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Thunderbird Club

#4,261
I've got two that do.

If it were up to me, I'd fix it by flipping the headstock over so the point is facing down rather than doing a cheese knife impression, and thin it down top to bottom...a lot. I'd also add a volute to the neck, and add a bit of weight in the butt of the body...with metal, which would make the TBird the Best Bass With Metal, solving several issues at once.:D

Gimme a minute; I'll solve all the world's problems quick and easy.:laugh:
 
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#4,262
Klondike said:
Cool thanks for the heads up ! Although I have no idea what I would change TO at this point. For a little while I will stay with the stick strings.
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Jason and his crew do a fantastic job of customer service, and their knowledge of their products is impressive. Once you have an idea of the sound you're looking for (players who's tone you dig, the type of music you want to play, stuff like that) you can contact them (email, PM to Jason or through the giant BSO thread here on TB) and say "what do you recommend?" They'll give you some solid, experience based suggestions.

After I get back from Vegas in a few weeks (working vacation, basically. Going to a big trade show but I'll be there a week) I'm gonna be stringing my pre-amp'ed bird with some Dunlop Heavy Core strings because my band tunes drop C and medium light strings tuned that low become rubber bands. I wish Dean Markley would develop their Blue Steels with a thicker core. That would be magical. There are a TON of good strings for Thunderbirds, though. TONS.
 
#4,264
Showdown said:
Not so fast. I have three and they all neck dive.

I'm glad that yours doesn't dive, but many do.
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Interesting, are yours Epi or Gibson?
Mine is also a four string, I could see where a fiver could be a diver. The total weight of mine is about 7.5 pounds. Maybe all the weight difference between our basses is in the neck. I don't know much about Tbirds yet, are all the bodies and necks made from the same materials? Mine is also a neck through, I think some might be set neck if that makes a difference.
 
#4,265
GBassNorth said:
Interesting, are yours Epi or Gibson?
Mine is also a four string, I could see where a fiver could be a diver. The total weight of mine is about 7.5 pounds. Maybe all the weight difference between our basses is in the neck. I don't know much about Tbirds yet, are all the bodies and necks made from the same materials? Mine is also a neck through, I think some might be set neck if that makes a difference.
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Gibson. Two '76 and an '11 Short Scale. I just put Gotoh Resolite tuners on one '76 and it is good now. I think the Hipshot bridge helps too. Of course I had to move the strap button to the heel.

Hipshot ultralights did not completely fix it on the '11 SS. On it I still have to use a Heads Up weighted strap with 1/2 lb. weight in it to get it balanced.
 
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#4,266
Haji said:
Jason and his crew do a fantastic job of customer service, and their knowledge of their products is impressive.

Cool, I am a stickler for good customer service.

Once you have an idea of the sound you're looking for (players who's tone you dig,

I totally dig on victor Wooten! Crime my that guy is good. So want to go to his camp, close to you btw.


After I get back from Vegas

Have fun! That place will keep you up alllll night with fun things to do.
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#4,267
Showdown said:
Gibson. Two '76 and an '11 Short Scale. I just put Gotoh Resolite tuners on one '76 and it is good now. I think the Hipshot bridge helps too. Of course I had to move the strap button to the heel.

Hipshot ultralights did not completely fix it on the '11 SS. On it I still have to use a Heads Up weighted strap with 1/2 lb. weight in it to get it balanced.
Click to expand...
Interesting. I bought this bass via mail order, so I guess I must have been lucky. I wouldn't have been as happy if it were a neck diver. Also mine came standard from the factory with a heel mounted strap button, I just assumed all did.
 
#4,268
GBassNorth said:
Interesting, are yours Epi or Gibson?
Mine is also a four string, I could see where a fiver could be a diver. The total weight of mine is about 7.5 pounds. Maybe all the weight difference between our basses is in the neck. I don't know much about Tbirds yet, are all the bodies and necks made from the same materials? Mine is also a neck through, I think some might be set neck if that makes a difference.
Click to expand...

It's pretty safe to assume that birds haven't gained a reputation for neck-dive for no reason at all, mine certainly does (granted it's an Epi). The whole idea behind QC is that it's not bad if your instrument comes out atrocious, but if an unacceptable amount of them do.

