Thunderbird Club

[Toptube]

That's actually very cool! A lot of people might disagree but I'd put a Gibson 3 point bridge on it to complete the look.

I think something with a tail piece would look cool on that and give it a bit more of a vintage Gibson look. If not a tunomatic, I Hipshot has the "D" style bridge:
4 String D Style 2 Piece System > Store > Hipshot Products

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[hillerup]

I don't know if this will qualify me to be in the thunderbird Club when it's completed, but I thought you guys might dig this. I just finished making the first set of templates for a bass I'll be building starting next week. It's Very Thunderbird influenced, as you can see. It's similar to a slab precision bass, except that I shortened the lower horn to Match up closer to the Thunderbird dimensions... played with a few lines...the pick guard is obviously non-reverse influenced...it will have two T-Bird pick ups, and the body will be African mahogany. I've always loved the Thunderbird sound, but never really liked the ergonomics of them....Even though I think they look really cool. So my goal was to design something that matched closer to the ergonomics of a Fender, but wasn't "just a Thunderbird pick up stuck on a Fender bass" .
Anyway, here is a pic of the templates to give you an idea. It's at least a basic mock up until I start construction next week. The headstock seems a little large, so I'll probably shave it down to match up a bit better.

I hope you dig the design as much as I do !!!


View attachment 628328

That's actually very cool! A lot of people might disagree but I'd put a Gibson 3 point bridge on it to complete the look.

As cool as it is, I don't think it qualifies as a Thunderbird - The body shape is still basically a Fender with only a minimal change to the lower bout...

The pickguard is pretty cool, though and with Thunderbird pickups it's gonna sound huge.

All in all it reminds me a bit of a Fender Cowpoke - but with other pickups and a slightly altered PG:

 

[vdub75]

but I think it's Close enough to be at least mentioned here. I remember all those mike lull p's and j's with the thunderbuckers popping up in the Thunderbird Club threads so...

 

[Dadagoboi]

As cool as it is, I don't think it qualifies as a Thunderbird - The body shape is still basically a Fender with only a minimal change to the lower bout...

Here's my take on a slab body 'Fneder' with ThunderGuts.

and to mash it up even more...

Body is a semislab modded Jazz shape. Neck pickup is a ThunderBucker, bridge pickup is a hidden hot single coil Jazz for more treble response. Stacked pots.

 

[Larry V]

I don't know if this will qualify me to be in the thunderbird Club when it's completed, but I thought you guys might dig this. I just finished making the first set of templates for a bass I'll be building starting next week. It's Very Thunderbird influenced, as you can see. It's similar to a slab precision bass, except that I shortened the lower horn to Match up closer to the Thunderbird dimensions... played with a few lines...the pick guard is obviously non-reverse influenced...it will have two T-Bird pick ups, and the body will be African mahogany. I've always loved the Thunderbird sound, but never really liked the ergonomics of them....Even though I think they look really cool. So my goal was to design something that matched closer to the ergonomics of a Fender, but wasn't "just a Thunderbird pick up stuck on a Fender bass" .
Anyway, here is a pic of the templates to give you an idea. It's at least a basic mock up until I start construction next week. The headstock seems a little large, so I'll probably shave it down to match up a bit better.

I hope you dig the design as much as I do !!!


View attachment 628328

I do like the design but I have to agree with Michael, the body shape makes it too close to a Fender. Why not go all the way on the NR shape?

 

[marko57]

I've just caught up on what i missed. As far as wristbands go, i've worn them sometimes, but never really got used to it. I prefer either nothing or having a bandana wrapped around my wrist. Looks cooler & i have a bunch of them.

I do wear wristbands, mainly in the summer to absorb the sweat. I also wore a bandana wrapped around my wrist in the 80's, a red one in fact. Trouble is, the red dye from that bandana worked it's way into the finish on my
white Hamer Blitz and the red is still there to this day.

 

[DinoRock]

A new addition to the family. My first Thunderbird: Epiphone Thunderbird Classic-IV PRO. Thanks to folks at TB for convincing me to take the plunge!

 

[Dark Horse]

Why not go all the way on the NR shape?

Several reasons....

As I mentioned, I don't like the ergonomics of a T-Bird, though I love the sound. They aren't comfortable for me to play at all.


Also, I'm not interested in making a "clone" of something. If I wanted a T-Bird i'd simply buy a Gibby/Epi/Lull/Bach/Orville/whatever.



