And that is why you always need another `Bird...
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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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- club thunderbird
Great speaker. Work it into your pile if you can.My Eminar valve amp is 1968 and younger than me.
The 410 and Eminar SS amp is mid 70s - 80s range at a guess.
I’ve just enquired on a JBL K140 15” speaker in some sort of cab on OzBass. Thoughts on suitability for entry to the gathering mob? Play nice together?
Failed at soldering the Model One into the EB-3... off to the other guy's bench.
So i brought all the hardware to a good tech and it should be about a week and a half. Hopefully the Thunderbuckers and rings fit okay and everything goes well 
But but but... we're talking about a P/U...
Iron not hot enough?
Solder not clean?
Iron not clean?
There are other ways but these have to be the most common.
My default is always dirty iron/dirty joint as a first look at problems. Causes all kinds of problems because you end up with a joint that can act like a semi-conductor. When I solder, I always have a went paper towel handy to clean the iron and remove any excess solder before starting. And flux; always enough flux.
The other common error is not enough heat; you don't end up with a good electrical or mechanical connection.
The third common error is to much heat and the component gets cooked.
How does one fail at soldering?
Definitely a skill I am lacking. I need to practice more to learn how to really do it. When I have my friend help replace electronic components in one of my basses he makes it look so easy. Then when I try.................
To each his own. The K140s were Alinco mags like the old Altecs. Then JBL went to the E-series with ceramics. But that was several decades ago.
With the huge progression of materials and design abilities in the Speaker industry, it'd be hard to think a 40 to 50 year old design can even compete with stuff out today. Especially with the use of Neodymium mags, tighter motor tolerances, better cone materials, and better coil former and wrapping techniques, and the better adhesives used in construction. Even the ability of the voice coil to remain cool, and not change specifications under use is something to understand. Even the wire quality has changed in 40 years that the Voice Coil is wound with.
Not to say a K140 won't maybe sound better than a cheap ass Eminence, but it won't compare to a quality B&C, Faital, Beyma, or certainly not a new JBL.
Believe me, I have a K-140 in a cab, that is relegated to museum area of my equipment. That cab was played in the 70s. And it still works, but sounds dirty as hell compared to my newer stuff/ Just saying. Sounds more like Fart Bass in tone. Personally I can't handle fart bass tone, but some choose it.
Some folks, still want to drive and nurse an old '55 Chevy, instead of a new BMW, Lexus, or Acura. Beats the hell out of me. But most of the time, that ain't their everyday family car.
So agreed, at least I have the (cough), Jazz bass. But the Vintage Pro will be coming soon. Have to have 2 Birds.
How does one fail at soldering?
Watch me try and do it. Like putting a loaded gun in the hands of a 3 year old.
I've found that if you're a novice at soldering and don't have the right tools or materials you'll likely have less than satisfactory results. Buying the right tool - a soldering iron setup with variable heat, multiple tips and a good tip cleaning sponge or wire mesh pad; along with the right type of solder - thin easy to use 60/40 solder like this...
SPECIAL PURCHASE! Guitar Solder- The ONLY stuff to use- 60/40
makes all the difference in the world.
A quick pic of my soldering setup, nothing fancy or expensive, just the basic right tools to do a decent solder or desolder job...
SPECIAL PURCHASE! Guitar Solder- The ONLY stuff to use- 60/40
makes all the difference in the world.
A quick pic of my soldering setup, nothing fancy or expensive, just the basic right tools to do a decent solder or desolder job...
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A good third hand device is also a must. I have one that has two articulating arms with alligator clips and a heavy weight base (not bass in case someone wants to make a wry comment).
Those work well as does a more simpler homemade holder made from alligator clips and a wire hanger type wire. Works great when working close to your bass or bench and you can't place the larger third hand device in a good spot.
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Yeah, when I was soldering a lot for a job once, we had wet sponges for the irons.
Yeah, the wet sponge/towel is essential - clean the tip and remove excess solder. Clean before and after each join. Good habit learned in high school. Negates so many errors.
Exactly! I just added a pic of my soldering setup where I use a couple of those. They are a life saver unless you have a dedicated tool bunny to help hold things while your iron is hot...
It's really cool that you're doing all of this! It's even cooler that you're sharing your experiments and results with us! I'm thinkin' most folks here have wondered about most of these same things, but lack the tools, knowledge, & resources to execute the tests themselves. IMHO... you're providing a public service! The 250k vs. 500k thing has actually been on my mind for the past week or so as I've been wrenchin' on my own 'bird, so I'm anxious to read what you have to say about that. I forget... are you running these tests using the stock pups?
It's absolutely magnificent my friend! That finish makes me wanna jump right in & go for a swim! It's been a privilege to watch it go from a couple chunks of wood, to this beautiful, unique, masterpiece. I, for one, hope you'll continue to share your builds with us. I can't get enough! Do you have a couple more finished pics you could show us?
