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Thunderbird Club

#6,441
TBird1958 said:
You might take a look at a 2015 Thunderbird before you buy a Babicz bridge, there's a metal plate that sits under the bridge just to make it tall enough. Looking at my Nikki Sixx Mk.II which was set up by Mike Lull, the center post is actually lower than the larger outside ones. All my others are older models with less pitch in the neck, so they sit much lower, often touching the body but again one a couple the center is the lowest post.
Click to expand...

I'm no mechanical engineer or anything, but it seems to me that it is when the front of the bridge is higher that the problem occurs. Then the saddles act like a fulcrum putting more pressure at an upward and forward angle on the back studs.

Of course I could be completely wrong here, but the Epiphone EB3 I bought with the back studs pulling out was set up that way so it seems logical to me.

I also think that it often happens when people try to adjust the bridge with tension on the strings. When you raise the bridge with tension on the strings it increases tension on the studs (it raises the pitch). As always, YMMV.
 
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#6,442
I always loosen the strings before an adjustment, its annoying but thats just the tbird charm! ;)

Of course since I find the greco tbird, the seller of the pelham blue gibson bird comes back around hahaha. All at once, is always the case.

I really liked how sturdy the greco felt, even as a near 40 year old bass, the neck and body felt rock solid, not as delicate as the gibson. Which may prove it to be the gig mule ;)

Ill have to see if I can upload a video here of the tbird II, i took a quick one while trying it out. The strings were deadish and all into a fender rumble! the bass screams SVT but a tbird vid is better than no vid ;)

EDIT: Here is the video, its sideways...and I dont know how to fix it

http://vid1175.photobucket.com/albums/r621/Mikaelbass/IMG_2706.mp4
 
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#6,443
Mikaelbass said:
I always loosen the strings before an adjustment, its annoying but thats just the tbird charm! ;)

Of course since I find the greco tbird, the seller of the pelham blue gibson bird comes back around hahaha. All at once, is always the case.

I really liked how sturdy the greco felt, even as a near 40 year old bass, the neck and body felt rock solid, not as delicate as the gibson. Which may prove it to be the gig mule ;)

Ill have to see if I can upload a video here of the tbird II, i took a quick one while trying it out. The strings were deadish and all into a fender rumble! the bass screams SVT but a tbird vid is better than no vid ;)

EDIT: Here is the video, its sideways...and I dont know how to fix it

http://vid1175.photobucket.com/albums/r621/Mikaelbass/IMG_2706.mp4
Click to expand...

Very cool. It sounds good.
 
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#6,446
Nocturnal said:
That bass sounds great!!
Click to expand...
Yeah I was honestly surprised! It will sound even better with new strings and actual intonation haha.

Greco's have earned a strong reputation and now I understand. You can see where and how these basses were made "cheaper", but I would not say any of these make them any less a quality instrument. Fancy and delicate it is not. Rough and tough it is with the sound which pulls us to these winged monsters.
 
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#6,447
Mikaelbass said:
I always loosen the strings before an adjustment, its annoying but thats just the tbird charm! ;)

Of course since I find the greco tbird, the seller of the pelham blue gibson bird comes back around hahaha. All at once, is always the case.

I really liked how sturdy the greco felt, even as a near 40 year old bass, the neck and body felt rock solid, not as delicate as the gibson. Which may prove it to be the gig mule ;)

Ill have to see if I can upload a video here of the tbird II, i took a quick one while trying it out. The strings were deadish and all into a fender rumble! the bass screams SVT but a tbird vid is better than no vid ;)

EDIT: Here is the video, its sideways...and I dont know how to fix it

http://vid1175.photobucket.com/albums/r621/Mikaelbass/IMG_2706.mp4
Click to expand...

That is one great and gnarly sounding bird - even with dead strings (not that I could tell)!

Congrats on your new bass... :)

Now where can I find one for myself...? ;)
 
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#6,448
Mikaelbass said:
SOOOOOOOOOO

Went into a music store here in Sydney and spoke with Mark Evans of AC/DC fame and he has basically talked me into buying a 1977 Greco thunderbird II in sunburst. That thing is a tone monster!!!! even through the fender rumble in the store it sounded big. With a set up and fresh strings, through the svt im sure she will be a rock machine!!!
I was going to hold out on that pelham blue tbird but the guy isnt maintaining good contact, and I would have to save a pretty penny to get that back....plus this is tbird to the bone but with a more Pbass after 4 viagra vibe.
I am trading in one of my rickenbacker 4003's for her, some here may think thats nuts, but greco's fetch a high price here in Aus....especially the rarer single pick up models. But it comes with its nice vintage and stanky case...its actually identical to mark's tbird II.

IMG_2710.jpg
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Those Greco birds are they set-neck or neck-through?
 
#6,450
vbass_2000 said:
Does anyone know if the Babicz FCH3 is a drop-in replacement for an '89 vintage T-Bird bridge? I like the Chrome look, but I don't want to do any surgery....
Click to expand...
Jeff's site just says that it's a Gibson drop in replacement; since there are no year exceptions, I believe it's a direct replacement with mods not necessary.

When in doubt, ask those who make 'em. Here's the CS contact page: Babicz Full Contact Hardware - With "eCAM" Saddle Technology from Babicz - CUSTOMER SERVICE
 
#6,451
FWIW I think the Babciz would fit an '89 without the additional plate, I don't think the neck as the same pitch as the newer 'Birds.
I think I'd check on Scott's (GodofThunder59) two point were I replacing a 3 point.
 
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#6,453
Gotta wait till wednesday to get the Greco, painful waiting game! Wanna get a photo with Mark, and do some additional checks on the bass, truss rod condition etc etc. Anyone know what tool you need for the truss rod? standard gibson? fender? Luckily there is a guitar set up store just down the road from where I am picking her up. Get an additional strap button to put behind the neck heel and also maybe even some new pots/input jacks. I would guess these basses have 500k for volume and 250k for tone?
 
#6,458
ThaCoast said:
Why go lower in value during the 70's birds compared to the 250K on the 60's and most likely todays birds?
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I don't know why they used them, but the 100K pots are really hard to find when you need one. I had the shaft come out of the neck pickup pot on one of my '76 birds and it took me several years to find one (a complete wiring harness actually so now I have spares...) because no one makes any now except for mini pots.
 
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#6,459
ThaCoast said:
Why go lower in value during the 70's birds compared to the 250K on the 60's and most likely todays birds?
Click to expand...

They are wired differently, tho Im deferring to those with better electrical knowledge to explain it.
 
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