Ok, there's also a third reason..... Because the T-Bird "shape" doesn't lend itself to being appropriate for many gigs. The sound does, but not the shape. I make my living making music, so i always have to be conscious of what bass I bring to a gig...need to make the artist happy...and a T-Bird simply wouldn't get brought to many gigs.

And there's a 4th reason.... I do a lot of fly in gigs, and a T-Bird, due to the size, would always have to be checked baggage...whereas my Fenders, Lakland, Danos, etc are small enough to fit in the overhead bins on Southwest (and JetBlue).

 

[Dadagoboi]

Several reasons....

As I mentioned, I don't like the ergonomics of a T-Bird, though I love the sound. They aren't comfortable for me to play at all.


Also, I'm not interested in making a "clone" of something. If I wanted a T-Bird i'd simply buy a Gibby/Epi/Lull/Bach/Orville/whatever.



Ok, there's also a third reason..... Because the T-Bird "shape" doesn't lend itself to being appropriate for many gigs. The sound does, but not the shape. I make my living making music, so i always have to be conscious of what bass I bring to a gig...need to make the artist happy...and a T-Bird simply wouldn't get brought to many gigs.

And there's a 4th reason.... I do a lot of fly in gigs, and a T-Bird, due to the size, would always have to be checked baggage...whereas my Fenders, Lakland, Danos, etc are small enough to fit in the overhead bins on Southwest (and JetBlue).

This is the Thunderbird Club. What do you seek here?

 

[Dark Horse]

This is the Thunderbird Club. What do you seek here?

Wasn't "seeking" anything. Just sharing a design that is influenced by T-Birds.

 

[godofthunder59]

A new addition to the family. My first Thunderbird: Epiphone Thunderbird Classic-IV PRO. Thanks to folks at TB for convincing me to take the plunge!

View attachment 628596

Beautiful bass! This morning I am spending my first meaning full time with my white Classic Pro practicing songs for our up coming show. The more I play it the more I like it, very impressed. I run my two pickup birds with the bridge off neck on full and tone all the way up. The bass is not boomy at all nice full mid-range and top end zing. I am not sure why but the string tension is much better than on any contemporary Tbird I have owned. I have black 60's style tail pieces coming so I will probably trick it out with one of those and later most likely convert it to the Badbird II. Probably going to put it in the live rotation.

 

[Larry V]

Several reasons....

As I mentioned, I don't like the ergonomics of a T-Bird, though I love the sound. They aren't comfortable for me to play at all.

The Standard Reverse Body and the Non Reverse(NR) are not anywhere close to the same ergonomically so the only thing I was referring to in your design was the upper horn, I should have been clearer, sorry.

Also, I'm not interested in making a "clone" of something. If I wanted a T-Bird i'd simply buy a Gibby/Epi/Lull/Bach/Orville/whatever.

It would be far from a clone with the total Fender lower body outline.

Ok, there's also a third reason..... Because the T-Bird "shape" doesn't lend itself to being appropriate for many gigs. The sound does, but not the shape. I make my living making music, so i always have to be conscious of what bass I bring to a gig...need to make the artist happy...and a T-Bird simply wouldn't get brought to many gigs.

Yup, real hard to find guys in here gigging their TBirds. <---don't take that the wrong way, your third reason seems to be easy to overcome if you really want to.

And there's a 4th reason.... I do a lot of fly in gigs, and a T-Bird, due to the size, would always have to be checked baggage...whereas my Fenders, Lakland, Danos, etc are small enough to fit in the overhead bins on Southwest (and JetBlue).

Your OA length would be no different and I should've been more clear about what I was referring to in my earlier post.

IMO, just keep the rounded lower body shape but add in your own version of the NR horns so that you get your ergonomics, gigg-ability and ease of travel while staying closer to a TBird look since you'll have the TBird sound.

 

[godofthunder59]

Did someone say gigging Thunderbirds?

 

[Dark Horse]

The Standard Reverse Body and the Non Reverse(NR) are not anywhere close to the same ergonomically so the only thing I was referring to in your design was the upper horn, I should have been clearer, sorry.

Unfortunately neither... rev or NR...has every been comfortable for me. Ive owned several of each (4Rev, 2NR), and always end up selling them. Love the look and sound, but don't dig the feel.

Yup, real hard to find guys in here gigging their TBirds. <---don't take that the wrong way, your third reason seems to be easy to overcome if you really want to.

