Thunderbird Club

[BklynKen]

Just ordered a Hipshot Supertone in chrome from Reverb. Next I will take the tone control out of the circut.

Looking forward to hearing your impressions. May not be the best-looking one out there (I don't think any of the 3-point bridges are), but Hipshot makes such great stuff.

Incidentally, I was picturing swapping out to a D Style bridge (two-piece) and called and asked them if they had one that had the same bolt width as the Supertone, but he said even if they did, you couldn't get the intonation set at that point. I hadn't thought about that.

 

[JJR58]

Looking forward to hearing your impressions. May not be the best-looking one out there (I don't think any of the 3-point bridges are), but Hipshot makes such great stuff.

Incidentally, I was picturing swapping out to a D Style bridge (two-piece) and called and asked them if they had one that had the same bolt width as the Supertone, but he said even if they did, you couldn't get the intonation set at that point. I hadn't thought about that.

Hey Ken, won't have it till next week, but i'll give you an update as soon as it's installed. Personally, i love the look of that Bridge, i know it's quite a departure as far as a traditional look for a Thunderbird, but i don't mind. Keep you posted.

 

[BklynKen]

Hey Ken, won't have it till next week, but i'll give you an update as soon as it's installed. Personally, i love the look of that Bridge, i know it's quite a departure as far as a traditional look for a Thunderbird, but i don't mind. Keep you posted.

It's a fantastic bridge. I think the sort of wings on it are a kind of nod to the Thunderbird aesthetic. I'm sure you will be really happy with it. I am with mine.

I like the aesthetic better of their 2-point bridge, but again, the saddles would likely not have enough travel to properly intonate, plus I don't think it would bolt directly on.

 

[JJR58]

It's a fantastic bridge. I think the sort of wings on it are a kind of nod to the Thunderbird aesthetic. I'm sure you will be really happy with it. I am with mine.

I really dig that part about it, not to mention it's fully adjustable. I really don't care for the three point, it's a PITA to set the intonation. and it's just cheaply made.
Can't wait for the Hipshot.
I wouldn't take the chance on the 2 point for the reasons you mentioned.

 

[EdO.]

Was it an 810 or a 412?

Also, tell the guitar player with the Jackson to take off the tuner when he plays! (my pet peeve)

No idea of what the speaker cab had in it, sorry. Basically just hooked my wireless up to it and took off. All the acts used it. Asked the sound guy if he needed anything from me, just basically said no we're good to go.

Agreed on the tuner, I think it looks amateurish and I've told him so. He really doesn't care and the dude can shred so I just let it alone.

 

[Gaolee]

I found a downside of the Babicz last Sunday night at band practice. It's kinda sharp, and if you get over-enthusiastic with the pick right down by the bridge, it can draw blood. Actually, that may not be a downside. Rock and roll is all about sex and blood and mind altering substances anyway. One out of three in public ain't too bad. It sounds different from the 1991, which sounds different from the 2001. I can't decide which one is the one I want to play at a gig next Thursday. It's not a bad problem to have.

The gig is an odd one. It's for lawyers, and it's at a "retirement community" building. I guess the building has a decent sized venue with a stage, and the lawyer organization rented it for their event. It's going to be a bit of a mental disconnect, but it pays and it's playing. So, one of the 'Birds will get on stage. Probably the 2015, since it has a drop-D tuner on it, and that's fun to play with on some songs. I'll probably use the little Carvin combo and its extension cabinet. An Acoustic 360 would be absolute overkill in a place like that for an event like that.

Then again....

Non-Bird, no Acoustic content, but it seems like the right thing for the circumstances.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

I found a downside of the Babicz last Sunday night at band practice. It's kinda sharp, and if you get over-enthusiastic with the pick right down by the bridge, it can draw blood. Actually, that may not be a downside. Rock and roll is all about sex and blood and mind altering substances anyway. One out of three in public ain't too bad. It sounds different from the 1991, which sounds different from the 2001. I can't decide which one is the one I want to play at a gig next Thursday. It's not a bad problem to have.

The gig is an odd one. It's for lawyers, and it's at a "retirement community" building. I guess the building has a decent sized venue with a stage, and the lawyer organization rented it for their event. It's going to be a bit of a mental disconnect, but it pays and it's playing. So, one of the 'Birds will get on stage. Probably the 2015, since it has a drop-D tuner on it, and that's fun to play with on some songs. I'll probably use the little Carvin combo and its extension cabinet. An Acoustic 360 would be absolute overkill in a place like that for an event like that.

Then again....

Non-Bird, no Acoustic content, but it seems like the right thing for the circumstances.

I've been meaning to ask here recently, which Drop tuner fits Thunderbirds?

 

[theFixer]

Slight change of pace here. I FINALLY got some decent shots of my band and one of my Bird's at a local music festival we played a couple of weeks ago. Just thought I'd post a few since they turned out pretty well (taken by the local newspaper photog). The Aguilar amp I was using was provided backline (guitar players brought their own of course) but it did sound damn good.

