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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
- Start date
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- Tags
- club thunderbird
I wouldn't change out the yellowing pickguard. That's where all the good tone is coming from. That's SCIENCE!!!
So THAT'S where the mojo comes from
Maybe. The bridge PU cover/can is very old chrome not the nickle everywhere else. I don't know if it's just the can or the whole PU. Scott got a good look at it and thought the PU is most likely from a 60s nonreverse or it very possibly came from the factory like that. The Epi Embassy's (same PUs chrome cans), were made in the same factory so it's possible they grabbed one from there. I think it's likely from a nonreverse and that the original might have died and that was all that could be had at the time. It's been in there since about 1981/2 when I bought it. It sounds so good I wouldn't change the PU if I found a sure fire original. (I am thinking of running it over to RS Guitar Works and have them but a nickle can on the PU.) It's also have the obligatory headstock/neck repair. Never been an issue.
Yup, I was thinking about doing the same for my Epi Pro 5er, the stock bridge seems to be adequate although the tuners most definitely need to be replaced. From what I understand "Leo Quan" was supposed to have made the bridges for that series, don't Know it true or not, speaking of them, it sure is a shame that no one picked up the torch after Leo's passing IMHO nothing sounds like a "Bad Ass "
Let us know how that works out!!
Is this applicable to all Birds or only the early ones ?
Stumbled accidentally into the bass tone that’s been in my head for my current band (rock‘n’ roll w/ a punk edge) the other day while on holiday...
2019 Gibson Thunderbird, TI jazz flat strings, Fender Rumble 200v3 amp w/ all EQ set flat, “vintage” voicing. Wow. This thing growls! My cheapest (and lightest weight) amp sounds better than my expensive Phil Jones rig? Hmmm...
2019 Gibson Thunderbird, TI jazz flat strings, Fender Rumble 200v3 amp w/ all EQ set flat, “vintage” voicing. Wow. This thing growls! My cheapest (and lightest weight) amp sounds better than my expensive Phil Jones rig? Hmmm...
I don't know of any solid data to go on. Many, maybe more than half of the old (60s anyway) have had a repair I would think, given what you see forsale. I would like to think that the newer Thunderbirds are maybe a little less susceptible and some tweaking has been done to strengthen that thin area around the nut. But I'm not sure about that. All are prone to it, largely due to the headstock leaning back and the neck just being thin like a Jazz. Lay one down without support and the headstock with bear the weight and apply unintended pressure on that thin neck around the nut area. Not a real problem, but drop one flat or bang it hard on something and it's more likely to crack than most other basses it seems. Fender's are flat and require a string retainer, doesn't look as nice, but they don't have the rash of headstocks breaking either.
That's a Thunderbird for ya! That is great to hear. I've used TIs on my '76 and they sound really, really, good as well.
Rumbles are amazing amps, very underrated.
Totally agree
I’m going to try one of these:
Walker & Williams NP-53 XXL Neoprene Padded Airflow Strap Super Long Up To 68" | eBay
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Your 7ender amp looks rather Vox-y...
Good eye, as always!
The silver-face has a bit too much sparkle for my taste (for my current project), so I've been playing with the grill cloth off (which looks pretty punk rock), but wanted to have some protection for the speakers, in case some idiot (me) accidentally backs up and jams a heel into a speaker (I tend to dance a bit while I play). I got some Vox black diamond grill cloth, and *ta-da*
Not trying to fool anyone, so you won't see white piping nor a Vox logo added (though North Coast Music has everything).
I've never been quite happy with the "bounce" from neoprene straps for some reason.
After trying a ton of straps over the past few years (and having quite a collection now), my favorite is the classic #2 in black leather by Bear Straps. No bounce. Perfect mix of staying put and movement when playing, plus it gets more and more comfortable the more I use it.
Hand-crafted by Rupert Breeden in England...the craftsmanship is top-notch, and he'll make them to any length you want. Kinda cool that the same hands that made straps for Noel Gallagher, Oasis, and others, also made my straps!
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- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,895
- 142,215
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
For me it would be a Thunderbird II, that single pickup - Makes the Queen weak in the knees!
Even though thunderbird necks tend to break...I think that mahogany necks with that straight grain may be less prone to warping or twisting and tend to stay true. This has been my experience. I have had two maple necks go wonky over the years. The cool thing about the zebrabird edition is that the mahogany neck/centerboard is unfinished...an has it's natural almost orange/red color and . I think the natural epi pro may be unfinished as well, not sure...
Link Removed
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,895
- 142,215
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
And Mt. Rainier, a potentially VERY dangerous volcano. Hope it doesn't blow anytime soon.
It's always a possibility of course ( along with Mt Baker, Mt Hood, Mt Adams, Glacier Peak and St. Helens) but an earthquake really is the bigger concern.
My theory is the number of detached headstocks on Thunderbirds is inversely proportional to the number of players that use guitar stands for their Thunderbirds.
The average joe player back in the 1960's utilized the "lean-it" method for their bass when not playing, transporting or storing. The TBird body shape being what it is doesn't lend itself well to standing up while leaning against something. That propensity to fall over combined with the tilt back headstock design, the thin volute free neck, and the headstock truss rod access make the perfect trifecta for breakage.
In a secure stand or in its hard case it's not nearly as much of an issue. For the average joe player, stands weren't really much in use until the 1970's and coincidentally not nearly as many 1970's and newer birds are running around with broken necks.
That's my theory and I'm stickin to it!
I'd lean to the very first Non Reverse single pup TBird made in the rarest color.
...Or better yet...
Any vintage (pre 1970's) TBird owned and played on a released top ten recording from The Who or Rush or the original Lynyrd Skynyrd line up with full provenance.
Aim for confusing. Put a Marshall logo on it.
