Thunderbird Club

[Miles_ONeal]

Yes, that bicentennial bird is wired correctly - assuming the .047uf tone cap is that value and goes from the center lug of the tone pot to the center lug of the neck volume pot, kinda hard to see that volume pot connection; also assuming the tone pot lug not shown in the pic is grounded to the tone pot body.

Only notes I’d make are the white bridge ground wire looks pretty anemic and frail, check its connections; and there is some solder splatter laying on the cavity floor that should be removed so it doesn’t come loose and work its way into the output jack or create a short somewhere else.

Tone cap wiring looks good.

 

[MCF]

Danger Will Robinson. Old guy rant.

So I get it that it’s their bass. I’m happy they got a Thunderbird. And they have a nicely made Thunderbird with a great neck. The finish looks to be in nice shape. But part of me is sad. Someone posted this in the FB Group. They claimed that the pickups were microphonic so they had them waxed. Then one failed. So they replaced them with EMG HZs. Ugh. And I’m sorry, but the bridge is just wrong. YMMV.

Now get off my lawn.

 

[dagrev]

Yes, that bicentennial bird is wired correctly - assuming the .047uf tone cap is that value and goes from the center lug of the tone pot to the center lug of the neck volume pot, kinda hard to see that volume pot connection; also assuming the tone pot lug not shown in the pic is grounded to the tone pot body.

Only notes I’d make are the white bridge ground wire looks pretty anemic and frail, check its connections; and there is some solder splatter laying on the cavity floor that should be removed so it doesn’t come loose and work its way into the output jack or create a short somewhere else.

Thanks! Yes, I noticed that about the ground. Talk about thin.

 

[dagrev]

Tone cap wiring looks good.

Thanks Miles.

 

[dagrev]

Danger Will Robinson. Old guy rant.

So I get it that it’s their bass. I’m happy they got a Thunderbird. And they have a nicely made Thunderbird with a great neck. The finish looks to be in nice shape. But part of me is sad. Someone posted this in the FB Group. They claimed that the pickups were microphonic so they had them waxed. Then one failed. So they replaced them with EMG HZs. Ugh. And I’m sorry, but the bridge is just wrong. YMMV.

Now get off my lawn.

View attachment 7522733

I'm with you 100%.

 

[TBird1958]

Danger Will Robinson. Old guy rant.

So I get it that it’s their bass. I’m happy they got a Thunderbird. And they have a nicely made Thunderbird with a great neck. The finish looks to be in nice shape. But part of me is sad. Someone posted this in the FB Group. They claimed that the pickups were microphonic so they had them waxed. Then one failed. So they replaced them with EMG HZs. Ugh. And I’m sorry, but the bridge is just wrong. YMMV.

Now get off my lawn.

View attachment 7522733

It's not doing anything for resale value!

 

[MCF]

Thanks! Yes, I noticed that about the ground. Talk about thin.

Come on out to George’s bass shop! He’ll fix it right up. I’ll pick you up at the airport.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Danger Will Robinson. Old guy rant.

So I get it that it’s their bass. I’m happy they got a Thunderbird. And they have a nicely made Thunderbird with a great neck. The finish looks to be in nice shape. But part of me is sad. Someone posted this in the FB Group. They claimed that the pickups were microphonic so they had them waxed. Then one failed. So they replaced them with EMG HZs. Ugh. And I’m sorry, but the bridge is just wrong. YMMV.

Now get off my lawn.

View attachment 7522733

I like the bridge, but what a waste of somewhat rare Tbird pickups.
Hmmm. Maybe they'll sell those cheaply?

 

[Engle]

Danger Will Robinson. Old guy rant.

So I get it that it’s their bass. I’m happy they got a Thunderbird. And they have a nicely made Thunderbird with a great neck. The finish looks to be in nice shape. But part of me is sad. Someone posted this in the FB Group. They claimed that the pickups were microphonic so they had them waxed. Then one failed. So they replaced them with EMG HZs. Ugh. And I’m sorry, but the bridge is just wrong. YMMV.

