Thunderbird Club

[kringle77]

Could anyone tell me if the strings on the vintage model epiphones sit closer to the body than the bolt on epi's, or even regular gibson models? It may be a trick of the camera but, the ones with that vintage chrome bridge always appear that way to me.

Also, has anyone on here cut their headstock down and converted it to a 2x2? That would reduce neck dive, especially with light tuners. Just day dreaming here.

 

[Dasgre0g]

$1,600! Damn! Didn't know that the price on those had increased THAT significantly.

I could make a tidy sum on mine even selling it at that price WITH shipping included.

Of course. but that's only because we negotiate downwards don't we? *Cough cough* read the rest of thread, everything is totally negotiable *cough cough*

 

[fasterpussycat]

Also, has anyone on here cut their headstock down and converted it to a 2x2? That would reduce neck dive, especially with light tuners. Just day dreaming here.

My vintage Orville had a floor-seeking headstock.

1. use a grippy suede-backed strap
2. replace the tuners with lightweight (eg Allparts) versions
3. a massive (eg Hipshot) bridge won't hurt

It now hangs perfectly and is the lightest of my three Birds.

 

[fasterpussycat]

Of course. but that's only because we negotiate downwards don't we? *Cough cough* read the rest of thread, everything is totally negotiable *cough cough*

Austin? Paging @Miles_ONeal ...

 

[GBassNorth]

Could anyone tell me if the strings on the vintage model epiphones sit closer to the body than the bolt on epi's, or even regular gibson models? It may be a trick of the camera but, the ones with that vintage chrome bridge always appear that way to me.

Also, has anyone on here cut their headstock down and converted it to a 2x2? That would reduce neck dive, especially with light tuners. Just day dreaming here.

Just measured four of my Birds for you, results...

Gibson Anniversary Edition (neck thru) - 2/32" gap at the 12th fret; 3/4" gap at the bridge
Epiphone VP (neck thru) - 2/32" gap at the 12th fret; a hair less than 3/4" gap at the bridge
Epiphone Goth (neck thru) - 2/32" gap at the 12th fret; a hair less than 3/4" gap at the bridge
Gibson 2015 bird (neck thru) - 3/32" gap at the 12th fret; a hair less than 3/4" gap at the bridge

Note: a hair less is approximately 1/64"

Hope this helps

 

[Glenn Johnson]

sigh biscuits and chips sigh

Biscuits are served with butter, or gravy. Try THAT with a cookie!

 

[GBassNorth]

?...
Also, has anyone on here cut their headstock down and converted it to a 2x2? That would reduce neck dive, especially with light tuners. Just day dreaming here.

It's your bass so do what you must, but if it were my bass I'd replace the tuners with ultra lights, confirm the upper strap pin is at the heel of the neck (not the upper horn) and buy a wide less slippery strap. If it still dived after that and still bothered me, I'd sell it and but a non diver before I cut into the headstock.

For the record, none of my four TBirds suffer from diveosis, all have stock tuners and heel strap pins. All my leather straps are 3" wide with smooth backs, my cloth straps are 2" wide with suede backs. No problems at all.

 

[Glenn Johnson]

Fries (chips) are not snack food. They are delicious, crucial sustenance!

Only when you combine it with fruit - ketchup.

 

[Glenn Johnson]

That and measuring speed in furlongs per fortnight.

I don't fathom what you mean. .

 

[Glenn Johnson]

Flemish or Walloon?

Flemish? Take Mucinex and drink plenty of fluids.

 

[kringle77]

Just measured four of my Birds for you, results...

Gibson Anniversary Edition (neck thru) - 2/32" gap at the 12th fret; 3/4" gap at the bridge
Epiphone VP (neck thru) - 2/32" gap at the 12th fret; a hair less than 3/4" gap at the bridge
Epiphone Goth (neck thru) - 2/32" gap at the 12th fret; a hair less than 3/4" gap at the bridge
Gibson 2015 bird (neck thru) - 3/32" gap at the 12th fret; a hair less than 3/4" gap at the bridge

Note: a hair less is approximately 1/64"

Hope this helps

Wow! Thanks for the detailed info and effort. Much appreciated. Ive used all of the tricks posted and definitely have read every post. After owning a dingwal D-bird, every other bird feels less balanced, no matter how good. When I get around to a custom bird it will have a small 2x2 headstock. I just don't like that bead sticking out so far, I tend to get energetic and hit things with it at gigs!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Austin? Paging @Miles_ONeal ...

Yeah, I mentioned he looked to be from hereabouts. But thanks!
Thanks, but I'm holding off on more bass purchases for now. I need to replace two froke out pedals and possibly add a volume pedal before doing anything else. Oh, and pay off the house.

 

[MCF]

Wow! Thanks for the detailed info and effort. Much appreciated. Ive used all of the tricks posted and definitely have read every post. After owning a dingwal D-bird, every other bird feels less balanced, no matter how good. When I get around to a custom bird it will have a small 2x2 headstock. I just don't like that bead sticking out so far, I tend to get energetic and hit things with it at gigs!

Sounds like you want a Cataldo Max with a JAE headstock or a JAE. Or one of each.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

It's your bass so do what you must, but if it were my bass I'd replace the tuners with ultra lights, confirm the upper strap pin is at the heel of the neck (not the upper horn) and buy a wide less slippery strap. If it still dived after that and still bothered me, I'd sell it and but a non diver before I cut into the headstock.

For the record, none of my four TBirds suffer from diveosis, all have stock tuners and heel strap pins. All my leather straps are 3" wide with smooth backs, my cloth straps are 2" wide with suede backs. No problems at all.

Pretty much this, except I'm using a 2 1/2" cloth strap. Can't recall what the backing is. The Pro-V had a more noticeable tendency to dive, but it wasn't horrible.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Only when you combine it with fruit - ketchup.

That depends. Around these parts, there are fries I like best with mustard, creamy jalapen~o, or as they are served (like Hopdoddy's parmesian truffle fries).

 

[Butcherboy]

Whoa! That’s beautiful! If get the chance to have Carlo make me another bass it’ll be one pickup, one knob as well

…this one should arrive next week from Lexington....Cataldo NR 4132 set neck

View attachment 3683239

....over the pond.....

Notre Dame Towers in August 2019.....

 

[GonePlaid]

Biscuits are served with butter, or gravy. Try THAT with a cookie!

 

[GonePlaid]

I don't fathom what you mean. .

It's in a different league.

 

[GonePlaid]

Wow! Thanks for the detailed info and effort. Much appreciated. Ive used all of the tricks posted and definitely have read every post. After owning a dingwal D-bird, every other bird feels less balanced, no matter how good. When I get around to a custom bird it will have a small 2x2 headstock. I just don't like that bead sticking out so far, I tend to get energetic and hit things with it at gigs!

Drummers are fair game.

 

[JJR58]

Biscuits are served with butter, or gravy. Try THAT with a cookie!

Chocolate chip?