Thunderbird Club

[GBassNorth]

NBD!

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I certainly overpaid for it. She's pretty beat. Wee cracks at the nut on both sides. Truss rod has never been adjusted and after I took off the truss rod cover, it won't sit flat again. Bridge is right down and I'll have to correct the neck and raise the bridge a little. I'll dress her up with new strings and a proper strap and locks later. She plays GREAT, as they do. This'll be my show player and the 2012 can be the backup.

Wooo! 2 Thunderbirds. This is the life.

Goats - nice catch! Very appropriate colors in that case for the up coming holiday. I tried to like the post but I guess TB has a limit on the number of members that cal like a post. Anyway, very cool bass, congrats on the NBD!

 

[Gaolee]

I finally got a chance to put the Gibson 'Bird to it's proper use last night. It was just a rehearsal, but that's a start. The Ernie Ball strings sounded a lot better than I thought they would in context. They come across a bit too bright when there's no band, but with the band, they sounded a lot better. The bass gets all kinds of sounds, as I expected, but what I didn't expect was that it could sound something like a Precision with the bridge pickup and tone rolled all the way off. The pickups are a little weaker than the pickups in the EB, but that's hardly a surprise since they are 24 years old now. The way it sits is like coming home, though. Nothing fits like a 'Bird, and it proved once more than you are a 'Bird person or you are not. And I'm clearly a 'Bird person.

Now, let the chroming out begin. Cover is ordered. The pickup covers I want aren't in stock, apparently, so I'll wait for those and the rings. I'm considering replacing the stock bridge with a chrome Babicz bridge. It's more expensive than finding a chrome stock bridge, but curiosity always kills the cat. I like that bridge on the EB, and it looks like it will fit under the cover, unlike a Hipshot. I haven't thought about the tuners yet. Those should be pretty straight forward to find. If there are small cloverleaf tuners, that would be great, but I'm not convinced they would fit. Function wins.

 

[TBird1958]

Will,
Hipshot does make a set of chrome clover tuners specifically for modern Thunderbirds, I haven't checked their website anytime recently, they may not be shown there. Contact them directly.

 

[Gaolee]

Thanks, Mark. I did. And, they explained what I need. The specific tuners were easy to find on their website, but there isn't any notation for the extra small cloverleafs. You have to put that in the notes. I have one last thing to check before pulling the trigger, just to make sure there's nothing weird going on. It could use new tuners anyway. This bass has lived a full life, to say the least! It is Road Worn. That makes it more valuable, right? I'm certainly happy with it as is, and the little improvements, like chrome, will make it just that much better.

 

[Off-Beat]

I've got a big dilemma. I went through a program for the last 3 years which provides me with a diploma to work as a mechatronic & facility engineer. I found a job on the first day. Been working there since July. And this month will be the first I can save up any money.

I was eying at a cherry red '14 TBird. Lusting for it ever since I saw it in person in a store here. Thomann had it in stock and I called how many they've got. Guy told me he's sure they'll be in stock for months to come. Checking the site this weekend I found out they're gone.

The store still has it. It's hanging on their wall for over a year now. It's there to try for everyone(will check it out again next week) and they ask the same price as thomann. Problem is I'm afraid it's gone when I got the money(by January most likely). The have a deal with a bank to pay monthly, but don't know if I wanna put myself into debt for a bass - I also don't wanna lose out on this certain bass, though.

Sweetwater has it, too, but I don't know if it's affected by CITES and how many they've got.

btw with taxes, tolls and shipping sweetwater would be about 600$ more expensive than buying locally.

 

[Gaolee]

That's a tough one. A red 'Bird is a beautiful bass, and $600 is a lot of money. I don't know where you are, but I assume it's Oz.

I doubt that anything Gibson is making now has CITES problems, but who knows, what with Henry J running the company. He seems a little off kilter sometimes. As far as going into debt to buy a bass, how many months would it take, what else do you have to pay for, and how badly do you want the bass? If it's something you will kick yourself forever over if you miss it, and if you plan to have it forever, that's one set of facts. If you just kinda like it and want to try it out for a while and then think about selling it, that's another set of facts. You don't have money now, but will you have more than enough to pay back any debt, pay your expenses, and save up when January rolls around? And, what's the interest rate? If there isn't one, that's another one in favor of going for it. If there's an interest rate, the higher it goes, the more it says no.

