Thunderbird Club

[Miles_ONeal]

Strange, my 64 fits perfectly in the triangular Epi case. The bottom button is on the center line.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

The NR is beautiful , but also a very long bass so you should definitely play one.

I picked up a new NR in a store today and it had a surprisingly fat neck. Chunky!

NRs can feel like a broom....

 

[GonePlaid]

I have been smitten by the non-reverse body shape and have been listening to the discussions about pickup types, years, and positioning.

Earlier on I was eyeing those Embassies

2021 Embassy/1967 NR:

 

[Stealth57]

My mistake, the lower button is above the center line. But, my case has plenty of room across the bottom to accommodate without any issues.

 

[GBassNorth]

I have the same issue with the neck. I think dirt in the air gets stuck to it! Like you, more so that with any bass I've owned. I wipe with a rag, but often rub the neck on my shirt or pants in a pinch.

I don’t have a sticky neck problem on my 2021 Gibby NR , but I do notice that my NR reissue (finished in metallic burgundy red) attracts dust like a magnet. I can clean it off and 15 minutes later it already has new dust on it. It’s like the finish has a static electricity to it that just draws dust all the time.

 

[GBassNorth]

Comparing T-bird pu's (while I'm no authority, not even close) as good as the '60s pu's sound (and those who own them will attest to that) - V's Lull pu bird sounds great - George's black '70s bird also sounds great and I personally think the VP pu's also sound great, maybe a bit less great - but I was surprised by how good they sound.

View attachment 7491715

Love the finish on that one. I’m working on a Cream-n-Sugar bass right now (heavy Goth mod with a big nod to Jack Bruce) that I might want to consider having you do a guild job on the body and headstock for me. It’s a ways off (probably a couple months from now) so I might change my mind but I’m strongly considering it. I’ve seen your work and it’s impeccable, and even more importantly for me is its uniqueness. If I’m building a one of a kind sounding Thunderbird I want it to look one of a kind as well. As I get closer to completing the mods I’ll PM you and we can talk options.

 

[JIO]

Love the finish on that one. I’m working on a Cream-n-Sugar bass right now (heavy Goth mod with a big nod to Jack Bruce) that I might want to consider having you do a guild job on the body and headstock for me. It’s a ways off (probably a couple months from now) so I might change my mind but I’m strongly considering it. I’ve seen your work and it’s impeccable, and even more importantly for me is its uniqueness. If I’m building a one of a kind sounding Thunderbird I want it to look one of a kind as well. As I get closer to completing the mods I’ll PM you and we can talk options.

I'm a patient man George and whenever you are ready - I'm here to assist you in achieving a unique bass. I've collaborated with a couple other players on bass & guitar designs & finishes and I enjoy the creative give & take. Looking forward to it!

Hired gun pro Chris Kuffner Google Search - gold leaf finish on his custom Freid bass and the result of our collaboration on his short scale 5'r "Vette".

Also did this distressed silver-leaf finish on his Lakeland for him -

Chris used the Freid "Goldie" on this vid playing with Ingrid Michaelson -

I've seen him a few times playing in the Bay Area with different bands using these basses, most recently playing his "Vette" with Joanne Shaw Taylor - a kick-ass blues player.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

My mistake, the lower button is above the center line. But, my case has plenty of room across the bottom to accommodate without any issues.

View attachment 7492027View attachment 7492028View attachment 7492029

Yeah, like I said, my other “identical” case takes the 1964 without a problem.

 

[GBassNorth]

The NR is beautiful , but also a very long bass so you should definitely play one.

I picked up a new NR in a store today and it had a surprisingly fat neck. Chunky!

I’ve been a neck agnostic for quite a while. Fat neck, thin neck, 4 string, 5 string - it’s all pretty much non noticeable to me unless I think about it. Not so with the Gibby NR reissue. The second I picked up my 2021 NR I thought - what the heck did they do to the neck. It’s a very rounded full C shape, thick front to back, relatively normal side to side. Still comfortable to play and plenty fast. I actually like the feel, it’s just not what I expected.

 

[MCF]

I had one of my best shows last night! We had an outdoor gig, and I got to bring my full rig. My NR got the full 4 hours of the show and it just sounded so perfect! I had a couple people come up to me on breaks saying how great the bass sounded and how cool it looked.