The thing I don't understand is people that complain about neck-diving basses without giving them any credit for what they do well. Sure, some guy may have a feather-weight bass that costs the same as a diving bird, but it doesn't mean it's going to sound/feel any better, and it's not exactly hard to reduce the weight of a bass unless you have no money to put towards it (which would be pretty strange for anybody looking to buy one).
 
#4,269
GBassNorth said:
Interesting. I bought this bass via mail order, so I guess I must have been lucky. I wouldn't have been as happy if it were a neck diver. Also mine came standard from the factory with a heel mounted strap button, I just assumed all did.
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'70s birds came with the strap button on the upper bout. The one I bought new in '76 still has it there. It is in too good shape to drill a hole in it. But the other one is pretty beat up so I didn't feel bad about it. The '11 has it at the heel, but still dives even with ultralight tuners.
 
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#4,270
My modern Birds with the smaller headstock and strap button on the back don't dive. My other Birds with the buttons in the original horn position do dive. My first Bird was a 76 and it had strap buttons in both positions. It still had some dive when I had the strap attached behind the neck, just not as much. I think that is a combo of the larger headstock and the original heavier tuners.
 
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#4,271
GBassNorth said:
Good to her you're liking yours as well! I assume you've had it for a while, if so are there any long term things unique to this bass I should note (i.e. finish care, hardware care, best strings, watchouts, etc)?
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Had it for about 14 months now and no issues at all. Finish is still great, no electronics issues, no adjustments since the initial setup. I think I installed DR Highbeams on it but they could be Ernie Ball Slinkys. Either way, it has just been a good solid bass for home playing. Not gigging so haven't had to take it out of the house yet.
 
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#4,272
I'm looking forward more to get away from Kentucky winter and seeing friends I only see at this show than I am about being in Vegas. This is probably my tenth trip to this particular show, and I lived in San Diego for 35 years, only a five hour drive from Vegas. I like the city quite a bit, but the whole "WHOOOOOO VEGAAAAS!!!!" thing wore off a long time ago. Now the thing I that rates highest on the "Can't Freakin' Wait" list is going to Roberto's Taco Shop after landing, on the way to the hotel.:D
 
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#4,273
Nocturnal said:
My modern Birds with the smaller headstock and strap button on the back don't dive. My other Birds with the buttons in the original horn position do dive. My first Bird was a 76 and it had strap buttons in both positions. It still had some dive when I had the strap attached behind the neck, just not as much. I think that is a combo of the larger headstock and the original heavier tuners.
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This..... plus smaller, lighter tuners mean Post'88 Thunderbirds are easy to handle, however one's body type and strap length preference will change this too.
Personally, I've always kept my straps a little on the short side which I think helps, it also allows my right hand to rest across the upper 'bout, never had a problem.
 
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#4,274
TBird1958 said:
This..... plus smaller, lighter tuners mean Post'88 Thunderbirds are easy to handle, however one's body type and strap length preference will change this too.
Personally, I've always kept my straps a little on the short side which I think helps, it also allows my right hand to rest across the upper 'bout, never had a problem.
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The post '88 thing would explain why pretty much every Bird I've tried has balanced ok. I don't think any of the ones I've had my hands on we're more than 10 years old.
 
#4,275
TBird1958 said:
This..... plus smaller, lighter tuners mean Post'88 Thunderbirds are easy to handle, however one's body type and strap length preference will change this too.
Personally, I've always kept my straps a little on the short side which I think helps, it also allows my right hand to rest across the upper 'bout, never had a problem.
Click to expand...

Exactly what I do with my 08 Gibson- no problem.
 
#4,276
Showdown said:
Not so fast. I have three and they all neck dive.

I'm glad that yours doesn't dive, but many do.
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What it this neck dive you speak of? :D

1161_zps872d2206.jpg
 
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#4,280
Haji said:
I'm looking forward more to get away from Kentucky winter and seeing friends I only see at this show than I am about being in Vegas. This is probably my tenth trip to this particular show, and I lived in San Diego for 35 years, only a five hour drive from Vegas. I like the city quite a bit, but the whole "WHOOOOOO VEGAAAAS!!!!" thing wore off a long time ago. Now the thing I that rates highest on the "Can't Freakin' Wait" list is going to Roberto's Taco Shop after landing, on the way to the hotel.:D
Click to expand...

What part of Kentucky are you in? I used to live in southern Ky. and still have friends scattered around the state.
 

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