That's a long non answer.

 

[Off-Beat]

Interest is 5%ish after tax. Not in Oz. In Europe, but sweetwater takes 19xx$ + UPS(which is about 100 more I guess) + 20% sales tax upon arrival. That would make it 2400 which is actually 800$ more.

Well January would be most optimistic I'd have to tune down any fun fore those 3 month. If I take the loan I'd take the 12 month option.

I'd keep it for sure. I don't sell anything I like. I'm a hoarder kind of guy. Right now I started hoarding TBirds.

 

[hillerup]

That's a tough one. A red 'Bird is a beautiful bass, and $600 is a lot of money. I don't know where you are, but I assume it's Oz.

I doubt that anything Gibson is making now has CITES problems, but who knows, what with Henry J running the company. He seems a little off kilter sometimes. As far as going into debt to buy a bass, how many months would it take, what else do you have to pay for, and how badly do you want the bass? If it's something you will kick yourself forever over if you miss it, and if you plan to have it forever, that's one set of facts. If you just kinda like it and want to try it out for a while and then think about selling it, that's another set of facts. You don't have money now, but will you have more than enough to pay back any debt, pay your expenses, and save up when January rolls around? And, what's the interest rate? If there isn't one, that's another one in favor of going for it. If there's an interest rate, the higher it goes, the more it says no.

That's a long non answer.

I assume OP is situated in Germany, since he mentions the Thomann shop still has the bird hanging on the wall for all to try and he will check it out next week...

Last time I visited the shop, all their Gibson Thunderbirds were hanging at the top of the staircase and well out of reach for everyone except the staff, so I guess they won't be that abused as floor models for all to try out - At least the 50th Anniversary I tried was in mint condition.

 

[Gaolee]

Ah, gotcha. Well, then maybe the solution is to visit the shop and hide it somewhere, then go in and miraculously find it and buy it in January. Hidden at the top of a staircase sounds like a good place to hide a bass.

There are used ones, too. I don't know how their prices compare or how easy it is to find a red one. You don't see those very often.

 

[Off-Beat]

I assume OP is situated in Germany, since he mentions the Thomann shop still has the bird hanging on the wall for all to try and he will check it out next week...

Last time I visited the shop, all their Gibson Thunderbirds were hanging at the top of the staircase and well out of reach for everyone except the staff, so I guess they won't be that abused as floor models for all to try out - At least the 50th Anniversary I tried was in mint condition.

Nah thomann is closeby, but I live in Austria. The shop is local - in Vienna. I tried the bass last december, when I bought the Pro. Thomann has none left, after telling me they've got plenty(that's been 3 weeks ago).

Ah, gotcha. Well, then maybe the solution is to visit the shop and hide it somewhere, then go in and miraculously find it and buy it in January. Hidden at the top of a staircase sounds like a good place to hide a bass.

There are used ones, too. I don't know how their prices compare or how easy it is to find a red one. You don't see those very often.

I actually asked the guy there - on the phone - yesterday if they'd retain it if I pay monthly till it's paid. He told me there's no financial gain for them, why should they do it.

 

[hillerup]

Nah thomann is closeby, but I live in Austria. The shop is local - in Vienna. I tried the bass last december, when I bought the Pro. Thomann has none left, after telling me they've got plenty(that's been 3 weeks ago).



I actually asked the guy there - on the phone - yesterday if they'd retain it if I pay monthly till it's paid. He told me there's no financial gain for them, why should they do it.

I would tell them two good reasons for doing so:

1. Good customer service, since they are guaranteed a sale.
2. A returning customer, generating more sale, since you already bought a Pro at their store...

 

[Mike A]

It sounds like they're not too terribly concerned with getting your business to me!

 

[Off-Beat]

Well, they don't care since every other store selling Gibsons closed down due to the internet being cheaper. Bought my first bass, a cheapo Ibanez SGR, at a family business store and these guys were amazing, they'd treat you like a king just buying strings. Now the store is a brothel.

 

[TBird1958]

Brothels are legal in Austria?
We're so stodgey here.

Difficult as it is for me (of all people!) to council caution, going into debt that may be difficult to repay isn't a great idea. Make a well reasoned choice

 

[Off-Beat]

Brothels are legal in Austria?
We're so stodgey here.

