• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Thunderbird Club

No problem at all, did you see mine?
upload_2018-6-7_15-34-56.png
 
I fancy doing the text in a very dark shell just enough to give in brand identity on closer inspection but not enough to jump out and catch your eye. I'm getting out voted though :roflmao:
That would make me vote for #1 a close second after #2. If they don't know what it is, don't tell 'em!
 
Here's the quote from John Entwistle Gear: 1971-1974 | John Entwistle Bass Gear | Whotabs

From October 1994, Guitar World interview
Also, around Quadrophenia was when I changed to Gibson Thunderbird basses. Either Thunderbird or Fender/Thunderbird hybrids. I had bodies made with the Thunderbird pickup and bridge. The bridge is positioned a sixteenth of an inch forward of where it is on the stock Thunderbird. And I put Fender necks on because the Thunderbird necks were too thin on top.

From November 1975, Guitar Player interview
Once I realized the Thunderbird was the bass I was going to be playing for a few years, I panicked because they stopped making them. I went to Link Removed [156 West 48th St., New York, NY 10036], and told them to buy up the whole stock, so consequently I got ten two-pickup Thunderbirds. Some of them had harmonic, microphonic pickups, so I couldn’t use them, and with the rest, I just couldn’t get the action as low as I wanted. So I used the pickups and hardware and bought some blonde Fender Precision necks and had some old style Thunderbird bodies built for the Fender necks to fit, and I’ve been using them on stage more than the Thunderbirds. I use them for recording as well. Blonde Precision necks are my favorites; those and Rickenbackers. Thunderbird necks tend to be too thin down at the bottom. I get my fingers all tangled up when I go to the first fret.
While the 2nd interview was from '75, his trip to Manny's was in '73. I know because I took a gig in NYC for the sole purpose of buying a Thunderbird. I had called Manny's about 2 weeks b4 we went up there to make sure they had some. The guy I talked to said they had 15-20 of them in all kind of configurations. When I went in there they had ONE that looked like it had been used as a war club or a sledge hammer. I asked were there any more and the guy says "nope, Entwistle came in and bought the lot". Luckily I found mine across the street at a little Luthier's shop, but I was not too pleased with The Ox for awhile!
 
They do, they are interchangable, there is a slight difference in the taper but it's so negligible I wouldn't worry about it.

Apparently Entwistle quoted that his fingers felt cramped on the bird neck. He must have had fingers like that face hugging thing on the "Alien" films :roflmao: I love the Tbird neck
I have adapted to 'Bird necks. A P neck is still close to ideal for me.
 
Here's the quote from John Entwistle Gear: 1971-1974 | John Entwistle Bass Gear | Whotabs

From October 1994, Guitar World interview
Also, around Quadrophenia was when I changed to Gibson Thunderbird basses. Either Thunderbird or Fender/Thunderbird hybrids. I had bodies made with the Thunderbird pickup and bridge. The bridge is positioned a sixteenth of an inch forward of where it is on the stock Thunderbird. And I put Fender necks on because the Thunderbird necks were too thin on top.

From November 1975, Guitar Player interview
Once I realized the Thunderbird was the bass I was going to be playing for a few years, I panicked because they stopped making them. I went to Link Removed [156 West 48th St., New York, NY 10036], and told them to buy up the whole stock, so consequently I got ten two-pickup Thunderbirds. Some of them had harmonic, microphonic pickups, so I couldn’t use them, and with the rest, I just couldn’t get the action as low as I wanted. So I used the pickups and hardware and bought some blonde Fender Precision necks and had some old style Thunderbird bodies built for the Fender necks to fit, and I’ve been using them on stage more than the Thunderbirds. I use them for recording as well. Blonde Precision necks are my favorites; those and Rickenbackers. Thunderbird necks tend to be too thin down at the bottom. I get my fingers all tangled up when I go to the first fret.
Thanks, I also recall reading one where he said the TBirds had more bottom for the bigger stages but he preferred the the "snap" of the maple fingerboard P neck.
 
While the 2nd interview was from '75, his trip to Manny's was in '73. I know because I took a gig in NYC for the sole purpose of buying a Thunderbird. I had called Manny's about 2 weeks b4 we went up there to make sure they had some. The guy I talked to said they had 15-20 of them in all kind of configurations. When I went in there they had ONE that looked like it had been used as a war club or a sledge hammer. I asked were there any more and the guy says "nope, Entwistle came in and bought the lot". Luckily I found mine across the street at a little Luthier's shop, but I was not too pleased with The Ox for awhile!
You told that story before, thought you were kidding..