Actually, it's the TOUGHEST to overcome, since I'm not dealing with my own wants or needs....I'm dealing with the artists who pay me. I'm dealing with THEIR perceptions, which is typically that T-Birds are for metal or southern rock (yes, I've actually had this discussion with one artist).

Your OA length would be no different and I should've been more clear about what I was referring to in my earlier post.

a NR would be about the same length, but a Rev is a few inches longer. I could certainly make a slightly more compact NR TBird.

IMO, just keep the rounded lower body shape but add in your own version of the NR horns so that you get your ergonomics, gigg-ability and ease of travel while staying closer to a TBird look since you'll have the TBird sound.

Again, not trying to necessarily get a TBird "look", just an influence"..... a "blend" .... P meets Bird with a personal twist.

Plus you start shortening up the top horn and you start inviting neck dive.


I may look into a few of your ideas for a future build, but on this one im building a real "workhorse" bass....one that is good for most types of gigs that I can use a 4 string ...rock, country, classic country, pop, roots, reggae, etc. But I also build stuff that I only gig occasionally, so maybe a future build I'll try to make a "comfortable" bass that's more TBird-ish.

 

[Dark Horse]

View attachment 628617 Did someone say gigging Thunderbirds?

Of course many people gig birds. However, most of those people are playing in just a single band. My situation is that I play with several different artists....Usually anywhere from 3 to 5 at any given time, Plus a bunch of fill in gigs here and there. Heck, I own and play 5ers when necessary, even though I greatly prefer 4 stringers. It's all about what the artist wants.



PS nice Bird !

 

[godofthunder59]

Btw I totaly get what Dark Horse is saying. Back in the day there was a big 7ender bias. There were any number of gigs I lost out on because I didn't play a 7ender, I was told as much on numerous occasions. I think in some circles it still persists. DH is also right that traveling with a Thunderbird can be difficult, if I were flying around with a bass I can tell you it wouldn't be with one of my Tbirds! Thanks for the comment on my NR, been playing them pretty much exclusively since '77. I have a number of 60's NR IIs. The one pictured is a real beater but it plays and sound great.

 

[Dark Horse]

Btw I totaly get what Dark Horse is saying. Back in the day there was a big 7ender bias. There were any number of gigs I lost out on because I didn't play a 7ender, I was told as much on numerous occasions. I think in some circles it still persists. DH is also right that traveling with a Thunderbird can be difficult, if I were flying around with a bass I can tell you it wouldn't be with one of my Tbirds! Thanks for the comment on my NR, been playing them pretty much exclusively since '77. I have a number of 60's NR IIs. The one pictured is a real beater but it plays and sound great.

like I say, I love the look and sound of birds! Got a pic of the collection ?


You are absolutely correct ...that fender bias still exists. Very much so. For many artists as long as it looks similar to a fender and is reasonably "high end (not Squier or similar) , they're happy. That's why many gigging bassists will play fender, Sadowsky, Lakland, etc.... Because they overcome the "appearance" bias that many artists have. It's all about making the artist as happy as possible so you can be freer to create, as well as insuring that you keep a steady income flow. To many artists you aren't "professional" unless it's a nice Fender, Sadowsky, etc.

 

[mistergoats]

I don't know if this will qualify me to be in the thunderbird Club when it's completed, but I thought you guys might dig this. I just finished making the first set of templates for a bass I'll be building starting next week. It's Very Thunderbird influenced, as you can see. It's similar to a slab precision bass, except that I shortened the lower horn to Match up closer to the Thunderbird dimensions... played with a few lines...the pick guard is obviously non-reverse influenced...it will have two T-Bird pick ups, and the body will be African mahogany. I've always loved the Thunderbird sound, but never really liked the ergonomics of them....Even though I think they look really cool. So my goal was to design something that matched closer to the ergonomics of a Fender, but wasn't "just a Thunderbird pick up stuck on a Fender bass" .
Anyway, here is a pic of the templates to give you an idea. It's at least a basic mock up until I start construction next week. The headstock seems a little large, so I'll probably shave it down to match up a bit better.

I hope you dig the design as much as I do !!!


View attachment 628328

That's cool!

 

[Dark Horse]

That's cool!

Thanks !

Still figuring out a few "fine details", but overall I'm happy with the design.

 

[mistergoats]

Thanks !

Still figuring out a few "fine details", but overall I'm happy with the design.

Really it blends the best parts of my two favourite basses together. I'll leave the "Thunderbird or not" judgement to the experts. Thanks for sharing it!