Thunderbird Club

[BklynKen]

i thought about getting white screws, removing the PG, and just filling the holes with the screws.

Isn't the pickguard covering an electronics cut-out?

 

[MCF]

There's always this one from Philadelphia Luthier
Bass guitar bridges

Ouch!

 

[GonePlaid]

These shipping problems (and there are a lot of them outside of the basses mentioned in this club) remind me of the Monty Python Castle Storming segment from the Holy Grail. All USPS tells me every time I check the status is it's in transit, it's in transit, it's in transit - then Bang - it's delivered.
Maybe the USPS is using this guy for deliveries...

At the one trucking company I worked for, when people would call asking about their freight, they were told(after a coupla minutes on "hold")"It's on the truck". This was w/o specifying whether it was the local delivery truck or the one in West Left Pantleg, Nebraska.

 

[TBird1958]

New bass fun......

You know it's mine if a Subaru is involved! Here's my new (to me) 2005 Gibson Studio Bird, love the cherry finish! It's distinctly different from the standard model being of set neck construction.

Here's a short video as well.
The (backyard) bar is open, I'm going for a Moscow Mule.

 

[MCF]

New bass fun......

You know it's mine if a Subaru is involved! Here's my new (to me) 2005 Gibson Studio Bird, love the cherry finish! It's distinctly different from the standard model being of set neck construction.

View attachment 3833482

Here's a short video as well.
The (backyard) bar is open, I'm going for a Moscow Mule.

Congrats V! Sounds great. Thanks for the vid.

 

[BklynKen]

New bass fun......

You know it's mine if a Subaru is involved! Here's my new (to me) 2005 Gibson Studio Bird, love the cherry finish! It's distinctly different from the standard model being of set neck construction.

View attachment 3833482

Here's a short video as well.
The (backyard) bar is open, I'm going for a Moscow Mule.

Sounds and looks great! Love the dress, too.

Just one correction: The strings are 50-105. Just the two high strings are a little beefier. Two low are the standard.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Isn't the pickguard covering an electronics cut-out?

Yeah. Have to cover that, too.
Or just not sweat it. It’s white!

 

[BklynKen]

Yeah. Have to cover that, too.
Or just not sweat it. It’s white!

I say leave it. I love a white-on-white Thunderbird.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

While I am waiting for some info from Epi after I failed to flip a saddle in my VP, I am searching for some direct bridge replacement just in case.
Here is what I found:
View attachment 3833144
And here is link:
BACH THD BASS SET

49,72 EUR

Great bridge, makes the original look/feel wimpy...never had a problem intonating. The claw’s a little Flintstones so I got one from Scott..

 

[dagrev]

New bass fun......

You know it's mine if a Subaru is involved! Here's my new (to me) 2005 Gibson Studio Bird, love the cherry finish! It's distinctly different from the standard model being of set neck construction.

View attachment 3833482

Here's a short video as well.
The (backyard) bar is open, I'm going for a Moscow Mule.

Congrats on the bass! It looks wonderful. I really like that finish.

 

[Toptube]

For fun--while waiting for my Thunderbird to arrive--I was reading through some posts about Thunderbirds and hearing the usual nonsense. They won't fit on a guitar stand, neck dive, they are "fragile," and my favorite, they just aren't "versatile;" and about all they are good for a hard rock. I especially like how a Pbass was way more versatile. But I wonder how many realize a Thunderbird typically has two pickups, not one. I would think that should add something to the versatility just a tad. Not ragging on Pbasses by any means. Almost any bass is capable of a wide range of styles if the user knows very much. The things people go around spouting with great certitude that just isn't so.

I think the issue here is completely this:

98% of thunderbird content I see is someone playing with a pick and doing relatively the same tone as everyone else in those 98% picking videos.

Which is part of why I feel pretty special and sentimental about my thunderbird inspiration

 

[Toptube]

And here is some extra info from the old tread in case someone needs a new bridge for their VPs:

Thunderbird "'60s Vintage" Replacement Bridge

There's another supposedly american made bridge, which is sold in several places, for like $150.

And I dunno if it fits, but its probably worth contact Hipshot about whatever they supplied Mike Lull with, for his birds.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

There's another supposedly american made bridge, which is sold in several places, for like $150.

