Thunderbird Club

[mr zee]

I was thinking something similar. The centre block split when taking it up where you have those thin shreds. I have already cut into the neck and shave it down to allow it to sit in the pocket with a raised centre bit, although I may be able to do without.

I may just re-attach the neck and bridge centre piece and leave the middle alone - who knows, will have a play today, some of it will depend how nice the wood looks on its own.

I may as you mentioned before huger an entirely new centre piece made!

My main problem was the holes mostly in the wings. I'd tried a few alternatives but thought this was the best one.
One of the crew suggested putting some sort of patterned material under the clear pickguard which I have replaced in white.

 

[mr zee]

 

[Cuzzie]

That looks great - nice work.

I went back and reminded my self what damage I did or didn’t do.

The only things missing/broken are the thin strips either side of the neck pick up. I can live without them and may remove the ones by the bridge pick up so it looks “intentional” who knows?!

All i do know is I got this body for £60, and I had a random neck hanging around which only cost me about £40, so I just wanna get it pieced together and see what she sounds like!

I suspect I have a whole heap of bass for very little money and a bit of fun messing about with it!

 

[mr zee]

That looks great - nice work.

I went back and reminded my self what damage I did or didn’t do.

The only things missing/broken are the thin strips either side of the neck pick up. I can live without them and may remove the ones by the bridge pick up so it looks “intentional” who knows?!

All i do know is I got this body for £60, and I had a random neck hanging around which only cost me about £40, so I just wanna get it pieced together and see what she sounds like!

I suspect I have a whole heap of bass for very little money and a bit of fun messing about with it!

Got my body and neck for £65, neck was ok but body very iffy and that's what I did, mess about, still need some decent pups instead of the ones I've got in it at the mo.

 

[Cuzzie]

That’s an even bigger bargain!

 

[mr zee]

That’s an even bigger bargain!

Didn't spend too much on the rest either but the pups, need better really. You can't tell in the pictures but l left some of the dings in so it still had that used look.

 

[Cuzzie]

Didn't spend too much on the rest either but the pups, need better really. You can't tell in the pictures but l left some of the dings in so it still had that used look.

Are those stock pups not particularly special?
As far as you know are the Deep Sixx ones betterer?

 

[mr zee]

Are those stock pups not particularly special?
As far as you know are the Deep Sixx ones betterer?

The ones in it at the mo r cheap Chinese ones, cost about £12 on Ebay so I would think any others would be better. Don't have any idea about what would be best but I think we will get some options later today when the U.S wakes up.

 

[godofthunder59]

And you do it well Scott. Not only did I buy a white VP this week--my wife found and made an accepted offer on a '64 Epi Embassy (Nerd-Bird) for my Bday and Christmas and just being a great husband. I added that part, but it's only a slight exaggeration. I have to stop talking with Scott! Then again, this is working out rather well for me this week since it's raining basses. I'm also blessed with a great wife.

The Embassy seems to be in great shape. Best I've seen online or in person and best price as well. Got it from the second owner. Both kept the bass is wonderful shape. Even the case looks only a few years old. I can't wait to hear what it sounds like. Hopefully as good as the two I in played Nashville last weekend. Now to consider selling something...

Man you are having quite the week! What a thoughtful wife you have. Embassys are great basses and have a cool factor all thier own. Can't wait to see the pictures, Congratulations!

 

[Dadagoboi]

The ones in it at the mo r cheap Chinese ones, cost about £12 on Ebay so I would think any others would be better. Don't have any idea about what would be best but I think we will get some options later today when the U.S wakes up.

A manufacturer pays less than $5 for a pickup in a bass that costs under $100 FOB the factory. There's room for improvement.

 

[godofthunder59]

So I walked into the local guitar shop today, picking up a speaker cable for my Marshall, take a peak around, and what should I see but a full Acoustic 360 rig, head and two cabs. Cabs are a bit worse for wear, missing the screens and blue, some ratty tolex, but the head was pretty clean. So I ask the guy at the counter about it, who I actually met a month back at a studio party, and he says it's fully up to spec, was serviced before coming in, apparently was possibly briefly owned by Steve Harris but not used. He's good friends with the guitar player in my band Dream Phases, so he says with the friend discount, $2000. I need another amp like a hole in the head, but damn, a FULL 360 rig, combine with the Sunns? I need to sell my 1200s anyhow, and might put it towards partial trade. Thoughts? @Gaolee ?

