Thunderbird Club

[wolfkeller]

Projects can get out of hand money-wise pretty fast if you aren't careful. I've run into that a couple of times already. There is always "just one more" part you want to add to make them perfect.

Yeah, start with a cool idea and drop $400 just to tear it apart and toss everything. I'm really happy I found out about the 35 4p and 35 j pickups. It should sound very Spector with the tone pump. Being a lefty can be hell if you don't have a pile o loot to have everything custom made or big time endorsements...working on that too!

 

[TBird1958]

Projects can get out of hand money-wise pretty fast if you aren't careful. I've run into that a couple of times already. There is always "just one more" part you want to add to make them perfect.

Try original Gibson parts like bridge and pickup covers in any condition - then take them in to be chrome plated....

 

[hillerup]

I

Yeah, start with a cool idea and drop $400 just to tear it apart and toss everything. I'm really happy I found out about the 35 4p and 35 j pickups. It should sound very Spector with the tone pump. Being a lefty can be hell if you don't have a pile o loot to have everything custom made or big time endorsements...working on that too!

This may be a stupid question - But didn't it already sound Spector like with its original pickups?

And yeah, I know about projects getting expensive: I bought a brand new Fender Blacktop P and stripped it for every single bit of chrome hardware and replaced it with brand new black chrome hardware from either Hipshot or Gotoh... Not exactly a cheap solution for a bass I hardly ever use...

 

[wolfkeller]

I


This may be a stupid question - But didn't it already sound Spector like with its original pickups?

And yeah, I know about projects getting expensive: I bought a brand new Fender Blacktop P and stripped it for every single bit of chrome hardware and replaced it with brand new black chrome hardware from either Hipshot or Gotoh... Not exactly a cheap solution for a bass I hardly ever use...

No, with the cheap SSD pick ups and crapy tonepump Jr its wasn't very Spector at all. This is a low end Korean bass not a euro

 

[TBird1958]

I


This may be a stupid question - But didn't it already sound Spector like with its original pickups?

And yeah, I know about projects getting expensive: I bought a brand new Fender Blacktop P and stripped it for every single bit of chrome hardware and replaced it with brand new black chrome hardware from either Hipshot or Gotoh... Not exactly a cheap solution for a bass I hardly ever use...

I can "out stupid" all of you.

Brand new Nikki Sixx Mk.II, (it was $1800.00 back in 2008) I stripped and replaced every part off of that bass even the jack.........New Lull pups, rings, new chrome 3 point, custom stainless steel TRC and pickgard which along with the opti grab were stripped, clean and chrome plated, new Hipshot tuners....Ugh, my ass still hurts!

 

[mistergoats]

When I built my P bass, I just kept running into things I hadn't thought of. Little stuff like pick guard screws and head stock decal, and bigger stuff like a case and a second set of pick-ups because I really didn't like the first set. Blew my $1000 budget out for the water by about $600. It happens quickly. It had to be right.

 

[SVTbird]

So I finally got around to setting up the Gibson. Strung up some Chromes, added some schallers, and mounted Larry's PG.
Looks and plays awesome!

So now the classic and the Gibson are set up the same (exception is classic has a hipshot bridge) and there is a huge difference in tone. Gibson is wayyyy more bassy and dark. Still love the epi, just an interesting difference I noticed.
Also, the classic and the gibson havr totally different body shapes! The epi will NOT fit in the gibson case, and vice versa. Not just the bottom cutaway either, the whole body is different! Wow!

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[bassclef29]

I believe I'm posting in the right place to get some Gibson T-Bird advice. If I'm wrong, please forgive me.

I've had a standard Gibson (1991) T-Bird for about 15 years, and I find I don't choose to play it out much even though I like the tone and the neck. I grab the Fender more often.

The balance points make the T-Bird uncomfortable compared to my Fender. On the Jazz Bass, the top strap peg is even with the 12th fret. On my T-Bird, it's at about the 17th-18th fret -- it's a long stretch to the low F on the E string. I can handle it, but it feels unnatural.

Adding to ergonomic problems, the top peg is mounted on the back of the bass, perpendicular to the plane of the body, so the fretboard turns away from the player. On most basses, both pegs are parallel to the plane of the body.

I don't want to drill new holes in, or perform any other surgery on, this bass. I'd rather sell it than own it but not play it. THAT got me to thinking about buying one of the Gibson NR T-Bird reissues.

Problem is, no one nearby has one for sale. As T-Bird enthusiasts, perhaps you can comment about whether Gibson's NR T-Bird RI is more comfortable to play compared to a regular one.

Appreciate any help or guidance the Thunderbird Club can provide.
-Joe in San Diego, CA
My band page: Link Removed

 

[Nocturnal]

I can "out stupid" all of you.

Brand new Nikki Sixx Mk.II, (it was $1800.00 back in 2008) I stripped and replaced every part off of that bass even the jack.........New Lull pups, rings, new chrome 3 point, custom stainless steel TRC and pickgard which along with the opti grab were stripped, clean and chrome plated, new Hipshot tuners....Ugh, my ass still hurts!

