Thunderbird Club

[GBassNorth]

any intonation issues with your BaCH? none with mine..

Nothing notable on the intonation side, plenty of saddle travel. But because the saddles aren't grooved I have had the string slide across the top of the saddle a bit when doing bends. It's nothing that makes the bass unplayable or even less fun to play, it's just my OCD kicking in. OCD dictates grooves must be cut in the saddles for the bridge to function optimally. Odds are zero trained ears would ever pick out the sound of this bridge vs a grooved bridge.

Didn't know this - I only know about Scott's BB bridge which allows full/correct intonation on my '64 II. If it didn't - I would have returned it.

I don't have a copy of Scott's bridge but I've heard it works great. To be clear, of all the bridges I've tried the two point VP is my favorite; but to be clearer, I wouldn't even consider removing a threepoint to install a two piece VP bridge. I personally find the three point to be perfectly functional and it comes free with every Gibson TBird. Sure, I'd be happier if the new Gibbys came stock with the VP bridge but I'd be even happier if the new Gibbys were about a thousand dollars less.

 

[69'Vette]

I know it's not Thursday, but I can't wait that long...

This was my first restomod project, working with a new (to me) luthier. There were a couple of hiccups along the way, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I can't really play well right now (recently had surgery for cubital tunnel syndrome in my elbow), so no demo video yet, but believe me, this Thunderbird went from being a dud to one of the best sounding birds I've ever had. Before the new iteration, it sounded like it had a sponge mute pushed under the strings, but not in a good way. I had the same thing happen with my first Thunderbird back in the early 80's, so I took a chance that this one would open up again once it had the right bridge. Special thanks to Scott Dasson, who provided the perfect bridge and tailpiece (his Badbird creation). Thunderbucker '66 pickups and rings were also included in this build. They sound great to my ear. It's all angry piano again, and the sustain is insane. I'm in love with this thing.

 

[GonePlaid]

Couldn't agree more, but after seeing the "modernized" Ford Thunderbird return ... Volvo alluded to the hatchback with their recent C-30 (discontinued)

View attachment 4149531

IMO, they screwed up the 'new' Tbird. And the people(teenagers)who drooled over the 55-57 2 seater want a more comfortable ride now that they're old and gray.

 

[GonePlaid]

Had another 'jazz' gig tonight, so I played my jazz bass*(67 NR TBIRD). Different sax man and some different tunes. Halfway decent crowd, but we were able to run them off early.




ADDENDUM *also known as my big band bass, my concert band bass, my classic rock bass, etc., etc., etc.)

 

[JIO]

IMO, they screwed up the 'new' Tbird. And the people(teenagers)who drooled over the 55-57 2 seater want a more comfortable ride now that they're old and gray.

It's funny because the original late '50s T-bird was a car for rich guys wives. The recent revisitation seemed to be targeted at the same buyer, at least judging from who I see driving them.

 

[JIO]

Nothing notable on the intonation side, plenty of saddle travel. But because the saddles aren't grooved I have had the string slide across the top of the saddle a bit when doing bends. It's nothing that makes the bass unplayable or even less fun to play, it's just my OCD kicking in. OCD dictates grooves must be cut in the saddles for the bridge to function optimally. Odds are zero trained ears would ever pick out the sound of this bridge vs a grooved bridge.

I don't have a copy of Scott's bridge but I've heard it works great. To be clear, of all the bridges I've tried the two point VP is my favorite; but to be clearer, I wouldn't even consider removing a threepoint to install a two piece VP bridge. I personally find the three point to be perfectly functional and it comes free with every Gibson TBird. Sure, I'd be happier if the new Gibbys came stock with the VP bridge but I'd be even happier if the new Gibbys were about a thousand dollars less.

