Thunderbird Club

[bylar13]

This morning I was up bright and early and had the soldering iron out.

The stock picups are very deep with very stiff foam and they were as high up as they were ever going to get. The electronics have been swapped out, which means my Japanese Gibson (I'm still pinching myself) is now sporting a vintage repro 1966 (overwound) Thunderbird pickup. Not sure whether the trim ring is going on or not yet. The dead Rotos are gone, replaced with KS Bass Burners. The strings can settle in for a couple of days before final setting of bridge height and angle (the bridge is currently dead parallel to the body). Maybe in the future I'll get a Hipshot bridge ... don't know about that.

View attachment 2910531

I retract my prior "meh". That bass looks fantastic! I have never seen a man's closet that....organized. Can you hire him out?

 

[RedVee]

Not mine.

They match the biker jackets ?

 

[kat888]

What's your take on the feel of that neck?

More substantial then an Epi TBird Pro neck, which is no bad thing. The headstock is huge, but doesn't feel much bigger than the Epi, possibly because the instrument is noticeably lighter. It's only 2cm longer (less than an inch) in overall length. The neck pickup is exactly the same distance from the 12th fret as the Cataldo NR41, so someone is getting something right!

 

[JJR58]

More substantial then an Epi TBird Pro neck, which is no bad thing. The headstock is huge, but doesn't feel much bigger than the Epi, possibly because the instrument is noticeably lighter. It's only 2cm longer (less than an inch) in overall length. The neck pickup is exactly the same distance from the 12th fret as the Cataldo NR41, so someone is getting something right!

From the look of it, appears to be a little wider. I asked because, i'd probably love the feel of that neck.
Great score Kat.

 

[kat888]

Do any Australian Bird brethren fancy a transblack Epiphone Thunderbird, fully chromed with Hipshot tuners, quick release high mass Badass style bridge, 2 x EYGP 9kΩ 'Chinabuckers' wired V-V, abalone speed knobs (including 2 extra should you want to add tone pots later)?

 

[dukeorock]

From the head look of it, appears to be a little wider. I asked because, i'd probably love the feel of that neck.
Great score Kat.

I’m really pleased with this purchase and it has nothing to do with me

 

[kat888]

I’m really pleased with this purchase and it has nothing to do with me

Ahhh, the vicarious pleasure of other people's shopping....

 

[JJR58]

Ahhh, the vicarious pleasure of other people's shopping....

We live very vicariously through it.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

I’m really pleased with this purchase and it has nothing to do with me

That makes two of us!

 

[kat888]

From the head look of it, appears to be a little wider. I asked because, i'd probably love the feel of that neck.
Great score Kat.

It is definitely more of a 'paddle' than the Epi, which has quite a dainty headstock.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Ahhh, the vicarious pleasure of other people's shopping....

Around here?! Nooooo

 

[RedVee]

Do any Australian Bird brethren fancy a transblack Epiphone Thunderbird, fully chromed with Hipshot tuners, quick release high mass Badass style bridge, 2 x EYGP 9kΩ 'Chinabuckers' wired V-V, abalone speed knobs (including 2 extra should you want to add tone pots later)?

Argh... timing.

A month ago, ie B.G. ( before Gibson ) I would have leapt at that Epi. In fact I had considered an Epi Pro, and included on my searches, in order to convert to that version Kat-spec.

Alas, I’m on a newly minted agreement at home...

(be assured it will probably eat some some thinking time in the meanwhile.)

 

[kat888]

Argh... timing.

A month ago, ie B.G. ( before Gibson ) I would have leapt at that Epi. In fact I had considered an Epi Pro, and included on my searches, in order to convert to that version Kat-spec.

Alas, I’m on a newly minted agreement at home...

(be assured it will probably eat some some thinking time in the meanwhile.)

I need another foam block before I can put the pickups back in the Epi, there's plenty of thinking time for everyone.

 

[hillerup]

Aren't silver stars the same as black beauties except with a clear coating instead of black?

Silver Stars are coated with silver coating - The ones with clear coating are called Dragon Skin, I believe...

 

[TBird1958]

More substantial then an Epi TBird Pro neck, which is no bad thing. The headstock is huge, but doesn't feel much bigger than the Epi, possibly because the instrument is noticeably lighter. It's only 2cm longer (less than an inch) in overall length. The neck pickup is exactly the same distance from the 12th fret as the Cataldo NR41, so someone is getting something right!

The neck shape and headstock are very similar to a '76 Gibson, they just feel like a "big" bass, even compared to a Post '88. Play that Orville for a three hour night, it's a very satisfying thing to do!

 

[kat888]

And the trim ring/shim has gone on. This bass is the 'forever home' for the 66S.

 

[dukeorock]

And the trim ring/shim has gone on. This bass is the 'forever home' for the 66S.

View attachment 2910758

Love it!

 

[dukeorock]

Crap, now I want a white ‘Bird

 

[kat888]

These are the stock pickups. Are they TB+? Looking at the sides they look like they may be nickel. The exposed parts are seriously cloudy/corroded. Both are about 8kΩ.

 

[Haji]

Like a Thunderbird! I have yet to set the final pickup height. I might make a pot of tea and damn waiting for the strings to settle in.

Dropping 3 point bridge height I still want to slacken the strings a bit do I?

Yes, reduce tension before adjusting. Only takes a minute and keeps the screw heads from getting wrecked.