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Thunderbird Club

#127,401
Gaolee said:
It looks nice, but... The pickup cover is on backwards, and that bugs the crap out of me. Plus, the covers look brand new, and the other hardware has been there for a while. Could it be an Epi? I didn't know Gibson ever made a "Limited Edition" anything like that. The case looks like it could be about the right vintage, based upon the small differences between the '91, the '01, and the '15 that live in my flock. It looks nice, but I'm highly skeptical that it's a Gibson.
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Visible 'limited edition' but no visible serial number?

 
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#127,404
Gaolee said:
I like both. I kinda wonder what happened to that bass to get the hardware dulled down like that. I'm also wondering where the tuners came from, since they are branded but I have never seen tuners like that on a Thunderbird. Maybe there was another Gibson model that used tuners like that only not painted black. It's a mystery.

[Edit] I just noticed that it's at Mike & Mike, which is about a 3/4 mile walk from home. I thought those guys were at least mostly on the up and up. They seem to have Thunderbirds on a fairly regular basis, too. Something odd is going on. The ad says all wiring is stock, so whatever is happening with the pickups that I thought looked odd is either stock and I don't know what I'm talking about, or they are wrong. There's even odds on that.

The case and finish look way to pristine for the condition of the hardware. I cannot figure out how you get corrosion on the backs of the tuning machines, and that kind of oxidation on the rest of the hardware without having more evidence of use and abuse in the finish. The photos aren't close up enough for me to get a good understanding of what kind of patina the finish has. The case looks like the '91's case, with the exception that the bedsheet is satin and not fleece like it is for the '91.

I keep meaning to get down to their shop one of these days, and it keeps not happening. Based on my schedule, it will probably remain that way for a while.
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The Orville's nickel parts (and nickel Roto strings) were severely corroded when I acquired it. Seems nickel does that all by itself if you leave it in the case for long enough. The Thunderbuckers on the JAEbird had a layer of yellow and brown corrosion, maybe that's the first step on the way to the powdery grey look -- I don't intend to make a study of it.
 
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#127,405
Rocker47 said:
Looking at this somewhat fishy bass and it made me think of a Tbird model called the Elitist and it was an Epiphone. It looks similar and changing the truss rod cover is simple. It could be one of these although I think they were out in the early 2000's for a few years. Google Epiphone Elitist Thunderbird Bass and see if I'm crazy or not. HA!
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I believe Epiphone Elitist Birds are later versions of what had been the 'Orville by Gibson' instruments, which were made from Gibson parts in Japan for the local market.

Orville and Korat.
52FD9330-8097-4A2E-B6C2-392196D98BB8.jpeg
 
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#127,408
Dr_Feelgoood212 said:
Thunderbird Thursday

View attachment 3536769

With a hint of foreshadowing
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...is that foreshadowing, or is it an attempt to drive @PillO nutz:roflmao:

But now that I’m here and looking at your wonderful black Tbird on THUNDERBIRD Thursday I’ll add some fuel to the fire...
05BD7FB3-BA4E-4430-9F95-86B7874ED047.jpeg

...and before @PillO brings it up, yes that is a Gary Larson book in the background. LOL - looking at @fasterpussycat reading list you’ll find all kinds of thought provoking political science and philosophy materials. I’ve got Far Side cartoons, kinda says a lot. :D
 
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#127,411
GBassNorth said:
...is that foreshadowing, or is it an attempt to drive @PillO nutz:roflmao:

But now that I’m here and looking at your wonderful black Tbird on THUNDERBIRD Thursday I’ll add some fuel to the fire...
View attachment 3536785
...and before @PillO brings it up, yes that is a Gary Larson book in the background. LOL - looking at @fasterpussycat reading list you’ll find all kinds of thought provoking political science and philosophy materials. I’ve got Far Side cartoons, kinda says a lot. :D
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Why not both :smug:
 
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