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Thunderbird Club

#85,081
Cardinal Fang said:
Yeah, it really doesn't make any sense, does it? Any idea what to look for as the culprit? I wouldn't mind knowing what the problem was because if it's still present and I've only masked it with the new bridge then:

1. The problem might return.
2. Maybe I can get even MORE sustain after fixing it.

I had it in the shop, tuned up and set up several months before and while the playability improved greatly the sustain was no better. Two experienced technicians looked at it and nobody said anything about cracks or loose joints, tuners, etc, which are the only things I can think of that would cause the problem.

The adjustability is pretty sweet. I've never had string spacing adjustment available to me before.

Next time I pick it up I'll try your test, though of course my results will vary with different strings (and different ears). Thanks for the detailed input.
Click to expand...
I noticed better sustain with the Hipshot but not by a factor of 2. Went back to the three point after about a year. It's brighter and the attack is more audible imho.
 
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#85,082
So, from my limited experience. There are a lot of variables that go with this convo in regards to bridges and sustain.
I have a Hipshot on one Bird, and Scott's BadBirdII bridge on another. Before i swapped out the 3 point to the Hipshot, i didn't notice a discernible lack of sustain. When i put the HS on, It seemed to have a bit more sustain.
With no side by side comparison in that regard, am i just perceiving the HS as having more sustain? idk.
Now when i go back and forth from Bird to Bird, i'm not sure i'm totally sold on the full contact thing. I love a fully adjustable bridge, and i do understand the physics involved with a full contact bridge.
But when i play the Bird with the BB bridge, i've recently been favoring it over the HS bridge. Sounds a bit brighter and more open sounding, to me anyway.
I still like the Hipshot, but i like the BB just as much, if not a bit more.
 
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#85,083
Cardinal Fang said:
Yeah, it really doesn't make any sense, does it? Any idea what to look for as the culprit? I wouldn't mind knowing what the problem was because if it's still present and I've only masked it with the new bridge then:

1. The problem might return.
2. Maybe I can get even MORE sustain after fixing it.

I had it in the shop, tuned up and set up several months before and while the playability improved greatly the sustain was no better. Two experienced technicians looked at it and nobody said anything about cracks or loose joints, tuners, etc, which are the only things I can think of that would cause the problem.

The adjustability is pretty sweet. I've never had string spacing adjustment available to me before.

Next time I pick it up I'll try your test, though of course my results will vary with different strings (and different ears). Thanks for the detailed input.
Click to expand...
Have you checked your nut? Lose, cracked, string fit, nut fit/seating

You can test for loose bits on the body by tapping it with a small nylon mallet, if the sound has a slight ring that area is good, if it sounds mega dead or dull then that area might be suspect, very unlikely I think to find something like that
 
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#85,084
Nocturnal said:
Did you need to remove the Opti-Grab from the BlackBird to install the Hipshot? I was thinking about switching out the bridge on my BB but it looks like I need to remove the Opti-Grab.
Click to expand...

For certain. I don't miss it though, the only time it was ever touched is when I pointed it out to my fellow Crue heads.

Speaking of MC... When's that MC Netflix program coming out? Is it this year? A friend is planning a party around its release, should be fun as.
 
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#85,085
Christine said:
Have you checked your nut? Lose, cracked, string fit, nut fit/seating
Click to expand...

Yes, nut was too tall when I took it into the shop and they shaved and reattached it.

I didn't notice the strings sitting up high in their nut slots but then I didn't look specifically for that. I will check that, thanks.

I'll tap gingerly on the body too as you suggest.
 
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#85,086
theFixer said:
Archer was a series on Fox:)

Click to expand...

Is a series on FXX.

The first several seasons are hilarious. Archer Vice I had to watch a second time because its different from what came before. I just finished Danger Island and didn't like it as much. There's one more season next year and that will be the end.
 
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#85,087
35820169_1735830996454767_7823475344198860800_n.jpg


Me and a fan.
 
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#85,088
Chucky Stiletti said:
cool avatar..
Click to expand...
Thanks. That album has serious sentimental value to me. In my early 20's when I was living and breathing Hardcore and Thrash a good close friend laid some classic albums from random European Progressive artists on me and this album changed everything moving forward. When my son was a new born and came home from the hospital I capitalized on the very first opportunity to have the house all alone just the two of us. We sat on the couch in the dim lighting nestled together and our very first father and son time was spent listening to this album in its entirety. He never slept and he never screamed as he soaked up the sounds and the atmosphere around him, he was very content, we were very content:)
 
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#85,089
Cardinal Fang said:
For certain. I don't miss it though, the only time it was ever touched is when I pointed it out to my fellow Crue heads.

Speaking of MC... When's that MC Netflix program coming out? Is it this year? A friend is planning a party around its release, should be fun as.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't miss it either as I never use it except randomly if I am sitting while playing to slide the bass into a new position (HEY NOW!!). The 3 point bridge on my BlackBird is arched in the center and seems to be heading towards a crack. May need to swap them out just for that reason alone.

Not sure when that Crue show is available but def going to watch it.
 
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#85,094
GonePlaid said:
Yes! I haven't put one on my Epi Bird 5er-yet. Gotta decide if I'm keeping it(probably):thumbsup:
Click to expand...
3 of my 4 basses have bridge cover and or pickup cover on them. The covers round out the aesthetics for me but most importantly they dont get in the way of my finger work as I play closer to the neck. Gotta have them!.
 
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