Thunderbird Club

[theFixer]

Non-Thunderbird post, picked up this hunk o crap today just for fun. Separate thread started in the general Basses forum. Couldn't figure out how to link a thread here or I'd post the link.
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Man... that is k00ky... but it's cool

Wuddup widdat headstock? WOW!!!

 

[theFixer]

Somehow I read that wrong...

No... since you said that... I'm pretty sure I wrote it wrong

 

[RedVee]

It's vintage "made in Japan" and spray painted is what it is.
Producing some pretty gnarly grooves, I actually like playing it, but the neck is toast, Twisted and tweaked. I'll keep it for fun, might find a "use" for It. Might try to swap the neck, or just learn to play it as is - and avoid the G-String.

These basses came with hot single-coil pu's and 500K pots - they're pretty aggressive on their own! It's part of the draw - they are usually short-scale basses but they deliver some raw punch!

I've got one of these as well, but not so 'curly'.
Mine has a 'sort of jazz' shape with a Rick-like scale.

 

[JJR58]

There have been complication though - That's why we always bring the guerney and defibrillator...


Kinky!

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Would not the Dingwall with the strap button on the back, 3" from the end make the thing more neck heavy?

I've never played a Dingwall, but to my knowledge it would not, because there's more weight beyond that point pulling down. An example of extremes would be if you only put a strap on the top pin, representing strap pins closer together, the body pulls down and the neck goes up.

 

[Larry V]

Any noteworthy differences between a reglr T-bird neck & the neck of the short scale?

None that stood out to me. All of my 4 string TBirds feel the same to me.

The short scale neck is pretty close to the same as my Bicentennial birds, except shorter of course. Since I basically learned to play on a '76 bird it feels right at home to me. Having never played a newer Tbird I have no idea how it compares to them.

Yes....

The regular is long scale and the short scale is - Well, short scale...

That's the only difference to me.

That's exactly what happened to me too...

I wrote seller several times without a reply, then did file a complaint as well, and finally got contacted by the seller, that promised to set things right and send the right pickup - But nothing happened and eventually my complaint got closed (marked as resolved) by EBay because I wasn't aware there was a deadline. Since then I haven't heard from the seller, despite several mails to him...

That sucks! Probably because of this you weren't able to hammer them with a bad review were you?

3. Use a cotton strap, or whatever other material that doesn’t easily slide.

Plus, you shouldn’t be looking at your fretboard when playing anyway.

Yes, yes... I know... but, I challenge you to find me somebody who doesn't at least occasionally do so. I was watching a Gov't Mule concert last night, in which Jorgen Carlsson stared at his fretboard most of the night, while Warren Haynes glanced back & forth at his all night long. I ain't sayin' it's "right"... but I ain't sayin' it's "wrong" either.

Exactly, Mike. I need to recenter once in a while and getting a quick look at the fret board keeps the clam soup at bay.

Fergburger in Queenstown is reputedly the 'best' burger shop in the world.

Is the first G silent? If so, I've eaten there.

I have done T-bird weight reduction - the lower rout of this Epi Goth is covered by the pg and the upper a thin sheet of veneer or acrylic. I was happy to see it was solid mahogany. Can store (your favorite concealed whatever) in the lower one... will need to finish it eventually. Anyone interested pm me -

oh, and "thin line T-birds"? T-birds are pretty thin right now - much thinner and you're getting conceptual.
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After composing a relatively long measured answer to your reply addressing the balance issue, I've chosen not to post it. Best just to say that my follow-thru explanation would probably not be aesthetically welcomed and I have no wish to start a potentially negative chain reaction. Eventually if I finish building up this chambered Goth body - I'll probably post it in the Luthiers Corner.

You HAVE to put it up here as well or at least let us know it's up in the Luthier's Corner.

62 is the first year Before Thunderbird. 1 BT.

'62 is most likely the "real" year of the TBird's birth when you consider it needed to be designed and prototyped.

Does anyone here have a favorite source for replacement truss rod covers? I need one for the NR with the Gibson logo upside down.

You could check with this seller. They customize colors so they may be able to change the logo for you.

