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Thunderbird Club

#5,301
JELLIS78 said:
For the past couple of years I have been playing a 2012 Thunderbird (which I absolutely adore!) however I am having to tweak the truss rod every month or so in order to maintain the action... I just wondered if you guys could tell me if this normal with T'birds? I don't think it's anything to do with humidity / climate as I am in the uk and all my other basses are pretty stable.
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That's unusual, I have basses that I haven't touched for more than 5 years that are regular players. Can you tell us more about their storage and use? Maybe a typical show involving travel?
 
#5,302
ThaCoast said:
My bird's refin has been delayed a week due to being sick, the cold weather here in great ol' canada, and lack of funds. But that's all changed (minus the sickness which is going away slowly), i'm going to start clear coating for it's final form. Expected re-birth march break-mid march. I also feel like i'm going to shoot another coat of satin black on the face of it because i'm debating if i plug up the remaining "flaws" that have appeared whilst painting. Wouldn't take long, just a smidge of wood filler, 15 mn wait, sanding, painting, hour wait to dry fully, wet sand both front and back, clear coat, and let it set for 2 weeks. Long process but all worth it in the end.
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Can't wait to see it when your done. Pictures, of course, are mandatory.
 
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#5,304
So it looks like i might not shoot the bird for it to be cleared today. Most likely thursday so by march 5th it'll be better than stock!! I love my sleaze goth punk bass. I always mod my basses to suit my personality, but never have i gone as far as repainting it (at least this one had an excuse - broken wing, patched holes, plus the "goth" black paint they used doesn't scream goth enough) Not that i wanted it to be goth anyway, i mostly got it because it was black and cause it had no other inlay but the XII. Perfect base to mod top to bottom. Stay tuned.

Just went back out to get another can of satin black since the front is still not perfect. But will be clear coating the whole thing on thursday. It'll be sweet. can't wait
 
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#5,306
Happy Mardi Gras everyone! Here's my TBird inspired 8 string dressed in purple and gold for the occasion.

121314_zpsd752ab71.jpg
 
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#5,309
Finally done painting...again. Dk if it looks better than before, but i know that my perfectionism won't want to rip my head to pieces for not covering little gaps anymore :D. Two coats on either side, tomorrow i'll redo the red binding (since i made everything uniform once again: then wednesday i'll put another coat of red on the binding effect. Thursday is clear coating, then i let it set for 2 weeks. This is so long a wait i can't stand it anymore!!! Every month there seems to be some bass/guitar thats in pieces getting remodeled and painted, kinda sucks
 
#5,310
TBird1958 said:
That's unusual, I have basses that I haven't touched for more than 5 years that are regular players. Can you tell us more about their storage and use? Maybe a typical show involving travel?
Click to expand...

Thanks Mark, nothing too strange when it comes to storage just in its case or out on a stand. I bought the bass new unseen and it hadn't been set up at all, so much so I could turn the truss rod using my fingers!!! I set it up myself and it's been fine except for these regular adjustments. I wondered if it was maybe the heavier gauge strings (Dean Markley 110-50) that might be impacting it - but on the basis that it doesn't sound like a regular issue with T'birds I think I will take it for a full check over and set up.

Whilst I'm posting I thought I might as well upload a pic.

image.jpg
 
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#5,312
That's weird situation cause i adjust my basses/guitars at least once a year. I'll tweak the truss rod only if i haven't gotten around to setting up one of them, but most of them have been set up and never need it until the next time i usualy change strings. I'm glad i don't waste my money to have someone to set it up for me anymore, and that i do all set ups myself. Save a few 20$ here and there especially for having 10 guitars, saving 200$ already hahaha
 
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#5,314
JELLIS78 said:
For the past couple of years I have been playing a 2012 Thunderbird (which I absolutely adore!) however I am having to tweak the truss rod every month or so in order to maintain the action... I just wondered if you guys could tell me if this normal with T'birds? I don't think it's anything to do with humidity / climate as I am in the uk and all my other basses are pretty stable.
Click to expand...

When I first bought my 2001 Bird (6-7 years ago) I had to adjust the neck once or twice a year. It has settled in now and I haven't needed to touch the rod in several years. Not sure if that's what you're dealing with but hope it settles in for you soon.
 
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#5,315
JELLIS, are you in the club, or shall I add you? The list is long and a couple pages back, happy to bring it forward and add you - Beautiful Nikki Sixx Mk.II!



My experience with a pro set up is that if it's done right it should last for a long time - even with seasonal changes, you have a good basis to work from. I can only think of one time that a bass of mine really needed adjustment - The band was on the road and my White '89 was in the hotel room, while we were out the maid came in to clean and in the process had opened the window and balcony door letting in a great deal of cold air..... The neck went flat and every string buzzed. That was 8 years ago, it went to Mike Lull and has been stable ever since.



JELLIS78 said:
Thanks Mark, nothing too strange when it comes to storage just in its case or out on a stand. I bought the bass new unseen and it hadn't been set up at all, so much so I could turn the truss rod using my fingers!!! I set it up myself and it's been fine except for these regular adjustments. I wondered if it was maybe the heavier gauge strings (Dean Markley 110-50) that might be impacting it - but on the basis that it doesn't sound like a regular issue with T'birds I think I will take it for a full check over and set up.

Whilst I'm posting I thought I might as well upload a pic.

View attachment 560997
Click to expand...
 
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#5,319
west al said:
I tried this Thunderbird, and there was no reason to not acquire it. I love it, it plays so great. The Jazz, and Precision stayed at the store, and the Thunderbird came home we me.

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It's a beauty Sir!

Forgive my absentmindedness, are you a member or may I add you?

Who's strings on it?
 
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