Thunderbird Club

[ModuMan]

Has anyone put a detuner on the Epi?

I'm a little preplexed by the Wilkinson tuners... trying to find a Hipshot match. I'm not sure if there is a drop-in replacement?

 

[Thumper]

Not an issue for this Queen!
Not even a '76, I know what works for me.

I hope you understand I was referring to the fighter jets I used to work on, not our exalted Queen. A hanger Queen was one that was always broken and in for repair (although my own body is beginning to head in that direction). The reference of hanger Queen for my "66J was a double entendre, because it just hangs on the wall.

 

[GonePlaid]

Workin those new mathing skills! Otherwise, I think you need at least the Reality Stone or the Time Stone to make that happen.

Or just be stoned.

 

[Gaolee]

Has anyone put a detuner on the Epi?

I'm a little preplexed by the Wilkinson tuners... trying to find a Hipshot match. I'm not sure if there is a drop-in replacement?

As long as the post fits through the hole in the headstock, you can deal with any other issues that might come up, like set screw placement. When I put Hipshot ultralights on my '91 Gibson, I had to drill the openings to make them fit. After that, drilling holes in anything at all didn't bother me. I have put different bass x-tenders on several Gibsons since then (not the '91 yet, oddly enough), and they have dropped right in. One isn't an exact match for the other tuners because I bought the wrong one, but it fit without a problem. Get close on post size, and then match or don't match what the machines themselves look like and you will be able to modify the headstock as necessary to make them fit.

And now the disclaimer - I approach everything from the standpoint of a CroMagnon with a stone axe and not a whole lot of finesse. Worst case, measure the post and call Hipshot. If they can't figure it out, nobody can.

 

[GonePlaid]

I really don't get neck dive from a Gibson of Epiphone. None. Full stop. Each of the three Gibsons and the now fretless Epiphone stay put wherever I want them. My FenderBird has what I would call neck sag more than neck dive. I also have a slippery strap on it, and it's mostly neutral, just not completely. I also have a bolt-on Epiphone with the strap button moved to where it should have been in the first place. It stays put now that it's been modified. That's necessary to make it stay put. I'm happy to grant you that.

A '76 like yours probably does have some dive. The main thing is that anybody who thinks about playing a Thunderbird has to try it to see if it will work. The ergos don't work for everyone, and there are Thunderbirds that dive. Just as there are other bass guitars that dive, but not all Thunderbirds dive any more than all Precisions dive. The conventional wisdom that Thunderbirds are guaranteed divers is not accurate. It is completely accurate to say they are not for everyone, just as Rics are not. The ergos are NOT Fender ergos and they don't act like Fenders.

I don't like Jazz basses at all. So, there's that, too. I do like Precisions and have a keeper. Keeper or not, it does dive a bit.

The only diver I've owned[note past tense]was an Epi EB-3L. Like a SBD Dauntless.

 

[Gaolee]

Only you could see my gaucheness as color.

Of course! And, I always liked using gouache better than watercolors anyway.

 

[JJR58]

Not neck dive again. Don't mean to be rude or condescending in anyway.
My Birds don't swim.

 

[MCF]

I really don't get neck dive from a Gibson of Epiphone. None. Full stop. Each of the three Gibsons and the now fretless Epiphone stay put wherever I want them. My FenderBird has what I would call neck sag more than neck dive. I also have a slippery strap on it, and it's mostly neutral, just not completely. I also have a bolt-on Epiphone with the strap button moved to where it should have been in the first place. It stays put now that it's been modified. That's necessary to make it stay put. I'm happy to grant you that.

A '76 like yours probably does have some dive. The main thing is that anybody who thinks about playing a Thunderbird has to try it to see if it will work. The ergos don't work for everyone, and there are Thunderbirds that dive. Just as there are other bass guitars that dive, but not all Thunderbirds dive any more than all Precisions dive. The conventional wisdom that Thunderbirds are guaranteed divers is not accurate. It is completely accurate to say they are not for everyone, just as Rics are not. The ergos are NOT Fender ergos and they don't act like Fenders.

I don't like Jazz basses at all. So, there's that, too. I do like Precisions and have a keeper. Keeper or not, it does dive a bit.

I wouldn’t say I don’t like jazz basses. I don’t own one. That isn’t to say I won’t. I’d love a Daphne Blue one with matching headstock or an Adam Clayton. I will say the P body feels more comfortable to me compared to the J’s I’ve played. But I haven’t really played one over time. I could probably get used to it. Just as I think most players could if they gave a bird a chance.