So I walked into the local guitar shop today, picking up a speaker cable for my Marshall, take a peak around, and what should I see but a full Acoustic 360 rig, head and two cabs. Cabs are a bit worse for wear, missing the screens and blue, some ratty tolex, but the head was pretty clean. So I ask the guy at the counter about it, who I actually met a month back at a studio party, and he says it's fully up to spec, was serviced before coming in, apparently was possibly briefly owned by Steve Harris but not used. He's good friends with the guitar player in my band Dream Phases, so he says with the friend discount, $2000. I need another amp like a hole in the head, but damn, a FULL 360 rig, combine with the Sunns? I need to sell my 1200s anyhow, and might put it towards partial trade. Thoughts? @Gaolee ?

I'm not sure the going rate for a complete 360 rig, the tatty cabs with missing grills sound like leverage to me, but I'm all about a deal. If ya gotta have it, ya gotta have it. Me I never trade someone usually gets it in the shorts.

 

[godofthunder59]

On the bench today. Extended cutaway Fenderbird I started building about 10 years ago. This was a prototype, I was going to offer bodies and complete builds but I got distracted along the way. At one time I had all the parts for it, looks like I'll be ordering a pair of Thunderbuckers, some 70's style tuners and other bits and pieces. Still working on the finish, did some leveling with 1200 wet paper. Lots of mistakes on this one but once assembled you can't see them.

 

[Count Bassie]

On the bench today. Extended cutaway Fenderbird I started building about 10 years ago. This was a prototype, I was going to offer bodies and complete builds but I got distracted along the way. At one time I had all the parts for it, looks like I'll be ordering a pair of Thunderbuckers, some 70's style tuners and other bits and pieces. Still working on the finish, did some leveling with 1200 wet paper. Lots of mistakes on this one but once assembled you can't see them.View attachment 3413992 View attachment 3413993 View attachment 3413997

This pickguard design takes the awkwardness out of that cutaway. Good thinking there.

 

[Nocturnal]

What is the correct nut width on these Epiphone T-Bird IV? Everything says 1.73" but there is no way its anywhere close to that. This looks and feels like a Jazz bass nut width and thats my only issue with it so far. Very narrow in the first 3 frets IMO.

Several years ago Epiphone changed the neck on the bolt-neck version to a 1 1/2" nut. The previous versions were close to 1 3/4" wide. Most listings from Epiphone seem to still reflect the original measurements. Any new versions I have played the last couple years had the thinner, more Jazz like neck.

 

[godofthunder59]

This pickguard design takes the awkwardness out of that cutaway. Good thinking there.

Lol wasn't me who designed it, credit goes to Peter Cook.

 

[godofthunder59]

On the bench today. Extended cutaway Fenderbird I started building about 10 years ago. This was a prototype, I was going to offer bodies and complete builds but I got distracted along the way. At one time I had all the parts for it, looks like I'll be ordering a pair of Thunderbuckers, some 70's style tuners and other bits and pieces. Still working on the finish, did some leveling with 1200 wet paper. Lots of mistakes on this one but once assembled you can't see them. I forgot to fill the grain, I know better. I am going to try leveling it off a bit touch it up and clear coat it or maybe just strip it and start over. View attachment 3413992 View attachment 3413993 View attachment 3413997

 

[mbell75]

Several years ago Epiphone changed the neck on the bolt-neck version to a 1 1/2" nut. The previous versions were close to 1 3/4" wide. Most listings from Epiphone seem to still reflect the original measurements. Any new versions I have played the last couple years had the thinner, more Jazz like neck.

Ah ok. Any idea when they changed it? Mine is a 2018. Im going to look for one with the bigger neck and return this one. Thought I could deal with it but the more I play, the more I think it’s going back. That will probably stop me from buying the Vintage Pro I was looking at too. I really don’t like Jazz necks at all. I guess I COULD drop it down to D or even C# tuning and just pretend the first 3 frets don’t even exist. Big beefy bass with a big beefy sound and a toothpick neck, I don’t get it haha

 

[JIO]

Several years ago Epiphone changed the neck on the bolt-neck version to a 1 1/2" nut. The previous versions were close to 1 3/4" wide. Most listings from Epiphone seem to still reflect the original measurements. Any new versions I have played the last couple years had the thinner, more Jazz like neck.

This is certainly true about Epi Goth necks I've dealt with - I have one with 1.5" (nut width) and 2 with 1-5/8" and those two have different neck thicknesses. Don't know when they were all made though. The hs bevels vary as well - mostly likely made in different factories. (Indonesia/China)

 

[Felix Lopez]

Felix, I'm happy to add you to the club if you like, I did note the other photo you posted a few pages back.

Thank you TBird1958

 

[Count Bassie]

Happy Day to all them mommies.