Thunderbird Club

[bylar13]

Nice price on a 2018 in Cardinal Red.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

and a 2015 with the coil tap pickups:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Shannon]

But get a red one.

Invalid Link Removed

Red Wuns go faster! Waaaahg!

I played the Greco Thunderbird II and the Jackson during the show, both are a little smaller than my other Birds and didn't seem to overwhelm the postage stamp stage.

View attachment 3167414

But what kind of postage stamp? Air Mail? First Class? Is it a collectable stamp?

 

[Shannon]

I'm hip!(not really)

 

[JJR58]

Geeze, it's eerily quiet here. Is everyone out hunting down ThunderBirds?

 

[GonePlaid]

Geeze, it's eerily quiet here. Is everyone out hunting down ThunderBirds?

So it isn't my imagination. Everyone tired from watching MNF last night?

 

[JJR58]

So it isn't my imagination. Everyone tired from watching MNF last night?

Meh, not me. I was busy playing my bass.

 

[Engle]

No, no that’s wrong. It’s me that needs that

That’s the bass that started me down this rabbit hole... best get one at some stage.

Gold top would be grand.

Shortly after I got my black one, I noticed a gold one on CL at a pawnshop for less $. It's been a couple of years and they are down to $500. But now I have my VP and it gets played more than the JC.

 

[Engle]

So it isn't my imagination. Everyone tired from watching MNF last night?

I was rockin the VP at a rehearsal. What's MNF?

 

[Larry V]

Monday Night Football.

 

[Engle]

Oh sports! I would much rather play music or walk the dog...or modify something.

 

[Gaolee]

A little Greco Thunderbird II action, there *may* be some video forthcoming
View attachment 3167701

Nice choice of microphone, too.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Oh sports! I would much rather play music or walk the dog...or modify something.

Or just about anything.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Geeze, it's eerily quiet here. Is everyone out hunting down ThunderBirds?

Date night last night. Work today. Getting ready to go to Scotland, and working with my editor and designer for the series finale, so super busy. Even had to put working on the 5-string on hold.

 

[TBird1958]

Nice choice of microphone, too.

I have to solder the SM58 back together - can't believe I somehow managed to break a joint in it. That one's kind of fun though, I rarely even have to bring a mic and stand anymore.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I have to solder the SM58 back together - can't believe I somehow managed to break a joint in it. That one's kind of fun though, I rarely even have to bring a mic and stand anymore.

I'm impressed that you broke an SM58! I'm kind of afraid to ask how...

 

[Soltao]

Hi everyone.
So, I posted some months ago just after buying my first Gibson Thunderbird. 625 USD, pretty cheap down here in Costa Rica for a Gibson 2007 model (everything is more expensive and more difficult to get, here). The guy was selling it +1000 USD but when I saw it, it had a lot of problems that I didn't want on a bass. So I told him no and then the G.A.S. and the opportunity to have a Gibson TBird (I know, I know, Epi guys... you're right!) worked in a wrong way and I ended offering him these 625 USD (obviously after a harsh bargain).
To sum things up, the neck is twisted and the back of headstock is badly wounded probably by the pressure a previous owner(s) put in the bullet truss rod. I alwalys thought I could make it repair but the lack of good luthiers here made me write to a pretty famous guy that builds very good thunderbirdy basses, in the USA, asking humbly what he would do, in order to give instructions to some luthiers-like, here, as most of them don´t know where to begin with. But the guy told me, very honestly, that he "wouldn't even try to repair it". So cold shower for me with my almost unplayable 625$ Gibson Tbird (you were right Epi folks, I know..).
So the problem basically are, from worse to less horrible:
- the headstock damage
- the twisted neck
- The warp
I was planning buying later a Hipshot replacement for the bridge to lower action but before, I have first to repair the head (the twist might be something I could get used to if the intonation doesn't change that much) and I was thinking of replacing the truss rod by a normal single action one with Allen wrench, to straighten it properly after because I guess the one I have must be damaged.
Below some pictures of my beloved wounded one... I appreciate any kind of suggestion (except "throw it away" or "hang it nicely in your living room").
(and to tell you the state I'm in, yesterday I was so frustrated that I'was about to buy an Epi IV Tbird 2016 (the basic one), 275 USD that a guy offers me but.. but I think I should hold the money and try to repair the Gibson. I have an MIA P Bass and and moded Squier JBass among others. I don´t really "need" another Tbird... I'd would just love to play MY Tbird...

Thunderbird people, I salute you.

The twist:

Twist:

Are the two chromed nuts normal here?:

The ugly part:

 

[theFixer]

Hi everyone.
So, I posted some months ago just after buying my first Gibson Thunderbird. 625 USD, pretty cheap down here in Costa Rica for a Gibson 2007 model (everything is more expensive and more difficult to get, here). The guy was selling it +1000 USD but when I saw it, it had a lot of problems that I didn't want on a bass. So I told him no and then the G.A.S. and the opportunity to have a Gibson TBird (I know, I know, Epi guys... you're right!) worked in a wrong way and I ended offering him these 625 USD (obviously after a harsh bargain).
To sum things up, the neck is twisted and the back of headstock is badly wounded probably by the pressure a previous owner(s) put in the bullet truss rod. I alwalys thought I could make it repair but the lack of good luthiers here made me write to a pretty famous guy that builds very good thunderbirdy basses, in the USA, asking humbly what he would do, in order to give instructions to some luthiers-like, here, as most of them don´t know where to begin with. But the guy told me, very honestly, that he "wouldn't even try to repair it". So cold shower for me with my almost unplayable 625$ Gibson Tbird (you were right Epi folks, I know..).
So the problem basically are, from worse to less horrible:
- the headstock damage
- the twisted neck
- The warp
I was planning buying later a Hipshot replacement for the bridge to lower action but before, I have first to repair the head (the twist might be something I could get used to if the intonation doesn't change that much) and I was thinking of replacing the truss rod by a normal single action one with Allen wrench, to straighten it properly after because I guess the one I have must be damaged.
Below some pictures of my beloved wounded one... I appreciate any kind of suggestion (except "throw it away" or "hang it nicely in your living room").
(and to tell you the state I'm in, yesterday I was so frustrated that I'was about to buy an Epi IV Tbird 2016 (the basic one), 275 USD that a guy offers me but.. but I think I should hold the money and try to repair the Gibson. I have an MIA P Bass and and moded Squier JBass among others. I don´t really "need" another Tbird... I'd would just love to play MY Tbird...

