Thunderbird Club

[SVTbird]

Have a bass with several scratch marks after PO played it with a studded wristband, and am trying to figure out the easiest way to remove these.

PS: Forgive me if I have asked this question before...

depends on how deep the scratches are. A few apps of compound might do the trick, but a heavier compound or sandpaper might be better. With the heavy compound you'll have to progress to medium and then light compounds like you would with sanding.

 

[SVTbird]

Shut your pie hole! My pipe dreams need to remain pipe dreams. And it was gonna be a G&L for the record. I dunno, too much GAS not enough funds. If Gibson's pricing department ever stops smoking crack I'd love me a gibbo bird, and eBay seems to have a relatively steady stream of older birds. Yeah maybe ill just buy one of them 2014s in walnut when they start goin on sale and grab like an '09 to make into my orange racer. But I've been loving all my old school funk stuff and am doing more work in the blues/funk/gospel scene and a P would fit there so perfectly.
On another note, tried me on of those 2015 birds with the music man looking pickups (if I'm not mistaken they're the same ones that were in the most recent EB basses, another bass id like to own) and that thing had some killer sounds in it.
Daggum gas.

Shhh...! You'll anger the gods!

J/k...I do have a G&L LB-100 and its very nice. Almost bought a fender am std (a moment of weakness) but thankfully this was parked right next to it and was greater in every way, add to that the praises by marty friedman and I couldn't pass it up.
That being said, if someone wanted to trade idk, say a nice NR gibson, it would probably get its walking papers.
Still a great bass though

 

[Mark Cult]

I think it was these guys:

Invalid Link Removed

Yeah, custom made by the guys at original scratchplates...

 

[Alaotatto]

hello Gibson Thunderbird club, how goes it?

Im in the process of choosing my very first tbird for I have delayed for too long this decision. NOT ANYMORE. I am currently checking my options on reverb and ebay, but I'm also considering picking up a brand new one at a local dealer.

I came here today to see what I should know about these basses, for I have something close to 0 knowledge about gibson basses.

Could you perhaps shed a little light on the subject for a soon to be tbird owner?

cheers!

 

[TBird1958]

hello Gibson Thunderbird club, how goes it?

Im in the process of choosing my very first tbird for I have delayed for too long this decision. NOT ANYMORE. I am currently checking my options on reverb and ebay, but I'm also considering picking up a brand new one at a local dealer.

I came here today to see what I should know about these basses, for I have something close to 0 knowledge about gibson basses.

Could you perhaps shed a little light on the subject for a soon to be tbird owner?

cheers!

I'd look at an Epiphone "Classic" at about $500.00 it's the best Thunderbird on the market if you want a new bass. Used Gibsons are at least a reasonable choice, new ones are spendy.
I love my Gibsons, have 5 including 3 '76s and I truly love owning "the real deal" they are historic basses if for no other reason than their low production numbers, but if you are just putting your toe in the water the Epi Classic is built the same way as a Gibson and even uses US made pickups, it's QC is good and it's a great place to start if you want to modify it.

 

[ThaCoast]

There's a guy where i live selling his limited edition red bird & he did this

Yes the top strap pin is moved on the back of the horn. He says it cures the dive & keeps the bass upright.

I guess it's another option for thunderbirds, & no i can't get this metallic red, nor would i want it

 

[wolfkeller]

Not a tbird (or a bass for that matter), but I thought you like to see some different techniques for matte finishes.

On the explorer here I did progressive wet sanding on the back, up to 3000 grit, and hand buffed with minwax paste.

The front and sides are 0000 steel wool and 50% diluted murphys oil soap.

pics dont do it justice. The back is like a black mirror

That stuff is the poopie, I use that and the polish on parts I paint

 

[mistergoats]

Welcome Toddcaster64!

I really did enjoy reading how you came to join us here - hang out and relax, post any pics etc., we love it!

TBird1958 #1
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We're approaching nearly 100 new member since I joined like a week a go!

 

[hillerup]

Arrhhh, mistergoats...

I think your time perception is out of whack...

 

[TBird1958]

How I love Canadians

 

[friendlybass]

hello Gibson Thunderbird club, how goes it?

Im in the process of choosing my very first tbird for I have delayed for too long this decision. NOT ANYMORE. I am currently checking my options on reverb and ebay, but I'm also considering picking up a brand new one at a local dealer.

I came here today to see what I should know about these basses, for I have something close to 0 knowledge about gibson basses.

Could you perhaps shed a little light on the subject for a soon to be tbird owner?

cheers!

As a recent Gibson convert (an SG special and hopefully soon a TBird) id like to say you really can't go wrong. Lots of that vintage, dark growl in every one ive played. They're definitely not a "hifi" sound, and instead of cutting through the mix it bludgeons its way through in just the best way. I love even just my epiphone third and it needs some lovin but for now its definitely fun.
Hope you enjoy your future bird man, be sure to post pictures!

