Thunderbird Club

[Instagator]

I had mentioned earlier about the Hipshot BT 1 drop D tuner/extender.These are the two extra holes that you have to drill to
make it fit on the second generation Vintage Pro Thunderbird. If you choose to go back to the standard tuner the holes will be covered up..Cheers.

 

[Count Bassie]

Wait, you have an Acoustic 106 cab?

Yes... why?
I actually sold a whole 146 piggyback amp, and then bought this 106 mostly because it had the EVs in it. I hope to play it out soon, it seems to have really good dispersion, I suppose because of the vertical speaker arrangement. The EVs do a really nice thing I don't hear in the newer, more efficient lines of speakers.

 

[KaraQ]

Right. VP sits fine on most regular stands.

It does!

Mine had a brass (I think, definitely metal, and never glued on) nut, and what I suspect were 4 string pickups. Apparently some had 4s and some had 5s. The bridge was installed horribly from the factory (I bought used, but it was clearly a factory issue). Some people had them pretty perfect right out of the box. Just overall pathetic QC on those.

Like most I've seen, my Pro 5 also has the brass nut (which I like), and also wasn't glued in. Seems to be pretty common, either to be un-glued, or never glued.
My bridge has issues too, one of the lesser reasons I'm strongly considering replacing it - the rear of the bridge doesn't contact the bass, always looks like it's being pulled up slightly. But the screws are in the back, and don't really go tighter....
The main reason I want to replace it though, is I strongly dislike the "standard"-style string adjustment process. Kinda a shame they never made a 3-point in 5-string version

Babicz Solorails to the rescue?



The pickups...I've no idea if they're 5-string or 4-string (hopefully 5 ), but I don't have any real issues with how they work, all five strings seem to have good clarity & volume - of course, that doesn't mean they won't get replaced at some point - just probably near the bottom of priorities list.

That pre-amp though.....I don't hate it the way most people seem to, but it is a thing I'm considering replacing/upgrading, maybe, after some other upgrades. Bridge is top of that list, maybe some lighter (probably DaVinci) tuners, maybe re-locate the output jack to the front.......

 

[StephnG]

Mine had a brass (I think, definitely metal, and never glued on) nut, and what I suspect were 4 string pickups. Apparently some had 4s and some had 5s. The bridge was installed horribly from the factory (I bought used, but it was clearly a factory issue). Some people had them pretty perfect right out of the box. Just overall pathetic QC on those.

Yup And that's about the only thing I didn't replace on her, the bridge seemed to be sufficient so I didn't mess with it, from what I understand they were actually monikered as "Leo Quan" on the Epi website although I think he had already passed by then so don't if it was just some licensing thing or what...

 

[dagrev]

I remember going to guitar shops in the early 2000's and the prices on older Acoustic and Peavey bass amps were dirt cheap. You can still find some of it for reasonable prices these days but the prices do seem to be climbing for the pieces that are in good condition...

Isn't that the truth. Had we only known we could have snagged some "vintage" equipment at bargain prices!

 

[Engle]

Yes... why?
I actually sold a whole 146 piggyback amp, and then bought this 106 mostly because it had the EVs in it. I hope to play it out soon, it seems to have really good dispersion, I suppose because of the vertical speaker arrangement. The EVs do a really nice thing I don't hear in the newer, more efficient lines of speakers.

Just never known anybody else with one. Definitely a more vintage sounding cab.

 

[GBassNorth]

Hello everyone.
I am getting my Thunderbird Vintage Pro in one week, I posted about it 1 mouth ago and I cannot wait to get my hands on that big monster, but recently I have a big problem with supports for the bass, where I live I am not allowed to make any holes in the walls so I will not be hanging it on the wall, but I dont know if a regular stand will hold it well since the base it not a regular Fender type, any idea of supports that hold it in a safe way, plus I was wondering if one of those for 5 (or any other number of basses) work fine.
Thank you all !!!

Hercules stands work best for me. Well padded, very very stable, locked capture system to keep the bass from falling out of the stand if bumped. Never ever had one fail. Fits thunderbirds (and every other single neck guitar or bass) perfectly.

I also use their 5 bass stand for my thunderbirds. They aren't a perfect fit for a thunderbird on the multi bass stand but it works and has been safe and problem free for me. It's where most of my TBirds are currently resting.

I use Hercules stands. They come in single, double, or triple, and have a lock that engages on the top when the headstock hangs on it. A bit of extra security. They've lasted really well for me. They work for any body shape, having padded legs or standoffs like the others people have shown. TBirds, Flying Vs, most anything with the possible exception of the Cheap Trick Too Many Necks guitar.

This!

 

[Carlos Azevedo]

Hercules stands work best for me. Well padded, very very stable, locked capture system to keep the bass from falling out of the stand if bumped. Never ever had one fail. Fits thunderbirds (and every other single neck guitar or bass) perfectly.

I also use their 5 bass stand for my thunderbirds. They aren't a perfect fit for a thunderbird on the multi bass stand but it works and has been safe and problem free for me. It's where most of my TBirds are currently resting.


This!

