Thunderbird Club

[tomshepp]

I wish I could find a black pearl pickguard like that because that is absolutely beautiful!

You can. WD sells them. not cheap. i've posted about my experience doing the pick guard. it was not without issue. Send me a PM if you're interested.

I wish I could find a black pearl pickguard like that because that is absolutely beautiful!

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[jd56hawk]

Yes, I've visited that site but thought the pick guards were all for Gibsons.

 

[jassthebass]

Hi all

Here's me with my Gibbo that I've had for approx 11 years !!

Was wondering how easy it is to fit a supertone bridge?

 

[BklynKen]

Hi all

Here's me with my Gibbo that I've had for approx 11 years !!

Was wondering how easy it is to fit a supertone bridge? View attachment 413914

Nice! It's extremely easy to install the SuperTone. Bolts right on.

 

[awilkie84]

Hi all

Here's me with my Gibbo that I've had for approx 11 years !!

Was wondering how easy it is to fit a supertone bridge? View attachment 413914

Nice! It's extremely easy to install the SuperTone. Bolts right on.

What he said. It just uses the back 2 bolts of the standard bridge mount.
Also, I confirmed with Hipshot that they'll do 2-tone setups (black w/ chrome saddles & hardware, in my case). My contrasting white/chrome & black Classic-IV Pro is coming together...now, if the bass would hurry up & arrive!

 

[jassthebass]

Nice! It's extremely easy to install the SuperTone. Bolts right on.

Many thanks @BklynKen - I ask because it looks like I'll have to order one from the US to the UK where I live and didn't want it to be a pain in the butt !!

 

[BklynKen]

Many thanks @BklynKen - I ask because it looks like I'll have to order one from the US to the UK where I live and didn't want it to be a pain in the butt !!

They even include two sets of bolts, depending on the mounting holes for yours.

 

[jassthebass]

Thanks also Awilkie84 !!

 

[Justice]

Cant remember if I am in this thread or not.. got 3 birds

Goth Bird

LeCompte Bird

New PawnShop rescue bird (2012 Sunburst Epi)

 

[tomshepp]

Yes, I've visited that site but thought the pick guards were all for Gibsons.

You could send them a tracing of your pick guard and they could make one to fit your bass.

 

[BirdThunder]

Coming from a post I wrote, I thought it might be interesting to transcribe it here. Read with caution and an open mind.

Background:
A random sample of TWO 2014 Gibson Thunderbirds on TWO different locations were compared to TWO Epiphone Thunderbid Classic Pro IVs and ONE Gibson non-reverse Thunderbird. All played through two different rigs of Orange AD200B MK3 connected to an OBC410. All controls set to noon and then to optimally flat.
Quality issues made THREE of the FIVE randomly present Epiphones unfit for the test (loose potentiometers, neck issues). Nevertheless this mechanical quality issues among the tested Epiphones might be attributable to wear caused by irresponsible handling from store visitors and this three samples where not taken into account for the formulation of the a posteriori Hypothesis.
Different strings and different potentiometers are used on each brand.
The price ratio is ca. 3 to 1 between 2014 Gibsons and the Epiphones and ca. 2 to 1 between non-reverse Gibson and Epiphone.

Hypothesis (a posteriori):
2014 Thunderbird Gibsons consistently show superior sonic characteristics to Epiphone Thunderbird Classic Pro IVs and Gibson non-reverse Thunderbirds.

Conclusion:
The qualitative test showed a discernible sonic difference and a superior appeal of the 2014 Gibsons.
This differences could mainly be caused due to different potentiometer and strings used on each instrument pool.
Sonic differences between non-reverse Gibson Thunderbirds and Epiphone Thunderbird Classic Pro IVs are negligible.
Further testing is required.

Discussion:
Subject bias must be taken into account.
The sample lacked enough power to make a GENERAL claim, but the trend is not to be ignored and should be reviewed.
Test were not performed on equal conditions in both locations and some variables were not accounted for.
The subject was also the experimenter, so it's scientific validity is questionable at best.
A double blind study with at least 20 specimens of each pool and more testing subjects could be statistically beneficial.


More info: http://www.talkbass.com/threads/gibson-ruined-my-day.1072009/

holy, very informative, guess I got a good Epi classic-IV pro then.

 

[Haji]

Hi all

Here's me with my Gibbo that I've had for approx 11 years !!

Was wondering how easy it is to fit a supertone bridge? View attachment 413914

Nice photo! The Supertone is so easy even I can do it, and without directions. It was more difficult wrangling up all the pieces of the three point I removed than it was to install the Supertone. It's at least 769.8831% easier to adjust than the three point and is worth the cost just for that.

 

[jd56hawk]

You could send them a tracing of your pick guard and they could make one to fit your bass.

Thanks, since it's an easy pick guard to remove, good idea.

 

[Larry V]

So I was finally going to take my TBird IV to my bass lesson today but when I was swapping out my Ibanez from my soft case I realized that the TBird is about 4" longer. I never would have guessed that! The Ibanez is 24 frets but the body and headstock are considerably smaller. Does anyone here have a good recommendation for a soft case with good straps and additional storage. In short, what are you using besides the OHSC?

 

[awilkie84]

So I was finally going to take my TBird IV to my bass lesson today but when I was swapping out my Ibanez from my soft case I realized that the TBird is about 4" longer. I never would have guessed that! The Ibanez is 24 frets but the body and headstock are considerably smaller. Does anyone here have a good recommendation for a soft case with good straps and additional storage. In short, what are you using besides the OHSC?

I have a Pro Line gig bag that I bought in '96 that fits quite well. In fact, I'm surprised that this gig bag has lasted me almost 20 years!

 

[BklynKen]

In a week or so I should have some good news on new Mono M80 cases that will fit the Thunderbird.

 

[Larry V]

I checked on the M80. Pretty spendy. I'm looking for a lightly padded travel bag. Not a heavy duty gig bag but I'd like it to have backpack style straps and enough storage for my lesson folder and book.

 

[NOLA Bass]

I love my Mono gig bags, they are all that I use. If they come out with a t-bird one, I'm in!

 

[awilkie84]

I got an email from the store I bought my T-bird at today. They said my product had arrived.
I opened the email to read the contents & was dismayed. The case has arrived...but the bass has not.
Apparently they're waiting on 6 Epi Classic Tbirds to come in (nationally).
Is Gibson having an issue getting these out lately?

 

[hillerup]

I got an email from the store I bought my T-bird at today. They said my product had arrived.
I opened the email to read the contents & was dismayed. The case has arrived...but the bass has not.
Apparently they're waiting on 6 Epi Classic Tbirds to come in (nationally).
Is Gibson having an issue getting these out lately?

I think this is a general problem with Gibson...

I've experienced similar delivery problems with Epiphones from both my local Danish store and the big German online stores Thomann and MusicStore on several occasions..