Thunderbird Club

[PillO]

UPS now has a map that lets you see the final delivery truck's location. Of course, if you don't know it's route, it can drive you nuts coming close and them going away again.

Maybe it isn't showing you the truck at all, maybe it is just messing with you!

Actually, they have invested heavily in route planning software. The software tries to minimize the cost of delivery. I recall that one of the things that he software does is minimize left turns as the truck can spend extra time idling while waiting to make the turn. So the truck could pass by your house in one direction but not stop because it would require a left turn into the drive and instead make the delivery as the truck goes the opposite direction on the street.

 

[PillO]

Maybe speaking from ignorance here, but I know they can't raise postal rates much, which I believe is different from their shipping rates. I may be wrong on that so don't quote me.

Well, just to spite you, your post is quoted.

If memory serves, the US constitution requires that the federal government operate a postal service.

If USPS is like CanadaPost, then letter mail is regulated to be a monopoly. But package delivery is unregulated. There are periodic complaints of unfair competition in that the post office can use letter mail to subsidize packages.

 

[fasterpussycat]

Hey all! I’ve got a quick question for this vast pool of knowledge. I know it’s probably been discussed already but I’m looking for more concise info since I’ve been researching for days now.

I’ve got an Epiphone T-Bird Pro and I’m planning on gutting the electronics and upgrading everything. Only problem is, I can’t really find any pickups that’ll drop into the body without doing some woodwork.

I’ve seen the recommendations of Thunderbuckers, Lollers, and I took a quick look at Lulls (until I seen the price) but I was wondering if there’s any other options? I’m trying to find some passives that won’t cost as much as the bass, but if that’s what has got to happen then it’s gotta happen.

Posting the bird for contribution~

View attachment 3834510

I have done it. The electronics/pickups in that Bird are a disgrace. I paid a luthier, then I saw the amount of wood you need to remove to fit a standard size Thunderbird pickup is miniscule. Can do it yourself with a Dremel or even a sharp chisel if you are careful. Bit of masking tape and you are away. Pickup rings hide the evidence.

 

[dagrev]

Sure, go ahead. Quote me in spite of my request. I get abuse from the post office, why not you too. Might as well get in on the abuse party.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

You guys sure picked one he11 of a time to buy Birds...

mine came straight here from IL. Truly sorry for y’all with migratory disruptions. That sûx.

 

[BklynKen]

Maybe speaking from ignorance here, but I know they can't raise postal rates much, which I believe is different from their shipping rates. I may be wrong on that so don't quote me.

Not sure what the difference is between those rates, but what I was initially thinking of was the USPS feature on John Oliver. You can look it up. I'd probably get warned or banned for linking to it.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I tried to get parts out of Epi recently and they told me 'no'.

you have to go through an authorized Epi repair center, IIRC.

 

[TBird1958]

It’s not a Bird, but I’m of the opinion it never hurts to have one of these in the family. This looks to be a very nice specimen. No affiliation; just thought I’d pass the info along.
For Sale - 2017 Fender P Bass

I am completely immune (there may be a P bass half buried in the backyard, I may run over it with the rototiller next week) , these have no power over me - Give me a (another) Gibson please!

 

[Nocturnal]

I can finally finish my projects...

View attachment 3834727

Nice!!!!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I am completely immune (there may be a P bass half buried in the backyard, I may run over it with the rototiller next week) , these have no power over me - Give me a (another) Gibson please!

Roger that. I have friends who love their Ps like we love Ts. We play each other's basses if we need to, and think, "That's cool!", but are quite content to get back to our own, feeling no need to go buy one of the others.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

THE post on setting up an Epi bass ( Epiphone Thunderbird IV Adjustable Bridge Problem ) says, "Epi truss rods move easily (if noisily)". Do others find this to be true? "Easily" rings sorta true on one of the Epis I've adjusted. Not on the other three.
I was worried the Pro's adjuster was at is max. I had the short end of the allen wrench in there and had to use waterpump pliers to get enough leverage to turn it! But if the small wrenches that came with the CP are Epi-provided, then Epiphone clearly thinks they should adjust easily.

 

[GonePlaid]

Pssst. You forgot to specify colour...

At this point, I'll take anything. Even watermelon stripes.

 

[GonePlaid]

UPS and FedEx have certain delivery paths that some items normally take that can seem odd. For example, the main air hub for UPS is here in Louisville. This may have changed, but every piece of air shipments passed through Louisville to wherever it was going. So a package would fly to from CA to KY, then back to CA because it was/is the main sorting air hub. I believe UPS has developed air paths that might be a little more regional in some cases now. FedEx has a ground hub not far from here and things will go past Louisville to the hub, then back in this direction. It all arrives on the expected time, but the path looks odd. They both have a plan. Not so the PO.

FedEx goes through Memphis. They also handle USPS Priority.

 

[Nocturnal]

Roger that. I have friends who love their Ps like we love Ts. We play each other's basses if we need to, and think, "That's cool!", but are quite content to get back to our own, feeling no need to go buy one of the others.

I like my non-7ender P-basses (ESP and St. Blues) and I like the sounds I get from them. But they don't give me the same thrill that a Thunderbird does.

 

[GBassNorth]

Still waiting to hear from Epi. Even if they are willing to send me bolt and nut or the whole new bridge, it will not solve intonation problem. It will definitely improve visual aspect of what I have now though.
For the time being I just use the one I have with saddle all the way back. It sits tight so this should work for now. Or I can flip a saddle and move it slightly forward. If it holds tune I will keep it like this for now.
I am starting saving for the new one. Just have to choose something from all the options available.

I suspect you'll find that Epiphone won't sell components to individuals. If it's the same in Poland as here you'll need to take the bass (or bridge) to an authorized Epiphone repair shop. They are typically authorized by Epiphone to repair or replace components. I took a quick look for authorized Epiphone repair shops in your area but wasn't able to find any. This shop is a little far from you but they might know of a repair shop in your area...
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Good luck with the fix.

 

[GonePlaid]

I am completely immune (there may be a P bass half buried in the backyard, I may run over it with the rototiller next week) , these have no power over me - Give me a (another) Gibson please!

With my short fingers, a P neck is outta the question. A J neck is OK, but it's a J.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

At this point, I'll take anything. Even watermelon stripes.

That sounds like a dare.

 

[Toptube]

OK I finally put the GHS Supersteels on my Vintage Pro Thunderbird.

Initial impressions are similar to when I put them on my Dano shortscale, way back once upon a time.

1. holy $%!# these feel so smooth
2. The balanced tension is pretty nice. The overall feel is definitely an improvement over the stock strings. The high strings feel less stiff and the low strings have more resistant. The E in particular, does behave much better.

3. The tone is really interesting because.....they aren't actually super bright. The mids are definitely less present. But its not like, scooped. They are just lower volume. And overall, its a dry, yet rounded tone. Actually less clanky than the stock strings and seem to play more "into" the wood. The neck needs to settle in for a day but its a good start!

BTW: I used the "long scale plus" version and they were a near perfect fit. The E could be a teensy bit shorter for comfort. But its a good fit, overall.

 

[RedVee]

With my short fingers, a P neck is outta the question. A J neck is OK, but it's a J.

you can p with a j neck. Duck Dunn dun did it

 

[RedVee]

After Thanos, I’d go for an Ivory JCB with contrasting black pickup and hardware.

If no Gibson family basses then I’d be happy with Stings ‘50 something Pbass, with the white pick guard put back on.