction while drilling, no way a hanger ever gets in there. Critical dimension on these is top and front face of the top channel to bottom of the bottom channel; they carry the load.

Probably I can pry off a glued on end cap, pull it out, and flex it wider. But I will likely then still have problem 2, below.

Rail 2: Nothing looks off here, but no matter where along the length I try to fit the hanger (and it is right way up - reversed no better), the bottom flange cant clear the bottom edge ofcthe channel... by about 0.05"

I checked for bowing across the width of the rail. Yes, about 0.08" front bow. Which would act to close the slot distance slightly.

So I tried strongly clamping the rails at the edges, back to back, to counteract the bow, simulating bolt up... though Im not sure how much drywall would crush. It's not known for being flat, nor rigid.

That helped *almost* enough to let the bracket in... but still wouldnt quite clear.

So I put a shim between the two rails to force a little back bow. Way more than bolting to the wall would get; see the pic.

Still not enough. A hundreth or so short, even at risk of cracking the mdf from backbow:

Tried multiple brackets on the off chance specs differ.

No dice. All 3.810" +/- 0.005" scross the flanges.

...so I'm stumped.

Unwilling to pull down my existing mounts and drill two dozen holes in my wall and the product without some confidence this stuff will fit once done.

Suggestions? What am I overlooking?

Maybe the action of the screw thru the channel spreads it a bit... but that seems unlikely to comp this much clearance out...

And you'd think somewhere they'd mention, directly, "the brackets won't fit in until everything is bolted up; don't worry, this is normal."

Can't find any mention on the web anywhere of a similar situation.

I could trim a couple thousandths off the flanges on 10 painted steel brackets to make them fit, probably without compromising strength.

But should not have to, for this kind of investment.

 

[TBird1958]

View attachment 7393207

Happy Birthday Miles and George!
I figured this was better than me popping out of a cake, or anything for that matter.

Both of you on the same day. It must mean something!
I guess you were born on the same day is what it means. Double bonus good day!

I'd love to pop out of a cake dressed like that - damn!

 

[bylar13]

So, here's the situation, and again, discussion is very appreciated as I try to work thru this.

I was trying just to insert the hangers so I could measure and plan mounting height, etc. I want them 'up' but not so close to my 9' ceiling that I risk headstocks bumping. Especially the 'bird as it has the tallest.

But could not get them in, an I'm unwilling to drill rails and wall if there's an issue.

So that said, two issues:

Rail 1: the lower aluminum channel is clearly 'pinched'. It slides up and down in its slot nearly an eighth inch, freely. None of the other three channels are loose like this:
View attachment 7393213
View attachment 7393214

The cut slot is the same width as the others, 0.425, so the one aluminum channel is bent closed. Probably got squished before install; cant see how it could have happened after.

That needs fixing. If it slops the wrong direction while drilling, no way a hanger ever gets in there. Critical dimension on these is top and front face of the top channel to bottom of the bottom channel; they carry the load.

Probably I can pry off a glued on end cap, pull it out, and flex it wider. But I will likely then still have problem 2, below.

Rail 2: Nothing looks off here, but no matter where along the length I try to fit the hanger (and it is right way up - reversed no better), the bottom flange cant clear the bottom edge ofcthe channel... by about 0.05"

View attachment 7393227

I checked for bowing across the width of the rail. Yes, about 0.08" front bow. Which would act to close the slot distance slightly.

So I tried strongly clamping the rails at the edges, back to back, to counteract the bow, simulating bolt up... though Im not sure how much drywall would crush. It's not known for being flat, nor rigid.

That helped *almost* enough to let the bracket in... but still wouldnt quite clear.

So I put a shim between the two rails to force a little back bow. Way more than bolting to the wall would get; see the pic.

Still not enough. A hundreth or so short, even at risk of cracking the mdf from backbow:

View attachment 7393231
View attachment 7393232

Tried multiple brackets on the off chance specs differ.

No dice. All 3.810" +/- 0.005" scross the flanges.

...so I'm stumped.

Unwilling to pull down my existing mounts and drill two dozen holes in my wall and the product without some confidence this stuff will fit once done.

Suggestions? What am I overlooking?

Maybe the action of the screw thru the channel spreads it a bit... but that seems unlikely to comp this much clearance out...

And you'd think somewhere they'd mention, directly, "the brackets won't fit in until everything is bolted up; don't worry, this is normal."

Can't find any mention on the web anywhere of a similar situation.

I could trim a couple thousandths off the flanges on 10 painted steel brackets to make them fit, probably without compromising strength.

