Thunderbird Club

[Gaolee]

I'm thinking that the selector switch for the three pickup Epi will be a replacement for one of the volume controls, although ditching tone controls and using each of the knobs as an individual volume control for each pickup might be a better way to go. I have been using the tone controls quite a bit lately, but having a Dimarzio One up by the neck is its own form of tone control.

 

[hillerup]

The Chinese chrome three pointer you guys put me onto arrived today.
I have installed it and it looks the goods!
A couple of interesting points about the Chinese bridge. Firstly, it was shipped to me in less than a week from Sydney! Maybe they have a distributor in Australia.
The Chinese bridge will not install on the Gibson posts (too tight). Luckily the Chinese posts will happily screw into the Gibson inserts. Really happy about that, as it means that I didn't have to change the Gibson inserts, which are still lovely and tight on this bass.
The Chinese D saddle is much too low and the string bottomed out! The rest are pretty good. But I installed all the black Gibson saddles for the sake of uniformity and she set up nicely. A little more tweaking needed but she is getting there. I might treat her to a set of new Roto nickel rounds when the new tuners arrive. A set of chrome Grovers are on their way.

Starting to look and sound like a TBird!
I have a couple of decisions to make- bridge cover and/ or tailpiece? Not worried about drilling her, as I have already have drilled for the pickup rings and I don't intend to sell it. Not sure if it would decrease the value anyway.

I know, I know, tooooo much talk.......make with the pic.

Link Removed

So... Are you going with Y-shaped Grovers or are you going with vintage styled clover tuners?

 

[veebass]

So... Are you going with Y-shaped Grovers or are you going with vintage styled clover tuners?

The Y Shaped ones for a couple of reasons.
They appear to be direct replacements for the ones that come standard on the bass. The standard ones have been really good for the 7-8 years I have had the bass.
I couldn't find the special clovers specific to a TBird in Australia or even a current importer and I despaired at trying to get the right ones dealing direct from the other side of the world.

 

[hillerup]

I'm thinking that the selector switch for the three pickup Epi will be a replacement for one of the volume controls, although ditching tone controls and using each of the knobs as an individual volume control for each pickup might be a better way to go. I have been using the tone controls quite a bit lately, but having a Dimarzio One up by the neck is its own form of tone control.

You could always do one of the following:

1. Have three volumes in a row, put a toggle where the output is and move the output to the side.

Or:

2: Have the controls placed like on the Epi Pro-IV with 3 volumes and one tone...

 

[MrVanimal]

Adding my Thunderbird to the club. 2014 in Walnut. Bought a Babicz 3 point bridge in black which I will be adding soon. Love the tone! Still getting used to the shape as I mainly play Jackson Concert Series basses.

 

[Gaolee]

You could always do one of the following:

1. Have three volumes in a row, put a toggle where the output is and move the output to the side.

Or:

2: Have the controls placed like on the Epi Pro-IV with 3 volumes and one tone...

I'm thinking three volumes and that's it. You don't need a toggle if you can turn the volume off completely with a pot.

 

[hillerup]

I'm thinking three volumes and that's it. You don't need a toggle if you can turn the volume off completely with a pot.

You've got a point there...

 

[Gaolee]

It's trip to Mike Lull is just a bit closer now. The Dimarzio is on the way, and the shop is aware that it's going to happen. No turning back, not that I would turn back from going down an entertaining rabbit hole.

 

[Count Bassie]

I like the DiMarzio idea, and I Ike adding it to the existing instead of swapping one away for it. Looking forward to seeing and hearing about it.

 

[Gaolee]

It will be a new route, right up at the end of the neck where a mudbucker ought to be. A Dimarzio One in that position sounds amazing on my EB-2, and I expect it to sound very similar when it is installed. The EB-2 can go from Entwhistle scooped snarl to pure thump. I may not use the middle pickup much, and eventually, it may get swapped out for a Precision split coil. That would make a Thunderbird that makes every sound except what a Thunderbird sounds like. I have two other Thunderbirds for that purpose and the 2015 which is its own beast.

It's a disease, I tell ya. But I don't want a cure.

 

[TBird1958]

Well Kiddos, tonight I'm off to first, a Jazz show. For Alison's B-Day we're off to Jazz Alley here in Seattle to see David Sanborn, I'm doubtful of a Thunderbird sighting

 

[JIO]

Well Kiddos, tonight I'm off to first, a Jazz show. For Alison's B-Day we're off to Jazz Alley here in Seattle to see David Sanborn, I'm doubtful of a Thunderbird sighting

Sanborns a real force in the Jazz community, (he has been of years) - it'll be top drawer from start to finish - enjoy!

 

[ThaCoast]

I've gone out to get some wood for the necks of my tiger bass & the RD bass. March sees the complete wood work of both finished & varnishing at the end of the month - start of april. Meaning i'll have tiger running up soonish. Pictures to come of them & the final stages of my non goth bird

 

[Mike A]

I think I've (mostly) decided that I'm just going to HAVE to modify a jazz-width neck for the G&L-bird to be completely happy with it. I really like the maple on Pelham scheme, but it's probably going to end up with a rosewood G&L neck instead (if all goes well.) If/when that happens, I'll probably have a spare drop-in neck for someone & will offer it here first.

 

[Leiria]

And there's the episode with The Who where JAE is playing a Thunderbird as well...

Oh yeah, I forgot about that episode. Actually had to search Google Images to see what the bass looked like. Last time I saw that episode I wasnt playing bass yet so I didnt notice. Guess that makes it my first Simpsons TBird then.

 

[Susqmike]

LowEnd T6

• Susqmike
• Mar 3, 2016

Playing my beloved LowEnd T6!

 

[Susqmike]

Gibson Custom 91 T-birrd

• Susqmike
• Mar 3, 2016
• gibson thunderbird

Has pickups from a 68 bird. Only 5 made. 1 lost in a movie set fire. One refinished. Then there...

The 91 Gibson Custom Shop. Has NOS pickups they had "laying around" from a 68! Beast.

 

[ThaCoast]

HEadstock template finished for the Tiger bird bass. Existing template courtesy of 7ender Jazz 75, & traced the B.C. Rich curved in line headstock. With some added "hints" as nod to my redburst bird's headstock slants. Epiphone got that style right - don't like the flatness of gibson's headstock. & it'll be a reverse headstock, so the E string is the furthest post from the nut. A set of left handed economy chrome tuners are going to keep this bass in tune.

Build & pictures will come starting next week.

 

[TBird1958]

Adding my Thunderbird to the club. 2014 in Walnut. Bought a Babicz 3 point bridge in black which I will be adding soon. Love the tone! Still getting used to the shape as I mainly play Jackson Concert Series basses.

Welcome MrVanimal!

That's a sweet looking Walnut Thunderbird there! Love to see some pics after you install the Babciz bridge too.
Your member # 583 here, as you can see you get to spend some time next to our honorary member Lemmy


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[TBird1958]

Gibson Custom 91 T-birrd

• Susqmike
• Mar 3, 2016
• gibson thunderbird

Has pickups from a 68 bird. Only 5 made. 1 lost in a movie set fire. One refinished. Then there...

The 91 Gibson Custom Shop. Has NOS pickups they had "laying around" from a 68! Beast.

Wow!

Can you tell us anything more about this beautiful bass - any other pics?
Stunning and rare, thanks for sharing - shall I add you to the club?