Thunderbird Club

[hillerup]

so because I love you guys, and I had nothing better to do, I called Gibson and talked to them about getting a replacement bridge for a Rumblekat (gold).

Guy gave me the p/n and said ANY authorized dealer should be able to order it. He also said that GC may try to blow you off, so try a smaller shop if possible, but if you have to go to GC, ask for a manager, and if presented with the pn, they should have no excuse NOT to order it.

Now, without further adu, the gold 3 point bridge part number:

PBT-209 (includes saddles and all mounting hardware)

Sorry, no word on the pricing.

Well done!

Might just give my local shop a call too...

 

[TBird1958]

Thanks, Chris!

Wrapping a PG is a good idea if you just want a cheap, quick fix though.

For me, it's just not a complete TBird without a logo on it and it doesn't have to be an "official" one either. I like some of the ones on Mark's basses like the green one. Very cool way to be different and still be a TBird!

Maybe the Purple one
Being a modeler I approached making a PG differently, I used some white sheet polystyrene, traced the original Gibson PG onto it, cut it, drilled, etc. I airbrushed several coats of Plum Crazy and glosscoat lacquer with lots of drying time and wet sanding (2000 grit automotive sandpaper) between coats. The artwork, representing a broken neck Thunderbird (this one is a busted headstock bass) was originally done by TBer Barkless Dog (John Fertig) who kindly let me use it. I made plastic stencils which I then used to cut out tape masks covering some of the purple. Clear gloss was sprayed first, followed by gloss white and more sanding, the masks were removed a more gloss was shot, eventually leveling the surface between the colors............It sounds like a lot of work but I just kept at it everyday for a week or so.

 

[GBassNorth]

ok, doing some research for a concept T-Bird to build if I find another Goth cheap. Is it possible to retrofit the Goth pickups into the gold metal covers? Would I have to get the pickup rings as well? How hard would it bee to find a gold 3 point bridge and tuners?

Shouldn't be to hard to find them. I would think any certified Gibson seller or repair shop could order you one. Gold was used on the Rumblekat as previously mentioned as well as the 50th anniversary Tbird...

Not sure if you want to replace the threaded inserts but be sure the bridge comes with the three gold body mount screws as well.

 

[Larry V]

Maybe the Purple one

YES! I was mis-remembering it. That is ultra cool and an awesome take on the TBird logo!

 

[Dadagoboi]

I'm going chrome on my spare as soon as time permits....

IMO, it's about the same to buy a complete bridge as plating an old Epi. Plus you'll have a better quality bridge, complete with metric studs.

3-Point Bass Bridge | Allparts.com

It's an involved process to prepare a black bridge for plating, that's what drives up the cost. Plating is usually quoted as if the item is ready for the plating bath. Then when they get it they tell you what it will really cost for cleaning and pre polishing. Real 'chrome' is 3 separate plates on top of each other: copper, nickel and chrome. Stuff that is nickel plated can be easily chrome or gold plated .

Make sure you have a firm quote before you send anything to the plater.

 

[mistergoats]

Maybe the Purple one
Being a modeler I approached making a PG differently, I used some white sheet polystyrene, traced the original Gibson PG onto it, cut it, drilled, etc. I airbrushed several coats of Plum Crazy and glosscoat lacquer with lots of drying time and wet sanding (2000 grit automotive sandpaper) between coats. The artwork, representing a broken neck Thunderbird (this one is a busted headstock bass) was originally done by TBer Barkless Dog (John Fertig) who kindly let me use it. I made plastic stencils which I then used to cut out tape masks covering some of the purple. Clear gloss was sprayed first, followed by gloss white and more sanding, the masks were removed a more gloss was shot, eventually leveling the surface between the colors............It sounds like a lot of work but I just kept at it everyday for a week or so.

Our Queen's picture here springs an interesting question for me that requires input from the realm... ever since I got Thunderbird, I've started wearing a wristband. Something about my wrist placement and that hard edge makes one a necessity for me.

How many of us wear a wristband when playing?

 

[Mike A]

I've never felt the need for one.

 

[Larry V]

Neither have I. Skin that's thick like a mule.

 

[rickwebb]

I've always worn wristbands. Since the early 80's, at least.
Cos I has sweaty mitts...and plus I was on a Steve Harris bender at one time...

 

[TBird1958]

Our Queen's picture here springs an interesting question for me that requires input from the realm... ever since I got Thunderbird, I've started wearing a wristband. Something about my wrist placement and that hard edge makes one a necessity for me.

How many of us wear a wristband when playing?

We're all a bit different about where each of us like to have the bass hanging on us, strap length, body type etc. too. What music you're playing may have have something to do with it too. A lot of what TNH does has me playing with a pick in a repetitive downstroke only style which makes a lot clank (I love clank) that wears pretty hard on the underside of my forearm.....Thus the wristband.

 

[Haji]

There are several Goth TBirds on Fleabay at the moment going for about $100-$150. That's pretty dang cheap, since I paid $150 for mine in lesser shape and thought I did well.