There were a lot of folks taking pictures, so hoping I can get some to share.

The recent NRs, initially released in ‘21, are just plain awesome Thunderbirds. There are a fair amount on the used market at reasonable prices. The pickups are awesome and eq nicely for versatile tones. I love mine. If I were to change anything, it would be to sculpt the body a bit like BaCH did beginning with their second run. I would consider getting another one if I see one a little beat at a killer price, remove a bit of wood and refinish it. In PB, of course.

 

[MCF]

Regarding the stickiness, I would change what you're cleaning with first, as it's an easy thing to try. It may be leaving a residue.

I use the Gibson pump polish and haven’t noticed an issue.

 

[MCF]

I’ve been practicing this week’s set with two basses, the CP for the first two songs (all low end) and either the Thunderbucker VP or a Greco for the rest, where I wanted a fuller range.
Last night I realized the point I’d swap basses was between two songs that segue, so I practiced the set with just the ‘64, kicking on the eq pedal the first two songs to get just low end. Man, did things sound good, at home and with the band today.
If I had to cut back to just one bass, it would be that one, hands down. Why Gibson does everything except reproduce this bass boggles my mind. Thank you to all the people who kept nudging me to get one!

I think your wife had more to do with you getting it than anyone here. Just an observation. I’m still catching flak over what I paid to get the ‘77. Some just don’t understand….

 

[MCF]

I have been smitten by the non-reverse body shape and have been listening to the discussions about pickup types, years, and positioning.

Earlier on I was eyeing those Embassies

You’ve been a tough nut to enable DJ. But as Will says, one will choose you. And just so you know, a Bird through your WD rig will sound incredible. Just sayin’…

 

[MCF]

I don’t have a sticky neck problem on my 2021 Gibby NR , but I do notice that my NR reissue (finished in metallic burgundy red) attracts dust like a magnet. I can clean it off and 15 minutes later it already has new dust on it. It’s like the finish has a static electricity to it that just draws dust all the time.

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[MCF]

Good price. I had that 115 with my Sixty-five. Marshall got to play through it.

It was a nice sounding cab. I was sad you sold it (and the head). But I get it. If I bought everything I liked, my basement would be packed.

 

[MCF]

All my birds have EBCFs. The Thunderbuckers in my VP sound different (better for most things) than the 2017 (?) TB+ in my CP. the TB+ are still good pickups.

The $200 2015 CP I got has EB 50-110s Slinkys on it now to accommodate the whacked nut that someone thought should be superglued in. Ugh. Big improvement over what the rumpkin who messed it up had on it, whatever they were. But the Tbird Pluses in it are no where near as nice as those in my ‘06 Studio. Not even close. But it’s now a great player, and looker thanks to Geo, so I like it just fine. I’ll address the nut and put stainless rounds on it next cycle.

 

[GonePlaid]

The $200 2015 CP I got has EB 50-110s Slinkys on it now to accommodate the whacked nut that someone thought should be superglued in. Ugh. Big improvement over what the rumpkin who messed it up had on it, whatever they were. But the Tbird Pluses in it are no where near as nice as those in my ‘06 Studio. Not even close. But it’s now a great player, and looker thanks to Geo, so I like it just fine. I’ll address the nut and put stainless rounds on it next cycle.

ebcf's.

 

[dagrev]

Of all the birds I’ve owned, the only one that won’t fit into one of my Epi cases is the 1964 Gibson. It’s a combination of the bottom strap button having moved and the shape of the lower bout. You can see this in the photo. Even with the strap off, it doesn’t want to go. It fits snugly in my other Epi case, and just fine in the Roadrunner. Both Epi cases are the modern trapezoidal shape.

View attachment 7491999
Actually, I’m sure the PRO 5 would not have fit, if only because of the aircraft carrier neck. But it’s long gone (because of that neck).

The '64 is just not meant to be. But I can help!

 

[dagrev]

Strange, my 64 fits perfectly in the triangular Epi case. The bottom button is on the center line.

My '64 fits both Epi shaped cases and my button is offset as well.

 

[dagrev]

The originals and Thunderbuckers are my faves of my pickups, with the Grecos close behind. V’s Lulls are right up there, too.

I've mentioned it before, but I thought Dave's SDs sounded great on the comp recordings. Live may be different, but I was really impressed with the SDs.