Thunderbird Club

[PillO]

Apologies - I appear to have pulled a Bassie. Seems that the interface has been a little flakey.

 

[fasterpussycat]

Apologies - I appear to have pulled a Bassie. Seems that the interface has been a little flakey.

[cough!]

I hear you can get a cream for that.

 

[PillO]

[cough!]

I hear you can get a cream for that.

The cream only works on the flakey interface. Rest is the only cure for pulling your Bassie.

 

[lasbassplayer]

Any of these work.
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I wear Iron Maiden for formal occasions and Motorhead when I am meeting with bankers*.





* I am serious - I do wear Motorhead socks when I am meeting with my investment bankers.

I suppose the third pair is for "just around the house" ?

 

[PillO]

I suppose the third pair is for "just around the house" ?

Any informal occasion as well as for moshing in the living room.

 

[fasterpussycat]

I suppose the third pair is for "just around the house" ?

It's a bloke thing -- always having more guitars/basses than they need, always having more socks than they need. Just because they can.

 

[PillO]

It's a bloke thing -- always having more guitars/basses than they need, always having more socks than they need. Just because they can.

Like you don't have moshing hosiery...

 

[JIO]

How much of a kbd (killabeesdick) is that?

about a smidge

 

[JIO]

Burny and '76 Gibson headstocks.

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An example of how all the different T-bird makers did the center raised section perimeter. (closessness to edge, curves etc) - all different.

 

[Toptube]

I got the Gigblade Silver and it works great for my Lull T5 (had to remove 1 bumper). It is easy to carry (no bumping into legs), it's also good for walking up and down stairs. Plus I dont have to fold my Italia strap except at the very end. So far very pleased. Please ignore my socks, it's our new retirement home, no shoes allowed.
View attachment 3414977 View attachment 3414978 View attachment 3414979 View attachment 3414980 View attachment 3414981 View attachment 3414984

I'd like to see some proper shots of that bass plz

 

[GBassNorth]

Sure enough - so it begs the question... what is the full length of a VP? My '64 is 49.5" Just curious if it is the same or its 3/8" longer.

Measuring a TBird length is best discussed with photos since there's about a thousand ways to do it wrong.

If you lay your bird on its face, then tape the dumb end of a carpenters tape measure to the end of the headstock and pull the tape down the centerline of the bass to the other end, you can use your other hand to hold a straight edge perpendicular to the measuring tape and up against the part of the body (upper wing) that sticks out further than the centerline. Should look like this...

Note - because of the angled headstock the tape is well off the body. This is the correct way to measure the length of your bird. If you lay the bird on its back and run the tape down the front you will get a slightly longer measurement as the tape has to follow the curvature of the body. If you use a seamstress tape measure and follow the body contour you'll also get a longer measurement.

So anyway, done correctly, my VP measures 50-1/2" in overall length....

 

[Mike.C.]

All: Got some sweet black pup rings from Cataldo as I m considering reverting to the original look - black rings as opposed to chrome. Really nice quality, and no screw holes for a cleeeeeeen look.

Just to see how it would look I laid the rings on the active PRO IV and I think it dresses the bass up quite well.

It’s nice to have to contemplate decisions like these, eh?

Thanks again, Carlo!

 

[JIO]

Measuring a TBird length is best discussed with photos since there's about a thousand ways to do it wrong.

If you lay your bird on its face, then tape the dumb end of a carpenters tape measure to the end of the headstock and pull the tape down the centerline of the bass to the other end, you can use your other hand to hold a straight edge perpendicular to the measuring tape and up against the part of the body (upper wing) that sticks out further than the centerline. Should look like this...
View attachment 3415404
Note - because of the angled headstock the tape is well off the body. This is the correct way to measure the length of your bird. If you lay the bird on its back and run the tape down the front you will get a slightly longer measurement as the tape has to follow the curvature of the body. If you use a seamstress tape measure and follow the body contour you'll also get a longer measurement.

So anyway, done correctly, my VP measures 50-1/2" in overall length....
View attachment 3415403

Yes, that was close to my method/tact. Ok then, it appears that the new Epi VP is indeed one full inch longer. (don't go there or I'll turn this car around!)

So... it then begs the question - why would Epiphone designing a RI not make it the same? So, it would never be exactly like the original possibily? I know, big difference between CS RI and a $750 bass RI, so that's a given - just seems at least interesting from an instrument producers point of view with CAD everything so any bass should be exactly like every other - Also add in that T-birds are long in general. - Epiphone Design crew; "what'ya say boys - let's make the VP 1" longer - cause we can!

