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Thunderbird Club

#152,581
Not a Thunderbird, so I'm counting on Oz to not be Thursday any more. The new to me guitar:
20200521_140256[1].jpg
20200521_140318_Burst01[1].jpg

You can see the tuning machine that's damaged. I can still tune it with a Crescent wrench, but that's not ideal. For what I paid for it, replacing the tuning machines is just fine. There back and sides are veneers, but looking inside the soundhole shows dark wood that's probably also rosewood. This one cannot leave the country.

New tuning machines are on the way - the old ones suck. I'm thinking about replacing the pins with nicer looking ones. The black plastic ones it has work fine, but do not have much charisma.
 
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#152,582
Gaolee said:
Interesting. There's something odd going on, since I am very happy with Black Beauties on modern Thunderbirds, and I hate that nasal J honk. That sound has a flat, muddy light green quality that just sucks. Somewhere between cream of creek-scum and mint ice cream in a mud puddle. The 2001 has had Black Beauties on it more than any other string, and I keep going back to them on that bass for a reason. I don't have them on anything right now, but that's because I just don't. The cycle of experiments would be a whole lot more useful if I could remember what strings were on what bass though.
Click to expand...

I also love the Black Beauties on my 2001 Bird. They just seem......"right".
 
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#152,583
Gaolee said:
Interesting. There's something odd going on, since I am very happy with Black Beauties on modern Thunderbirds, and I hate that nasal J honk. That sound has a flat, muddy light green quality that just sucks. Somewhere between cream of creek-scum and mint ice cream in a mud puddle. The 2001 has had Black Beauties on it more than any other string, and I keep going back to them on that bass for a reason. I don't have them on anything right now, but that's because I just don't. The cycle of experiments would be a whole lot more useful if I could remember what strings were on what bass though.
Click to expand...
Interesting. Thanks for the info and perspective. How you you have your PUs set? Low, high, one low the other high? I think the honk is more noticeable with the bridge PU. Seems to be lessened when its more neck and little or no bridge.
 
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#152,584
FlyingPigSound said:
Used Epi tobacco burst VP showed up today! UPS figured the most logical route was to ship it from Wisconsin to Illinois via California and Oregon...but it’s here safe and sound.
$450 shipped (no case) was too good a deal to pass up (minus $100 in Reverb gift cards from my birthday!
View attachment 3838212 View attachment 3838213
Click to expand...
Fantastic! Looks like a keeper. Congrats on the bird landing.
 
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#152,585
Gaolee said:
Not a Thunderbird, so I'm counting on Oz to not be Thursday any more. The new to me guitar:
View attachment 3838279 View attachment 3838280
You can see the tuning machine that's damaged. I can still tune it with a Crescent wrench, but that's not ideal. For what I paid for it, replacing the tuning machines is just fine. There back and sides are veneers, but looking inside the soundhole shows dark wood that's probably also rosewood. This one cannot leave the country.

New tuning machines are on the way - the old ones suck. I'm thinking about replacing the pins with nicer looking ones. The black plastic ones it has work fine, but do not have much charisma.
Click to expand...
Looks great in the pics!
 
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#152,587
Gaolee said:
Not a Thunderbird, so I'm counting on Oz to not be Thursday any more. The new to me guitar:
View attachment 3838279 View attachment 3838280
You can see the tuning machine that's damaged. I can still tune it with a Crescent wrench, but that's not ideal. For what I paid for it, replacing the tuning machines is just fine. There back and sides are veneers, but looking inside the soundhole shows dark wood that's probably also rosewood. This one cannot leave the country.

New tuning machines are on the way - the old ones suck. I'm thinking about replacing the pins with nicer looking ones. The black plastic ones it has work fine, but do not have much charisma.
Click to expand...

lookin good!

(it is Friday here)
 
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#152,588
Gaolee said:
Not a Thunderbird, so I'm counting on Oz to not be Thursday any more. The new to me guitar:
View attachment 3838279 View attachment 3838280
You can see the tuning machine that's damaged. I can still tune it with a Crescent wrench, but that's not ideal. For what I paid for it, replacing the tuning machines is just fine. There back and sides are veneers, but looking inside the soundhole shows dark wood that's probably also rosewood. This one cannot leave the country.

New tuning machines are on the way - the old ones suck. I'm thinking about replacing the pins with nicer looking ones. The black plastic ones it has work fine, but do not have much charisma.
Click to expand...
Nice! I thought I read that CITEs thing went away for instruments.
 
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#152,597
dagrev said:
Interesting. Thanks for the info and perspective. How you you have your PUs set? Low, high, one low the other high? I think the honk is more noticeable with the bridge PU. Seems to be lessened when its more neck and little or no bridge.
Click to expand...
Both set high. It gets a good angry piano with Cobalt flats, but as I recall that is not what you are looking for. It can also be a Precision meets Godzilla bass when you roll off the bridge pickup. I tend to run the tone wide open.
 
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#152,598
Last edited:
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#152,599
FlyingPigSound said:
Used Epi tobacco burst VP showed up today! UPS figured the most logical route was to ship it from Wisconsin to Illinois via California and Oregon...but it’s here safe and sound.
$450 shipped (no case) was too good a deal to pass up (minus $100 in Reverb gift cards from my birthday!
View attachment 3838212 View attachment 3838213
Click to expand...
Congrats! Look at it as $330 for the beautiful bird, $120 to ship it less the gift card. You only paid $230 of your money for it. The deal of the month!
 
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