Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

EpiBird 5er on Reverb Epiphone Thunderbird Sunburst Bass | Tom's Instrumental | Reverb
(Not the one I had.)
Also a Lull NRT4 Mike Lull NRT4 Non-Reverse 4 String Bass - Satin Black USED | Huber Breese Music, Inc. | Reverb

That Lull is the definition of bass porn.

 

[MCF]

You bunch of enablers. Put a bid in, its on its way to the west coast (probably via Mongolia). Should be here in about a week or possibly late September if the social unrest doesn't subside soon.

Wow. You’re as quick on the trigger as I am. Congrats!

 

[FlyingPigSound]

Be smart about it and take your time working on it, no problem. No Hipshot hanging over the center block looking like it doesn't belong there. Sorry, just my .02.

I thought I was the only one who didn’t like the look of the Hipshot. It’s a tad too wide, overhanging the centerblock, and to me, just looks odd...like it’s upside down or the bass has and underbite.

 

[FlyingPigSound]

Yep. Or a Babicz.

No issues with the stock 3-point. Agree that if I were to “upgrade” the bridge, I’d go Babicz like on my RD. Babicz even makes a version just for Epis with their raised-lip anchors vs Gibson’s flush mounted anchors

 

[Thumper]

You bunch of enablers. Put a bid in, its on its way to the west coast (probably via Mongolia). Should be here in about a week or possibly late September if the social unrest doesn't subside soon.

I gotta say I'm jealous. If you decide it doesn't work for you, I'd like the right of first refusal.

I heard from Rob of the bass book, it could be another month due to sea shipping and Covid dock delays. I'm ok with it, just wanted to know. He did ask that we inform him when we get them.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

The aluminum hipshot A

Not here, for sure. Other than a Pro, what would we use it on? And aluminium wasn’t my first bridge choice, although I have been perfectly happy with the Supertone. I got my A in brass.

 

[dagrev]

Didn't mean to stir up any trouble on the 3 point.

Not as far as I'm concerned. Just a typical conversation that may provide someone with helpful information or a consideration they were unaware of.

Trouble maker.

I will admit the Hipshot on the Gibson might have been loose. I always check that everything that should be tight is, and when I but the wrench to the bolts they turned more easily than I thought they would. In fact, I didn't think they would turn. I stopped as didn't know how tight is right, and didn't want to pull anything out.

 

[dagrev]

No problem-o with the 'claw' and bridge on the 67. Silks end about 1/2 way.

 

[dagrev]

You bunch of enablers. Put a bid in, its on its way to the west coast (probably via Mongolia). Should be here in about a week or possibly late September if the social unrest doesn't subside soon.

Fantastic! Glad it's going to a good home.

 

[dagrev]

The good news is that Hipshot has since come out with a modification that eliminates the Gibson mount issue.

How can one know which Hip one has? Take it off? (Not as in "take it all off, baby!")

 

[dagrev]

That Lull is the definition of bass porn.

It is. I feel like I need to confess to my wife. After the cold shower.

 

[dagrev]

I thought I was the only one who didn’t like the look of the Hipshot. It’s a tad too wide, overhanging the centerblock, and to me, just looks odd...like it’s upside down or the bass has and underbite.

Noticed that as well. Would have thought that would have been addressed in the design phase.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Noticed that as well. Would have thought that would have been addressed in the design phase.

I suspect the choice of aluminum drove that. You get strength from bulk.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

How can one know which Hip one has? Take it off? (Not as in "take it all off, baby!")

Take it off!

 

[GBassNorth]

I have had no such problem with the Hipshot and have one installed on each of 3 Epiphones and one Gibson.

I can assure you that a Gibson mounted Hipshot bridge if over tightened on the rear studs well lift the stud inserts from the body. Not the case with a Hipshot on an Epiphone. I'm pretty sure Hip came up with a set of crush washers to eliminate the problem but darned if I can find them on their website.

I gotta say I'm jealous. If you decide it doesn't work for you, I'd like the right of first refusal.

I'm about as far from a flipper as you can get, I detest the entire concept and refuse to knowingly buy or sell from such people. However, because I've purchased this sight unseen and have no idea how it's going to sound there's always a chance that I just might not be able to bond with it, if so I'll be sure to ping you first. If anyone else wants on that ping list (after Thumper) just PM me.

I will admit the Hipshot on the Gibson might have been loose. I always check that everything that should be tight is, and when I but the wrench to the bolts they turned more easily than I thought they would. In fact, I didn't think they would turn. I stopped as didn't know how tight is right, and didn't want to pull anything out.

That's the problem, there's no torque guidance on those studs that I've seen and one never knows how much is too much until they reach the yield point. IIRC the splines on the Gibby inserts are vertical not helical. That means there is a fair amount of resistance to tightening forces but not as much resistance to lifting forces. Unfortunately the original Hipshot three point replacement is designed perfectly to lift the studs out of a Gibby bass, not the case with an Eppi bass, they work great there.

How can one know which Hip one has? Take it off? (Not as in "take it all off, baby!")

