Thunderbird Club

[Miles_ONeal]

Got a new addition last week (the Pro V), so I thought I'd post a pic of my two Epi T-birds for you guys

View attachment 3842146

Lovely! Where did you get the Pro?

 

[KaraQ]

Lovely! Where did you get the Pro?

I just happened to spot it on eBay, being sold by a second-hand store in MT. Had to delay some non-essential auto repairs to pay for it, but worth it IMO.

 

[MCF]

Got a new addition last week (the Pro V), so I thought I'd post a pic of my two Epi T-birds for you guys

View attachment 3842146

Congrats!

 

[BklynKen]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've never tried those. Very different from DM Blue Steels? Those I have. If I'm thinking of the right vid, I'm not sure that tone is one that would work for my preferences. But it just might, who knows. Definitely something to consider and uncharted territory for me. Shoot, Rotos might be an option. I have a set of nickle Rotos, but it's been years since I've played the steels.

My options at home are: GHS Precsion Flats, GHS Progressives and Pressurewounds (both alloy 52), Fender Pure Nickle and GHS Balanced Nickle, DA XLs (which I've not liked on anything), Fender Flats, DM Blue Steels, Infeld Supperalloys, Roto NPS, Roto Flats (humm, there's a thought maybe), Sunbeams and DR Dragon Skins, maybe something else.

Yeah, sounds like we have very different taste, if that tone didn't appeal to you. Good luck with your search.

 

[Gaolee]

...Had to delay some non-essential auto repairs to pay for it, but worth it IMO.

Indeed! Those do not come up very often at all.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I just happened to spot it on eBay, being sold by a second-hand store in MT. Had to delay some non-essential auto repairs to pay for it, but worth it IMO.

What are your thoughts so far ?

 

[dagrev]

Yeah, sounds like we have very different taste, if that tone didn't appeal to you. Good luck with your search.

But you know, something that bright and punchy in the upper mids like Roto 66s just might provide what could be lacking naturally in the Gibson PUs. My only bright strings on hand are the Blue Steels and GHS Progressives. I don't find either of them too bright. I do have a new set of whatever came new on one of the VPs. Seems to be some kind of generic version of SS or Rotos. I'm not sure anyone knows who makes them. Might give them a try as well, but not sure how similar they are to Rotos. I've got a $40 gift card from Guitar Center and may give something off my typical radar a try.

 

[KaraQ]

What are your thoughts so far ?

So far, I really like it. It's in really good shape for 11 years old, only a few very minor dings. Less noticeable because of the natural finish. Needs a good cleaning, looks like it hasn't been done properly in ages.
The wider neck/extra string obviously gives it a different feel to the 4-string. Different from my Ibanez 5-string too, better I think. Don't much care for the strings, rounds that look like they're probably the same as the factory strings on the Ibanez. Got some new Rotosound 77's (same as the 4-string T-bird) waiting for me to pick up tomorrow.
Once I get those on, and finish the cleaning & setup, I think it's gonna be pretty awesome

 

[Mick James]

If anyone is selling a Gibson 5 Thunderbird, Please let me know!

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Vincenzo! Just in time for this, funny, you came to mind when I saw it today...
View attachment 3841086

I sensed that I was being thought about.

Nice looking car! Looks like a 72 I think.

 

[Engle]

Summer is coming and it gets quiet hot in the garage, easily around 35~40°C (95~105°F).
Is compound, polish, wax and such guitar cleaning stuff are flammable? Should i worry?

Anything with that kind of risk will say so on the label. Don’t leave rags with any kind of oil on them bundled up.

 

[lowend1]

I like car colors best on TBirds.

Some of my favorites are the early 1970's Mopar color schemes. A bold choice would be Plum Crazy, but a very cool choice would be In-Violet. Here's a link to some Mopar color charts...
Mopar Paint Colors

Just an FYI - Plum Crazy and In-Violet are the same color - both are paint code C7 on the fender tag. PC is the Dodge name for the color, and IV is Chrysler/Plymouth. The original - and immediately rejected - name for the color was "Statutory Grape".

 

[TBird1958]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've never tried those. Very different from DM Blue Steels? Those I have. If I'm thinking of the right vid, I'm not sure that tone is one that would work for my preferences. But it just might, who knows. Definitely something to consider and uncharted territory for me. Shoot, Rotos might be an option. I have a set of nickle Rotos, but it's been years since I've played the steels.

My options at home are: GHS Precsion Flats, GHS Progressives and Pressurewounds (both alloy 52), Fender Pure Nickle and GHS Balanced Nickle, DA XLs (which I've not liked on anything), Fender Flats, DM Blue Steels, Infeld Supperalloys, Roto NPS, Roto Flats (humm, there's a thought maybe), Sunbeams and DR Dragon Skins, maybe something else.

I do think you might consider some Rounds like SIT or Ken Smith for this bass, roll off the tone and you'll lose that Big Angry Piano pretty quick. I totally agree with your comments about the tone of any vintage bird vs a modern one, Gibson could certainly issue them with some options on the pups - it's not like they don't do that with Les Pauls.

 

[dagrev]

I do think you might consider some Rounds like SIT or Ken Smith for this bass, roll off the tone and you'll lose that Big Angry Piano pretty quick. I totally agree with your comments about the tone of any vintage bird vs a modern one, Gibson could certainly issue them with some options on the pups - it's not like they don't do that with Les Pauls.

Thanks so much! I really appreciate the perspective.

Very true. Likely said at a Gibson meeting: "But it's just a bass in a guitar world Guitar players need options."

 

[BklynKen]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate the perspective.

Very true. Likely said at a Gibson meeting: "But it's just a bass in a guitar world Guitar players need options."

The one thing I always wished for in Thunderbirds was nicer inlays than dots. Dots are so boring. I'd prefer none at all compared to that.

 

[Toptube]

The one thing I always wished for in Thunderbirds was nicer inlays than dots. Dots are so boring. I'd prefer none at all compared to that.

A 12th fret bird might be cool. That or just give me luminlays.

 

[dagrev]

The one thing I always wished for in Thunderbirds was nicer inlays than dots. Dots are so boring. I'd prefer none at all compared to that.

Really good point. Nice blocks, something like on Firebirds should look great.

 

[TBird1958]

Very nice! I'm happy to add you to the club if you like.

Got a new addition last week (the Pro V), so I thought I'd post a pic of my two Epi T-birds for you guys

View attachment 3842146

 

[TBird1958]

I just assumed that playing a Thunderbird in church resulted in lightning bolts heading your way.

Then again, we do know that god likes Thunderbirds...
View attachment 3842066

Me thinks re-fin, it's the same color as my '76.

 

[Engle]

I do think you might consider some Rounds like SIT or Ken Smith for this bass, roll off the tone and you'll lose that Big Angry Piano pretty quick. I totally agree with your comments about the tone of any vintage bird vs a modern one, Gibson could certainly issue them with some options on the pups - it's not like they don't do that with Les Pauls.

All they would have to do is create a model with the VP pickups.