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Thunderbird Club

#123,961
As I understand it, Hipshot can and will convert (almost) any tuner to an Extender, just contact them and ask. ;)

ModuMan said:
Hi ThunderFriends! (is that a thing? Can it be?)

I had been looking to install a detuner on my Epi VP. Here's what I came up with:

First, I couldn't find a perfect, drop-in fit. Those Wilkinsons are weird and I can't find anything like them. I think this is as close as I can get, a Hipshot BT1. It's designed for a MM and comes in a long and short key version. This is the long.

Two of the screw holes line up perfectly (why I got it) and the other two are close so that was just a little bit of work.

View attachment 3501678

Here is the end result. As you can see, it's not an exact match but pretty close in height and clover style.

View attachment 3501679

All good as I was stringing up with a set of DR Lo Riders. Until... should I be worried about this? It's a 105 and will not slot in the groove in the tailpiece. I tried another 105, a GHS, and the same problem. Any worries or other ideas?

View attachment 3501680 View attachment 3501681
Click to expand...
 
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#123,963
Understood and agreed with. :)

I lived back East for long enough to endure almost every weather extreme the region can offer, from Nor'Easters blowing water through the brick walls, to city-closing blizzards, to the humidity straight from the rarely mentioned, really harsh 8th level Dante only hinted at- I do not miss that weather at all.

That said, 117 and 25% humidity ain't all that fun. :D


Nocturnal said:
Every degree over 110 is tough when the humidity is up IMO. When we have hit 122 over the years it is quite brutal. One time when it happened the air went out on my car and in our apartment. That was not fun. I will take the AZ summers over Mississippi summers any day. 100 Degrees with 100% humidity is suffocating to me.



Beautiful!! Looks so nice with the chrome.
Click to expand...
 
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#123,965
Holy jeebers, that's a straight-up looker!

Enjoy every bit of that beauty. :) ;)

Gaolee said:
Yes.View attachment 3501144 View attachment 3501145

Dude! The shoes are behind the dropcloth. Red paint, not blood. Sorry. Every pair of shoes I own, including motorcycle boots, all fit between the paint and shop vac stuff on the floor, with a variety of fasteners, clamps and other knuckle dragger things on the shelves above them. I make a lousy mod.

It arrived by UPS yesterday at about 1 pm. I snuck out of work early and threw it all back together. Amazingly enough, it made sound just like it was supposed to when I plugged it in, and it intonated perfectly right away, too. No problems with then neck adjustment. I expect to have to adjust it a bit soon, but maybe not.

I played a private party last night, and it was the bass I played. The pixie dust '01 stayed in its case, just waiting for this one to falter. It didn't falter, so the PinkBird was on the whole night. It has tapes on it now, but I'm not convinced I like the way it sounds with those. There is too much muddy orange in the sound of those strings on this bass, at least for now.

It crossed the country in its case. I had it out at work for a few hours, and then it was out getting reassembled and played most of the time up until about 10:00 last night or so. It's in its case now, but it will be back out this evening, and will mostly stay out of its case for more than a week. With any luck, that will solve any imprinting issues.
Click to expand...
 
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#123,967
An early start. Really doesn't matter what day it is.

IMG_1432.JPG
 
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#123,970
Gaolee said:
I don't remember the discussion, but I can say that some strings are a little cranky in and out of a Babicz, which has a similar claw.
Click to expand...
Well on some strings the winding is well up onto the bridge saddle, which could be weird for action and intonation- for this you can employ a ball end or two from an old discarded string; also the string slot could be tight for a heavy gauge string, no?

I could be wrong about having discussed the second possibility.
 
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#123,972
dagrev said:
Oh heck yeah!!! Why didn't I think of likely my favorite female singer. Tried to see her a while back but scheduling didn't work out. But on my bucket list. I can listen to Mavis all day--and often do!

BTW: The Staple's songs have some of the best bass recorded. Ever.
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Had the absolute privilege to see her in a small club last year. A true pro who loves her audience.
 
