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Thunderbird Club

#14,361
The way I see it, and the ESP Stream falls into this same category, is that we already have vintage TBirds. We already have newly manufactured TBirds that look like vintage ones. If that's what ya want, it's easy to find. Because of that, there's no reason not to have modern takes on it, too. That's what makes pointy headstocks so awesome, besides that they stay in tune better.
 
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#14,363
The Dingwall is its own breed of bird! & i agree: the tight spacing of 3 pickups, truss rod access on body does make me not dig it. I've played a friends ibanez bass with fanned fret board & it's nice, took a few minutes to get used to but then it just played like any of my basses. I also prefer a bolt on neck rather than a neck through since i can easily replace the neck if i wanted something different or if the original were to break. as for the headstock, i can get used to it. Not what i normally see, but even the spector birds are 2 + 2 :p

To each their own, i wouldn't buy this bass to have in my collection just cause i don't think it'd suit my requirements (+ i've got that covered in a number of basses i own)
 
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#14,364
Larry V said:
Here's why I'm not diggin' the Dingwall.

1. Single string bridges.
2. Two plus two head stock.
3. Fanned fret board.
4. Tight spacing of the three P/U's.
5. Shelving bracket looking PG.
6. Bolt on neck.
7. Open truss rod access on the body.

It all just looks wrong and doesn't hit me as modern... just odd.
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1 and 3 are kinda Dingwall's "thing."

That said, I feel that it being bolt on is a bit of a missed opportunity.
 
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#14,367
tomshepp said:
That's a great look! How did you do the black pinstripe around the body?
Click to expand...

Thanks, Tom! It's just plain ol' automotive pinstripe tape that I freehanded around the "face" as best I could. It's not perfect, but I love the look. Might try to do something more permanent down the road unless this hangs on well. Cheap pinstripe tape from an automotive store.
 
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#14,368
Klondike said:
I could live without the single cable bridges bit it is Dingwall.

I really dig the headstock

Never tried a fanned frett board, willing to bet its more ergonomic.

The pups - at a loss for words, would have to hear the tone

Recesed pg would be wicked cool

Be fine with it being bolt on.
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The pickups are pretty interesting, I think. That middle one is about where the pickup on a MusicMan Stingray or a Rickenbacker 4000 is.
 
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#14,369
Larry V said:
Here's why I'm not diggin' the Dingwall.

1. Single string bridges.
2. Two plus two head stock.
3. Fanned fret board.
4. Tight spacing of the three P/U's.
5. Shelving bracket looking PG.
6. Bolt on neck.
7. Open truss rod access on the body.

It all just looks wrong and doesn't hit me as modern... just odd.
Click to expand...

That's why I posted my changes in my previous post - To correct several of these issues...

I kinda like the single bridges , that makes sense with the fanned fretboard - And without a fanned fretboard, it wouldn't really be a Dingwall, would it? ;)

Whether I would feel comfortable playing a fanned fretboard is a totally different question... ;)
 
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#14,371
Haji said:
The way I see it, and the ESP Stream falls into this same category, is that we already have vintage TBirds. We already have newly manufactured TBirds that look like vintage ones. If that's what ya want, it's easy to find. Because of that, there's no reason not to have modern takes on it, too. That's what makes pointy headstocks so awesome, besides that they stay in tune better.
Click to expand...

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I like all my birds....lol
 
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#14,372
Klondike said:
I could live without the single cable bridges bit it is Dingwall.

I really dig the headstock

Never tried a fanned frett board, willing to bet its more ergonomic.

The pups - at a loss for words, would have to hear the tone

Recesed pg would be wicked cool

Be fine with it being bolt on.
Click to expand...

I have played numerous Dingwalls with that pickup configuration, and it is really quite amazing, the range of tones you can cover. Normally, he uses switches for selecting different pickup combinations, but I am guessing that the D-Bird is vol/vol/vol, which would also be cool. Sheldon makes fantastic basses, and I can't wait to check one out!

That being said, I, too, would have favored a larger headstock (in-line would be cool) and a recessed pickguard would be cool. But it's pretty cool as is, for sure!
 
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#14,375
I like the Dingwall. It's not my cup of tea, exactly, but I like the fact that it's a different take on Thunderbirds. The word needs more different Thunderbirds so that more people can see the light and become 'Bird people. At this point, I think I have enough Thunderbirds. If there is such a thing. I may have to consult with our Queen.
 
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#14,376
Larry V said:
Thanks for the update. Did you do a set up with an alternate set of tuners just to see how she plays and sounds?
Click to expand...

Yes with 3 of the original keys (the bad one got shot out but i kept the spare parts that were still good), So the E-A-D strings are actually on it to keep the set up just right until i get the new keys. Was gonna use a chrome key i had lying around for the G but the hole is shallow compared to the originals. So i just didn't, but the nut is slot for each string. It does sound good, but it's the one bass that kinda doesn't sound great through my marshall 15 watt combo as opposed to my other basses. Then again, i can still get a good idea of how it sounds, that capacitor did a little something to the top end. But i guess that's why i can't wait to have the other thunderbird built & finished cause since the majority of the bass is different compared to the former goth (maple body over mahogany, p & j set pickups over humbuckers) It'll be brighter & have a good tone through the amp :P I'm also using 6 bolts for the build countersunk into the body with ferrules.
 
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#14,377
I like the Dingwall, but doubt the pickups are going to give you what you get from any of the Repro pups out there - That's okay, it's not supposed to be a reissue. I'm certain the craftsmanship will be excellent (I've played several Dingwalls @BassNW) and that it will sound great even if it strays from the original Thunderbird concept.
 
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#14,378
hillerup said:
That's why I posted my changes in my previous post - To correct several of these issues...

I kinda like the single bridges , that makes sense with the fanned fretboard - And without a fanned fretboard, it wouldn't really be a Dingwall, would it? ;)

Whether I would feel comfortable playing a fanned fretboard is a totally different question... ;)
Click to expand...
I barely noticed a difference. If a hack like me didn't notice any significant difference, a good player could really take advantage of it.
 
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