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Thunderbird Club

#14,683
Sartori said:
Were there two models of T-bird offered back in the day? I've seen some with only one pickup like that, and others with two pickups.
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Yes, the thunderbird II (single pickup) & thunderbird IV (two pickups). I believe the II was introduced in 63 when gibson had started making thunderbirds & the IV was introduced sometime mid 63 or start of 64 til 66 when they changed the design to the non reverse (66-69). Then thunderbird production only came back in 76 (bi-centennial) til 79 & then didn't appear until 88/89 which is the version we all see & know more about today.
 
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#14,684
Sheeesh......must be the "naming" thing or online stores don't pay any attention to what photos they post.

To simplify it that's the one I tested out (the picture...who knows what name was on the tag)..........

Thanks!
 
#14,685
Feralhog said:
Yes, but look at the strap button! :woot:
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If I remember correctly the active Epi TBirds had the strap button on the side of the body when they were first released. Later they moved it to the neck heel like it is on the Gibsons. If you do a Google image search for Epiphone Thunderbird you can find a group shot of the Pro in all 3 finishes with the strap button on the side of the body. I don't know how long they had it in that spot but they changed it at some point. You can also find images of used Pro's for sale with the strap button on the side instead of the heel.
 
#14,686
Nocturnal said:
If I remember correctly the active Epi TBirds had the strap button on the side of the body when they were first released. Later they moved it to the neck heel like it is on the Gibsons. If you do a Google image search for Epiphone Thunderbird you can find a group shot of the Pro in all 3 finishes with the strap button on the side of the body. I don't know how long they had it in that spot but they changed it at some point. You can also find images of used Pro's for sale with the strap button on the side instead of the heel.
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I stand corrected...

All the original Pro-IV and Pro-V Press pictures on the Epiphone Press site (Link Removed) has the strap buttons mounted on the upper bout.

Both my Pro-IV and Pro-V has strap buttons on both the upper bout and the neck heel positions - Since both were purchased 2nd hand, I suppose the original owners moved the original strap buttons.

image.jpeg
 
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#14,687
Feralhog said:
So which one is this? I see what is says it is but something either has changed or there is yet another version out there?

Epiphone Thunderbird Pro - Sunburst
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That's a Pro IV with active electronics and neck-through construction. Those have the strap button in the wrong place. You have to move the strap button, in my opinion. Actually, that is what my now fretless 'Bird started out as. I got it second hand, and the strap button had already been moved. It's the Classic Pro that has the strap button in the correct location from the get-go. Even more confusion, eh?
 
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#14,689
Gaolee said:
That's a Pro IV with active electronics and neck-through construction. Those have the strap button in the wrong place. You have to move the strap button, in my opinion. Actually, that is what my now fretless 'Bird started out as. I got it second hand, and the strap button had already been moved. It's the Classic Pro that has the strap button in the correct location from the get-go. Even more confusion, eh?
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:banghead: Epiphone is messin' with me! I'll just shop until I find one with four knobs and the strap button in the correct (for me) location..........:hyper:
 
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#14,697
waitin on the mailman for Pressurewounds for the '08 Tbird!!! I bought this on ebay from a local pawn shop so no shipping. The fretboard had never been cleaned and had a ton of hand cheese up to about the 10th fret. Good old 0000 steel wool! a dab of Dr Duck's and it looks great!!! I'll take a pic when I get the strings on.

Also I'm thinking of tuning DGCF and using spider capo for E, or just tune the E down to D and only use the one dealio on the spider capo.. I could flip it when not needed.... Gonna have to experiment to see what will work best. maybe a drop D tuner
 
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#14,700
Feralhog said:
"Hold my beer" and "watch this" never ends well........
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Especially when it also includes a power drill, a bass guitar, screws, wire, a soldering iron...

Actually, my 1991 has been the victim mostly. It was bone stock but really well used when I got it. Since then, I have installed chrome clover tuners that required reaming out the tuning peg holes and drilling holes in a different location that the original screws that set the tuners in place. I have installed a bridge cover and pickup cover. The first location of the bridge cover was pretty much where Gibson would have put it in the 1960s or 1970s, but it didn't look quite right with the Babicz bridge I also installed. So, two more holes and it's in the right place. It's got HongKong Bucker pickups on it, and those have pickup trim rings. I used a drill bit that had too small a diameter when installing the neck pickup ring, so the screw heads twisted off where it screws into the middle hardwood laminates. The other pickup ring went in without issue since I used a bigger bit.

So, it actually did end well if you don't ever take anything apart and see what's underneath. No beer was involved. The refrigerator held it for me at the time.
 
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