And I dunno if it fits, but its probably worth contact Hipshot about whatever they supplied Mike Lull with, for his birds.

i have pondered a Hipshot D style, reversed. Not sure it would work, tho.

 

[Toptube]

I suspect you all might guess what I’m thinking about now. Interesting.
Schecter Reintroduces the Ultra Bass

I have one of the previous versions of the Ultra Bass. Its currently gutted and far away in storage, otherwise I would post pics. But here are some thoughts:

Balances great and the reach is good.

The body is slimmer than any other bass I have personally played. Feels nice, actually.

Neck is quite slim and radius is pretty flat. Probably like 16inch. Very easy neck to play.

the bridge on mine is a two piece and it leave a bit to be desired. As I mentioned previously, It has no individual height adjustment and I don't think the radius is matched, exactly. I think its probably a 12 inch radius. Not bad, but I always felt like I couldn't get as good a setup as I would like. IMO, the new one piece bridge should be an absolute upgrade, in terms of usability and adjustibility.

The EMB TB Hertz pickups are solid. They aren't quite as dark as modern Gibson pickups and lean a little more fendery. They don't really sound like EMGs, which is a good thing, IMO. Whereas the Active EMG TB pickukps are much more of the EMG tone. I would encourage anyone interested in an Ultra bass, to not plan on replacing the pickups right away. and instead, give the TB-Hz a couple of months to get to know them.

My Ultra bass doesn't have quite enough pitch on the neck angle. I have to make sure I max out the strings on the pegs, to get a decent secure break over the nut. Someday I will bother to put a string tree on there. Hopefully the new Ultra bass has another degree two on the break angle.

The frets on mine aren't properly rounded. they have more of that rhombus shape to them. Its never been a problem. But seems a bit cheap.

I think mine is probably Sepele body wings, rather than true Honduras mahogany. But its also very stripey and looks very good.

Mind is 5 piece maple and walnut. No reinforcement rods. It is absoultely the most rock solid neck of any of my basses. It doesn't move for anything. And its the thinnest neck of any of my basses, as well. I even have a very nice Carvin with 5 piece walnut/white korina neck with carbon rods. And it moves more than my Ultra bass.

Overall, I think the Ultra bass is pretty rad. And the new one has some extra stuff going on, such as neck binding, etc. Seems like they may be a bit better quality and have thought about at least some of the shortcomings (new bridge, etc).

 

[Toptube]

New bass fun......

You know it's mine if a Subaru is involved! Here's my new (to me) 2005 Gibson Studio Bird, love the cherry finish! It's distinctly different from the standard model being of set neck construction.

View attachment 3833482

Here's a short video as well.
The (backyard) bar is open, I'm going for a Moscow Mule.

I considered getting a studio. And now I want one!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Thanos snaps his fingers, and every THUNDERBIRD bass or bass with THUNDERBIRD pickups turns to dust. He snaps again, and every bass but one - which you will get - turns into spiders, which all scurry away like basilisks are upon them.

What do you hope that bass is?

Please don’t ask why Thanos hates bass players. That story is personally embarassing.

 

[Toptube]

Thanos snaps his fingers, and every THUNDERBIRD bass or bass with THUNDERBIRD pickups turns to dust. He snaps again, and every bass but one - which you will get - turns into spiders, which all scurry away like basilisks are upon them.

What do you hope that bass is?

Please don’t ask why Thanos hates bass players. That story is personally embarassing.

Kiesel/Carvin Icon 5. They. are. that. good.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Kiesel/Carvin Icon 5. They. are. that. good.

I have only seen pics. They are gorgeous.

 

[Toptube]

I have only seen pics. They are gorgeous.

To get order a new one nowadays----not the great value they used to be. The Icon's price is inflated right now, for some reason. Even compared to Kiesel's other offerings. However, it is still a really great bass and if mine dissappeared, I would be ok with paying the current pricing for one.

However, they can be found used and as long as you like the options-----A used Icon is a really great value.

 

[GonePlaid]

Thanos snaps his fingers, and every THUNDERBIRD bass or bass with THUNDERBIRD pickups turns to dust. He snaps again, and every bass but one - which you will get - turns into spiders, which all scurry away like basilisks are upon them.

What do you hope that bass is?

Please don’t ask why Thanos hates bass players. That story is personally embarassing.

Easy for me: 66 Gibson THUNDERBIRD II Sunburst or Dark Cherry w/ OHSC.