But should not have to, for this kind of investment.

I know you love a good puzzle..... but If I were in you shoes, this would be packed up for return by now.

 

[MCF]

So, here's the situation, and again, discussion is very appreciated as I try to work thru this.

I was trying just to insert the hangers so I could measure and plan mounting height, etc. I want them 'up' but not so close to my 9' ceiling that I risk headstocks bumping. Especially the 'bird as it has the tallest.

But could not get them in, an I'm unwilling to drill rails and wall if there's an issue.

So that said, two issues:

Rail 1: the lower aluminum channel is clearly 'pinched'. It slides up and down in its slot nearly an eighth inch, freely. None of the other three channels are loose like this:
View attachment 7393213
View attachment 7393214

The cut slot is the same width as the others, 0.425, so the one aluminum channel is bent closed. Probably got squished before install; cant see how it could have happened after.

That needs fixing. If it slops the wrong direction while drilling, no way a hanger ever gets in there. Critical dimension on these is top and front face of the top channel to bottom of the bottom channel; they carry the load.

Probably I can pry off a glued on end cap, pull it out, and flex it wider. But I will likely then still have problem 2, below.

Rail 2: Nothing looks off here, but no matter where along the length I try to fit the hanger (and it is right way up - reversed no better), the bottom flange cant clear the bottom edge ofcthe channel... by about 0.05"

View attachment 7393227

I checked for bowing across the width of the rail. Yes, about 0.08" front bow. Which would act to close the slot distance slightly.

So I tried strongly clamping the rails at the edges, back to back, to counteract the bow, simulating bolt up... though Im not sure how much drywall would crush. It's not known for being flat, nor rigid.

That helped *almost* enough to let the bracket in... but still wouldnt quite clear.

So I put a shim between the two rails to force a little back bow. Way more than bolting to the wall would get; see the pic.

Still not enough. A hundreth or so short, even at risk of cracking the mdf from backbow:

View attachment 7393231
View attachment 7393232

Tried multiple brackets on the off chance specs differ.

No dice. All 3.810" +/- 0.005" scross the flanges.

...so I'm stumped.

Unwilling to pull down my existing mounts and drill two dozen holes in my wall and the product without some confidence this stuff will fit once done.

Suggestions? What am I overlooking?

Maybe the action of the screw thru the channel spreads it a bit... but that seems unlikely to comp this much clearance out...

And you'd think somewhere they'd mention, directly, "the brackets won't fit in until everything is bolted up; don't worry, this is normal."

Can't find any mention on the web anywhere of a similar situation.

I could trim a couple thousandths off the flanges on 10 painted steel brackets to make them fit, probably without compromising strength.

But should not have to, for this kind of investment.

Ok. I didn’t encounter any issues like that. It’s been seven or eight years ago though. I did upgrade to the newer brackets after the fact for some of my basses after the pandemic. Something seems amiss. I think you’re best bet is to talk to them on Monday before messing with it further.

 

[Nocturnal]

Happy Birthday @Miles_ONeal !!!

Happy Birthday George @GBassNorth !!!

 

[Nocturnal]

One more very important Birthday today, Ms. Jackie Fox of the Runaways.

One more Rocker Birthday today!

 

[Nocturnal]

So, here's the situation, and again, discussion is very appreciated as I try to work thru this.

I was trying just to insert the hangers so I could measure and plan mounting height, etc. I want them 'up' but not so close to my 9' ceiling that I risk headstocks bumping. Especially the 'bird as it has the tallest.

But could not get them in, an I'm unwilling to drill rails and wall if there's an issue.

So that said, two issues:

Rail 1: the lower aluminum channel is clearly 'pinched'. It slides up and down in its slot nearly an eighth inch, freely. None of the other three channels are loose like this:
View attachment 7393213
View attachment 7393214

The cut slot is the same width as the others, 0.425, so the one aluminum channel is bent closed. Probably got squished before install; cant see how it could have happened after.

That needs fixing. If it slops the wrong direction while drilling, no way a hanger ever gets in there. Critical dimension on these is top and front face of the top channel to bottom of the bottom channel; they carry the load.

Probably I can pry off a glued on end cap, pull it out, and flex it wider. But I will likely then still have problem 2, below.

Rail 2: Nothing looks off here, but no matter where along the length I try to fit the hanger (and it is right way up - reversed no better), the bottom flange cant clear the bottom edge ofcthe channel... by about 0.05"

View attachment 7393227

I checked for bowing across the width of the rail. Yes, about 0.08" front bow. Which would act to close the slot distance slightly.