IIRC they made some crush washers that fit in the bottom recess area of the bridge stud holes so the flush Gibby inserts would come in contact with those and not lift the insert out of place. But darned if I can find them on their website. I'm beginning to wonder if I was hallucinating.

As an aside, it used to be that you couldn't use the Bab bridge on an Eppi if you wanted it to be mounted flush on the body with full contact like it was meant to be mounted. But Babicz has since added an Eppi model bridge that takes care of that problem.

So until I find and confirm the Hipshot update it's - Babicz on either Eppi or Gibby (be sure to select the right one) or Hipshot on Eppi only, not Gibby.

 

[MCF]

Not as far as I'm concerned. Just a typical conversation that may provide someone with helpful information or a consideration they were unaware of.

Trouble maker.

I will admit the Hipshot on the Gibson might have been loose. I always check that everything that should be tight is, and when I but the wrench to the bolts they turned more easily than I thought they would. In fact, I didn't think they would turn. I stopped as didn't know how tight is right, and didn't want to pull anything out.

I’ve installed one Hipshot. Couple months ago. I took it to the point of just feeling a change in the turning tension, did an eighth of a turn turn more and stopped. Made sure it was snug and haven’t touched it since. Basically tighten to the point that it doesn’t move and you don’t hear any vibration. You don’t do a Tim the Tool Man Taylor on them.

 

[PillO]

I can assure you that a Gibson mounted Hipshot bridge if over tightened on the rear studs well lift the stud inserts from the body. Not the case with a Hipshot on an Epiphone. I'm pretty sure Hip came up with a set of crush washers to eliminate the problem but darned if I can find them on their website.

IIRC they made some crush washers that fit in the bottom recess area of the bridge stud holes so the flush Gibby inserts would come in contact with those and not lift the insert out of place. But darned if I can find them on their website. I'm beginning to wonder if I was hallucinating.

Let's not rule out hallucinations too quickly...

A couple of things that occur to me (in no particular order):
1. Are the flanges on the studs the same size on Gibson and Epiphone? If the Gibson flanges are slightly larger, that could alleviate the pulling if the bridge contacts the flange. I have not measured and have no idea.
2. Everything should be tightened to a torque spec., not just cranked until your tool bends (ahem). So, installing the bridge, I tighten it to be firmly in contact, but not cranked hard. Every time I change strings, I go through and re-tighten everything. The vibration of playing will eventually loosen everything from strap locks to output jack and is a necessary part of maintenance.

As an aside, it used to be that you couldn't use the Bab bridge on an Eppi if you wanted it to be mounted flush on the body with full contact like it was meant to be mounted. But Babicz has since added an Eppi model bridge that takes care of that problem.

I seem to recall that some ground off the raised flanges on their studs to compensate.

 

[PillO]

I’ve installed one Hipshot. Couple months ago. I took it to the point of just feeling a change in the turning tension, did an eighth of a turn turn more and stopped. Made sure it was snug and haven’t touched it since. Basically tighten to the point that it doesn’t move and you don’t hear any vibration. You don’t do a Tim the Tool Man Taylor on them.

2. Everything should be tightened to a torque spec., not just cranked until your tool bends (ahem). So, installing the bridge, I tighten it to be firmly in contact, but not cranked hard. Every time I change strings, I go through and re-tighten everything. The vibration of playing will eventually loosen everything from strap locks to output jack and is a necessary part of maintenance.

Same as me.

And tightening everything that is threaded as part of routine maintenance is important. Unless you have parts that are velcro-ed in position (ahem) as that is the only thing I can think of that shakes tight instead of loose.

 

[BklynKen]

I have had no such problem with the Hipshot and have one installed on each of 3 Epiphones and one Gibson.

Agreed. I put one on my 2013 Gibson and installed it just like any other bridge and it's been perfect. Not sure if I'd find an issue if I took it off, but I don't see any reason to do so.

 

[dagrev]

That's the problem, there's no torque guidance on those studs that I've seen and one never knows how much is too much until they reach the yield point. IIRC the splines on the Gibby inserts are vertical not helical. That means there is a fair amount of resistance to tightening forces but not as much resistance to lifting forces. Unfortunately the original Hipshot three point replacement is designed perfectly to lift the studs out of a Gibby bass, not the case with an Eppi bass, they work great there.

IIRC they made some crush washers that fit in the bottom recess area of the bridge stud holes so the flush Gibby inserts would come in contact with those and not lift the insert out of place. But darned if I can find them on their website. I'm beginning to wonder if I was hallucinating.

Thanks! Yes, the ones I've seen do have vertical splines as well.

I’ve installed one Hipshot. Couple months ago. I took it to the point of just feeling a change in the turning tension, did an eighth of a turn turn more and stopped. Made sure it was snug and haven’t touched it since. Basically tighten to the point that it doesn’t move and you don’t hear any vibration. You don’t do a Tim the Tool Man Taylor on them.

Mine was not as snug as I thought it should be, so I turned it a tad and it didn't seem to gain in resistance so I stopped, fearing I might be pulling the stud my way.

So I take it I didn't need the impact wrench?