 

[Gaolee]

I wouldn’t say I don’t like jazz basses. I don’t own one. That isn’t to say I won’t. I’d love a Daphne Blue one with matching headstock or an Adam Clayton. I will say the P body feels more comfortable to me compared to the J’s I’ve played. But I haven’t really played one over time. I could probably get used to it. Just as I think most players could if they gave a bird a chance.

I don't like the way they usually sound. I have heard them sound good. Usually, they come across as nasal and whiny compared to a Precision. And, both are weak compared to a Thunderbird. I played the P-Bird recently and was a bit taken aback by how weak it sounded. I have been playing the 2001 a lot lately, and it considers taking prisoners. Then it decides not to.

 

[fasterpussycat]

Not neck dive again. Don't mean to be rude or condescending in anyway.
My Birds don't swim.

Did cross my mind to photograph my three Birds hanging on their straps, but I'm too tired and grumpy.

The only 'reachy' Bird was the Pro IV, all the others are within normal parameters.

 

[fasterpussycat]

I wouldn’t say I don’t like jazz basses. I don’t own one. That isn’t to say I won’t. I’d love a Daphne Blue one with matching headstock or an Adam Clayton. I will say the P body feels more comfortable to me compared to the J’s I’ve played. But I haven’t really played one over time. I could probably get used to it. Just as I think most players could if they gave a bird a chance.

Oh, I flat out dislike Js. The rest of the world seems to love 'em -- I'll get over it.

 

[BklynKen]

I don't like the way they usually sound. I have heard them sound good. Usually, they come across as nasal and whiny compared to a Precision. And, both are weak compared to a Thunderbird. I played the P-Bird recently and was a bit taken aback by how weak it sounded. I have been playing the 2001 a lot lately, and it considers taking prisoners. Then it decides not to.

Paul Turner sure makes one sound great.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Did cross my mind to photograph my three Birds hanging on their straps, but I'm too tired and grumpy.

The only 'reachy' Bird was the Pro IV, all the others are within normal parameters.

You wear three at once?
You're even more badass than I realized.

 

[MCF]

Not gonna lie, my "76 did neck dive, that's why I got rid of it, although I LOVED the tone and looks. Neck was a little skinny for my taste, which is why my "66J is a hanger queen.

My Lull T5 has a tiny bit of dive, mitigated by a 4" suede backed Italia strap. I wear it a little lower than normal because even my other basses were causing issues after 49 years of playing, and use the lower strap over the front of the bass trick learned here. The 1st fret is farther away than some like, but it doesn't bother me.

Sometimes you have to call a spade a spade. I've never found another bass with all the tones my T5 has, so it's definitely not going anywhere, and it is so sexy, it helps disguise the fact I'm a 67 year old playing Hard Rock with younger folk. Most all the advice I've read in this club is gospel, so you may not have to try before you buy unless you are super finicky about every single aspect of a bass, if so you'll probably never be satisfied anyway....

Interesting you just mentioned Italia straps. Just ordered one, but not for one of my birds. Looks really nice. I’ll let you know how I like it when it arrives.

 

[Thumper]

Hope you ordered 2, way cheaper that way ($50ish each). Plus a discount on future buys.

 

[JJR58]

Interesting you just mentioned Italia straps. Just ordered one, but not for one of my birds. Looks really nice. I’ll let you know how I like it when it arrives.

Totally dig the Italia straps.

 

[Glenn Mac]

Did I hear it’s Thunderbird Thursday? I’m in!!!


View attachment 3437943

Johnny's smiling, somewhere!

 

[TBird1958]

I hope you understand I was referring to the fighter jets I used to work on, not our exalted Queen. A hanger Queen was one that was always broken and in for repair (although my own body is beginning to head in that direction). The reference of hanger Queen for my "66J was a double entendre, because it just hangs on the wall.

No worries! I know what a Hanger Queen really is, ( for those who don't, it's an aircraft that mechainics alowly strip usable parts from in an effort to keep other flying)

 

[Canadian APII]

love those Arias....heavy but what a beautifully constructed/sounding bass...saw Jack Bruce playing one at the Candy Store (FL) with Robin Trower in the 80s..

You should look at the Aria Pro II Matsumoku era RSB basses. Built to the same standards. Lighter and a thinner neck similar to jazz basses.

 

[GonePlaid]

Oh, I flat out dislike Js. The rest of the world seems to love 'em -- I'll get over it.

I played one once. 2-3 songs on a sitting in basis.