 

[friendlybass]

Hey guys here's my new to me epi t-bird!

Got some questions! Its stock original as far as I can tell. As far as upgrades how do you fine members of the club feel about the hipshot and babicz bridges? Are they a direct drop in replacement/worthwhile for the dough? Also has anyone tried the emg t bird pickups? They seem to be the most affordable replacement. I've been trying to find the gibson tb plus pups cause my SG special has them and they sound killer but so far I've got nothin.
Might I join this fine institution? You fellas sure seem to know what's what with these here t birds.

 

[mistergoats]

Hey @friendlybass, good to have you here. My 2 cents on the bridge replacement: The Babicz that I saw on a 2015 T-bird had to be shimmed with a pretty substantial metal plate... which sort of negates the ol' "full contact" claim they make. It's bulky looking but extremely light. I cannot sort out if it lends extra sustain to the bass. That's for better ears than mine to decide. The Hipshot, while it's looks, to me, are unappealing, sounds really good, is far more adjustable, and constantly gets high praise up in here. Personally, I'm totally cool with the standard three point. If I was going to change, it'd be to a two-piece tail and bridge style.

Welcome to Thunderbird Club!

 

[friendlybass]

Hey @friendlybass, good to have you here. My 2 cents on the bridge replacement: The Babicz that I saw on a 2015 T-bird had to be shimmed with a pretty substantial metal plate... which sort of negates the ol' "full contact" claim they make. It's bulky looking but extremely light. I cannot sort out if it lends extra sustain to the bass. That's for better ears than mine to decide. The Hipshot, while it's looks, to me, are unappealing, sounds really good, is far more adjustable, and constantly gets high praise up in here. Personally, I'm totally cool with the standard three point. If I was going to change, it'd be to a two-piece tail and bridge style.

Welcome to Thunderbird Club!

Thanks bro! Wanted a t bird for a long time and still hope to have enough for a Gibson in the future! Thanks for the input on the bridges, I dont have a problem with the current tone just wonder what's out there that's make a big difference. I know hardware is where they manage to make these basses affordable so thinking about upgrading it.

 

[hillerup]

Shouldn't be to hard to find them. I would think any certified Gibson seller or repair shop could order you one. Gold was used on the Rumblekat as previously mentioned as well as the 50th anniversary Tbird...

Not sure if you want to replace the threaded inserts but be sure the bridge comes with the three gold body mount screws as well.

Yes, but if you keep the threaded inserts on a Goth, you should make sure to get the gold bridge + studs from an Epi Rumblekat and not a Gibson 50th Anniversary, since the Goth and Rumblekat has metric screws and inserts, and the Gibson has imperial screws which won't fit too well in the metric inserts. Also the threaded inserts on an Epi has a visible lip on the body surface, which the Gibson hasn't - So ideally it would either have to be a complete Epi bridge with matching gold studs and inserts, or a complete Gibson bridge with matching studs and inserts...

 

[TBird1958]

Thanks bro! Wanted a t bird for a long time and still hope to have enough for a Gibson in the future! Thanks for the input on the bridges, I dont have a problem with the current tone just wonder what's out there that's make a big difference. I know hardware is where they manage to make these basses affordable so thinking about upgrading it.

Would you like a number Sir?
I'l go find the list

 

[hillerup]

IMO, it's about the same to buy a complete bridge as plating an old Epi. Plus you'll have a better quality bridge, complete with metric studs.

3-Point Bass Bridge | Allparts.com

It's an involved process to prepare a black bridge for plating, that's what drives up the cost. Plating is usually quoted as if the item is ready for the plating bath. Then when they get it they tell you what it will really cost for cleaning and pre polishing. Real 'chrome' is 3 separate plates on top of each other: copper, nickel and chrome. Stuff that is nickel plated can be easily chrome or gold plated .

Make sure you have a firm quote before you send anything to the plater.

Oh, I wasn't thinking about chrome plating an Epi bridge, as I already have two complete sets of bridges and tuners in chrome for two projects.

My comment about plating was aimed at gold plating a complete bridge if it gets problematic in finding a golden one.

I've been in contact with both a company in the UK and in Denmark and the price for the gold plating alone estimates £ 50...

 

[hillerup]

Our Queen's picture here springs an interesting question for me that requires input from the realm... ever since I got Thunderbird, I've started wearing a wristband. Something about my wrist placement and that hard edge makes one a necessity for me.

How many of us wear a wristband when playing?

I don't....

 

[GBassNorth]

No wrist band here, but you're right, the forearm contour could be improved.

As for the bridges - I actually like the stock 3 point bridge. Its easy to adjust and looks unique. I think the Bab bridge is innovative but just looks too clunky on the Tbird with that baseplate.

 

[friendlybass]

Would you like a number Sir?
I'l go find the list

Yup! Thanks big boss love your purple t bird by the way its my mom's favorite color