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Thunderbird Club

#14,501
Gabacho said:
I'm in the process of making some ashtrays myself - which may or may not work. I've gone through a few prototypes to try and get the size and profile correct, and think I've got them about right. I had to order a new blade for the old bandsaw, though, so I'm stalled for the time being. Then I need to try and get a vendor i work with to plate them for me, without getting myself fired. There is no good diy substitute for nickel plating that I've found.
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I'm guessing you've got some stamping experience and know how to make low-cost prototype tooling... very cool.
 
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#14,502
Gabacho said:
There is no good diy substitute for nickel plating that I've found.
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Make them out of solid nickel silver.

P1010657P_zps9y2q1ocg.jpg


Be advised the center strip on different TBirds (60s-70s, bolt ons, pros, etc.) are all different and require different cove widths. Also bridge coverheights for different years because of the neck angles and height of the 3 point.

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Steve Soar custom makes them for every width and height.

P1010477.jpg
 

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#14,504
Dadagoboi said:
Make them out of solid nickel silver.

P1010657P_zps9y2q1ocg.jpg


Be advised the center strip on different TBirds (60s-70s, bolt ons, pros, etc.) are all different and require different cove widths. Also bridge coverheights for different years because of the neck angles and height of the 3 point.

ATTACH]


Steve Soar custom makes them for every width and height.

P1010477.jpg
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The covers and tail piece are so tempting for my recently blinged 08 Gibson- see a few pages back.
In communication with Steve at present about the spacers for the pickup rings- I believe he out of them at the moment.
 

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#14,505
veebass said:
In communication with Steve at present about the spacers for the pickup rings- he out of them at the moment.
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Don't I know it...have a pair of basses ready to ship to Japan that I'm scavenging spacers from other basses.
 
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#14,507
Gabacho said:
Affordable used lefty necks don't grow on trees, so I was extra careful. The action is still a bit high, thanks to the fretless conversion. I'm waiting on delivery of a Hipshot Supertone bridge, which I've been told should give more flexibility to get the action lower than the three point epi bridge.

I'm looking, and NOT FINDING ashtrays. I love the ashtray look - I put them on my sunburst Jazz bass, and get tons of compliments. I'm also replacing the round fender string tree thing with a hipshot 3 string retainer. The E string likes popping out of the round one.

I'm not sure what else I'll do for now, if anything. I liked this guitar enough stock that I've got my eye on a sunburst set-neck. I can't spend more on gear than my wife spends on purses and shoes without suffering serious guilt pangs.
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Gibson and Scott's (GodofThunder59) reproductions will not fit a bolt on neck Epi, I tried a test fit after reading your post. You might check the Thunderbucker Ranch as they have some repros there that *may* fit an Epi.
 
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#14,508
Tomorrow is the big test for my thunderbird at practice after 4 months out of the spotlight. I'm gonna see if the pickups will need to be swapped or not due to the loose bridge pickup wire (i could always disconnect it & use the neck pickup only). If i do, i'm going to source some Gibson TB+ pickups for the bird (there's a pair on my local used listing for 100$). Or i'll just wait til i get the classic pro in white & use its pickups if i go for the chinese chromes
 
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#14,510
Korladis said:
Will any of the aftermarket chrome pickups fit an Epiphone Classic IV?
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Yes, they're the same size, just thinner so you'll need to shim underneath them - very easy!
 
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#14,514
I'm a manager at a
Larry V said:
I'm guessing you've got some stamping experience and know how to make low-cost prototype tooling... very cool.
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I'm a manager at a couple large manufacturing plants - one of which does a ton of stamping. Both of which have skilled tool & die guys. It would be the easiest thing in the world to stamp them, but after thinking about it, I don't think there's enough demand to break even - without doing it "after hours", which would be a bad idea. Probably going to have to make myself a set and be done.
 
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#14,515
Gabacho said:
I'm a manager at a


I'm a manager at a couple large manufacturing plants - one of which does a ton of stamping. Both of which have skilled tool & die guys. It would be the easiest thing in the world to stamp them, but after thinking about it, I don't think there's enough demand to break even - without doing it "after hours", which would be a bad idea. Probably going to have to make myself a set and be done.
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Awesome! I'm in my 31st year in the tool & die biz myself. Spent a couple of years at a small design/build and stamping shop where I got to be a part of all three disciplines. Learned a lot in the machine shop and running presses but ended up in the design office because that's where I really wanted to be. Now I have 26 years with GM at Flint Tool & Die as a Journeyman Die Designer.

I bet you could do a hand-fed two station gap die pretty cheap. ;)

That would be a sure way to get fired at GM. :laugh:
 
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#14,519
Gabacho said:
So, long-time stalker, 1st time poster. I always find an abundance of helpful info here. I'm hoping to contribute anything that may be useful going forward. My expertise pales in comparison to many here, I'm sure, but maybe my clumsy ramblings will be an inspiration - for better or worse...

I have had the gear bug pretty bad lately, and decided it was time to give fretless a shot. Long story short, I was inspired to defret something rather than buy stock fretless. My guitarist has a board full of awesome homemade pedals, and I guess I am a bit jealous of his diy skills. I've always played jazz bass necks (real or MIJ copies), so I started looking for a Fender. On CL, I stumbled on a cool looking Epi Thunderbird, and after reading a TON of talkbass threads, decided to give it a shot. I don't think I'd ever played a gibson bass, other than an SG - which I hated. But I really loved the way this epi thunderbird felt, that I didn't want to mess it up. But after checking out the assorted Fenderbird's here (tbird1958, namely) I decided to give it a go.View attachment 819384
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Pretty Pelham Blue bird you got there - Have one exactly the same... :)
 
#14,520
Gabacho said:
Found a lefty p-bass neck, and ripped out the frets. That part was easy. Decided to shave the neck to fit the pocket rather than vice-versa, so I can put it back to stock if necessary. It wasn't an expensive guitar, but my daughter begged me not to mess it up, because she wants it.

The neck alteration went easier than expected, even while hungover on the couch with a wood chisel, and dremel. I'm stunned that I didn't get impatient and jack it up. I did throw it on a belt sander to thin the neck profile to more closely match the original neck. This worked nicely, but was a bit of a mistake. I didn't check the action height, because I didn't have hardware or strings on the neck. I ended up having to put in a thin shim to get the action remotely close.View attachment 819396
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I like it, but I liked it better original.... Should listen more to your daughter! ;)
 

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