Thunderbird Club

[Dadagoboi]

It's just me, but this is about as close to an F.S.O. as I could get - I don't think it sounds even remotely like one.

This does.

I like Thunderbirds and pre '68 Norlin era Gibsons. I have zero interest in the other models except my Grabber. Plenty of other brands to cherry pick.

 

[fasterpussycat]

Pickup Questions for you Thunderbird riders-

What is the optimal gap between the bottom of your strings and the top of the Pickups?

You'll get different answers -- but it's where the strings stop hitting the pups.

 

[Dadagoboi]

You'll get different answers -- but it's where the strings stop hitting the pups.

Good place to start...once you have everything else set. Intonation, relief, nut, bridge height, etc.

 

[Cuzzie]

The size of the plate for the neck bolts on the Epi Nikki Sixx - is it just a standard size like the Fenders or so I need a special one?

Would be good to know before I order if the knowledge is out there

Thanks

 

[GBassNorth]

Pickup Questions for you Thunderbird riders-
What is the optimal gap between the bottom of your strings and the top of the Pickups?
Also, is pickup replacement a “thing” in T-Bird land?

General consensus on all TBirds except the 2015 bird is less gap is better. If you don't mind experimenting, just fret the E string at the last fret on the neck and raise your neck pup until you can just barely slip a dime between the fretted string and the pup. Do the same with the G string. Now test the clearance by playing hard and digging in from the 12 fret down. If your strings hit your pup drop it down just a hair at a time until you have no more contact. This is now maxed out in a full up useable position. The next step is to play some solos and adjust the pup down if you feel a need to for sound or playing style reasons.

Repeat this process for the bridge pup. When you have it where you like it be sure to go back to solo the neck pup to see if you still like it's height, if not drop it further. Remember, the pups are magnetic. The more magnetic force you get closer to a ferrous object like strings, the more it impacts (typically dampens) the movements of those strings. I know a number of guitar players that swear by removing all but one pup from their instruments. I think @fasterpussycat might be in that camp as well.

I went and measured the 67 NR-50+1/2" HS to strap button(face down). I'll spare you all my fuzzy photo. Thank me later. This is why all of the aftermarket cases are useless to me-except the Coffin case I got from S.A. Yeah, it's HUGE but it protects my 'Bird*, which is all that really matters.
View attachment 3416020
*insert 'AHEM' here

Now it all makes sense!
@JIO couldnt find logic in why Eppi made the new VP Bird an inch longer than the old 60's birds. Maybe, just maybe, they were thinking ahead and made the new VP 50-1/2" so it would be identical in length to the old (and hopefully) soon to be released new NR bird!
Hey, a guy can dream can't he.

Totally get that, some places you just have to have a car. I also don't miss driving, i used to love it. Now my patience has worn thin with it all. To many knuckle heads on the road. But if i had a Porsche................

Now we're talking!
Having a blast with my Vintage - well 1997, last full model year for the original air/oil cooled 911...

You'll get different answers -- but it's where the strings stop hitting the pups.

^Essentially this.^

 

[Klondike]

General consensus on all TBirds except the 2015 bird is less gap is better. If you don't mind experimenting, just fret the E string at the last fret on the neck and raise your neck pup until you can just barely slip a dime between the fretted string and the pup. Do the same with the G string. Now test the clearance by playing hard and digging in from the 12 fret down. If your strings hit your pup drop it down just a hair at a time until you have no more contact. This is now maxed out in a full up useable position. The next step is to play some solos and adjust the pup down if you feel a need to for sound or playing style reasons.

Repeat this process for the bridge pup. When you have it where you like it be sure to go back to solo the neck pup to see if you still like it's height, if not drop it further. Remember, the pups are magnetic. The more magnetic force you get closer to a ferrous object like strings, the more it impacts (typically dampens) the movements of those strings. I know a number of guitar players that swear by removing all but one pup from their instruments. I think @fasterpussycat might be in that camp as well.


Now it all makes sense!
@JIO couldnt find logic in why Eppi made the new VP Bird an inch longer than the old 60's birds. Maybe, just maybe, they were thinking ahead and made the new VP 50-1/2" so it would be identical in length to the old (and hopefully) soon to be released new NR bird!
Hey, a guy can dream can't he.


Now we're talking!
Having a blast with my Vintage - well 1997, last full model year for the original air/oil cooled 911...
View attachment 3416474


^Essentially this.^

one of my favorite cars! Beautiful driver!

 

[fasterpussycat]

As others have said, use the palm - specifically the side of your palm - on the E and so forth. I also wear a wrist band that I keep bunched up and close to my palm. Does it mute the E, D and A when I'm playing higher? Who knows, but I think it does. Feels good on my wrist per the edge of the bass.

Most important - alternate between both so that you don't regress on the fingers.

Don't know if anyone else does it but I mute with my left hand.

 

[Mike.C.]

Hey! Lets get it right! MinivanS View attachment 3416212 View attachment 3416213

Minivan = Mass-n-transit.

 

[Mike.C.]

Don't know if anyone else does it but I mute with my left hand.

Right. I do a combo of both depending on what string I’m on and where the note is. But if there are any strings below the string I’m playing then it’s usually the palm. If that makes sense.

 

[Thumper]

I haven't noticed any need to mute on my T5, one of the few (20 or so) 5ers I've had I can say that about.

 

[PillO]

Don't know if anyone else does it but I mute with my left hand.

Ahem.

I mute with both left and right hands when playing with my fingers. Left hand mutes D & G, right hand mutes E & A. But playing with a pick complicates that paradigm.

 

[TBird1958]

This does.

I like Thunderbirds and pre '68 Norlin era Gibsons. I have zero interest in the other models except my Grabber. Plenty of other brands to cherry pick.

I can't explain it really, I just like Gibsons, if I had the money I would give Uwe a run for it - but that will not be happening. Your example is stunning Carlo.

 

[fasterpussycat]

@Goatrope, meant to kanswer the other question ... re pup replacement, depends on the instrument. Two of mine came with Thunderbuckers and I was less than whelmed with the Orville pups and had a Thunderbucker available. I'd give a modern Gibson a redhot go before I thought of changing the pups and chroming everything,

 

[TBird1958]

Ahem.

I mute with both left and right hands when playing with my fingers. Left hand mutes D & G, right hand mutes E & A. But playing with a pick complicates that paradigm.

When I palm mute with my left hand, it feels like someone else is doing it.

 

[Klondike]

Don't know if anyone else does it but I mute with my left hand.

I know I do with my left some, with the fingers and thumb on my right hand also.

 

[Gaolee]

Presupposes that only Kat would have reason to lob something at @JJR58 ...

Also presupposes that there's only one place with a surplus of shoes for throwing.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

That's kind of a can of worms. I think all that counts is that you like the sound. Everyone hears things differently and has different preferences.

And I think that's about as close to a consensus as we get.

 

[Gaolee]

When I palm mute with my left hand, it feels like someone else is doing it.

I left hand mute on the upright all the time. That should be plenty to run with.

 

[dagrev]

I went and measured the 67 NR-50+1/2" HS to strap button(face down). I'll spare you all my fuzzy photo. Thank me later. This is why all of the aftermarket cases are useless to me-except the Coffin case I got from S.A. Yeah, it's HUGE but it protects my 'Bird*, which is all that really matters.
View attachment 3416020

I'm beginning to think you just have shoes and no feet....

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Not sure i'll ever own a car again, not as long as mass transit can get the job done.

Don't move to Austin, then.