 

[TBird1958]

All: Got some sweet black pup rings from Cataldo as I m considering reverting to the original look - black rings as opposed to chrome. Really nice quality, and no screw holes for a cleeeeeeen look. View attachment 3415410

Just to see how it would look I laid the rings on the active PRO IV and I think it dresses the bass up quite well.

View attachment 3415411

It’s nice to have to contemplate decisions like these, eh?

Thanks again, Carlo!

Sharp!

 

[JJR58]

[cough!]

I hear you can get a cream for that.

 

[JJR58]

It's a bloke thing -- always having more guitars/basses than they need, always having more socks than they need. Just because they can.

As far as socks go, all mine are black, and of the same maker. So no worries about a miss match there. Grab and go.
I definitely have more basses than i need, i fully admit that, compensating for something i guess.
And no, you can just wipe that thought right out of your mind.

 

[Goatrope]

Hey folks! Just had a NBD today, and based on the advice of @TBird1958, I’m dropping a linky here:

NBD Gibson Thunderbird content

As you may imagine, I’m still finding my way around this Thunderbird.

The nut width is very narrow, but the neck thickness is not too shallow. That works for me.

I’ve figured out that I need to get an extended strap. At full length, my regular straps hold this bass a few inches higher than I like.

I need to figure out what you guys do for gig bags. The Thunderbird is a couple inches too long for my Mono M80 Dual. I’ve been using that bag for a few years, constantly. Now it looks like I’ll be lugging that sarcophagus of a Gibson case around until I work out something.

I currently carry all my heavy gear in the boot of my Camry, and throw my gig bag across the footwell of the back seat. That’s been my setup for Years, and has been perfect for a few hundred gigs.

I’d like to not change this setup when I take the TBird, so I’m interested in your tales of logistical adventure.

 

[BklynKen]

All: Got some sweet black pup rings from Cataldo as I m considering reverting to the original look - black rings as opposed to chrome. Really nice quality, and no screw holes for a cleeeeeeen look. View attachment 3415410

Just to see how it would look I laid the rings on the active PRO IV and I think it dresses the bass up quite well.

View attachment 3415411

It’s nice to have to contemplate decisions like these, eh?

Thanks again, Carlo!

Very nice! This may be just what I need for my 2013. Please tell me more about these.

 

[JJR58]

View attachment 3415461
Hey folks! Just had a NBD today, and based on the advice of @TBird1958, I’m dropping a linky here:

NBD Gibson Thunderbird content

As you may imagine, I’m still finding my way around this Thunderbird.

The nut width is very narrow, but the neck thickness is not too shallow. That works for me.

I’ve figured out that I need to get an extended strap. At full length, my regular straps hold this bass a few inches higher than I like.

I need to figure out what you guys do for gig bags. The Thunderbird is a couple inches too long for my Mono M80 Dual. I’ve been using that bag for a few years, constantly. Now it looks like I’ll be lugging that sarcophagus of a Gibson case around until I work out something.

I currently carry all my heavy gear in the boot of my Camry, and throw my gig bag across the footwell of the back seat. That’s been my setup for Years, and has been perfect for a few hundred gigs.

I’d like to not change this setup when I take the TBird, so I’m interested in your tales of logistical adventure.

Nice Bird G-rope. Grab a beer and the opinions will flow.
Sit back and relax. If a gig bag is what you're lookin for, my humble suggestion would be a Gator Pro Go.

 

[PillO]

Measuring a TBird length is best discussed with photos since there's about a thousand ways to do it wrong.

If you lay your bird on its face, then tape the dumb end of a carpenters tape measure to the end of the headstock and pull the tape down the centerline of the bass to the other end, you can use your other hand to hold a straight edge perpendicular to the measuring tape and up against the part of the body (upper wing) that sticks out further than the centerline. Should look like this...
View attachment 3415404
Note - because of the angled headstock the tape is well off the body. This is the correct way to measure the length of your bird. If you lay the bird on its back and run the tape down the front you will get a slightly longer measurement as the tape has to follow the curvature of the body. If you use a seamstress tape measure and follow the body contour you'll also get a longer measurement.

So anyway, done correctly, my VP measures 50-1/2" in overall length....
View attachment 3415403

Dude! Shoes?

Although, you put the 7enders on hangers to move them out of the shot, they are still apparent in the reflection on the back of the Thunderbird.

Have you put the Jonas Hellbourgs on anything yet, and if so, what and how do you like it?