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Thunderbird Club

#166,942
kringle77 said:
Actually, I trying to hold back a serious bass boner for that gene Simmons model with flat top, modern bridge and white binding. It looks like a combo of Nikki sixx, Spector birds and his black bc rich with white binding. Unless they put out something cooler, I may be dropping way to much $ on one of those. This bird thing is really becoming an addiction. Thanks a lot guys.
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And there are no known antibodies for this condition....
 
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#166,946
Thunderbird time, these were in my FB feed this AM.

jcnTGAZ.jpg


2uNuBjC.jpg
 
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#166,950
BklynKen said:
I can't figure out what's up with that pickguard logo. But I love the fretboard inlays.
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As prototypes they're kind of curious, note the single knob and plugged holes where you'd normally have two volume knobs....
 
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#166,956
BklynKen said:
You prefer the neck not angled back?
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The 'set-back' hs is a dyed-in-the-wool characteristic of Gibson basses - it's often referred to as 'Gibson style' hs. Leo Fender pretty much invented the 'straight'/'Fender-style' hs to save money making them. (less wood if all one piece, one less step if scarf-jointing the hs) Also because it was a 'bolt-on' neck compared to 'neck-thru' or 'set-neck' design. FTR, if done correctly a scarf-joint is just as strong if not stronger than a single piece on a set-back hs, and requires no string retainer. The angle can vary from minimal to max and the tension created at the nut is more dynamic/even as a result. I prefer the set-back design for any bass neck string-thru, set-neck or bolt-on.
 
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#166,957
JIO said:
The 'set-back' hs is a dyed-in-the-wool characteristic of Gibson basses - it's often referred to as 'Gibson style' hs. Leo Fender pretty much invented the 'straight'/'Fender-style' hs to save money making them. (less wood if all one piece, one less step if scarf-jointing the hs) Also because it was a 'bolt-on' neck compared to 'neck-thru' or 'set-neck' design. FTR, if done correctly a scarf-joint is just as strong if not stronger than a single piece on a set-back hs, and requires no string retainer. The angle can vary from minimal to max and the tension created at the nut is more dynamic/even as a result. I prefer the set-back design for any bass neck string-thru, set-neck or bolt-on.
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doesn’t set back go back to bow playing? would prolly explain the reason for a floating three point and why Hipshots are so “thick” when compared to a Fender bridge for instance..
 
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#166,958
BklynKen said:
Although, Fender would like to help.
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Fender actually did a darn good job of capturing that Gibby sound with their Telecaster Modern Player bass. Unfortunately they discontinued it after a couple of years. If you see one on the sale block grab it. Very nice playing and sounding bass that fits right in if Fender looks and ergonomics are what you're going after.

IMG_1759.JPG


TBird1958 said:
As prototypes they're kind of curious, note the single knob and plugged holes where you'd normally have two volume knobs....
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You're right. Those are plugs in the volume holes, I just assumed they were black knobs.

Not so sure I'd like a fixed volume on my bass. Once I get an amp set up I don't really like to tweak it much between songs or when changing basses and I don't normally use a volume pedal, I normally adjust at the bass. Likewise, I have a tendency to heavily favor the neck pup and just dial in a bit of the bridge pup for more definition as needed. Hard to do that with both pups locked in full on mode.

MCF said:
Ok. Mine looks to have a slight pitch. I’ll try to get a pic after work.
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FWIW - my BaCH NR does indeed have a pitched neck, looks about the same as my other birds. And it does not have a volute. In fact none of my birds have a volute. Also, FWIW my Jazz bass strings sit about 1/4" closer to the body (measured just in front of the bridge pup) than my Thunderbird basses. So not a monster difference, but certainly noticeable.
 
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#166,959
JIO said:
The 'set-back' hs is a dyed-in-the-wool characteristic of Gibson basses - it's often referred to as 'Gibson style' hs. Leo Fender pretty much invented the 'straight'/'Fender-style' hs to save money making them. (less wood if all one piece, one less step if scarf-jointing the hs) Also because it was a 'bolt-on' neck compared to 'neck-thru' or 'set-neck' design. FTR, if done correctly a scarf-joint is just as strong if not stronger than a single piece on a set-back hs, and requires no string retainer. The angle can vary from minimal to max and the tension created at the nut is more dynamic/even as a result. I prefer the set-back design for any bass neck string-thru, set-neck or bolt-on.
Click to expand...
Never heard of an angled headstock being referred to as "Gibson Style". Its pretty much the traditional way of making just about any string instrument for about as far back as string instruments have been made. The angle of the headstock can vary quite a bit from instrument type to instrument type.

Fender was clearly the big departure in headstock design. The Fender "straight style" headstock has pros and cons from a functionality standpoint but some real advantages in the fabrication process and the durability department. Both work fine for me so I don't get too hung up on it.
 
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