Thunderbird Club

[JIO]

parts? saw the copper mute spring go for 290 bucks online..

This one is going for $350
Vintage 1960's Gibson Thunderbird Bass Guitar Mute Copper T-Bird Mute Rare Part | eBay

I've got 2 of them, one from my stollen '63 II and the other from my '64 II- with original white felt-block mutes. (shown) Have both covers and black plastic spacer-feet for the '64 also. The mute on eBay (above) has been there forever. People can ask whatever they want - doesn't mean someone will put down the green. Can you imagine what my '63 mute is "worth" as it was on one of the only 3 T-bird II's that were made that year? It's been in a box since I took it off in 1974. Ironically I have no way of verifying its authenticity - there's no date on it and I have no hard-copy proof I even owned a '63 II to begin with. There's a slim chance I have the postcard (somewhere) that was returned to me from Gibson when I inquired about its year of production based on its serial number. I guess if I could find that it would be enough provenance to verify the mute.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

of course, plus metal film instead of carbon on the new ones

The latter I could see. I don't do "of course" when it comes to modern manufacturing. Too many cut corners. I'm glad to hear Fender isn't. When I was building amps, I tried to plan for nearly worst case tubes and power. I say nearly, because there's always something worse. Always. Your 500V plate has a dead short to cathode? That's nice. This one has a 5KV generator inside. And that one has a glowing blue cube in it we think is a tesseract... You'd need Hulk as a roadie to haul that amp around.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

The latter I could see. I don't do "of course" when it comes to modern manufacturing. Too many cut corners. I'm glad to hear Fender isn't. When I was building amps, I tried to plan for nearly worst case tubes and power. I say nearly, because there's always something worse. Always. Your 500V plate has a dead short to cathode? That's nice. This one has a 5KV generator inside. And that one has a glowing blue cube in it we think is a tesseract... You'd need Hulk as a roadie to haul that amp around.

shipping a new not fully four corner tested mechanical mounting configuration? perhaps....derating power resistors to cut cost on a 60 year old design?..nah..

 

[JJR58]

And rub it in. Nice! On both accounts.

There's a song for that.

 

[dagrev]

....this one sounds and plays pretty good (Thunderbucker 66 S)

View attachment 3692872

Needs that cover on it!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

There's a song for that.

Whew. I was afraid you were going to link "Rub it in, rub it in."

 

[dagrev]

This one is going for $350
Vintage 1960's Gibson Thunderbird Bass Guitar Mute Copper T-Bird Mute Rare Part | eBay

I've got 2 of them, one from my stollen '63 II and the other from my '64 II- with original white felt-block mutes. (shown) Have both covers and black plastic spacer-feet for the '64 also. The mute on eBay (above) has been there forever. People can ask whatever they want - doesn't mean someone will put down the green. Can you imagine what my '63 mute is "worth" as it was on one of the only 3 T-bird II's that were made that year? It's been in a box since I took it off in 1974. Ironically I have no way of verifying its authenticity - there's no date on it and I have no hard-copy proof I even owned a '63 II to begin with. There's a slim chance I have the postcard (somewhere) that was returned to me from Gibson when I inquired about its year of production based on its serial number. I guess if I could find that it would be enough provenance to verify the mute.

View attachment 3692877

I have the copper and felt mutes for my '64. The felt doesn't look as pristine as those in the pic. Clearly used some over the years, but off since I've had it. I don't recall ever seeing anyone playing with them on a Thunderbird. My '64 sounds so good, I can't imagine a reason to put them back on.

 

[Beginner Craig]

Just waiting for delivery on the beauty. Big Mötley Crüe fan. Epiphone Blackbird.

 

[MCF]

View attachment 3693008

Just waiting for delivery on the beauty. Big Mötley Crüe fan. Epiphone Blackbird.

You done good my friend! Welcome to the amazing world of Thunderbirds. May there be many more in the future.

 

[JJR58]

Whew. I was afraid you were going to link "Rub it in, rub it in."

I've had enough fried chicken in my lifetime.

 

[dagrev]

View attachment 3693008

Just waiting for delivery on the beauty. Big Mötley Crüe fan. Epiphone Blackbird.

Interestingly enough my wife knows Mick Mars' son. Has an unassuming normal job in the area and is building guitars and hoping that takes off. He has interesting stories about growing up with a famous dad in the rock scene. Interesting because they don't fit the public persona you would expect at all.

Enjoy the Thunderbird!

 

[Bassmike62]

Oui, ils sont

Aaahhh, those Gauls.... Oui they are nuts , but they're also mes ancêtres

Thunderbird Question for the experts:

I have an Alpine white Thunderbird Classic IV that plays just incredibly well, but the tone is a bit "dark" for my taste. Is there a way to brighten up the tone without changing out the Pups?...higher value pots maybe?

I had one also, a couple of years ago and she was also dark sounding. Odd.

 

[JIO]

Thunderbird Question for the experts:

I have an Alpine white Thunderbird Classic IV that plays just incredibly well, but the tone is a bit "dark" for my taste. Is there a way to brighten up the tone without changing out the Pups?...higher value pots maybe?

Gibson runs 500k pots standard - you should be able to get brighter with strings and amp settings. T-birds are on the dark side by nature.

 

[PillO]

Interestingly enough my wife knows Mick Mars' son. Has an unassuming normal job in the area and is building guitars and hoping that takes off. He has interesting stories about growing up with a famous dad in the rock scene. Interesting because they don't fit the public persona you would expect at all.

Enjoy the Thunderbird!

I always thought Mick Mars was the 'boring' one. A guy who was actually interested in having a lasting career based on writing and performing music rather than indulging in all kinds of brain altering chemistry.

 

[JJR58]

Interestingly enough my wife knows Mick Mars' son. Has an unassuming normal job in the area and is building guitars and hoping that takes off. He has interesting stories about growing up with a famous dad in the rock scene. Interesting because they don't fit the public persona you would expect at all.

Enjoy the Thunderbird!

I always thought Mick Mars was the 'boring' one. A guy who was actually interested in having a lasting career based on writing and performing music rather than indulging in all kinds of brain altering chemistry.

With all due respect to everyone here. But i am quoting.

Kudos to Micks son.

Mick is a great guitar player.

Guess i'll slowly show myself the way out now.

 

[JJR58]

OOoHhhhh crap. just gonna roll with this.

 

[Gaolee]

Has anybody here any idea how and why Gibson came up with the 3 point bridge design?

Probably a flash of inspiration from a guy who was working in the warehouse. It's a huge improvement over the original two point, so there's that.

 

[Gaolee]

Thunderbird Question for the experts:

I have an Alpine white Thunderbird Classic IV that plays just incredibly well, but the tone is a bit "dark" for my taste. Is there a way to brighten up the tone without changing out the Pups?...higher value pots maybe?

Strings to start with. What are you using now?

 

[Gaolee]

Somewhat Thunderbird related, have any of you owned/tried a Schecter Ultra? They’re pretty much Schecter’s take on a T-bird, but shaped more like a tele. I’ve seen a couple great used deals on them but I’m not in an area where I can go try one in person easily. Thoughts?

It would surprise me if nobody in the club has one.

 

[Gaolee]

Gotcha. The early Fenders tended to be over-engineered, though, and you could get away with a wider variety in tube specs. And drive from the pickups. 8^)

Mudbuckers were speaker destroyers and amp blowers.