I totally agree about the new NR being so pricy when Epi produced a bass of comparable quality for (as you stated) a thousand dollars less. And your insights as a player about saddles is spot-on. That is purely and simply a design flaw if a string slides sideways on a saddle when being played. It's like a bicycle - there are key elements of its design that need to be addressed in order to make it an efficient functional machine. Those elements are simple and once met join other aspects of material and design to improve those basic functions. Luckily high-end performance bicycles don't suffer from "nostalgia" for "vintage" as is the case for basses. Certain vintage designs were done right the first time and is why they have stood the test of time. Others are static for purely nostalgia (marketing/bottom line) reasons. I give credit to Epi for introducing the VP and improving on the same bridge instead of copping out with a 3-point because that's what they had.

 

[GBassNorth]

I totally agree about the new NR being so pricy when Epi produced a bass of comparable quality for (as you stated) a thousand dollars less. And your insights as a player about saddles is spot-on. That is purely and simply a design flaw if a string slides sideways on a saddle when being played. It's like a bicycle - there are key elements of its design that need to be addressed in order to make it an efficient functional machine. Those elements are simple and once met join other aspects of material and design to improve those basic functions. Luckily high-end performance bicycles don't suffer from "nostalgia" for "vintage" as is the case for basses. Certain vintage designs were done right the first time and is why they have stood the test of time. Others are static for purely nostalgia (marketing/bottom line) reasons. I give credit to Epi for introducing the VP and improving on the same bridge instead of copping out with a 3-point because that's what they had.

Amen!

 

[PillO]

I can attest to this fact! I first drove a VW in Alaska in the middle of winter to a HS Swimming party. The guy that owned the bug was to drunk(like I wasn't) but i drove us home from a home in the mountains, having to keep scrapping the inside of the wind shields. The radio sucked and I was cold because it was January. But there was something special about that trip.

I had one of these in high school.

I too had the ice scraper, but, on a curved windshield it doesn't do much good.

The real trick was to dress warmly and open those little side windows. They could keep the inside of the windshield from frosting up (but keep occupants chilled) until you had some meager heat going.

And if it were terribly cold and you didn't care about gas mileage, then there was a auxiliary heater than burned gas. Under the back seat near the battery if memory serves.

 

[MCF]

I know it's not Thursday, but I can't wait that long...

View attachment 4149683

This was my first restomod project, working with a new (to me) luthier. There were a couple of hiccups along the way, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I can't really play well right now (recently had surgery for cubital tunnel syndrome in my elbow), so no demo video yet, but believe me, this Thunderbird went from being a dud to one of the best sounding birds I've ever had. Before the new iteration, it sounded like it had a sponge mute pushed under the strings, but not in a good way. I had the same thing happen with my first Thunderbird back in the early 80's, so I took a chance that this one would open up again once it had the right bridge. Special thanks to Scott Dasson, who provided the perfect bridge and tailpiece (his Badbird creation). Thunderbucker '66 pickups and rings were also included in this build. They sound great to my ear. It's all angry piano again, and the sustain is insane. I'm in love with this thing.

Post Away!

 

[MCF]

Under the back seat near the battery if memory serves.

That’s a good place for it.

 

[MCF]

I totally agree about the new NR being so pricy when Epi produced a bass of comparable quality for (as you stated) a thousand dollars less. And your insights as a player about saddles is spot-on. That is purely and simply a design flaw if a string slides sideways on a saddle when being played. It's like a bicycle - there are key elements of its design that need to be addressed in order to make it an efficient functional machine. Those elements are simple and once met join other aspects of material and design to improve those basic functions. Luckily high-end performance bicycles don't suffer from "nostalgia" for "vintage" as is the case for basses. Certain vintage designs were done right the first time and is why they have stood the test of time. Others are static for purely nostalgia (marketing/bottom line) reasons. I give credit to Epi for introducing the VP and improving on the same bridge instead of copping out with a 3-point because that's what they had.

I love my four Epis. Extremely well built for the price. But my three Gibsons are in a higher league, quality wise. For many, they may not be a thousand dollars better. I’m happy and fortunate to be able to experience both worlds. But the Gibsons would go with me if I had to choose only three.

 

[KaraQ]

I had one of these in high school.
View attachment 4149778

I too had the ice scraper, but, on a curved windshield it doesn't do much good.