View attachment 2751835 View attachment 2751836 View attachment 2751837 View attachment 2751838 View attachment 2751839

Yeah man! Those are great shots! Nice to see the 'bird front & center

The guy with the blue Jackson... he looks like he could be your brother...

 

[Gaolee]

I've been meaning to ask here recently, which Drop tuner fits Thunderbirds?

It's a Hipshot. It was on the bass when I got it, and I'm liking it more and more over time. The 2015 has not been chromed out, which means the d-tuner is black, with the later style Y handles instead of clovers. That makes it easier, since you have to talk to Hipshot and be specific about what you are ordering to get clovers that fit a Thunderbird headstock. As far as I can tell, the d-tuner was a direct fit for the 2015. Hipshot tuners required some added holes in the 1991 headstock, because the design of the original tuners on that one was different from the current design. It's the location of the small screw that goes into the back of the headstock that changed sometime or another. More information than you asked for, but I figure it's good to have depending on the year of 'Bird you are thinking about putting a d-tuner on, and what you want the handles to look like.

 

[hillerup]

Looking forward to hearing your impressions. May not be the best-looking one out there (I don't think any of the 3-point bridges are), but Hipshot makes such great stuff.

Incidentally, I was picturing swapping out to a D Style bridge (two-piece) and called and asked them if they had one that had the same bolt width as the Supertone, but he said even if they did, you couldn't get the intonation set at that point. I hadn't thought about that.

Hey Ken, won't have it till next week, but i'll give you an update as soon as it's installed. Personally, i love the look of that Bridge, i know it's quite a departure as far as a traditional look for a Thunderbird, but i don't mind. Keep you posted.

It's a fantastic bridge. I think the sort of wings on it are a kind of nod to the Thunderbird aesthetic. I'm sure you will be really happy with it. I am with mine.

I like the aesthetic better of their 2-point bridge, but again, the saddles would likely not have enough travel to properly intonate, plus I don't think it would bolt directly on.

I really dig that part about it, not to mention it's fully adjustable. I really don't care for the three point, it's a PITA to set the intonation. and it's just cheaply made.
Can't wait for the Hipshot.
I wouldn't take the chance on the 2 point for the reasons you mentioned.

There's always Scott's 3-point BadBird replacement bridge with the tailbar, which looks the part.

 

[theFixer]

Next I will take the tone control out of the circut.

... a.k.a. "the Kat-Sixx mod"

 

[Larry V]

I've been meaning to ask here recently, which Drop tuner fits Thunderbirds?

I had the Hipshot D-tuner for my Goth. It went with the Goth when it sold. I liked it a lot and it was easy to set up and use.

 

[theFixer]

Same here, no more talk about the uncle.

I would like to know how he's fairing when you get an update though. Feel free to PM me if you'd rather...

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

It's a Hipshot. It was on the bass when I got it, and I'm liking it more and more over time. The 2015 has not been chromed out, which means the d-tuner is black, with the later style Y handles instead of clovers. That makes it easier, since you have to talk to Hipshot and be specific about what you are ordering to get clovers that fit a Thunderbird headstock. As far as I can tell, the d-tuner was a direct fit for the 2015. Hipshot tuners required some added holes in the 1991 headstock, because the design of the original tuners on that one was different from the current design. It's the location of the small screw that goes into the back of the headstock that changed sometime or another. More information than you asked for, but I figure it's good to have depending on the year of 'Bird you are thinking about putting a d-tuner on, and what you want the handles to look like.

I want to put one on my black 2013. I just haven't looked into it enough yet to figure out which model works on it.

 

[JJR58]

I would like to know how he's fairing when you get an update though. Feel free to PM me if you'd rather...

Will do sir.

 

[JJR58]

There's always Scott's 3-point BadBird replacement bridge with the tailbar, which looks the part.

Thought about that, but committed to the Hipshot. Don't want to burn a bridge with this seller, great guy and made it happen for me.

 

[Gaolee]

I want to put one on my black 2013. I just haven't looked into it enough yet to figure out which model works on it.

Call Hipshot. They have the information. I don't have the bass here to look at, so I really don't know which one fits.

I believe it's this one, but better to check than find out I'm wrong after spending money on one that won't work.
GB7 Bass Xtender

 

[theFixer]

Thought about that, but committed to the Hipshot. Don't want to burn a bridge with this seller, great guy and made it happen for me.

Also (and unfortunately)... the BadBird is only available in chrome. Of course, chrome is what most of us would rather see, but it means having to get new hardware all around.

 

[JJR58]

Also (and unfortunately)... the BadBird is only available in chrome. Of course, chrome is what most of us would rather see, but it means having to get new hardware all around.

Getting a chrome Hipshot.
As far as new hardware is concerned, well, i like a bit of contrast.

 

[theFixer]

Getting a chrome Hipshot.
As far as new hardware is concerned, well, i like a bit of contrast.

Ya gonna chrome it all out over time, or rock the mixed bag?