Difficult as it is for me (of all people!) to council caution, going into debt that may be difficult to repay isn't a great idea. Make a well reasoned choice

Repaying wouldn't be as problematic at the moment wage wise, the bigger issue's is that I'm new in my job. I do not know my boss well enough to judge if he'll keep me long enough to repay. We have a "good" social system over here, but I would have to work for 24 months straight to get unemployment money - else I'd get about 800€ if I visit some course where you learn how to write a letter in word..

I'm a bit over 3 month in now. Would be easier if I felt "safe" at work.

and yeah brothels are legal. Better to have it official than to hide it

btw those advices are very good and Gaolee brought a new aspect I didn't even think about so far. Until now it was debt vs want.

 

[Dadagoboi]

12 strings, 3 pickups, 9 lbs...seems about right. Shakedown setup before the Cardinal Red goes on.

 

[Gaolee]

Well, as a person who would like a red 'Bird one of these days, I would tell you to forget it since you are a hoarder and that means one less option for me someday. Except that you are in Europe, which means it probably wouldn't be an option anyway. Is there a less than 12 month payment option? Since you will have the money by January, assuming no fun and eating nothing but rice and beans and no beer or anything, that means you could have it paid off by January if you could find somebody who would give you a loan for that short a time. Or maybe you already have money saved up, so your loan could be much smaller. If the store is about to become a brothel, then....

Speaking of brothels, in 1980 or so, I found myself in Amsterdam. As a somewhat rural American who still had hay sticking out of his shirt at the time, I was astonished by a lot of what is routine in Amsterdam, including the brothels. I was working in Norway as foreign labor (doing all the nasty foreign labor type jobs) and having a pretty good time. I met a friend who happened to be in Europe at the time and so we ended up considering the services of a stunningly beautiful prostitute in Amsterdam. Between us, we only had enough local currency for one of us to buy some of her time. So that was that and I'm sure she didn't have any problem finding other people who actually had enough money. I'm still pretty amused.

 

[Off-Beat]

Well, as a person who would like a red 'Bird one of these days, I would tell you to forget it since you are a hoarder and that means one less option for me someday. Except that you are in Europe, which means it probably wouldn't be an option anyway. Is there a less than 12 month payment option? Since you will have the money by January, assuming no fun and eating nothing but rice and beans and no beer or anything, that means you could have it paid off by January if you could find somebody who would give you a loan for that short a time. Or maybe you already have money saved up, so your loan could be much smaller. If the store is about to become a brothel, then....

Speaking of brothels, in 1980 or so, I found myself in Amsterdam. As a somewhat rural American who still had hay sticking out of his shirt at the time, I was astonished by a lot of what is routine in Amsterdam, including the brothels. I was working in Norway as foreign labor (doing all the nasty foreign labor type jobs) and having a pretty good time. I met a friend who happened to be in Europe at the time and so we ended up considering the services of a stunningly beautiful prostitute in Amsterdam. Between us, we only had enough local currency for one of us to buy some of her time. So that was that and I'm sure she didn't have any problem finding other people who actually had enough money. I'm still pretty amused.

Yeah they offer 3, 6 or 12 month. I'd still take the 12. I could repay more whenever I'd like too.

Amsterdam is awesome. Last time I was there I spent 350€ in 2 days and didn't even visit a hooker.

 

[Gaolee]

The faster you pay it off, the less interest you pay. It's not either/or. It's just a matter of moving money and thoughts and everything else around until you find the sweet spot. That could also mean just waiting until January. If the place might shut down, you might get a fire sale price, too. Which is another thought. Will they give you a better price if you show up with cash, perhaps?

And, I'll probably have a purple sparkle 'Bird like one of Mark's before a red one. And I would look lousy in a dress, too. Our Queen has no competition.

 

[Off-Beat]

The faster you pay it off, the less interest you pay. It's not either/or. It's just a matter of moving money and thoughts and everything else around until you find the sweet spot. That could also mean just waiting until January. If the place might shut down, you might get a fire sale price, too. Which is another thought. Will they give you a better price if you show up with cash, perhaps?

And, I'll probably have a purple sparkle 'Bird like one of Mark's before a red one. And I would look lousy in a dress, too. Our Queen has no competition.

uh they won't shut down. Thar's been an old store I went to.

Sure about the interest going down, but if I choose 3 mnths beforehand the rate woul be too much mabdatory payment incase I loose my job.