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Thunderbird Club

#13,422
Gaolee said:
Is it possible that blue 'Bird down in the classifieds is a Greco with a bicentennial pickguard and a Gibson truss rod cover?
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Could be...

Larry V said:
I wouldn't think so but I guess anything is possible.

I wonder who the "luthier" was that mounted the tail piece. :rollno:
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Yeah, that tail piece does look kinda fishy to me - Definitely NOT original and not properly alligned to the bridge...

I seriously doubt this is a real '79 Gibson, though... If you compare the pictures with those from a real ´79 on the Fly Guitars website there are some things that do not look right - Like the neck heel on the original is way more rounded than the one in the classifieds, which have a more square shaped heel like that on the Epi Classic Pro IV...

And let's not forget the pickups, which are not like on the original ´79 either...

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#13,423
hillerup said:
Could be...



Yeah, that tail piece does look kinda fishy to me - Definitely NOT original and not properly alligned to the bridge...

I seriously doubt this is a real '79 Gibson, though... If you compare the pictures with those from a real ´79 on the Fly Guitars website there are some things that do not look right - Like the neck heel on the original is way more rounded than the one in the classifieds, which have a more square shaped heel like that on the Epi Classic Pro IV...

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Good points, Michael!

A look inside the control cavity could shine more light on what this bass's story is... but then again, this thing has been modded.

Here's a link for those that don't feel like searching for the TBird in question.

For Sale - 1979 Gibson Thunderbird
 
#13,424
Larry V said:
Good points, Michael!

A look inside the control cavity could shine more light on what this bass's story is... but then again, this thing has been modded.

Here's a link for those that don't feel like searching for the TBird in question.

For Sale - 1979 Gibson Thunderbird
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure Mark and Carlo or sombody else with '79 will be able to shed more light on this...

Whatever it is - It's pretty nice looking (except for that tail piece)... :)
 
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#13,426
Lovin my lemmy strap with my gibby bird!
 

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#13,427
gaffster787 said:
Such a mystery....maybe someone stuck a misaligned three point and '76 pick guard on a '64. That would be a real steal. A Greco has more pronounced "wicked" hook on the headstock.
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I looked at the posted photos, especially the one that shows the back of the bass. Somebody asked about serial numbers. The photo of the back of the headstock was inconclusive to me, so I looked at the photo of the back of the bass. It's not clear, but it doesn't look like there's a serial number. Which means the photo doesn't show it well or it's gone. Which means refin. There could be a neck repair, or who knows what all else.

I still like it. Maybe the 1991 will have to be that color someday. Nah. I like purple better. Why even pretend it's a factory color.
 
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#13,429
gaffster787 said:
Such a mystery....maybe someone stuck a misaligned three point and '76 pick guard on a '64. That would be a real steal. A Greco has more pronounced "wicked" hook on the headstock.
Click to expand...

If you look at the borders of the centerpiece it's obvious the tailpiece is crooked. In the end it's a classic pro. :D

lancimouspitt said:
Lovin my lemmy strap with my gibby bird!
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You even got the colour his bird has(had? I wonder what happens to Lemmy's stuff, I hope Paul keeps it)
 
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#13,432
Yeah, I found my research on the Seafoam Bird rather inconclusive. The seller freely admits it's a refin, though an old one. I was talking about it with Scott, maybe he'll chime in with his thoughts. My plans to get it and finish the 60s-fication of it have become a little side tracked, as an early 60s EB-3 has popped up that I'm trying to nab as a project.
 
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#13,433
Off-Beat said:
If you look at the borders of the centerpiece it's obvious the tailpiece is crooked. In the end it's a classic pro. :D



You even got the colour his bird has(had? I wonder what happens to Lemmy's stuff, I hope Paul keeps it)
Click to expand...

It's definitely not an Epi Classic Pro - There is no way you can fit those huge tuners on that smaller headstock...
 
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#13,434
hillerup said:
Could be...



Yeah, that tail piece does look kinda fishy to me - Definitely NOT original and not properly alligned to the bridge...

I seriously doubt this is a real '79 Gibson, though... If you compare the pictures with those from a real ´79 on the Fly Guitars website there are some things that do not look right - Like the neck heel on the original is way more rounded than the one in the classifieds, which have a more square shaped heel like that on the Epi Classic Pro IV...

And let's not forget the pickups, which are not like on the original ´79 either...

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Having looked around for more pictures of original 70's birds, i gotta give the seller the benefit of doubt, though...

One of the members on the Facebook Thunderbird Players group (David Lucas) has posted a bunch of pictures of his '76 being refinned, and his bass has that same squared neck heel that the one in the classifieds...

Unfortunately I can't seem to share the link to his photos... :(
 
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#13,440
Larry V said:
P/U's, bridge and electronics.



Well that and a ton of sidebars that go off into wide ranging topics. :laugh:



Well, those are easy to solve... you can move the strap button or get a wider strap or get a grippier strap or any combination of those things. As for the tuning pegs like the ones you remember from the 70's... that should be just a matter of swapping them out with what makes you happy. Someone has to make what you're looking for I'd think. :unsure:
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I wasn't looking for a solution to a bass I don't own yet, more which models have what I am looking for or until when they were made that way, so I know what to look for in the used listings. I wouldn't want to alter a bass, the mounting holes and string pegs are surely different.

Will look around for some sort of guide that explains the evolution of T-Birds through the years, Wikipedia has some but it's not exhaustive, there must be something, I thought maybe this forum.

As for the someone making it option, I am interested in what Cataldo do, and they seem pretty flexible with options.
 
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