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Thunderbird Club

#54,321
So... I got a Blackbird neck in a trade with Vaughn which I'm contemplating putting on my spare Goth, and have been thinking about a "color scheme" for it...

For now I will keep it flat black, but am thinking of making it an "Ironbird" (yes, I know BC Rich made a bass with that name) and got inspiration by German Iron Cross medals like these:

hqdefault.jpg


These are the color options I've come up with so far:

Ironbird 01-03.jpg


Personally I think the red/white stripe theme goes great with black hardware, and the black/white stripe theme goes great with chrome hardware - Not too sure about the red/white stripe theme and chrome, though...

I'll be doing a VVT setup (maybe with a 7ender TBX Tone pot) with either a 3-way toggle or a Kill-Switch, and an output jack on the side (as God intended) - Any suggestions I haven't considered, and should I do the color scheme with vinyl decals or paint?

I was thinking of getting some car racing stripes to do the mod, but most I've seen were all way too wide...

Also, at one point someone on EvilBay was selling Niki Sixx Blackbird PG decals, which would look great on the black PG - But I can't seem to find them anymore... Anyone by any accident have one of those laying around?
 
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#54,323
hillerup said:
So... I got a Blackbird neck in a trade with Vaughn which I'm contemplating putting on my spare Goth, and have been thinking about a "color scheme" for it...

For now I will keep it flat black, but am thinking of making it an "Ironbird" (yes, I know BC Rich made a bass with that name) and got inspiration by German Iron Cross medals like these:

View attachment 2837882

These are the color options I've come up with so far:

View attachment 2837877

Personally I think the red/white stripe theme goes great with black hardware, and the black/white stripe theme goes great with chrome hardware - Not too sure about the red/white stripe theme and chrome, though...

I'll be doing a VVT setup (maybe with a 7ender TBX Tone pot) with either a 3-way toggle or a Kill-Switch, and an output jack on the side (as God intended) - Any suggestions I haven't considered, and should I do the color scheme with vinyl decals or paint?

I was thinking of getting some car racing stripes to do the mod, but most I've seen were all way too wide...

Also, at one point someone on EvilBay was selling Niki Sixx Blackbird PG decals, which would look great on the black PG - But I can't seem to find them anymore... Anyone by any accident have one of those laying around?
Click to expand...

I love all 3 design ideas. Sorry I can’t be more helpful!
 
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#54,324
hillerup said:
So... I got a Blackbird neck in a trade with Vaughn which I'm contemplating putting on my spare Goth, and have been thinking about a "color scheme" for it...

For now I will keep it flat black, but am thinking of making it an "Ironbird" (yes, I know BC Rich made a bass with that name) and got inspiration by German Iron Cross medals like these:

View attachment 2837882

These are the color options I've come up with so far:

View attachment 2837877

Personally I think the red/white stripe theme goes great with black hardware, and the black/white stripe theme goes great with chrome hardware - Not too sure about the red/white stripe theme and chrome, though...

I'll be doing a VVT setup (maybe with a 7ender TBX Tone pot) with either a 3-way toggle or a Kill-Switch, and an output jack on the side (as God intended) - Any suggestions I haven't considered, and should I do the color scheme with vinyl decals or paint?

I was thinking of getting some car racing stripes to do the mod, but most I've seen were all way too wide...

Also, at one point someone on EvilBay was selling Niki Sixx Blackbird PG decals, which would look great on the black PG - But I can't seem to find them anymore... Anyone by any accident have one of those laying around?
Click to expand...
I like option one. Less cluttered
 
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#54,326
dukeorock said:
Also, did a quick NBD thread on my ‘Bird. I doubt we’ll convince anyone, but I’ve still yet to find any of the ‘problems’ so many associate with Gibson basses in general and T Birds specifically.

I get no neck dive, no ergo issues (plays like a dream!), no intonation issues, no fit and finish issues, no wonky frets. It’s a real gem :)
Click to expand...
A Thunderbird that doesn't neck dive?! :eek: That has no ergo issues?! :eek: That has no intonation issues?! :eek: That doesn't sound like mud?! :eek:
THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE! Who woulda thought this be possible?!
 
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#54,327
rodv66 said:
I like option one. Less cluttered
Click to expand...

Larry V said:
The first one with black hardware looks best to me.

The chrome hardware with the red and white stripes don't work for me at all.

