Thunderbird Club

[ProgressiveDoom]

I just deleted a bunch of posts from last night (how you guys accrue so many pages on a Tuesday night is almost frightening ). If you see posts that appear to break the rules, report them. Responding in kind will only end up getting party hats handed out to both sides.
Thank you

Kind of makes you want a Thunderbird or something......or a Cataldo

 

[BklynKen]

The amp is foot-switch-able. That said, I just leave it on all the time now. The Orange splits the signal so you always have clean, low end. The driven tone is a combo of distorted highs and clean lows so the tone doesn't get "small" when the distortion is kicked on.

What I mean about the pedal is that in the case you have to use some other amp, you can at least get close to your sound.

 

[Dadagoboi]

IME, you probably need a fret leveling. The Epi's I have played in the store all could have used some fret work. Also, if you can track down a used Babicz or Hipshot bridge, they both allow for finer adjustment (individual strings) of string height than the 3 point bridge.

I also bought myself one of these:

BASS GUITAR NECK STRAIGHT EDGE (Notched) LUTHIERS TOOL | eBay

My 2014 Gibson T-Bird came with almost no tension on the truss rod. The neck had a significant bow in it. I tightened by eye but after a day or so, it would be over tightened and buzz. After using this and making much smaller adjustments, I was able to get the neck almost flat. A slight amount of relief is what I like, and it has remained there ever since. I am not skilled enough to do it by feel. This tool allowed me a visual confirmation before doing anything.

I then was able to determine that I had a fret (number 19) that was a good bit higher than its brethren by using the tools below:

GeetarGizmos THERMO-FORMED Fret Crowning Dressing Level File Luthier Tool Stick

STAINLESS STEEL FRET ROCKER LUTHIER GUITAR TOOL

Set of 2 Fret Guards Sanding Fingerboard Protector for Guitar Bass Ukelele | eBay

Small Fret End Dressing File with one smooth edge to prevent fingerboard damage

Now the action is right where I like it, no buzz. This tool helped in setting the string radius:

Fret Board Under String Radius Gauge Set, 089453 | eBay

In the 34 years that I had been playing I always took my bass to a luthier, sometimes with less than desirable results. I had been away for so long from playing, I no longer had "my guy".

When I got my first T-Bird, the 2006 that I have since sold, I took it o a local "master" for set up that I had been referred to. My bass came back pretty close to the way I gave it to him and I paid $125 for it. He was cool and told me that if I did not like the set up, I could it bring back for adjustments at no charge but that meant travel and not having the bass for a week or more at a time. I just figured it was time to jump in the pool and learn how to swim....

Yep, it ain't rocket science!

I don't own any of those tools. Instead I bought Dan Erlewine's book and learned how to make or substitute standard stuff for all of them.

Of course I've never paid $125 for a setup, either. That makes store bought tools look a lot more reasonable. More players should figure that out!

 

[TBird1958]

Well well well, lookie what we have here...

Orville by Gibson Thunderbird Bass Recent Vintage Sunburst

That's a great Thunderbird, not neck thru though, it's set neck. Love mine.

 

[ProgressiveDoom]

Can any of my Thunderbird Club Family,Gangster,Cult members guide me with this mod?. I want to replace my 3 piece bridge with a bridge commonly found on Jazz, Precision and other basses. I have been informed that I will need a shim to raise the bridge up to where the 3 piece height currently sits witch makes perfect sense but I have searched the internet and have not found a proper name for the shim,a brand name for the shim or even just one picture of the shim on any bass. Without the shim Im considering some custom methods, I can feel my Macguyver senses tingling.
This is the bridge that I want to put on my ThunderBacker.

 

[bylar13]

Yep, it ain't rocket science!

I don't own any of those tools. Instead I bought Dan Erlewine's book and learned how to make or substitute standard stuff for all of them.

Of course I've never paid $125 for a setup, either. That makes store bought tools look a lot more reasonable. More players should figure that out!

Ya' don't know, til ya' know...Now, I know!!!

 

[bylar13]

What I mean about the pedal is that in the case you have to use some other amp, you can at least get close to your sound.

True. Although,if its a rental, you can abuse it to get what you need as well.....

 

[Gluvhand]

Can any of my Thunderbird Club Family,Gangster,Cult members guide me with this mod?. I want to replace my 3 piece bridge with a bridge commonly found on Jazz, Precision and other basses. I have been informed that I will need a shim to raise the bridge up to where the 3 piece height currently sits witch makes perfect sense but I have searched the internet and have not found a proper name for the shim,a brand name for the shim or even just one picture of the shim on any bass. Without the shim Im considering some custom methods, I can feel my Macguyver senses tingling.
This is the bridge that I want to put on my ThunderBacker.
View attachment 1370086

I don't know of anyone actually makes and markets a bridge shim. StewMac would have one if it exists. The do have neck pocket shims. Most techs/luthiers probably make their own. I know some aftermarket bridges, like Babicz, come with them if needed.

 

[Count Bassie]

@JJR58 , Happy Bird Day man! Nice catch.

