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Thunderbird Club

#178,241
GBassNorth said:
That looks pretty darn good!
I'm in desperate need of a Greco truss rod cover with gold foil letters for my white Greco. I've looked everywhere and none are to be found. I believe @dukeorock is also in need of a Greco truss cover with gold foil text. If you decide to start making covers to sell I'd be interested in buying one.
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I’ve been looking for a cover for my Orvilele, but none to be found. So yes, I’d be interested too.
 
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#178,245
dagrev said:
I finally got around to watching the below clip that was posted. They mentioned it's pristine, and that may be, but looks like it has the HS repair (black in that area) and even the back was painted black instead of a tobacco finish. I'm I right that none came from the factory with black backs? I never recall seeing one before. Maybe it wasn't black, but it sure looked like it on my device.
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I noted that in an earlier post - my '64 II doesn't have the darker tobacco back/sides. That darker version was commonly done on many different guitars/basses of the time so nothing too unusual. For T-birds specifically - different day, different sprayers. QC at the factory probably let it go as both ways were visually acceptable.

B0E6EA8C-A5F6-4FF1-8EC6-9E32C646E0FF_1_201_a.jpeg 6CF77FAA-6815-4BB4-AE50-81ECC6761A92_1_201_a.jpeg 40E209C4-012C-44F1-B5AC-FBB3C248D904_1_201_a.jpeg
 
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#178,246
JIO said:
I noted that in an earlier post - my '64 II doesn't have the darker tobacco back/sides. That darker version was commonly done on many different guitars/basses of the time so nothing too unusual. For T-birds specifically - different day, different sprayers. QC at the factory probably let it go as both ways were visually acceptable.

View attachment 4301649 View attachment 4301651 View attachment 4301652
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Your's looks about like mine, and every bass I recall seeing. That's why the really dark threw me. Again, I'm not sure it's black, but it is darker than any of ever seen. A couple old and not good pics. As you can see, my back is the same color as the neck (like yours it seems), except where the neck repair was done near the headstock. Whereas on the bass in the video it was noticeably darker than the neck. Mine looks like they just continued the same stain, but on that one it seems they intentionally used something much darker. Certainly not a problem, but I prefer to see that wonderful grain.
upload_2021-6-14_11-30-29.png


upload_2021-6-14_11-31-24.png


Now that we've show our backsides to each other this morning I suppose we are now thoroughly acquainted!:D
 
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#178,247
dagrev said:
Your's looks about like mine, and every bass I recall seeing. That's why the really dark threw me. Again, I'm not sure it's black, but it is darker than any of ever seen. A couple old and not good pics. As you can see, my back is the same color as the neck (like yours it seems), except where the neck repair was done near the headstock. Whereas on the bass in the video it was noticeably darker than the neck. Mine looks like they just continued the same stain, but on that one it seems they intentionally used something much darker. Certainly not a problem, but I prefer to see that wonderful grain.
View attachment 4301776

View attachment 4301778

Now that we've show our backsides to each other this morning I suppose we are now thoroughly acquainted!:D
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Mine(pardon my posterior):
0316211703-00.jpg
 
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#178,248
dagrev said:
Your's looks about like mine, and every bass I recall seeing. That's why the really dark threw me. Again, I'm not sure it's black, but it is darker than any of ever seen. A couple old and not good pics. As you can see, my back is the same color as the neck (like yours it seems), except where the neck repair was done near the headstock. Whereas on the bass in the video it was noticeably darker than the neck. Mine looks like they just continued the same stain, but on that one it seems they intentionally used something much darker. Certainly not a problem, but I prefer to see that wonderful grain.
View attachment 4301776

View attachment 4301778

Now that we've show our backsides to each other this morning I suppose we are now thoroughly acquainted!:D
Click to expand...

Other than some newer Epi's that look actual black, the darker part is what's called 'tobacco' (like a tobacco stained bar ceiling) which is a translucent brown-black, or technically an umber brown. Get that dark looking colour out in bright sunlight and you'll see the wood grain clearly under brown. So depending of how thickly it is sprayed on, it can be subtle or look 'black'.

Darker but still translucent tobacco burst over Honduran mahogany
upload_2021-6-14_9-19-47.jpeg

flash pic shows translucency -
upload_2021-6-14_9-22-11.jpeg

neutral lighting makes it look nearly black or at least dark umber brown
upload_2021-6-14_9-23-11.jpeg
 
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#178,250
dagrev said:
There you go showing your backside again! Just can't take some people out on the interwebs.

Interesting that the back and neck both look dark.
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OK, 2 new shots w/ better lighting(same crappy camera)[yes, I shoulda polished my backside]:
0614211232-00.jpg 0614211231-00.jpg
EDIT: Maybe after my next gig(6/25)-if it still happens.
 
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#178,251
GonePlaid said:
OK, 2 new shots w/ better lighting(same crappy camera)[yes, I shoulda polished my backside]:
View attachment 4301861 View attachment 4301862
EDIT: Maybe after my next gig(6/25)-if it still happens.
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The pics are getting better Mike.:thumbsup:
I think you mentioned your NR has a repaired headstock. If so, was it repaired when you got it ages ago, or did it break after you acquired it? The reason I ask, is the Black finish on the back would be a pretty normal thing to do after a break repair. Otherwise, I'm with @JIO, and chalk it up to typical Gibson variations from day to day.
 
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#178,257
GBassNorth said:
The pics are getting better Mike.:thumbsup:
I think you mentioned your NR has a repaired headstock. If so, was it repaired when you got it ages ago, or did it break after you acquired it? The reason I ask, is the Black finish on the back would be a pretty normal thing to do after a break repair. Otherwise, I'm with @JIO, and chalk it up to typical Gibson variations from day to day.
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Very likely so. I just find it very curious and fascinating that it is one that has an inconsistent coloration to the entire backside )headstock dark/neck light/body dark). I could understand it being darker, but then the whole thing (neck) would be dark just as when they are light the whole neck area is light as well. It's interesting that just the body is darker on this one. I've just never seen that before and find it fascinating. Possibly they got creative with this one and wanted to make the body darker than the neck for some reason. The headstock being darker would obviously be indicative of a repair. It is possible that the neck has become lighter with playing, but that doesn't really seem to look like what's going on given what's available.
 
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