Thunderbird Club

[theFixer]

Honduran Mahogany is a no go in the UK Brazilian too if you want FCS timber but maybe if you went to non FCS suppliers it might still be available but even then it couldn't be exported. I can go to our timber yard and choose very pretty African Mahogany but it is marginally heavier and much more difficult to work, it's what I'm building the twins out of
You like tall frets? Stainless on Ebony look good, I'll bare those in mind
Could you explain the "vol/blend/tone/tone." to me please

Got to go and try and squees a shoe onto my foot to go out now

The only reason I specified Honduran, was because of the figuring. Any kind of mahogany would work beautifully, but an interesting grain pattern or other natural anomaly would look great under that red.

I do like tall frets! The width doesn't matter so much, but a well set up bass with tall frets is "where it's at", if yer lookin' for an easy playin' bass. I like stainless frets cuz they look clean and last forever.

As for the controls... one of the things I like so much about the Thunderbird, is how it reacts to subtle changes in how & where it's picked or plucked, as well as how the pups are blended. I have the distinct impression that nobody messes around with that stuff as much as I do. In fact... about half the folks here would probly prefer to straight wire everything & not bother with knobs at all! I like to mess around with dynamics when I'm playing (probably something I brought over from my years as a drummer). As you know, a stock T-bird is V/V/T. Playing with pickup balance involves 2 knobs (which can be tricky on the fly). Since I put that blend control on there... it's a simple quick flick of a single knob.

Stock Les Paul knob confiuration is:

A) neck pup vol.
B) bridge pup vol.
C) bridge pup tone
D) neck pup tone

The way I would like a T-bird set up, would be:

A) master vol.
B) blend
C) bridge pup tone
D) neck pup tone

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

interesting...
Custom Made Thunderbird Bass T-Bird Bass, 1989, Gibson - Hamer - style

 

[Engle]

Not hating but his playing never did anything for me..what's up with the haircut?

Too funny! I would guess the hair must be some combination of original, plugs and a weave?

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

This is nice too.. can't beat that price..
Epiphone Explorer Bass Black | Daniil's Gear Locker

 

[godofthunder59]

Hey, always meaning to ask, what is that NR in your avatar?

Little project bass. Statred as this

this ended up like this.

I bought the shard off Ebay for 5 bucks. It started life as a Thunderbird II then someone converted it into a guitar and finally was smashed in a parking lot in a geetard player hissy fit.

 

[godofthunder59]

Just for you, SVTs, Grabber and...

Love this clip!

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Little project bass. Statred as thisView attachment 3090085 this ended up like this. View attachment 3090087 I bought the shard off Ebay for 5 bucks. It started life as a Thunderbird II then someone converted it into a guitar and finally was smashed in a parking lot in a geetard player hissy fit.

Very nice. So, is it a bolt on? And, what pickup is that? Kinda hard to tell from the pic..

 

[godofthunder59]

Very nice. So, is it a bolt on? And, what pickup is that? Kinda hard to tell from the pic..

Set neck with a Seymour Duncan custom shop Thunderbird pickup. In for a penny in for a pound.

 

[JIO]

Just for you, SVTs, Grabber and...

The end was show-biz chaos ... this live performance was the real deal -

 

[Engle]

I’m thinking of rewiring my VP to Vol, blend, tone. Anyone have advice on pot values and a source for a good blend pot?

 

[theFixer]

@TBird1958 If this ain't somewhere in the Nasty Habits set list...

 

[JJR58]

@Christine. How's that foot doing?

 

[Gaolee]

Two words, second one is OFF!!!! The first starts with an F, ends in a K and has a U and a C in there too

I'm a little confused. Can you explain?

I'm already fantasizing about a DraigBird. It would have side dots on an ebony neck. No face dots. A dragon with wings on the fretboard, centered on the 12th fret but bigger than that. Parallel with the neck instead of perpendicular, so it would be right way up when you are playing it, not pointed at the ceiling. Small frets, because that's what I happen to like, and a 1-5/8" wide nut, minimum. Soft V back of the neck. Not quite a baseball bat, but certainly more substantial than the usual 'Bird. Double bound headstock that says Draig on it, like the current one you are making. Mahogany through neck with a two piece bridge. Bridge cover, single pickup, raised bit down the middle like a 'Bird should have. Tapered beeswing mahogany wings with radiused edges but no belly cut. Forearm cut on the front would be good. No need for a pickguard unless drilling for wiring is such a pita that it has to have one. Color? Some kind of transparent dark purplish red, not burst.

A man can dream, right?

 

[Gaolee]

I think the crappy lens on the i6 camera didn't help. I know all of the literature says 30 inch scale but this one feels shorter. Is there such thing as a 28 inch scale?

Yes, it's called a baritone guitar and usually has six strings. I just built one.

 

[Christine]

@Christine. How's that foot doing?

Hurting!

 

[Nocturnal]

interesting...
Custom Made Thunderbird Bass T-Bird Bass, 1989, Gibson - Hamer - style

I like that one. The "cutaway" next to the end of the fretboard is a little extreme to me but it wouldn't stop me from buying it.

 

[Dadagoboi]

I’m thinking of rewiring my VP to Vol, blend, tone. Anyone have advice on pot values and a source for a good blend pot?

Bournes and CTS work for me.
Welcome to Allparts Music Corp. - Guitar, Bass, and Amp Parts Supplier

 

[theFixer]

I'm a little confused. Can you explain?

I'm already fantasizing about a DraigBird. It would have side dots on an ebony neck. No face dots. A dragon with wings on the fretboard, centered on the 12th fret but bigger than that. Parallel with the neck instead of perpendicular, so it would be right way up when you are playing it, not pointed at the ceiling. Small frets, because that's what I happen to like, and a 1-5/8" wide nut, minimum. Soft V back of the neck. Not quite a baseball bat, but certainly more substantial than the usual 'Bird. Double bound headstock that says Draig on it, like the current one you are making. Mahogany through neck with a two piece bridge. Bridge cover, single pickup, raised bit down the middle like a 'Bird should have. Tapered beeswing mahogany wings with radiused edges but no belly cut. Forearm cut on the front would be good. No need for a pickguard unless drilling for wiring is such a pita that it has to have one. Color? Some kind of transparent dark purplish red, not burst.

A man can dream, right?

DOOOOOOOOOOD!!! The "axe" you just described... it just sounds FAAAAAR too cool to NOT happen!!! Dark purple transparent??? B!tch pleeeeeeeeez... game OVER!!! THIS MUST HAPPEN!!! (You still got 2 kidneys?)

 

[theFixer]

Hurting!

 

[Count Bassie]

Just for you, SVTs, Grabber and...

Well that was just rock n roll, wasn't it? Funny how easily I dismiss them, but that clip right there is what you pay to see, and it's worth it. I never bought in , never got to see them. Too bad! Lol, thanks for posting.