I think you win Mark!! The Lull parts alone were high $$$!!

 

[hillerup]

He has a Facebook page called " Dennis Kline number one airbrusher". I can't find a picture of the body he was selling, but here is one of his from his FB page.

It is just me, or did he forget to route out a neck pocket before airbrushing this T-bird body?

 

[wolfkeller]

It is just me, or did he forget to route out a neck pocket before airbrushing this T-bird body?

I just sent him a message about panting mine.

 

[hillerup]

He has a Facebook page called " Dennis Kline number one airbrusher". I can't find a picture of the body he was selling, but here is one of his from his FB page.

I guess this was the picture you were referring to, Andy:

Invalid Link Removed

I found it on his FB profile...

 

[Nocturnal]

He had more pictures in the auction, but it ended too long ago so it's not available for viewing now.

I thought the same thing about the missing neck pocket. Seems a little odd to me but maybe he didn't know what kind of neck was going to be mounted yet??

 

[veebass]

A question about recent (2008) Gibson TBird set up. How much relief to you guys keep in the neck of your recent Gibson T Birds. I have been running mine pretty flat but get a little choking of notes from string travel (not fret buzzing) when I go for a low set up. I am a bit heavy handed. Not a huge problem but a bit distracting. The neck looks straight - without twist or high spots to me. Frets in great shape. Thanks.

 

[Border]

I am hoping for a little information about the five string Gibson Thunderbirds. I have played a Fender Jazz 5 for a few years, but some months ago had the chance to play a Gibson Thunderbird 5 string and loved it. I have kept my eyes open on the classifieds but have not seen any come up for sale. I understand they were not made for very many years

 

[Haji]

They are a little more rare, that's for sure. Mike Lull makes one, too...if you're gonna spend big on a Gibson, spend bigger on a Lull!

 

[Border]

Hello from Spo

 

[Border]

Sorry for the incomplete posts, another issue with my connection. Was hoping someone might share a little information about the Gibson 5 string Thunderbird. Played one and loved it. Only one I have seen. I understand they were only made for a few years, not certain what years. Were there changes to the pickups? Were many produced? Anything to keep an eye out for should I find one for sale? The one I played had some work done to the pickups and switches, but am not certain how extensive. Were they produced for very many years? Various finishes? I have watched the classifieds here and on GC, but haven't seen any yet. Thanks much for any information or insights that might be shared.

 

[GBassNorth]

I believe I'm posting in the right place to get some Gibson T-Bird advice. If I'm wrong, please forgive me.

I've had a standard Gibson (1991) T-Bird for about 15 years, and I find I don't choose to play it out much even though I like the tone and the neck. I grab the Fender more often.

The balance points make the T-Bird uncomfortable compared to my Fender. On the Jazz Bass, the top strap peg is even with the 12th fret. On my T-Bird, it's at about the 17th-18th fret -- it's a long stretch to the low F on the E string. I can handle it, but it feels unnatural.

Adding to ergonomic problems, the top peg is mounted on the back of the bass, perpendicular to the plane of the body, so the fretboard turns away from the player. On most basses, both pegs are parallel to the plane of the body.

I don't want to drill new holes in, or perform any other surgery on, this bass. I'd rather sell it than own it but not play it. THAT got me to thinking about buying one of the Gibson NR T-Bird reissues.

Problem is, no one nearby has one for sale. As T-Bird enthusiasts, perhaps you can comment about whether Gibson's NR T-Bird RI is more comfortable to play compared to a regular one.

Appreciate any help or guidance the Thunderbird Club can provide.
-Joe in San Diego, CA
My band page: Link Removed

Joe - if you're set on the Tbird look and sound but want one that might be more ergonomic check out the Mike Lull Tbird or the Cataldo Fenderbird. I think the Fenderbird will give you exactly what you're looking for and the price is very reasonable considering its a custom boutique builder.

BTW - not sure if you were with Christian Hastings when he had the Red Eye Blues Band but I went to a number of his concerts back inthe late 1990's and loved every one of them. Let me know if you and the band hit the SoCal area anytime in the future and I'll try to make it out.

Good luck on the Tbird front, they really are great basses!

 

[Larry V]

Sorry for the incomplete posts, another issue with my connection. Was hoping someone might share a little information about the Gibson 5 string Thunderbird. Played one and loved it. Only one I have seen. I understand they were only made for a few years, not certain what years. Were there changes to the pickups? Were many produced? Anything to keep an eye out for should I find one for sale? The one I played had some work done to the pickups and switches, but am not certain how extensive. Were they produced for very many years? Various finishes? I have watched the classifieds here and on GC, but haven't seen any yet. Thanks much for any information or insights that might be shared.

You just missed one on eBay. If you go back through this thread you'll see one that just sold for a hair under $1,500.