GIBSON THUNDERBIRD TRUSS TIE ROD COVER (BLK/SILVER) | eBay

That's what I was hoping you'd find on eBay, Ken. They should be able to flip the Gibson for you.

 

[Skerrvydog]

Nooooooooo! Don't touch it other than playing it! I have a '65 Teisco Del Rey and dead stock with who knows how old flats on it - it's an amazing sounding bass!



Too bad about the neck twist - very unlikely it can be rectified. (and as you would agree not worth it) I love those cool 60's MIJ guitars/basses that were originally sold at places like Sears and Woolworths dept stores. If not for the twist I'd offer to paint it! I've developed a cool 'low-tech' that-type-of-vintage finish that would look great on that bass. It's a real beauty!

These basses came with hot single-coil pu's and 500K pots - they're pretty aggressive on their own! It's part of the draw - they are usually short-scale basses but they deliver some raw punch!

Yes this thing does have a great raw hot thunky grisly sound and it generously gives up some creamy riffs! I think I'll play it as is if I can just clean up the flaking polyurethane someone dumped on the neck.

It is indeed a 60's Avalon bass - the very name made infamous by that magical all girls supergroup The Shaggs!
Didn't know I was obtaining such a "rare collectors item!"

 

[hillerup]

That sucks! Probably because of this you weren't able to hammer them with a bad review were you?

Not tried yet - Will see if I still can...

'62 is most likely the "real" year of the TBird's birth when you consider it needed to be designed and prototyped.

Sounds plausible...

 

[DerekW]

Not tried yet - Will see if I still can...



Sounds plausible...

There you go. I just read Ray Dietrich was hired in 1962 to design the thunderbird and firebird.
So #62 can be "Year of Thunderbird Conception".

 

[JJR58]

There you go. I just read Ray Dietrich was hired in 1962 to design the thunderbird and firebird.
So #62 can be "Year of Thunderbird Conception".

That would strip away any perceived bad juju associated with the #, wouldn't it?

 

[Larry V]

Another reason to like the proposal!

 

[Gaolee]

He said that the AC breaking emptied the register. We ended up half of what was promised and only played two sets. People would come in and have one drink and leave due to the heat. There was a promoter who does outside festivals and he came to see us because he followed the old line up of the band. We put on a good show for him and he was taking and laughing with our BL. Will know more during the week. We promote the crap out of this online, not only on our band Facebook page, but in NJ musicians groups. The owner didn't put us on the Marquee until last Sunday and didn't put the band name, just put Motley Crue tribute. I am looking at it as a live practice nothing more. Starting at dumps and work our way up from there. At least it's a resume

I suspect we have all played shows like that. It's still playing, even though it gets ridiculous sometimes. Eight hours of travel, setup, teardown, etc. for a couple hours of playing at most, and no money to speak of. I met a guy in Bass Northwest back when it was still in business, and he said he had quit gigging because it was like being a mover with bad pay and worse hours. That's probalby true, but we still do it anyway. There's something wrong with all of us!

 

[Gaolee]

That would strip away any perceived bad juju associated with the #, wouldn't it?

Maybe #62 should be Ray Dietrich himself.

 

[Gaolee]

...and avoid the G-String.

What?

 

[JJR58]

Maybe #62 should be Ray Dietrich himself.

Yet another good idea, i like that.

 

[BklynKen]

That's what I was hoping you'd find on eBay, Ken. They should be able to flip the Gibson for you.

Yeah, thanks. I did find it, but I was hoping to hear if anyone has any personal experience with any.

 

[JJR58]

On a side note, i just completed ordering all the nice shiny chromey bits for my Epi.
One step at a time though, the Hipshot goes on first, since i'll have that before the other parts.
Ooops, forgot, will have that bad bridge p/up pot replaced first.
Guess while i'm at it, i'll have a Switchcraft output jack installed as well.
And thank you @TBird1958.

 

[BklynKen]

Yet another good idea, i like that.

Seconded.

 

[Dadagoboi]

Just give 62 to Ray Dietrich. Those who know will know.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Just give 62 to Ray Dietrich. Those who know will know.

And act like it's always been that way.