Thunderbird people, I salute you.

The twist:View attachment 3168250
Twist:
View attachment 3168251
Are the two chromed nuts normal here?:View attachment 3168252
The ugly part:View attachment 3168253 View attachment 3168254 View attachment 3168255 View attachment 3168256

Hi there! I am not a luthier, but have wrenched on quite a few instruments over the years. Forgive me, but are you positive about the neck being twisted? I see a forward bow, but I'm wondering if what you're perceiving as a twist, might just be an uneven nut. Also... the stacked nuts on your trussrod is NOT "factory". It looks like the previous owner tried a home remedy. It also looks like the neck lamination is separating behind the nut. It seems possible to me, that it could be happening due to that cobbled-up trussrod. You bought it at a good price, but IMO... you need to get it to a professional. If you had to put another $500 into it, your total investment would still qualify as a fair price for a real playable Gibson Thunderbird. I'm sorry for your troubles

 

[Larry V]

Hi there! I am not a luthier, but have wrenched on quite a few instruments over the years. Forgive me, but are you positive about the neck being twisted? I see a forward bow, but I'm wondering if what you're perceiving as a twist, might just be an uneven nut. Also... the stacked nuts on your trussrod is NOT "factory". It looks like the previous owner tried a home remedy. It also looks like the neck lamination is separating behind the nut. It seems possible to me, that it could be happening due to that cobbled-up trussrod. You bought it at a good price, but IMO... you need to get it to a professional. If you had to put another $500 into it, your total investment would still qualify as a fair price for a real playable Gibson Thunderbird. I'm sorry for your troubles

S'up, Fix!? Long time...

Good observations.

The other option out there is parting it out? Should be able to get back half of what was spent... maybe.

 

[Gaolee]

Hi everyone.
So, I posted some months ago just after buying my first Gibson Thunderbird. 625 USD, pretty cheap down here in Costa Rica for a Gibson 2007 model (everything is more expensive and more difficult to get, here). The guy was selling it +1000 USD but when I saw it, it had a lot of problems that I didn't want on a bass. So I told him no and then the G.A.S. and the opportunity to have a Gibson TBird (I know, I know, Epi guys... you're right!) worked in a wrong way and I ended offering him these 625 USD (obviously after a harsh bargain).
To sum things up, the neck is twisted and the back of headstock is badly wounded probably by the pressure a previous owner(s) put in the bullet truss rod. I alwalys thought I could make it repair but the lack of good luthiers here made me write to a pretty famous guy that builds very good thunderbirdy basses, in the USA, asking humbly what he would do, in order to give instructions to some luthiers-like, here, as most of them don´t know where to begin with. But the guy told me, very honestly, that he "wouldn't even try to repair it". So cold shower for me with my almost unplayable 625$ Gibson Tbird (you were right Epi folks, I know..).
So the problem basically are, from worse to less horrible:
- the headstock damage
- the twisted neck
- The warp
I was planning buying later a Hipshot replacement for the bridge to lower action but before, I have first to repair the head (the twist might be something I could get used to if the intonation doesn't change that much) and I was thinking of replacing the truss rod by a normal single action one with Allen wrench, to straighten it properly after because I guess the one I have must be damaged.
Below some pictures of my beloved wounded one... I appreciate any kind of suggestion (except "throw it away" or "hang it nicely in your living room").
(and to tell you the state I'm in, yesterday I was so frustrated that I'was about to buy an Epi IV Tbird 2016 (the basic one), 275 USD that a guy offers me but.. but I think I should hold the money and try to repair the Gibson. I have an MIA P Bass and and moded Squier JBass among others. I don´t really "need" another Tbird... I'd would just love to play MY Tbird...

Thunderbird people, I salute you.

The twist:View attachment 3168250
Twist:
View attachment 3168251
Are the two chromed nuts normal here?:View attachment 3168252
The ugly part:View attachment 3168253 View attachment 3168254 View attachment 3168255 View attachment 3168256

You have some work to do! But, yeah, repair it. First, those two extra nuts are NOT normal. I suspect that somebody cracked the neck and then put those in trying to solve a problem. The crack may be why the trussrod bottomed out. If you can get the fretboard off, you can epoxy the cracks, fix the trussrod, and the put the fretboard back on. Unfortunately, I don't have a clue how to get the fretboard off without causing problems. If it's hide glue, then heat should do it. If it's something else, then I don't know. You might even be able to fix the lamination cracks without taking anything apart.

I'm with Fix - I see a screwed up nut, but not a twist so much. Fix the nut and things will improve.

There's no 'Bird that should be abandoned. That one knew you would be the right person to put it back as it should be, and that's why it chose you. It knew you would treat it right, and it needed you. Best of luck. I'm sure you will get it back as it should be.

 

[GonePlaid]

The neck on my 67 NR cracked and eventually snapped off. I had it fixed, stronger than new. It's good for another 50+ years.