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#123,973
Gaolee said:
Yes.View attachment 3501144 View attachment 3501145

Dude! The shoes are behind the dropcloth. Red paint, not blood. Sorry. Every pair of shoes I own, including motorcycle boots, all fit between the paint and shop vac stuff on the floor, with a variety of fasteners, clamps and other knuckle dragger things on the shelves above them. I make a lousy mod.

It arrived by UPS yesterday at about 1 pm. I snuck out of work early and threw it all back together. Amazingly enough, it made sound just like it was supposed to when I plugged it in, and it intonated perfectly right away, too. No problems with then neck adjustment. I expect to have to adjust it a bit soon, but maybe not.

I played a private party last night, and it was the bass I played. The pixie dust '01 stayed in its case, just waiting for this one to falter. It didn't falter, so the PinkBird was on the whole night. It has tapes on it now, but I'm not convinced I like the way it sounds with those. There is too much muddy orange in the sound of those strings on this bass, at least for now.

It crossed the country in its case. I had it out at work for a few hours, and then it was out getting reassembled and played most of the time up until about 10:00 last night or so. It's in its case now, but it will be back out this evening, and will mostly stay out of its case for more than a week. With any luck, that will solve any imprinting issues.
Click to expand...
Wow!
 
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#123,974
JJR58 said:
This is a funny thing on the tension. I think they aren't floppy at all, for lack of a better way to say it.
They seem, or i perceive them to have a similar tension as Cobalt flats. Which suits me just fine.

Although i have yet to try the TI rounds.
Click to expand...
I don't find all the whining about TI flats being floppy, like rubber bands, etc anywhere near reality....unless one plays like chopping wood and has the technique of a lumberjack.

You've got to try the rounds at some point. I have a set on my '64 Epi Embassy and it sounds amazing. If I had an old extra set I'd be glad to send them to you.
 
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#123,976
wraub said:
Understood and agreed with. :)

I lived back East for long enough to endure almost every weather extreme the region can offer, from Nor'Easters blowing water through the brick walls, to city-closing blizzards, to the humidity straight from the rarely mentioned, really harsh 8th level Dante only hinted at- I do not miss that weather at all.

That said, 117 and 25% humidity ain't all that fun. :D
Click to expand...
While 10% would be better, I’d take 117F/25% over 95F/95% (normal when we lived in GA) any day.
 
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#123,978
ModuMan said:
If there was wrapping on the ball end I might be less surprised. I wanted to use a heaver string (and 105 isn't really that crazy) but I can try some other strings. Or.... file the slot a bit?
Click to expand...
It doesn't seem quite right. I would probably file the slot a little. I'm also kinda anal about some things. Not others.
 
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#123,979
ModuMan said:
Hi ThunderFriends! (is that a thing? Can it be?)...
All good as I was stringing up with a set of DR Lo Riders. Until... should I be worried about this? It's a 105 and will not slot in the groove in the tailpiece. I tried another 105, a GHS, and the same problem. Any worries or other ideas?

View attachment 3501680 View attachment 3501681
Click to expand...
Common issue on Warwick's as well, especially low B strings.

The quick easy hack is to literally crush the overwinding section of the string with a pair of pliers or a vice. Usually you can get the overwinding to narrow out enough to slip into the tail piece slot. I've had to do this a number of times, if any of my basses currently have this hack I'll post a picture so you can see how it works.

The more involved hack is to take a file to the tail piece and widen the slot. The problem is it will ruin the chrome plating in that area, not too noticeable but there just the same.

Edit: here's a pic of one of my Warwick Thumb basses where the previous owner tried to widen the slot a bit. When I restrung the low B on this bass I found the slot was still too tight so I took a pair of pliers to the string and was easily able to crush it enough to fit in the slot. It won't hurt the string and it holds perfect tune now (kept going flat prior to the hack).
IMG_3123.JPG
 
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