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Thunderbird Club

#129,428
BklynKen said:
Nice dull finish on the nickel (?). Is it unfinished?
Click to expand...
Thanks! That's my first attempt at a brushed satin finish on the shiny bits to go with the semi matte body/neck finish.

I'm currently building a 32" NR with similar hardware.
 
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#129,430
StephnG said:
OK let's try this again:
I was about to leave GC & my girlfriend now wife said "where you going? Go get your Bass!!" Apparently she used my discontent to work a "deal" with the manager on the "sly" lol
Then she said "Happy Birthday!!"
What a Gal eh!?

The first thing I researched was the PU'S, I discovered that Epi in their "infinite wisdom" decided to use the same PU for the Pro 4 AND 5!! The originals are 3.620" & the replacements are 4.000" (width) SO I had to route out .380 or a tad over 3/8 in order to install the new PU's
Why Epi decided to do this defies all logic!!

When it came down to "which PU's"
I decided to contact Mr Lull after hearing much praise about what he uses, after stating my case to him, he was only too happy to sell me a set (GREAT GUY!! BTW)
The only problem was a set would cost as much or more than the bass LOL

I also found out that SD's "Custom Shop" makes the PU's that he uses & i've used plenty of those over the years SO I figured I would just take a chance & buy a matched set (see pics) on "FleaBay" for about $100

Once I got them in I figured all I had to do was install a "defeat switch" on the existing
Active circuitry after installing the PU's & that would "do it"
Although it was better, still wasn'tView attachment 3555060 View attachment 3555060 View attachment 3555061 "soup" yet!!

Next Step: tear out the existing/remaining circuitry, wiring,pots, input jack & replaced it ALL with standard Gibson Issue (passive all the way!!)
I mean the very idea of active electronics on a TBird is nothing short of "sacrilege" is it not?? LOL
Finally after all this painstaking effort she "Reigned Thunder" as I knew she could!!

Another Epi "***" was a steel nut??
Yanked that puppy like a "bad tooth" & installed a proper "Graph Tech"

The only thing I'm on the fence about is the bridge, it seems adequate, according to Epi they were made by "Leo Quan"?!
Can anyone verify that??
Perhaps someone can point me in the right direction IF I decide to replace it although before I get to that, what would take priority replacement wise is those tuners, I mean I suppose E through G is ok but the B tuner isn't cutting it, gonna have to replace those next for sure!!

SO there you have it!!
Cheers & thanks for letting me "Rant"
Click to expand...
Great work! What, however, is that switch for?
 
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#129,431
Chucky Stiletti said:
rant time....BLs can be clueless...a bass guitar is not a sequencer....i play the part but man, what a workout...of all the cool 80's songs....this PO:poop:?...:banghead:..
Click to expand...


so 80's - almost a parody. Nice Aria though...
 
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#129,432
New Bass Day!
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However as you can see, this girl has had a rough start to life. Someone started to relocate the strap buttons(easy fix) and she has taken a face plant straining the muscles in her neck.

When I bought my BaCH the neck was worse than this and BaCHman has been repaired and works perfect so I am uber confident this to shall live to fly. BUT, first the electronics are coming out for my “forever” build! I will have to find something else to pillage from to fill this after repairs can be made.
 
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#129,433
Klondike said:
New Bass Day!
View attachment 3555307
View attachment 3555308
View attachment 3555310 View attachment 3555313 View attachment 3555314
However as you can see, this girl has had a rough start to life. Someone started to relocate the strap buttons(easy fix) and she has taken a face plant straining the muscles in her neck.

When I bought my BaCH the neck was worse than this and BaCHman has been repaired and works perfect so I am uber confident this to shall live to fly. BUT, first the electronics are coming out for my “forever” build! I will have to find something else to pillage from to fill this after repairs can be made.
Click to expand...
good plan.
 
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#129,434
Dadagoboi said:
Thanks! That's my first attempt at a brushed satin finish on the shiny bits to go with the semi matte body/neck finish.

I'm currently building a 32" NR with similar hardware.
Click to expand...
Nice! That's the kind of finish I would consider for the NR, if I ever get it back. But I'd also need a bridge and tuners to match.
 
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#129,435
Chucky Stiletti said:
rant time....BLs can be clueless...a bass guitar is not a sequencer....i play the part but man, what a workout...of all the cool 80's songs....this PO:poop:?...:banghead:..
Click to expand...

On the topic - this is one of my finger workout songs - I play 16th notes following the roots octave disco-style. In fact, I play to every song on disc 2 of the CT BBC Sessions - such great (80's/90's) music and basslines. (Simon Raymonde)

added: what really makes it a workout is that each note is a left hand 'pull-off' to simulate staccato sequencer-type attack. It's much easier leaving the notes pressed through each change. Also - am playing it 'banjo style' using my thumb and pointer.

 
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#129,437
Klondike said:
Great work! What, however, is that switch for?
Click to expand...
Thanks,
It was originally a defeat switch for the original Active electronics, once I tore them out, it was either leave it non functional, leave a hole or go with a standard PU toggle switch & decided to go with the latter although I don't use it much, usually just stays in the middle, may remove down the road or if I choose with different PU's it could be used as a coil tap or in/out phase..
Cheers!!
 
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#129,438
Klondike said:
View attachment 3555361

A while ago I bought a Bad Bird 1 from our own @godofthunder59 for this forever build. Now Im wondering if I want to full that hole or stop the molestation of the new base.
Click to expand...
You are going to want to double check your intonation, not sure you can get the saddles forward enough. You may have to move the mounting studs forward.
 
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