Thunderbird Club

[Miles_ONeal]

I think Yamaha has been making instruments for a long time as well.

I knew about Yamaha pianos not too long after 1971 when I got my first motorcycle (a Yammie, naturally). But if they were making anything else (they were not making THUNDERBIRDS), I didn't know about it then. In fact, the first time I saw the logo on a piano, I thought it was a joke! "I bet that piano is really fast! Is it a two stroke or four stroke?"

 

[JIO]

#allwordsmatter
At least to this author / reader. 8^)

But it feels like bait and switch.
"We has a cardinal red Thunderbird!"
(Drools, runs to see it) "Where?"
"Right here!"
"LIESSSS!!!!!!! We've been tricked, my Preciousssss..."

Actually I really like that colour (as on the T-bird pic in question) regardless of it being textbook Cardinal Red. Here's another non-Gibson NR T-bird I found a pic of - I think they called it Fiesta Red, another colour with wide variety shifts -

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Thanks for the confirmationon on my theory. So if looking for a white VP with a dark board, one should look for a 2017 model if possible.

Music Go Round has two white VPs for sale (not bad pricing on either, but possible repair and refin work). One has a dark board and one has a light board. I can only read the serial number on the light board one, but the number looks out of order - it has the 2017 year in the 2nd and 3rd position instead on the 1st and 2nd position and doesn't look anything like my serial number decal. Odd.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Very strange.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Am I the only one somewhat amused by Made in Japan instruments with Spanish names like Fernandes, Greco, Ibanez, et al?

No, sen~or.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Best way is to call. GC never seems to email back.

I don't care if they email back. I just want them to fix the stupid issues.

 

[GBassNorth]

Actually I really like that colour (as on the T-bird pic in question) regardless of it being textbook Cardinal Red. Here's another non-Gibson NR T-bird I found a pic of - I think they called it Fiesta Red, another colour with wide variety shifts -

View attachment 3784230

That's a beautiful NR. You mentioned it's not a Gibby, who made it?

 

[JIO]

That's a beautiful NR. You mentioned it's not a Gibby, who made it?

oh gosh - it was an Instagram purge... a custom maker and it was his personal bass - and affordable at a bit over $1k. I'll see if I can re-locate it...

Here it is (no affiliation) -

Custom Lap King Thunderbird bass non reverse style by Jason DuMont | J. DuMont Luthier LLC | Reverb

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Used 2017 VP with case for great price:

Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage Pro with Case | Doug's Gear Emporium | Reverb

 

[AlxRaiche]

The website still has the Thunderbird Vintage Pro. It would appear everything else has been discontinued[1]. BUT... a couple of places still have new Thunderbird Classic Pros, and the basic Thunderbird IVs still abound. But if you want either of them new, I'd get one soon.

[1] Going strictly by the website. I never saw an announcement.

Ok well just what i thought, thanks
I might continue stacking them ALLLLLL !! XD

 

[GBassNorth]

Used 2017 VP with case for great price:

Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage Pro with Case | Doug's Gear Emporium | Reverb

With the case that's a pretty good deal. Even a 2017 model.

 

[Butcherboy]

....once upon a time, about 15 years ago....playing guitar...but the reversed headstock of an Epiphone NR just behind my ass waiting....

...for performing ´Molly‘s Lips’....cool bass...(and very cool bass player)...

 

[bylar13]

Nothing says Rock-n-Roll carnage like that picture!

Out of curiosity, do you recall what song you were playing?

An original my wife wrote called "Imperial Valley". Knd of "Crazy Horse" vibe. Loud, sloppy and it gets a bit hectic at the end. That night things went a little too far...

 

[bylar13]

So I think I know the solution to the windmill issue. I don’t windmill and am not willing to cut myself to be sure. But I think the culprit may be the height adjustment screws; particularly the G screw. When the extra shim plate is installed under the bridge, the top of the height adjustment screw is exposed on some basses set for low action. The screw can be sharp. Remove the shim, raise the height setting (clockwise) and the screw edge is concealed below the top of the thread channel. This will increase the break angle, which some on here like @GBassNorth may prefer. The shim allows for more flexibility in string height adjustment, depending on the neck angle. It is not needed on most installations. I don’t find any other edges on the Babicz to be any sharper than those on a three point.

I did remove the shim plate ......afterward!

 

[TBird1958]

THANKS A LOT, found a picture of my golden Firebird logo (to match the golden Epiphone on headstock) i am now swapping all the hardware on my Silverburst for black ones (From another sunburst i bought XD)View attachment 3783631

I'd like to welcome AlxRaiche to our ranks, please join in the conversation where ever and whenever you like, we encourage all questions and you'll find several of your countrymen here - including one rather notorious Melon Helmet wearing one. You are #805 here, please be welcome AlxRaiche!


