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Thunderbird Club

#165,421
JIO said:
The part, well.., one of the parts that dissuades me from using them is that every time you change strings you have to worry if the saddles will fall out while doing so.
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Could be worse, check out the Spector Euro bridge.
IMG_4410.JPG

Not only is there nothing holding the saddles in place other than string pressure and a little friction set screw on the side of the bridge, but they don't even have intonation screws. You tap the saddle block forward or backward with your finger or a screwdriver handle. Almost makes my Dano bridge seem advanced.

TBird1958 said:
But, why would you turn the bass over? Wouldn't you do the string change on your work bench (or in my case on the bed) ? I just don't understand, why would anyone turn a bass upside down to put strings on it? Asking for a friend .....
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...thanks for asking for me.
Seriously, I've never encountered any issue with the threepoint bridge, except the self extracting studs on my Goth. But that wasn't the bridge design that failed, it was the stud selection, even the Hipshot replacement yanked the studs out. I Fenderized the Hipshot now all is perfect.
 
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#165,423
GBassNorth said:
Could be worse, check out the Spector Euro bridge.
View attachment 4068956
Not only is there nothing holding the saddles in place other than string pressure and a little friction set screw on the side of the bridge, but they don't even have intonation screws. You tap the saddle block forward or backward with your finger or a screwdriver handle. Almost makes my Dano bridge seem advanced.


...thanks for asking for me.
Seriously, I've never encountered any issue with the threepoint bridge, except the self extracting studs on my Goth. But that wasn't the bridge design that failed, it was the stud selection, even the Hipshot replacement yanked the studs out. I Fenderized the Hipshot now all is perfect.
Click to expand...

Funny... Mine don't do that. Not only have intonation screws, but also set screws on either side that lock into place.
upload_2020-11-28_8-28-59.png
 
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#165,425
Chucky Stiletti said:
yeah agree and intonating as well with the screw head right underneath the string is pretty bogus but from an aesthetic perspective, the way it floats of canter when proper adjustment calls for the three studs to be at different heights is unique to Gibson bass bridges and not seen elsewhere in the bass world....big part of the appeal pour moi..
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I also like how on Grecos the claw anchoring the strings mitigates the inserts pulling up problem, although someone here previously indicated the three point can slide out off the studs. I also like that the radius is essentially preset so long as the saddles are in their correct places. But intonating is clumsy. All and all, I still prefer the Babicz on my Gibsons though. But if (when?) I get a Greco, I’ll gladly manage with the stock design. You all make them sound too tempting.
 
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#165,426
Eddie LeBlanc said:
Funny... Mine don't do that. Not only have intonation screws, but also set screws on either side that lock into place.
View attachment 4069075
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I hear ya. My Woodstock is newer and does in fact have intonation screws. However, my euro 4LX and my Rex 5Pro both have the non intonation screw bridge. I think Spector may have switched over to screws sometime around 2005ish (could probably confirm that over at the Spector club). All that said, the Spector bridge (like the three point) works just fine as long as you understand its idiosyncrasies. I wouldn't go out of my way to replace either one as long as they are functioning as intended. BTW - nice looking Spector you have there!
 
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#165,429
Shannon said:
Well, we've all seen the Gibsons and the Grecos and the other ones I can't afford. So, here's something I could! I got a far superior job last month, and after behaving like a responsible adult (I know, I know!) and catching up what bills fell between the old and new jobs, I felt I deserved a little something.
View attachment 4069517
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Congrats!
 
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#165,430
Shannon said:
Well, we've all seen the Gibsons and the Grecos and the other ones I can't afford. So, here's something I could! I got a far superior job last month, and after behaving like a responsible adult (I know, I know!) and catching up what bills fell between the old and new jobs, I felt I deserved a little something.
View attachment 4069517
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Woohoo! I still like mine. Slowly making progress on mods. But it was my sole bass for several years. It did great!
 
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#165,432
Shannon said:
Well, we've all seen the Gibsons and the Grecos and the other ones I can't afford. So, here's something I could! I got a far superior job last month, and after behaving like a responsible adult (I know, I know!) and catching up what bills fell between the old and new jobs, I felt I deserved a little something.
View attachment 4069517
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Looks beautiful!
Never underestimate the capability of any TBird regardless of cost. One of my best players is a Goth that I paid $150 for. There's good TBirds and great TBirds, and as best as I can tell price has nothing to do with it.
Happy New bass day, Rock it hard brother!
 
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