The real trick was to dress warmly and open those little side windows. They could keep the inside of the windshield from frosting up (but keep occupants chilled) until you had some meager heat going.

And if it were terribly cold and you didn't care about gas mileage, then there was a auxiliary heater than burned gas. Under the back seat near the battery if memory serves.

I thought, since there's a lot of talk about 1st/high school cars, I'd join in the nostalgia-talk

This isn't my actual car, no digital pics of it (and the film ones are....maybe (probably) in my storage unit? But this is mostly close, but prettier than mine was. It was one of the "too loud" cars that I drove for years. Loved that car!


1969 Dodge Coronet:

 

[GonePlaid]

I thought, since there's a lot of talk about 1st/high school cars, I'd join in the nostalgia-talk

This isn't my actual car, no digital pics of it (and the film ones are....maybe (probably) in my storage unit? But this is mostly close, but prettier than mine was. It was one of the "too loud" cars that I drove for years. Loved that car!


1969 Dodge Coronet:

View attachment 4149974

Great lines. Wanted one of those. Needed one of these:

 

[Nocturnal]

I know it's not Thursday, but I can't wait that long...

View attachment 4149683

This was my first restomod project, working with a new (to me) luthier. There were a couple of hiccups along the way, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I can't really play well right now (recently had surgery for cubital tunnel syndrome in my elbow), so no demo video yet, but believe me, this Thunderbird went from being a dud to one of the best sounding birds I've ever had. Before the new iteration, it sounded like it had a sponge mute pushed under the strings, but not in a good way. I had the same thing happen with my first Thunderbird back in the early 80's, so I took a chance that this one would open up again once it had the right bridge. Special thanks to Scott Dasson, who provided the perfect bridge and tailpiece (his Badbird creation). Thunderbucker '66 pickups and rings were also included in this build. They sound great to my ear. It's all angry piano again, and the sustain is insane. I'm in love with this thing.

Glad it turned out the way you wanted George!! It looks fantastic!!

 

[KaraQ]

Great lines. Wanted one of those. Needed one of these:
View attachment 4150013

I was fortunate, in that if I needed to haul anything that wouldn't fit in the huge back seat or massive trunk of the Dodge, my dad had one of these (except black & silver):

edit: just remembered - I actually took my d/l test in that truck, in the middle of an east TN downpour....

 

[JIO]

I had one of these in high school.
View attachment 4149778

I too had the ice scraper, but, on a curved windshield it doesn't do much good.

The real trick was to dress warmly and open those little side windows. They could keep the inside of the windshield from frosting up (but keep occupants chilled) until you had some meager heat going.

And if it were terribly cold and you didn't care about gas mileage, then there was a auxiliary heater than burned gas. Under the back seat near the battery if memory serves.

wings - I miss wings on cars

 

[JIO]

Great lines. Wanted one of those. Needed one of these:
View attachment 4150013

 

[MCF]

I thought, since there's a lot of talk about 1st/high school cars, I'd join in the nostalgia-talk

This isn't my actual car, no digital pics of it (and the film ones are....maybe (probably) in my storage unit? But this is mostly close, but prettier than mine was. It was one of the "too loud" cars that I drove for years. Loved that car!


1969 Dodge Coronet:

View attachment 4149974

Beautiful. What motor was in yours.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I thought, since there's a lot of talk about 1st/high school cars, I'd join in the nostalgia-talk

This isn't my actual car, no digital pics of it (and the film ones are....maybe (probably) in my storage unit? But this is mostly close, but prettier than mine was. It was one of the "too loud" cars that I drove for years. Loved that car!


1969 Dodge Coronet:

View attachment 4149974

Nice! Gotta love Mopar styling...a friend in HS had a metallic green one with the black vinyl top ........looked like it wanted to eat you (no ahems please) from the rear view mirror...ones with Hemis go for a pretty penny these days, he had a 340 I believe..

 

[MCF]

Love Watt. My hero.