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Thunderbird Club

#172,282
My band is finally going to rehearse this weekend! Been WAY too long!

Time to see how the ebony VP (currently sporting the original white pickguard) sounds through my new Mesa Subway D800 head powering a Subway 115 & 112 combo cab platter w/ the whole band (2 electric guitars, drums, lead and backing vox)

Don_Bobs_HappyTooned.png
 
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#172,288
dagrev said:
And see, turned out all right!

Unfortunate story that I may have mentioned at some point. I had a friend that I knew for several years and we used to always kid about people being stupid and I would say, "yeah, the family tree just don't fork much." We would always laugh about it. Years later, to my whore, I found out that his father was also his grandfather..... (I have really bad words to describe such people as his "father/grandfather." Forgiveness is a challenge there. I agree with Charlie Daniels on what should be done to such people.) Needless to say I felt sick to my stomach, but being such a wonderful person he made every attempt to make me not feel bad about it.
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That isn't my family history so far as anybody knows, but there was a woman who turned up on both sides but in different generations. I never figured out how that happened or what it meant. The grandmother who was into the whole research thing found that. It didn't slow her down. There is also a possibility that family history stories got embellished over time. I kinda doubt that one did.
 
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#172,289
superdick2112 said:
A '64 would be my Birth Year/Bucket List/ Dream 'Bird bass, but I can't justify the prices they sell for.
Well, I can justify their asking prices - I just can't bring myself to spend that much on a single instrument.
For the price of a genuine '64 I could have six new VPs, refinished in a plethora of vintage-correct colors & modded with new pickups, D-tuners and custom pickguards, and still have enough left over for a Hawaiian getaway with the Missus.
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But you wouldn't have a '64!:D But your point is well taken and very valid. Yet I wouldn't trade my '64 for all the above plus the ungodly long trip to an isolated island where everything is expensive like a '64 Thunderbird! However, if I didn't have one, I might consider your option of six or more customized VPs. Sounds like a good plan to me.
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#172,290
Gaolee said:
Chinabuckers. They are pretty good, but I have been wanting Thunderbuckers for a long time.
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Thunderbuckers are a great choice in getting as close as possible to a 60s version pickup. Scott told me once that those would be the best reproduction Thunderbird pickups, followed by the ProBuckers in in the VPs.
 
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#172,291
FlyingPigSound said:
My band is finally going to rehearse this weekend! Been WAY too long!

Time to see how the ebony VP (currently sporting the original white pickguard) sounds through my new Mesa Subway D800 head powering a Subway 115 & 112 combo cab platter w/ the whole band (2 electric guitars, drums, lead and backing vox)

View attachment 4214002
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Now I will have to assume that you sound like Sterling Archer (code name Duchess)
 
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#172,293
dagrev said:
But you wouldn't have a '64!:D But your point is well taken and very valid. Yet I wouldn't trade my '64 for all the above plus the ungodly long trip to an isolated island where everything is expensive like a '64 Thunderbird! However, if I didn't have one, I might consider your option of six or more customized VPs. Sounds like a good plan to me.
View attachment 4214242
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Nice!
That’s a clean machine. Congrats!
I already have a nice VP, so six more wouldn’t be nearly as satisfying as the real deal ’64. Maybe waiting and saving is the better plan...:thumbsup:
 
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#172,294
dagrev said:
Thunderbuckers are a great choice in getting as close as possible to a 60s version pickup. Scott told me once that those would be the best reproduction Thunderbird pickups, followed by the ProBuckers in in the VPs.
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I will be going with a 66N and a 66S at the bridge. The bridge is usually rolled off or just turned up a little for balance. But the ability to go full gonzo angry piano needs to be there.
 
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#172,297
superdick2112 said:
Spotted on Reverb.
I'm kind of digging it!
It's a one of a kind Gibson Custom Shop creation, so it should be good sounding, good playing and hold it's value.

Gibson Custom Shop Thunderbird. One of a kind. Built for Hawiian Tropic ad. All papers & tags OHSC | The Classic Axe | Reverb

View attachment 4214553
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This bass comes up from time to time. I dig it but the paint job and a sticker don't make it worth 3 times the going rate for a new Thunderbird, IMO.
 
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#172,300
superdick2112 said:
Spotted on Reverb.
I'm kind of digging it!
It's a one of a kind Gibson Custom Shop creation, so it should be good sounding, good playing and hold it's value.

Gibson Custom Shop Thunderbird. One of a kind. Built for Hawiian Tropic ad. All papers & tags OHSC | The Classic Axe | Reverb

View attachment 4214553
Click to expand...


This bass and a matching Firebird were done as promos for Hawaiian Tropic, I remember seeing them back on "The Dudepit" at least 12-15 years ago, so they're legit to that extent. Wish the hardware was chrome, but that's just me :laugh:
 
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