 

[ThaCoast]

So far weather hasn't permitted me to start any building, & i've been bouncing back & forth on what bass to actually build for my 3rd blank piece it's either a tbird or something else, but that something else hasn't crossed my mind so i'm sticking with my Tiger stripe burn bird. Going more spector thunderbird body shape than gibson/epiphone. Spector is rounder & seems a tad wider compared to gibson where it's sharper and narrower.

So far it's specs are as follows:

Home depot laminate maple wood (2 piece 1.5" thick)
One piece maple neck with rosewood fretboard (dk if i'm going 20-21 or 24 fret)
Hipshot A style Chrome bridge .750 spacing (Top load only)
Precision split pickup in the middle position (i've got an old set from my pbass copy & SD basslines from a mark hoppus bass i modified for my friend)
Seymour Duncan NYC-4 soapbar pickup in the bridge position
Pickups wired to a Killswitch
Tube jack output
Gotoh GB350 tuners chrome


Headstock will have a 10 degree angle back (i never see the need for anything over that on a bass/guitar) & the neck profile will be somewhat precision bass shape with a jazz neck width. Slab body with rounded edges. I'll be sure to post either a build thread or just keep you guys updated with loads of pictures when i actually get around to starting.

 

[JIO]

So far weather hasn't permitted me to start any building, & i've been bouncing back & forth on what bass to actually build for my 3rd blank piece it's either a tbird or something else, but that something else hasn't crossed my mind so i'm sticking with my Tiger stripe burn bird. Going more spector thunderbird body shape than gibson/epiphone. Spector is rounder & seems a tad wider compared to gibson where it's sharper and narrower.

So far it's specs are as follows:

Home depot laminate maple wood (2 piece 1.5" thick)
One piece maple neck with rosewood fretboard (dk if i'm going 20-21 or 24 fret)
Hipshot A style Chrome bridge .750 spacing (Top load only)
Precision split pickup in the middle position (i've got an old set from my pbass copy & SD basslines from a mark hoppus bass i modified for my friend)
Seymour Duncan NYC-4 soapbar pickup in the bridge position
Pickups wired to a Killswitch
Tube jack output
Gotoh GB350 tuners chrome


Headstock will have a 10 degree angle back (i never see the need for anything over that on a bass/guitar) & the neck profile will be somewhat precision bass shape with a jazz neck width. Slab body with rounded edges. I'll be sure to post either a build thread or just keep you guys updated with loads of pictures when i actually get around to starting.

Luthiers Corner always welcomes new builds Andi! And like this fine thread, very supportive and positive.

 

[ThaCoast]

Luthiers Corner always welcomes new builds Andi! And like this fine thread, very supportive and positive.

As always, i've done it before with my grabber replica which is "curing" right now.

 

[mistergoats]

Arrhhh, mistergoats...

I think your time perception is out of whack...

It's a known fact around here that I have no idea how time works.

 

[SVTbird]

I'd look at an Epiphone "Classic" at about $500.00 it's the best Thunderbird on the market if you want a new bass. Used Gibsons are at least a reasonable choice, new ones are spendy.
I love my Gibsons, have 5 including 3 '76s and I truly love owning "the real deal" they are historic basses if for no other reason than their low production numbers, but if you are just putting your toe in the water the Epi Classic is built the same way as a Gibson and even uses US made pickups, it's QC is good and it's a great place to start if you want to modify it.

I'll be the first to second this (ya, you see what I did there )
Epi classic pro is an amazing bass for the money. Just try and find another bass with 9 ply neck thru construction, premium pickups, and killer looks for under $500.

Be warned though, it's probably going to start an addiction. ..oh, but its one hell of a great addiction to have

 

[SVTbird]

Pelham blue Epi on ebay...nice

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

And a '66 NR at GC...***?

Invalid Link Removed

 

[Klondike]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Not a great deal, but I found the description kinda funny. At least the guy is consistent.

Oh amd the new baby has been shipped. Yea!

 

[TBird1958]

Subjagation of the Galaxy..........Hmmm, that has a nice ring to it

 

[Toddcaster64]

These descriptions are spot-on. My p bass sounds/feels like, well, a bass. The Thunderbird feels like the whole dang band! Powerful, driving. It's a rock machine. And gorgeous to boot. The local big box retailer was selling the Epi Classic IV Pro for $419 on sale from $499. Set through neck, fabulous fit and finish, Gibson pickups for $419?! It was an absolute steal. That sale ran out on 5/27/15, but maybe if you said you missed out you could get that price again? Even at $499 though, a HELL of an instrument. There are only a few instruments where I am so amazed by it that I say that was worth every last cent I paid for it. My Rick 360 12 string guitar would certainly qualify as one of those. This would be another. At a third of the price. Seriously, I should have gotten the white one also.