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Thunderbird Club

#128,241
GBassNorth said:
The members in this club are usually pretty quick to help a fellow bird player sort things out so others may have already chimed in, but just in case they haven't, here's my thoughts...

A .010 gap at the 8th isn't bad for a factory spec Eppi. However, if you want to slam the action you should really start with a professional fret level and a good nut job. You might have a high fret at the 15th, a fret level will cure that. If you want to try some other options before fret leveling I'd do them in this order:

1) Since the problem is only on the D string Theres a remote chance you could have a twisted string. Try bringing the D string to complete slack so the ball end is free to move. Now starting at the nut, grasp the D string with two fingers and slowly slide down to the bridge letting the ball end spin if it needs to. Once you're at the bridge the ball end should be pretty much in correct position. Now tune the string to pitch and see if the buzz is gone.

2) If that fails, take a close look at the saddles, they may be numbered, if so make sure they are in the proper sequence. If they aren't numbered you can try switching the D and A string saddles. If the D string problem goes away then you're free to move on to a lower action. If the problem just moved to the A string then put the original A string saddle back in the A string position and put the offending D string saddle back in the D string position and visit a luthier for a fret level.
Click to expand...

Thank you. I will try that with the D string. I already switched the A and D saddles and that did help a bit.
 
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#128,244
Glenn Johnson said:
Hi all,
Okay I posted this in the setup forum and got no response. Maybe someone here can help me. I have a new Epiphone Thunderbird IV Classic Pro. I love it. Currently, I have the neck relief set at .010 at the 8th fret, when fretted at 1st and last fret. Epiphone confirmed that my relief was reasonable. Action is set at Epi specs. I have no fret buzz. The issue is I would like to drop the action just a wee bit lower - However, when I do that I get fret buzz, but ONLY on the D string from the 10th to 15th fret. Am I doing something wrong? Any thoughts/suggestions? Thank you all in advance!
Click to expand...

Thanks everyone. Lots of great information and advice here. I really appreciate all the help. This is a GREAT club and I am proud to be a member! Cheers everyone!
 
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#128,247
Gaolee said:
You just provided inspiration for a modification of something. I don't know what yet.
Click to expand...

Yah, Bakelite knobs are not for every project, but my heads-up is more wanting to spread the word about this time-capsule. They have the ones I showed, chicken-heads, and these cool pointers that are shaped like a (cloths) steam-iron.
 
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#128,248
JIO said:
Yah, Bakelite knobs are not for every project, but my heads-up is more wanting to spread the word about this time-capsule. They have the ones I showed, chicken-heads, and these cool pointers that are shaped like a (cloths) steam-iron.
Click to expand...
The wheels are already turning in my head about where they belong. An archtop guitar with a P-90 screwed to the top is probably gong to be candidate #1.
 
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#128,249
JIO said:
View attachment 3543772
I am obligated by tb rules to only show a pic of one of my gilded basses if asked - the topic was knobs and these knobs illustrate my connection to the topic discussed. This bass has been sold and it is only being posted to show the knobs in question.
Click to expand...
Nice knobs! (ahem, I know)
Seriously, those are cool. Did you say they are available at Ace Hardware?
 
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#128,250
I love these metal knobs I got for my pedal. They were about $5 each.

CE4BA5CC-AC9A-4372-B49B-85ED83147CEE.jpeg
 
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#128,254
Engle said:
Nice knobs! (ahem, I know)
Seriously, those are cool. Did you say they are available at Ace Hardware?
Click to expand...

Yes - I've been buying them for years now. Some Ace's have more but they all should have a few different styles in stock and others can be ordered.

Here's one style I found on-line from Ace HW -

TOPS Plastic Replacement Appliance Knobs Black - Ace Hardware

...and here's some that I have in my knob-bin. The rounded pointer is an actual vintage (broken & glued back together) bakelite knob but they have new ones like it.

fullsizeoutput_14c0.jpeg
 
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#128,256
Gaolee said:
I have a parts drawer, but no knob bin. Sounds like the parts drawer needs some upgrades.

For what its worth - not much - I'm still down the ribbon mic rabbit hole.
Click to expand...

I do have more than a few different styles to choose from... :rolleyes:

IMG_4245.JPG
 
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#128,258
JIO said:
Yes - I've been buying them for years now. Some Ace's have more but they all should have a few different styles in stock and others can be ordered.

Here's one style I found on-line from Ace HW -

TOPS Plastic Replacement Appliance Knobs Black - Ace Hardware

...and here's some that I have in my knob-bin. The rounded pointer is an actual vintage (broken & glued back together) bakelite knob but they have new ones like it.

View attachment 3543969
Click to expand...
JIO said:
I do have more than a few different styles to choose from... :rolleyes:

View attachment 3544021
Click to expand...
Gaolee said:
I have a parts drawer, but no knob bin. Sounds like the parts drawer needs some upgrades.

For what its worth - not much - I'm still down the ribbon mic rabbit hole.
Click to expand...

If you put your parts in a drawer and slam that drawer shut, you might as well put your knob in the bin.



Ahem!
 
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