 

[JIO]

Can any of my Thunderbird Club Family,Gangster,Cult members guide me with this mod?. I want to replace my 3 piece bridge with a bridge commonly found on Jazz, Precision and other basses. I have been informed that I will need a shim to raise the bridge up to where the 3 piece height currently sits witch makes perfect sense but I have searched the internet and have not found a proper name for the shim,a brand name for the shim or even just one picture of the shim on any bass. Without the shim Im considering some custom methods, I can feel my Macguyver senses tingling.
This is the bridge that I want to put on my ThunderBacker.
View attachment 1370086

If you have a couple of shop machines or access to them, you can make your own out of wood - any hard-wood will work. Determine the height needed & table-saw depth, trace the plate onto it and cut it out with a band-saw. Drill holes to match the plate and you'll need to get longer screws also. Don't think ready made plate risers are sold for a standard bent-plate Fender bridge. However - a Schaller 3D bridge (great design) does offer spacers/risers that can be stacked to the proper height and they can sometimes be found on eBay sold by independent sellers.

 

[Count Bassie]

Well I played my 'Bird last night at rehearsal. I've left my Acoustic 136 combo amp there at the space we rent, and man that thing is pretty loud! The bass sounded great, I was glad to bring the 'Bird to a session of some kind, it's been a while. I use the Hamer Mutant for reggae, with nylon strings on it, it's just the right tool for that gig- anyway I 've hardly played my Epi at all last few months! So I can relate to your new Bird in a way, @JJR58 . Mine's almost like new to me lately.

While we were learning a tune I was like, to myself, "Oh yeah- there it is! Sounds pretty good!". I do love my Thunderbird bass.

 

[kat888]

With regard to neck joins (or not) the accepted opionion always seemed to be neck through was best for sustain, while bolt/screw necks were not.

Thing is that I have recent experience with two detachable necked basses and neither is/was short of sustain. Even played through a DI/headphones with no in room feedback, or compression or other sustain 'enhancing' factors, the NR41 will sustain a fretted note for a ridiculously long time. I suppose if I had one of them superior quality Birds I could play a note in the morning and when I came home from work in the evening it would still be going.

 

[PillO]

I hate it when my hide chaps.........

My chaps are assless, but by definition, all chaps are.

 

[Gluvhand]

My chaps are assless, but by definition, all chaps are.

Mine are assless, until I put them on.

 

[RedVee]

Don't sell yourself short! Just plug that 'bird into wunna them Marshalls, crank it up to 11, run a mic stand up to about 8 feet high & angle it down, then jam a fork into yer thigh & play fast! \m/

Wow - is that the secret???

 

[Dadagoboi]

Can any of my Thunderbird Club Family,Gangster,Cult members guide me with this mod?. I want to replace my 3 piece bridge with a bridge commonly found on Jazz, Precision and other basses. I have been informed that I will need a shim to raise the bridge up to where the 3 piece height currently sits witch makes perfect sense but I have searched the internet and have not found a proper name for the shim,a brand name for the shim or even just one picture of the shim on any bass. Without the shim Im considering some custom methods, I can feel my Macguyver senses tingling.
This is the bridge that I want to put on my ThunderBacker.
View attachment 1370086

It's not necessary to shim it depending on year. This '76 Bicentennial had a vintage 'threaded saddle' bridge on it when I got it. No problem...with the bridge anyway.

 

[RedVee]

That might be news to the US 5th district court...

Certainly architecture and administrative jurisdictions are based on the French and Creole traditions of the 1700s, but as far as law goes, they operate under US law which is based on British common law, not the French Napoleonic code.

I reckon I'd enjoy a visit to New Orleans. If my family history research is correct, I'm a mix of Irish, English & Mauritian Creole (French & African mix) in descending order.

Seems New Orleans has me covered.

 

[ProgressiveDoom]

It's not necessary to shim it depending on year. This '76 Bicentennial had a vintage 'threaded saddle' bridge on it when I got it. No problem...with the bridge anyway.

View attachment 1375637

First picture I have seen of that. I was understanding that the bridge needed to be raised to compensate for the height due to the angle of the neck, if that makes any sense. Thank you.

 

[ProgressiveDoom]

If you have a couple of shop machines or access to them, you can make your own out of wood - any hard-wood will work. Determine the height needed & table-saw depth, trace the plate onto it and cut it out with a band-saw. Drill holes to match the plate and you'll need to get longer screws also. Don't think ready made plate risers are sold for a standard bent-plate Fender bridge. However - a Schaller 3D bridge (great design) does offer spacers/risers that can be stacked to the proper height and they can sometimes be found on eBay sold by independent sellers.

Super, thanks.

 

[ProgressiveDoom]

I don't know of anyone actually makes and markets a bridge shim. StewMac would have one if it exists. The do have neck pocket shims. Most techs/luthiers probably make their own. I know some aftermarket bridges, like Babicz, come with them if needed.

Thanks, neck pocket shim seems logical too.