Thunderbird Club

[Chucky Stiletti]

I have a somewhat large collection of low wattage tube amps, an Ampeg PF20t, two (2) PF50t’s, an early ‘70’s Ampeg V2 (channel 2 input modified to match a V4B), and recently acquired ‘67 Ampeg SB12. And a variety of cabinets to choose from. Being in a hard rock, and harder/heavier rock band, they only get use for personal practice and recording. I guess the hope is when I get older I’ll connect with other older musicians and start playing softer, mellower stuff (which I’d have to learn how to). That may likely be what playing out live (locally) will look like. Playing in bars to mildly interested mature folks and barflies.

who pay a fee that allows more bass related purchases....no brainer...

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I was able to intonate my stock ‘67 bridge, but just barely. The E saddle is as far as goes.
Is that the stock hardtail for the 60’s birds? Mine matches yours, but I just assumed it was a modern replacement even though there are no extra screw holes under it. I do need to source a bridge cover to hide my ugly brass feltless mute, any leads?

remove the springs.....

 

[Stealth57]

remove the springs.....
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Or cut them.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I'm a "lacto, beefo, porko, poulto" vegetarian.

left out sandwicho cubano....

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Or cut them.

but then you can't reinstall or sell them, saw some (without felts) going for over 300..,

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

...not Friday here yet, but I'll play - note that I flipped the screws. I find it more direct/easier to use a screwdriver for adjustment from the top. YOMV

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really dig Scott's bridges, pickguards and tug bars....excellent products....we're lucky to have them imho...

 

[GonePlaid]

Or cut them.

<Or use a bridge cover to keep them outta yer sight.

 

[Stealth57]

<Or use a bridge cover to keep them outta yer sight.

Gots me one.

 

[GonePlaid]

Gots me one.

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Bueno!(whatever that means)

 

[dagrev]

For those interested in the new EB Pino Palladino cobalt flats…
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I just installed an extra light (38,54,68,98) set on my ‘67 Tbird II and compared them to some EBCF strings I have on another bird.
First impressions:
Feel - ultra smooth to the max. EBCFs can sometimes feel a bit grippy for a flat, not these, they’re hot snot on a French door knob smooth.
Tension - very low but certainly not floppy. I’m able to run these on a set up with only 2/64ths action on the open strings at the 12th fret.
Silks - both ends in an attractive turquoise, unfortunately not purple
Length - these seem a bit longer than the EBCFs which can be a tad shorter than I like on the D string. I had to trim the E,A and D strings and had plenty of length on the G string as well.
Sound - compared to the EBCFs these have a more subdued top end and every bit as much bottom with slightly stronger mids. I’ve always considered EBCFs the most round wound sounding flat, these are somewhere between EBCFs and RotoSound flats. Plenty thumpy if wanted but still very articulate on the top end without sounding pingy or round wound bright. These sit nicely half way between EBCFs and Rotos.
Cost - about $60 on Amazon, might be cheaper elsewhere, so a premium price for a premium string that should last a good long time.
Recommendation - if you’ve been on the sideline because EBCFs seem rough, or if you like a clean articulate sounding flat, or if you are in search of a light gauge flat that’s not flabby or floppy, or if you like the Roto sound but want a tad more definition and top end then these strings may be worth a try.

I’ll try to put up a sound sample tomorrow.

Nice review. I believe turquoise silk add subtle mids.
But check with Will.

 

[dagrev]

"Salad is what my food eats."

^ There. It needed to be said!

 

[dagrev]

Gots me one.

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All this cover talk and I might have to get mine and the spacers out...

 

[Instagator]

^ There. It needed to be said!

Yes it did. Mrs Gator had bugs in her food last night.
And she liked it.
(AKA..Mud Bugs)
The season is just starting.
Cheers!

 

[MCF]

Nice to have my '64 back, it now has a Bad Bird bridge on it, which has really helped, it plays so nice now - like getting a whole new Thunderbird today!

I like the cover.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

^ There. It needed to be said!

the whole of San Benito (Hollister) county is all about cattle, cattle, cattle, aside from beef I tried in Argentina, it's by far the best steak around and they are very proud of that, such a subculture with rodeos and all that horse stuff....are drone rodeos next?....

 

[MCF]

Cool stuff.....
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So you made the trip to the garage! Cool.

 

[Engle]

Never played a T-bird w/flats, but if I did it would be incorporating a pick & palm-muting. I use GHS Precision flats and LaBella Deep Talkin' flats on basses I own w/flats. I used Ernie Ball 'Slinky' flats on my recent Gildaxe 5'r (that you played) on recommendation from tb members on 'best flats for a 5'r'.

I've actually been doing a bit of pick/palm muting on guitar lately, doubling my bass lines on reggae tracks.

 

[MCF]

Well, the eagle (or should I say Thunderbird) has landed!

It’s a very sweet playing ‘67 NR II with tons of patina, checking and player wear. Appears to be mostly original. A sturdy pro neck repair with dual splines, the obligatory aged cracked/warped/broken pick guard and what looks like newer pots and possibly an after market hardtail. Action is super low and super smooth at 2/64ths on the open strings at the 12th fret, bridge is completely on the deck and the truss rod works smooth and easy. Sounds fantastic with the Pino Palladino light gauge Cobalt flats (more on those in another post).

Some pics…
Played hard but maintained nicely…
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Nice checking…
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Pick guard as it should be. I had to remove it and gently sand a bit of the pickup opening on the guard, it had shrunk up around the pickup preventing the pickup from moving when the height screws were adjusted…
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The back isn’t too badly abused, just honest player wear and nice checking there as well…
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The headstock repair was done some time ago with dual splines and appears to be holding steady, some light finish cracking around some spline seams but nothing structural. I’ve seen better jobs, but I’ve seen a lot worse as well. It came with some incredibly high tension rounds on it (to the point that it was a real chore to turn the D and A tuners to pitch, honestly thought I was going to snap them off). I put some noticable back bow on the neck with the high tension strings up to pitch and everything held in tune overnight with no visible change in the repair area. This morning I strung it up with low tension EB Pino light gauge cobalt flats, backed off a bit of the back bow and was able to achieve a very low 2/64ths action on the open 12th across all strings with zero fret buzz…
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So far she seems to be a keeper. GC Vintage Gear return policy is only 72 hours after pickup, so unless I find a glaring issue by Saturday I’m stuck with her. Now to get some quality side by side time with the ‘67 and the ‘79 to see if I drastically favor one over the other.

Very cool George.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Bueno!(whatever that means)

I think it means "good"

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

So you made the trip to the garage! Cool.

totally, a little disappointed at the young inexperienced sales staff but I guess everyone has a right to retire, the banter from the luthiers in the back was interesting......the other, can't say "disappointing" item since it comes as no surprise, was the lack of focus on basses...
have you been Marshall?