• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Thunderbird Club

#37,683
theFixer said:
I found one at $60...

Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...

Thanks, I only had $50 left (plus about $20 in the wallet) after that classic pro purchase. And while taking the female unit to used bookstores to sell books, there was an ibanez rg120 with roadrunner gig bag and a monster cable for $30, I couldn't just leave it there you know! I figured I would flip it and keep the bag, but after hammering down the bridge fulcrum ferrules back all the way in (sound familiar? My pro is about to do the same thing, but I know how to remedy that), the action is super low and it reminded me how much I missed my old purple neon RG550dx from the early 90s, so I decided to keep it.

No wah till after the next gig at least, or perhaps after gub'ment payday on the 4th.

Only issue on the RG, other than the one I fixed, is a small neck pocket crack (common), and the previous owner did a sloppy job of CARVING the note letters into the fretboard. But for a beater player with shred neck, 2H and a trem for $30, how could I not?

IMG_20170725_192050819.jpg
, and a monster cable
 
  • Like
Reactions: hillerup, theFixer, veebass and 2 others
#37,685
kat888 said:
He's probably an original mod, mine's a 70s Mod-revivalist. He looks like a less wrinky Paul Weller - can't complain.

And he's funny - 'I bought the cats a new toy' he says, showing me a heavy-duty boutique paper bag, adding 'it came with a free Fred Perry shirt'.
Click to expand...

:) I'm so glad you're here with us.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JJR58, hillerup, theFixer and 5 others
#37,686
Larry V said:
I saw a yellow one on eBay months ago and was scratching my head about the piezo pups. The listing mentioned nothing about it being a prototype Explorer.
Click to expand...

Uwe (who's collection is a large number of what is shown in the Gibson Bass Book) has one of the piezo loaded Explorers as well. I don't think they made a ton, and they are probably rare. Rare doesn't always mean an item should be expensive. I believe he stated that it sounds better than the Ripper pickup-loaded explorer and sound nice and warm.

JIO said:
Yah, the way it was phrased made it sound like the ultraviolet (?) light (somehow) showed that it was the original finish. (along with disclosing the neck repair) And this is coming from a "vintage dealer" (?) who clearly should know better. I mean, just stating it's a nice refinish would be preferable and he could still ask a nice price for it. I also did not see a pic of the backside of the hs to show the serial # which is also suspect in its absence.
Click to expand...

I have only seen a couple of the cardinal red Tbirds from that era. The only one I ever saw in person was at The Bass place and I could have bought it for $600 with a case. I was too stupid to buy it on sight. Gone when I returned for it.

kat888 said:
If this bloke really thinks it's 'different tastes' why spend time slagging the TBird in the first place?

A person could spend all day on here and elsewhere slagging people's J-basses and telling others how hideous their $10000 coffee table basses are etc, but we don't because y'know, different tastes. Obviously that does not preclude tweaking the nose hairs of ignorant, uninformed fanbois when necessary.
Click to expand...

That was my thought as well. Just because you don't like a brand/model of a bass you need to let the owner know you don't approve of their choice? Just because you think something doesn't mean you need to say it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JJR58, hillerup, Haji and 4 others
#37,688
RedVee said:
And... he could've just been happy for her.
Click to expand...

Some people need to make sure that you know they don't approve of your choices. I have a word for people like that but TB won't allow it and its one of my more vulgar/mean spirited words I use for people, so I will keep it to myself.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JJR58, Larry V, theFixer and 6 others
#37,692
@theFixer .
IMG_2252.JPG
Ok I did it!. I cant believe how easy it was to pull this off, I used a drill,dremel and grinder. Now I can love my Thunderbacker the way I should, it feels natural to me now. I bought a beater lefty P bass off Kijiji for $40 and raided it of all electronics but specifically the neck. This job took me just under one hour to size up the heel, it took me longer to put the strings back on and to intonate it. Hey Fix, this is a quick and easy remedy for large hand syndrome and it wont break the bank. Now I will play it more:bassist: Very minor aesthetic touch ups still required. Dont you love it when you finish a project and realise you forgot just one thing?. After I strung er up I realized I had a new set of Rickenbacker Sharks Teeth inlay decals:banghead:............:(.............:roflmao:............:thumbsup:
IMG_2253.JPG IMG_2248.JPG IMG_2254.JPG
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: JJR58, Larry V, theFixer and 10 others
#37,700
kat888 said:
He's probably an original mod, mine's a 70s Mod-revivalist. He looks like a less wrinkly Paul Weller - can't complain.

And he's funny - 'I bought the cats a new toy' he says, showing me a heavy-duty boutique paper bag, adding 'it came with a free Fred Perry shirt'.
Click to expand...
It makes me think of this great Kink's tune. Aren't these dudes in video 60s mods?
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: JJR58, Larry V, GBassNorth and 2 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back