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Thunderbird Club

#4,561
I had the 4th one I think, made in late 12 but still marked as a 13. I also got mine from Jim. I wanted another one. Jim is sending me another one to replace this one. It plays and sounds great but this bridge thing is in acceptable. There are a few finish issues as well.
 
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#4,562
I've heard people trashing Gibson's fit and finish for years, and mostly took it with a grain of salt.

The finish prep for that gold paint job is truly horrifying...wow.

EDIT:

I now realize the effect was deliberate.

Not my favorite choice, but a valid one.

;)
 
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#4,565
My Epi Bird Pro V. Unfortunately doesn't get any play nowadays. One of the best sounding basses I own. The B is epic.

epibird.jpg
 
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#4,566
Has anyone ordered the Hipshot Ultralite Tuners for their bass in chrome?

The Hipshot website pic makes the Y tuning key look like it's gray as well as the gear body.

image.jpg


While here's the pic for the Shiny Nickel.

image.jpg


Is that website pic an accurate representation of what the chrome option looks like?
 
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#4,567
BTL said:
I've heard people trashing Gibson's fit and finish for years, and mostly took it with a grain of salt.

The finish prep for that gold paint job is truly horrifying...wow.

EDIT:

I now realize the effect was deliberate.

Not my favorite choice, but a valid one.

;)
Click to expand...
Yeah, I hear ya!
I was a little concerned about a couple of the close up pics being misinterpreted because the grain and open pores are so visible. Its very hard to photograph but once you see it in person and feel it its actually quite striking. As I noted in the comparison, the gloss coat over the gold paint is smooth as glass, you don't actually feel any of the grain or pores. Its a specific look they were going for and they achieved it in spades in my book. The finish has an unbelievable depth to it.

After going over my bass with a magnifying glass the only finish flaw I could find was an inadequate filler job on one end of one joint (which was shown in the photo). For all I know my bass might be a blem. I don't know if others have the same visible joint on theirs. But I'd imagine the bullion finish is incredibly hard to do, trying to get enough filler to hide joints without using so much that you fill all the grain and pores. Had it not been for the one joint finish error the Gibson would have won that category. When holding the Spector up to a light to get a reflection across the back of he bass I could clearly count the three different laminations in the neck thru body block. Not the case with the Gibson, the finish is smooth as glass front and back.

All that said and putting the finish flaw aside, when talking finish preferences it really is completely subjective. Many don't like the look of the holoflash or the gold bullion. I do, that's why I bought them. I wish I had an Epiphone in the mix, that would have made it really much more interesting. But hopefully I've been detailed enough that folks can pick up their Epi and see how it compares category by category.

I also hope people are finding this comparison helpful or enlightening - it really is a challenge to report out as objectively as possible on completely subjective attributes. I'm sure round three will have its subjective challenges as well.

BTL - thanks for weighing in with an honest opinion! I did go back to the round two post and edited the descriptions on a couple of the pics to help clarify what was being shown. Your comments and others will help fine tune this shoot out. :thumbsup:
 
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#4,568
I'm trying to get a question answered but I guess my post needs moderator approval for some reason. I can't imagine why but perhaps it has something to do with the pics from the hipshot website?

Anyway, here's the question without the pics.
image.jpg


Is the pic an accurate representation of the finish on the Y tuning key and gear body?
 
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#4,569
Larry V said:
I'm trying to get a question answered but I guess my post needs moderator approval for some reason. I can't imagine why but perhaps it has something to do with the pics from the hipshot website?

Anyway, here's the question without the pics. View attachment 540144

Is the pic an accurate representation of the finish on the Y tuning key and gear body?
Click to expand...
IIRC the Hipshot pic is accurate. Why they have a satin silver key head on a chrome shaft key boggles my mind. They don't do that on the clover or lollipop keys, just the Y keys. Give bestbassgear.com a call to confirm.
 
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#4,576
He (Geoffypants) may think I haven't noticed his 7ender dalliance, however nothing escapes the Queens notice - My minions will soon appear at his door and subject him to unspeakable tortures,
 
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#4,578
TBird1958 said:
He (Geoffypants) may think I haven't noticed his 7ender dalliance, however nothing escapes the Queens notice - My minions will soon appear at his door and subject him to unspeakable tortures,
Click to expand...

I'll accept any and all punishment I have coming my way. I assume I've gotten away with few things prior to this that require atonement, anyway...
 
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