Thunderbird Club

[TBird1958]

Ya know Mark, the Dodge boys make a car for your plum crazy birds as well as your Hemi orange bird...

But I gotta admit, the Subaru makes more sense in bad weather.

I do like those! But the Subie's (I'm keeping the old one) are just good cars, especially in bad weather and they haul gear really well - I love all the bungie cord tie downs in the back end!

 

[AEAbass]

Hey does anyone know where I can get plans or a template for a non reverse thunderbird? I've found some for a reverse but can't find a new.

Decided I'm going to put my spare time to good use. I've done a few parts guitars and basses so now it's time to get that non reverse I've always wanted.

 

[Dadagoboi]

Hey does anyone know where I can get plans or a template for a non reverse thunderbird? I've found some for a reverse but can't find a new.

Decided I'm going to put my spare time to good use. I've done a few parts guitars and basses so now it's time to get that non reverse I've always wanted.

DO IT!

Here's my construction drawing from 2012. Grid is one inch. Old school, pencil and paper.

Two (modded) Bachs and two Cataldo NRs. God of Thunder pickguards on the Cataldos.

 

[vdub75]

Carlo, are the B&CHs comparable Quality to an epi classic pro or so? I know you have to sort out Hardware, electronics, pickups....

 

[Jeff O'Connor]

Hey all! I may be keeping this exact model, thoughts? the price was right, just wondering about the neck action(string height)...seems like I can't quite get it low enough for me...I most likely will be using it for pick playing.
Should I be concerned? The neck seems ok, but I'd like to have a pro setup person look at it.

 

[Gaolee]

I'm a little surprised you can't get the action low enough on your bass. A pro would probably be able to do it. The nut may need some work.

 

[Dadagoboi]

Hey all! I may be keeping this exact model, thoughts? the price was right, just wondering about the neck action(string height)...seems like I can't quite get it low enough for me...I most likely will be using it for pick playing.
Should I be concerned? The neck seems ok, but I'd like to have a pro setup person look at it.

View attachment 703621

First take some relief out of the neck, preferably after leveling and dressing the frets. If that doesn't work:

On that bridge you can slot the saddles deeper OR make them shorter by removing and filing the BOTTOM of reach saddle. A pro should easily know what to do.

On my Pro IV the nut is painted brass, I don't know if they all came like that.

 

[Gaolee]

I'm pretty sure they were all that way. It's a full contact bridge instead of the usual 3-point on other Gibson and Epiphone Thunderbirds. I'm not sure about the nut. It might be brass, but I never checked.

 

[TBird1958]

I remember playing a couple of those at my local GC and liked them - except for the nut.

 

[hillerup]

First take some relief out of the neck, preferably after leveling and dressing the frets. If that doesn't work:

On that bridge you can slot the saddles deeper OR make them shorter by removing and filing the BOTTOM of reach saddle. A pro should easily know what to do.

On my Pro IV the nut is painted brass, I don't know if they all came like that.

Both my Pro-IV and Pro-V has brass nuts as well...

 

[Off-Beat]

First take some relief out of the neck, preferably after leveling and dressing the frets. If that doesn't work:

On that bridge you can slot the saddles deeper OR make them shorter by removing and filing the BOTTOM of reach saddle. A pro should easily know what to do.

On my Pro IV the nut is painted brass, I don't know if they all came like that.

Yeah, mine is brass, too.

Had pretty high action on that aswell, but when I got my classic I wanted to lower it. It simply doesn't get to that ultra-low action that I can get on the classic.

 

[mistergoats]

You guys are making me miss having a project bass. Hmm...

 

[Gaolee]

I guess the three point bridge has it's uses. You can raise that thing way, way up.

 

[Gaolee]

As of about ten minutes ago, I have both the fretless 'Bird and one with frets. The "new" one is a 1991 that's clearly been loved a lot. It will get loved a lot more.

 

[Leiria]

As of about ten minutes ago, I have both the fretless 'Bird and one with frets. The "new" one is a 1991 that's clearly been loved a lot. It will get loved a lot more.

Pics or it didn't happen

 

[Gaolee]

Pics or it didn't happen

I know the rules. Crappy cell phone pictures to follow sometime later this afternoon or evening.

 

[TBird1958]

I know the rules. Crappy cell phone pictures to follow sometime later this afternoon or evening.

it's a beautiful gray day Will, perfect for photos

 

[Gaolee]

it's a beautiful gray day Will, perfect for photos

That's true. I might take the photo right here at work.

I knew it was coming today, so I actually drove the van to work instead of riding the motorcycle like I usually do. Putting a Bird on a bike is probably bad idea. My two mistresses that my wife tolerates wouldn't tolerate each other so well.

Sitting still was tough until it got here. Now I really can't sit still!

 

[Off-Beat]

That's true. I might take the photo right here at work.

I knew it was coming today, so I actually drove the van to work instead of riding the motorcycle like I usually do. Putting a Bird on a bike is probably bad idea. My two mistresses that my wife tolerates wouldn't tolerate each other so well.

Sitting still was tough until it got here. Now I really can't sit still!

I used to take my Ibby with me on my bike, but the birds are simply too big.

 

[Gaolee]

And, here it is. It looks like a Thunderbird and feels like a Thunderbird. I'll find out if it sounds like a Thunderbird soon enough.