Now get off my lawn.

View attachment 7522733

We've seen much worse! And that can be put back to stock.

 

[Engle]

One problem can be when the leader (or a key instrumentalist) isn't listening and/or otherwise starts to drift. Do you drift with them or fight back? It depends on the band/leader. Click tracks don't drift. But honestly, if you can't stay with the rhythm section, then just run with it or work on it.

Everybody should be listening! That's an important part of playing with others.

 

[MCF]

It's not doing anything for resale value!

Yeah. Although I don’t worry about resale as I never sell any of my Thunderbirds. It’s just too bad the person didn’t know to check in here or the couple other places with knowledgeable Thunderbird people before messing with a set of fifty year old Bill Lawrence designed Sidewinders that are very rare and replacing them with what are essentially generic ceramic pickups. Oh well.

 

[MCF]

We've seen much worse! And that can be put back to stock.

Yes it can. And it would be worth doing. But expensive.

 

[MCF]

I like the bridge, but what a waste of somewhat rare Tbird pickups.
Hmmm. Maybe they'll sell those cheaply?

Maybe, but they’ve been altered. I’m not a Supertone hater. But on a Bicentennial? Nope. I hope they have the original.

 

[TBird1958]

Yeah. Although I don’t worry about resale as I never sell any of my Thunderbirds. It’s just too bad the person didn’t know to check in here or the couple other places with knowledgeable Thunderbird people before messing with a set of fifty year old Bill Lawrence designed Sidewinders that are very rare and replacing them with what are essentially generic ceramic pickups. Oh well.

That bridge is just horrible on that old bass, no need to do it either, there's no neck pitch, a 3 point on deck is all you need. Needless and ugly.

 

[Iristone]

When I had a 3-point Thunderbird, my bridge studs preferred the stock bridge to the Supertone. I even slightly preferred the tone and slightly narrower spacing of the stock bridge, but the adjustability of the Hipshot would still be a welcome addition if not for all these shortcomings... OTOH the Rickenbacker bridge from Hipshot is great, but newer Rics also already come with an improved bridge.

 

[MCF]

When I had a 3-point Thunderbird, my bridge studs preferred the stock bridge to the Supertone. I even slightly preferred the tone and slightly narrower spacing of the stock bridge, but the adjustability of the Hipshot would still be a welcome addition if not for all these shortcomings... OTOH the Rickenbacker bridge from Hipshot is great, but newer Rics also already come with an improved bridge.

I tried the Supertone on three Thunderbirds. It was a disaster on a Goth and another Epi bolt-on. String height and intonation issues that couldn’t be resolved, even with shimming and an assortment of different length intonation screws and springs that Hipshot sent me gratis. I put it on a Classic Pro and the third try was the charm. It works great and looks nice on that Thunderbird. Great customer service. I like the three point. Babicz is my favorite.

 

[5StringBlues]

Ah, back from another involuntary month long vacation!
What'd l miss?





Hopefully not Willy's feet.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I tried the Supertone on three Thunderbirds. It was a disaster on a Goth and another Epi bolt-on. String height and intonation issues that couldn’t be resolved, even with shimming and an assortment of different length intonation screws and springs that Hipshot sent me gratis. I put it on a Classic Pro and the third try was the charm. It works great and looks nice on that Thunderbird. Great customer service. I like the three point. Babicz is my favorite.

Mine worked great on a basic bolt-on and on my Classic Pro. Both with black hardware, and I love the look. Not quite as much with chrome or nickel, but close.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Maybe, but they’ve been altered. I’m not a Supertone hater. But on a Bicentennial? Nope. I hope they have the original.

bet it plays and sounds killer......

 

[GBassNorth]

I’m actually quite fond of the Hipshot Supertone on Goth applications, just looks right on that bass to me. I like the Babicz for after market applications on modern Gibson tbirds. I like the two piece VP style bridge on the NR and vintage style birds, I wish Gibson had put one on the NR reissue.