Thank you, I ordered a multi bass (3 bass) stand from hercules. thank you all for your time and help

 

[TBird1958]

Thank you, I ordered a multi bass (3 bass) stand from hercules. thank you all for your time and help

Remeber that we want a picture of your new Thunderbird with it finally arrives

 

[KaraQ]

Time for some mods!


.....but I have questions



I'm moving the left-erly strap button to the neck heel on my Pro 5.
I've got the proposed location marked, centered on the neck-thru bit...but it looks wrong.
Guessing because 5-string. But, that also gives me more room, to maybe it move up/towards the bass side. 7/8" would center the button on the next "stripe" up; 1 & 1/16" would center it in the next one above that.


Any opinions on if I should move it up? And if so, how far? I'm thinking maybe the 7/8" move, into the dark stripe?

I'm also planning on moving the right-erly one as well, into the upper wing, as I've done before. Dunno really how that'll factor in, if at all

 

[KaraQ]

Act 1.....finished!



Step 1!

...yes, and....

feeny-tow

 

[Nocturnal]

Time for some mods!


.....but I have questions



I'm moving the left-erly strap button to the neck heel on my Pro 5.
I've got the proposed location marked, centered on the neck-thru bit...but it looks wrong.
Guessing because 5-string. But, that also gives me more room, to maybe it move up/towards the bass side. 7/8" would center the button on the next "stripe" up; 1 & 1/16" would center it in the next one above that.


Any opinions on if I should move it up? And if so, how far? I'm thinking maybe the 7/8" move, into the dark stripe?

View attachment 4292795



I'm also planning on moving the right-erly one as well, into the upper wing, as I've done before. Dunno really how that'll factor in, if at all

On a couple Birds I placed the strap button in the position that it would be in the maple laminate. I think it helps lift the neck a little more for me. Like this basically:

 

[KaraQ]

On a couple Birds I placed the strap button in the position that it would be in the maple laminate. I think it helps lift the neck a little more for me. Like this basically:
View attachment 4292886

I thought about that, and made some comparisons with the other 'birds I have, that have the back-of-the-neck heel button, and with the relocated rear button. A bit of trying to position it with the strap in place, some Google image searches of other Pro 5s, and made some adjustments to my original location. I think it's now in the stock location for 2010-2014 Pro 5s (mine's an '09).

 

[KaraQ]

So....


Act 2!.....the story continues.....



Step 2! (already finished )

I left out some important steps before! #1!

The second one.....

And another.....*sigh*......
(you'd think that by now, I'd know how to do this )

finish-Ed!

There is no Act 3.
This isn't a play!

 

[GBassNorth]

I thought about that, and made some comparisons with the other 'birds I have, that have the back-of-the-neck heel button, and with the relocated rear button. A bit of trying to position it with the strap in place, some Google image searches of other Pro 5s, and made some adjustments to my original location. I think it's now in the stock location for 2010-2014 Pro 5s (mine's an '09).

Kara, whatever you've done will be perfectly acceptable by anyone's standards. Plus it'll be unmistakably your solution. I can't think of any mod you've done that makes me scratch my head and wonder why you did that. Rock that momma for all she worth!

And keep the pics coming, very inspiring for modders of all skill levels.

 

[PillO]

Hello everyone.
I am getting my Thunderbird Vintage Pro in one week, I posted about it 1 mouth ago and I cannot wait to get my hands on that big monster, but recently I have a big problem with supports for the bass, where I live I am not allowed to make any holes in the walls so I will not be hanging it on the wall, but I dont know if a regular stand will hold it well since the base it not a regular Fender type, any idea of supports that hold it in a safe way, plus I was wondering if one of those for 5 (or any other number of basses) work fine.
Thank you all !!!

Is it your Mom's house? If so, abide the rule.

Otherwise, put it up on the wall.

They make stands that hang the bass by the neck in the same way wall hangers do.

Or do this...

 

[PillO]

Note from my Sweetwater Rep about the Gibson Non Reverse...............


Hey Veronica,

I wanted to reach out real quick to let you know that after some digging I was able to get a clearer time frame on when to expect that Thunderbird for you. Looks like you were right - later this month is about when we should be getting it in.

I'll continue to monitor this order and keep you in the loop should any more changes occur.

Thanks again!
Matt H

 

[KaraQ]

..... I can't think of any mod you've done that makes me scratch my head and wonder why you did that.....

I'm sure I'll come up with something eventually

 

[Count Bassie]

Just never known anybody else with one. Definitely a more vintage sounding cab.

The simplest of them, that's for sure. I've wondered about refining the tuning of the cab, maybe adding port tubes. But it sounds pretty good so far. Have yet to gig with it

 

[Miles_ONeal]

...
My bridge has issues too, one of the lesser reasons I'm strongly considering replacing it - the rear of the bridge doesn't contact the bass, always looks like it's being pulled up slightly. But the screws are in the back, and don't really go tighter....
The main reason I want to replace it though, is I strongly dislike the "standard"-style string adjustment process. Kinda a shame they never made a 3-point in 5-string version

Babicz Solorails to the rescue?
...

The Hipshot Type A 5 string worked great on mine. Had to plug and redrill holes, but that's the case with pretty much any replacement bridge.