Thunderbird Club

[Dadagoboi]

Carlo, I love your TBird! Such a Holy Grail Bass!

Thanks, Tom. Hadn't played it in a while, pulled it out to check the pickup measurements. It has a chunky neck, which I like. Neck on this one, also a '64, is thinner. Pickup is in the same place as neck pup on the IV.

 

[Haji]

What is that sorta brass colored piece in front of the bridge, Carlo?

 

[Dadagoboi]

What is that sorta brass colored piece in front of the bridge, Carlo?

It's copper, for felt string mutes.

 

[rickwebb]

It's copper, for felt string mutes.

LOVING that 65 T-Bird! Same vintage as me- but the Bird is much better looking

 

[tomshepp]

Love the II too. Interesting that they have chunky necks. My 2013 Bird has what feels like a very skinny neck.....

 

[Dadagoboi]

Love the II too. Interesting that they have chunky necks. My 2013 Bird has what feels like a very skinny neck.....

I think it depended on who was doing the neck shaping that day. Necks were generally chunkier in the early 60s and thinner later on. I have 3 EBOs, my 1960 has a 1-3/4" very chunky neck, '67 has a 1-1/2" thin one and the '65 is in between.

 

[A. D. Fairhurst]

Could someone tell me about the Epi Thunderbird Pro IV. If my dad will let me, I'll buy one.

 

[Klondike]

Could someone tell me about the Epi Thunderbird Pro IV. If my dad will let me, I'll buy one.

I recently acquired one. What would you like to know about it?

 

[Haji]

I think its the best buy of the Epi TBirds. It doesn't have the goofy three point bridge on it (my main Tbird still has one, but just because I still have it on there doesn't mean I have to like it) and is a set neck that I really like the acoustic vibrations of. For me, how a bass vibrates when it's not plugged in is very important to to the feel. For me, if it doesn't "ring" the right way when I'm playing it, it doesn't really matter what it sounds like plugged in, it'll still be dead to me. Its one of those basses that you won't feel like replacing later to get rid of the Pro...you'll just want to add more TBirds. That's totally normal, by the way.

 

[hillerup]

I think it depended on who was doing the neck shaping that day. Necks were generally chunkier in the early 60s and thinner later on. I have 3 EBOs, my 1960 has a 1-3/4" very chunky neck, '67 has a 1-1/2" thin one and the '65 is in between.

How about a family shot, Carlo?

 

[Dadagoboi]

How about a family shot, Carlo?

Sure!

 

[A. D. Fairhurst]

I recently acquired one. What would you like to know about it?

Is it worth the money? Neck dive? Sound? Stuff like that.

 

[Haji]

Worth the money? Hell yeah it is. Neck dive? Not with a wide strap. Sound? Thunderous.

On top of that, Epi's look good. They use a poly finish that, while quite a bit thicker than nitro, is easy to care for, looks great (their prep work is excellent) and is very tough. Epiphone makes working instruments for gigging musicians.

 

[SVTbird]

Is it worth the money? Neck dive? Sound? Stuff like that.

You can't lose with an Epi pro or classic pro.

Best value in new basses from anywhere or anyone IMO

 

[rickwebb]

Is it worth the money? Neck dive? Sound? Stuff like that.

Worth the money? DEFINITELY!

Neck dive? Get yourself a wide (2 inches or more) suede-backed strap and find a height that's comfortable for you.

Enjoy

 

[redstrand]

My epi tv silver doesn't neck dive with a 2" strap, you just have to be diligent when you play one. If not get a three inch strap and you're good to go.

 

[Mikaelbass]

I've done the conversion from Jazz to ThunderBuckers three times and use the original spacing on most of my other basses. The numbers are:

On my 1964 TBird IV: to centerline of the pickups from 12th fret:
neck: 273 mm (10.75")
bridge: 362mm (14.25 ")

My ThunderBucker conversions to Jazz basses using those specs are close to those numbers:

Works on Jaguars, too

Covering the bridge pickup and missing the control plate requires a little planning, especially on a Jag. The neck is easy.

I'd stick with VVT. Owner of the Jag switched back to that after 2 stack pots and a master volume. My second choice would be VBT.

ThunderBucker (and 60s Thunderbird) routes are 6.3mm (1/4") deep.

That's an awesome source of info for me thank you so much for putting time into that. Just placed the order for the pickups, got majorly stung by the exchange rate but they are worth it. I went with the hottest options available to darken up my already very bright jazz.

Any other tips for a conversion like this? I haven't done it before and will be workin with a family friend carpenter.

 

[Leiria]

Neck dive? Not with a wide strap.

It doesnt even have to be wide. Mines thinner than what they sell at my local music shop but it doesnt dive. I made it with leather and it holds itself due to friction. Its also a bit thick so its really comfortable

 

[Dadagoboi]

Any other tips for a conversion like this? I haven't done it before and will be workin with a family friend carpenter.

You're welcome. Make a good routing template. Cut the bridge pickup route with the pickguard in place. Other guys have done the conversion. It's not difficult, just take your time.

 

[Klondike]

Is it worth the money? Neck dive? Sound? Stuff like that.

My pro hasnt any strap posts as of yet (previous owner). However I have a three incu black leather strap that will cure anythin neck dive elated should there be an issue thith that. I dont foresee any issue.

Ive found the soumd is more prone to growl than my Epi IV. Definatly more sound options. Similar but different, if that makes sense.

Worth it? i think it was but I stole it too, according to Trebless.

Is thos your first bass or first tbird?