TBird 1958 #1
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lowend1 #69 Mopar or no car!
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s mcsleazy #71
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moonshinegtrs #74
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ledzep5296 #189
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chibfarm2001 #206
thisSNsucks #207
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roycroft 88 #239
finlover #240
recycled rocker #241
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penguineman #245
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PhR #249
georgestrings #250
cajunbass1985 #251
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armedmonkey #253
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faviobarrio #255
PhantomApex #256
cmassa #257
vbass_2000 #258
MrMcHaggis #259
Linchpin72 #260
whitee96 #261
edpal #262
Ibanez Bassist #263
21petro #264
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Willncarolina #266
theweirdoid #267
Gaolee #268
TheLarch #269
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chipter #274
Unclejackrock #275
Bass173 #276
tbird99 #277
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rocknroll mouse #304
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DethByDoom #312
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66Atlas #319
YOU LAND #320
Hilton Marsh #321
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Wolfpack #323
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Rotwang#326
mrb327#327
NWOBHM Kid # 328
Puisher 911 #329
Gunner 77 # 330
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dukey donkey #333
Bassco #334
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Electric Wizard #338
Ces art #339
liquorsbass #340
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jnumme #344
BklynKen #345 - First Gibson lefty!
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mattbass6945 #470
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jgould 1124 664
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Chauncy - #473
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The Bear GT500
probassace2 #501
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WSquires #545
Born To Hula #546.....Pics req'd
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MCF #549
BassDaddy77 #550
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rodv66 #624
wolverine9002 #625
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bylar13 #627
willsellout #628
alembicbones #629
7dollarbologna #630
metah_ch #631
Gluvhand #632
hazmat57 #633
TBird_MD #634
allotabass #635
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LiquidMidnight #638
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bizzybass #651
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silky smoove #664
ThunderFox #665
Lemmy #666
Dr_Feelgoood212 #667
Pillo #668 - Near the beast
JJR58 #669
BussplyrMojo #670
Pier #671
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Nevada Bob #674
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Miles_ONeal #693
Xansky #694
Megaton Aaron #695
Mr Wrench #696
Jakeman #697
byoung93888 #698
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Milchlingr #706
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Ginkgo+ #750
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jumbo steelie #759
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Redwine006 #765
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Keith Rawlings #781
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Overdriven 66 #783
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subduded67 #796
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T-BirdsAreGo #798
Beginner Craig #799
tykus #800
Midas #801
West Delta Slim #802
LetItGrowTone #803
devilof76 #804
AlxRaiche #805
Thumper #813
Dave814 #814
Kat888 #888

 

[bylar13]

oh gosh - it was an Instagram purge... a custom maker and it was his personal bass - and affordable at a bit over $1k. I'll see if I can re-locate it...

Here it is (no affiliation) -

Custom Lap King Thunderbird bass non reverse style by Jason DuMont | J. DuMont Luthier LLC | Reverb

That ended up on ebay IIRC. Went for a little over $800, I think. I had it sniped away from me. Somebody wanted it just a few dollars more...

 

[bylar13]

It is true that many colors as we know them as vintage finishes have been altered by aging/amber-ing. Those are the ones I most am most attracted to. Like this BMM example. Warm lighting also tends to 'warm-up' subtle colours. BMM when new/fresh can look very 'pink', but with amber-ing has a more dusty rose patina/hue. That look can be achieved new by shooting a thinned amber over the BBM, just enough to warm it up. I have an Oly white early '66 J with matching hs which I love, but this would be my second choice as far as a 'classic/classy' J goes. I always imagine it being played on stage backing up Tony Bennet -- a classy performer if there ever was one.

View attachment 3783951

My wife's burgandy Mist SG has "mellowed" with age. I bought for her in 1995. It had sat at a local music stor for years. Nobody wanted a guitar this color in the late 1980's. Also it wasn't pointy enough and did not have a locking tremolo. As such the guy let me have it for around $500 new with a case I think I traded sometin in as well.

 

[MCF]

I think Yamaha has been making instruments for a long time as well.

They have been. I don’t remember them marketing guitars much here other than perhaps pianos and flutes until later in the eighties

An original my wife wrote called "Imperial Valley". Knd of "Crazy Horse" vibe. Loud, sloppy and it gets a bit hectic at the end. That night things went a little too far...

CH Vibe? Would love to hear it! Worked on Rust - Side Two yesterday.

 

[MCF]

I did remove the shim plate ......afterward!

Thought so.

 

[GonePlaid]

oh gosh - it was an Instagram purge... a custom maker and it was his personal bass - and affordable at a bit over $1k. I'll see if I can re-locate it...

Here it is (no affiliation) -

Custom Lap King Thunderbird bass non reverse style by Jason DuMont | J. DuMont Luthier LLC | Reverb

Nice. And it didn't need a bridge cover.

 

[GonePlaid]

That ended up on ebay IIRC. Went for a little over $800, I think. I had it sniped away from me. Somebody wanted it just a few dollars more...

Clint Eastwood?