The chrome hardware with the black and white stripes would be my second best.
Click to expand...

Yes, option 1 is pretty much what I'm leaning towards myself as well...

Maybe a German Eagle sticker would round the PG off nicely, or one of yours, Larry...

Reichsadler.jpg
 
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#54,329
hillerup said:
So... I got a Blackbird neck in a trade with Vaughn which I'm contemplating putting on my spare Goth, and have been thinking about a "color scheme" for it...

For now I will keep it flat black, but am thinking of making it an "Ironbird" (yes, I know BC Rich made a bass with that name) and got inspiration by German Iron Cross medals like these:

View attachment 2837882

These are the color options I've come up with so far:

View attachment 2837877

Personally I think the red/white stripe theme goes great with black hardware, and the black/white stripe theme goes great with chrome hardware - Not too sure about the red/white stripe theme and chrome, though...

I'll be doing a VVT setup (maybe with a 7ender TBX Tone pot) with either a 3-way toggle or a Kill-Switch, and an output jack on the side (as God intended) - Any suggestions I haven't considered, and should I do the color scheme with vinyl decals or paint?

I was thinking of getting some car racing stripes to do the mod, but most I've seen were all way too wide...

Also, at one point someone on EvilBay was selling Niki Sixx Blackbird PG decals, which would look great on the black PG - But I can't seem to find them anymore... Anyone by any accident have one of those laying around?
Click to expand...
Either of the reds.
I vote paint.
 
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#54,330
Dr_Feelgoood212 said:
A Thunderbird that doesn't neck dive?! :eek: That has no ergo issues?! :eek: That has no intonation issues?! :eek: That doesn't sound like mud?! :eek:
THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE! Who woulda thought this be possible?!
Click to expand...

There sure are a lot of doubters out there. Wonder if they’ve ever actually played one? Mine is not even sorta something I’d call muddy. Maybe too aggressive sounding for some, but not muddy
 
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#54,331
dukeorock said:
There sure are a lot of doubters out there. Wonder if they’ve ever actually played one? Mine is not even sorta something I’d call muddy. Maybe too aggressive sounding for some, but not muddy
Click to expand...
Probably not. I know neck dive can be a problem with the bolt-ons if the strap pin is in the factory position, but not with the strap pin on the heel. Hell my '62 P-bass dives more than my Thunderbirds!
As for the muddiness, I have no clue where that comes from. Maybe not being able to properly setup their amps for something other than a P or a J, I know I have to turn the gain down with my Birds. If your amp is setup to make your Jazz sound deeper and less trebly, it'll probably sound like garbage on a Thunderbird. But I don't know, I'm not those people.
 
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#54,332
hillerup said:
So... I got a Blackbird neck in a trade with Vaughn which I'm contemplating putting on my spare Goth, and have been thinking about a "color scheme" for it...

I was thinking of getting some car racing stripes to do the mod, but most I've seen were all way too wide...
Click to expand...
Your decision, have fun!... a straight edge and an exacto knife make stripes whatever (narrower) width you want.
 
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#54,334
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#54,336
Larry V said:
Of particular interest to our members here and especially @kat888 perhaps?

Greco TB900 BLACK Thunderbird Electric Bass Guitar Made in Japan Vintage 1979 | eBay

View attachment 2837947

Is the rather large forearm relief typical or has this body been hacked into?
Click to expand...

Man, that is almost so cool. The forearm contour is pretty whacky, it’s a bit heavy, but not terrible (9.7 lbs). The shipping is really expensive coming all the way from Japan and the scariest part; in the description it says “neck is slightly warped.”
 
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#54,337
dukeorock said:
Man, that is almost so cool. The forearm contour is pretty whacky, it’s a bit heavy, but not terrible (9.7 lbs). The shipping is really expensive coming all the way from Japan and the scariest part; in the description it says “neck is slightly warped.”
Click to expand...

These are the voyages of the starship Thunderbird - its continuing mission: To seek out new dives, and new intonations; to boldly go were no bass has gone before (like out front)!
 
Last edited:
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#54,338
Shannon said:
These are the voyages of the starship Thunderbird - its continuing mission: To seek out new dives, and new intonations; to boldly go were no bas has gone before (like out front)!
Click to expand...

Ha! I actually think it looks pretty neat, personally. I think for the dough, I’d rather roll the dice on a VP. If it’s gotta be a single pickup, that’s another story.
 
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