So I tried strongly clamping the rails at the edges, back to back, to counteract the bow, simulating bolt up... though Im not sure how much drywall would crush. It's not known for being flat, nor rigid.

That helped *almost* enough to let the bracket in... but still wouldnt quite clear.

So I put a shim between the two rails to force a little back bow. Way more than bolting to the wall would get; see the pic.

Still not enough. A hundreth or so short, even at risk of cracking the mdf from backbow:

View attachment 7393231
View attachment 7393232

Tried multiple brackets on the off chance specs differ.

No dice. All 3.810" +/- 0.005" scross the flanges.

...so I'm stumped.

Unwilling to pull down my existing mounts and drill two dozen holes in my wall and the product without some confidence this stuff will fit once done.

Suggestions? What am I overlooking?

Maybe the action of the screw thru the channel spreads it a bit... but that seems unlikely to comp this much clearance out...

And you'd think somewhere they'd mention, directly, "the brackets won't fit in until everything is bolted up; don't worry, this is normal."

Can't find any mention on the web anywhere of a similar situation.

I could trim a couple thousandths off the flanges on 10 painted steel brackets to make them fit, probably without compromising strength.

But should not have to, for this kind of investment.

I didn't encounter any issues like that. Reach out to the company and request a replacement. There shouldn't be this much of a hassle to install these rails.

 

[dagrev]

I'd love to pop out of a cake dressed like that - damn!

Feel free to use the concept during a gig! But we want pics.

 

[BuddhaFingas]

I didn't encounter any issues like that. Reach out to the company and request a replacement. There shouldn't be this much of a hassle to install these rails.

I know you love a good puzzle..... but If I were in you shoes, this would be packed up for return by now.

Ok. I didn’t encounter any issues like that. It’s been seven or eight years ago though. I did upgrade to the newer brackets after the fact for some of my basses after the pandemic. Something seems amiss. I think you’re best bet is to talk to them on Monday before messing with it further.

Thanks guys; That's going to be my approach.

Happy news, jury duty postponed so I'll be able to call them Monday.

I can see now (investigated a bit more) the loose bottom channel wouldn't be a deal-stopper... so long as it's held to the bottom of the groove when drilled for mounting to the wall.

Bottom channel is really only for retention when the thumbscrew is tightened; top channel carries all the weight load.

Oh, and the rails are 100% symmetrical - only difference between top and bottom is the logo sticker.

Top is to the left here: View with end cap removed ( it's on foam tape ) & bracket fed in from open end, which I can't do once mounted. Going from door frame to closet door millwork.

From this view it almost looks like the aluminum is a bit undersized compared to the milled slots... wonder if they got a bad batch and didn't realize?

 

[GBassNorth]

View attachment 7393207

Happy Birthday Miles and George!
I figured this was better than me popping out of a cake, or anything for that matter.

Both of you on the same day. It must mean something!
I guess you were born on the same day is what it means. Double bonus good day!

Donnie, I had no idea you looked anything like that!
Thx for the BDay wishes!

Happy Birthday to all who are concerned from over the pond…Tbird in action last Saturday in Augsburg at Bootleg Memorial…

View attachment 7393208

Photo by Hapeck Hapeck

Looks like a great time! Thanks for the well wishes.

Happy Birthday @Miles_ONeal !!!

Happy Birthday George @GBassNorth !!!

Andy,
Thanks! Getting closer to making a decision n moving to Prescott.

One more Rocker Birthday today!
View attachment 7393255

So many great musicians out there. Did any of the KISS gang ever play thunderbirds or firebirds?

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

BAD Transistor!....

 

[Count Bassie]

So many great musicians out there. Did any of the KISS gang ever play thunderbirds or firebirds?

Gene has a Thunderbird signature model.

 

[BklynKen]

So many great musicians out there. Did any of the KISS gang ever play thunderbirds or firebirds?

Paul Stanley has played Firebirds.

 

[BklynKen]

Donnie, I had no idea you looked anything like that!
Thx for the BDay wishes!

I can confirm! Donnie and I have hung out.

 

[GonePlaid]

Happy birthday to the one and only Chick Magnet!

Just saw this: Happy B'Day Miles!

Is it Miles Birthday today?
If so, I’m in good company! Just received my Bicentennial Tbird pickups, perfect timing, installing them on my birthday today. Can’t wait to hear how she sounds, I’ll be using a variable tone cap so should be able to fine tune very close the sound of my black bicentennial bird.

And also to George.

 

[GonePlaid]

Sorta OT: