Thunderbird Club

[Christine]

Queen says.......

DR Stainless Rounds .45.105 + Tortex .73 pick = One big angry piano

They keep their zing way better than Roto Sound.

I can't speak for him, but those are the ones I have on the 1991.

Yep.

Been having a good listen to as many strings as I can make sense of and this is my short list



damned if I can make a descision here

 

[Mike A]

I know a couple of you guys are GK fans like myself.
Just won these guys to go with my GK Fusion 550. I have a 4 Ohm GK Neo 410 I use with it currently and I have never been disappointed in it. But I have been hearing great things about the 212iis and I remember how truly awesome the amp sounded running through the GK Neo 412 at the store.
I will be in a position to do direct comparison after I pick them up in the next day or so.

Nice!! I love my GK gear. I've got a 112-II and 212-II, 1001rb-II, MB500 and MB200. I've been toying with grabbing a second 212, but can't really justify it at the moment.

 

[GrizzleTone]

I recently acquired my first Thunderbird, an Epi Thunderbird IV. I've always loved the aesthetics of TBirds, but never really expected to get around to acquiring one. That said, I've been gasing for a 12 string pretty badly, and had been lustfully keeping an eye on a Hamer 8 string TBird that had been listed on Reverb for the last year or so (and which sold recently). Then, I decided one day that a I should just build my own 12 string, and decided a Thunder12 made a lot of sense. A little research turned up L. L. Elwood's work on his 12 (Twelve) String Thunderbird, which provided the motivation I needed. Fortunately, I found this guy new for an incredible price:


I was going to get the hardware first, but I thought better of it. I decided I'd get the bass first, so I can enjoy it while I go about collecting the rest of what I'll need. And enjoy it, I have. I love the sounds I can get out of this, particularly with a pick. I'm looking forward to the project I have ahead of me, but it's nice not to be in a hurry.

 

[ThaCoast]

So yesterday after work i got myself 2 packs of 2 pack d'addario strings for my basses (this rickenbacker copy, my two precision basses & my thunderbird build). Also got myself the MXR 10 band EQ, programmed my eq enhancing the low end (without it sounding woofy & muddy) & to keep balance between basses when i switch up between each. & my first tuner pedal the Korg pitchblack mini. Clear as day & great little pedal. TBH this Rick bass sounds great with rounds better than half flats (i'm not much for thump at least not on this bass). I've kept them for my semi acoustic bass build cause that will sound great!

Also, in gear related news, i'm getting my swr speaker re-coned cause the amp tech that fixed my bud's trace elliot couldn't get anything from fender since they discontinued the product . Oh well, but at least i know where to go & it'll cost me less than finding a replacement (that wouldn't have the same specs) or an original thats' ridiculously expensive

 

[Klondike]

I still REALLY want an it's vintage Roadstar II. I'm completely infatuated with 80s Japanese made basses. They're just criminally underrated.

You should get one. I practically stole mine, he wanted the price he paid when it was new so I handed him $200 bucks and ran! Love the tone!

 

[Christine]

I recently acquired my first Thunderbird, an Epi Thunderbird IV. I've always loved the aesthetics of TBirds, but never really expected to get around to acquiring one. That said, I've been gasing for a 12 string pretty badly, and had been lustfully keeping an eye on a Hamer 8 string TBird that had been listed on Reverb for the last year or so (and which sold recently). Then, I decided one day that a I should just build my own 12 string, and decided a Thunder12 made a lot of sense. A little research turned up L. L. Elwood's work on his 12 (Twelve) String Thunderbird, which provided the motivation I needed. Fortunately, I found this guy new for an incredible price:
View attachment 936292

I was going to get the hardware first, but I thought better of it. I decided I'd get the bass first, so I can enjoy it while I go about collecting the rest of what I'll need. And enjoy it, I have. I love the sounds I can get out of this, particularly with a pick. I'm looking forward to the project I have ahead of me, but it's nice not to be in a hurry.

Congrats for the new T Bird and best of luck with the conversion if you go ahead. That thread was quite entertaining, I've just scanned through it but I knew it was going to work otherwise you wouldn't be considering it. Good to see the T Bird club members were there sticking up for the cause, best bunch on TB

 

[Dadagoboi]

I recently acquired my first Thunderbird, an Epi Thunderbird IV. I've always loved the aesthetics of TBirds, but never really expected to get around to acquiring one. That said, I've been gasing for a 12 string pretty badly, and had been lustfully keeping an eye on a Hamer 8 string TBird that had been listed on Reverb for the last year or so (and which sold recently). Then, I decided one day that a I should just build my own 12 string, and decided a Thunder12 made a lot of sense. A little research turned up L. L. Elwood's work on his 12 (Twelve) String Thunderbird, which provided the motivation I needed. Fortunately, I found this guy new for an incredible price:
View attachment 936292

I was going to get the hardware first, but I thought better of it. I decided I'd get the bass first, so I can enjoy it while I go about collecting the rest of what I'll need. And enjoy it, I have. I love the sounds I can get out of this, particularly with a pick. I'm looking forward to the project I have ahead of me, but it's nice not to be in a hurry.

Elwood used a Pro V, the neck on the IV might be a little narrow for a 12er.

@ctmullins just made these two through necks for my next twelver projects, they're 1-7/8" at the nut. Dual trussrods, 3 piece maple with macassar ebony fretboards. One 32", one 34. Basically those are later Hamer specs after they had trouble with the earlier 1 piece/1 rod necks. I've built two that way but I use light strings on them.

The NR is 1-7/8" at the nut, Big Bottom is 1-3/4". They're converted Fiver necks

Looking forward to seeing how yours works out!

 

[GrizzleTone]

Congrats for the new T Bird and best of luck with the conversion if you go ahead. That thread was quite entertaining, I've just scanned through it but I knew it was going to work otherwise you wouldn't be considering it. Good to see the T Bird club members were there sticking up for the cause, best bunch on TB

It did work out, although I will be taking a different approach than L.L.. I am going to use a Warmoth 8-string neck, and route it myself for 12. L.L. used the Epi's 5-string neck, and some fortuitous truss rod work was required ahead of time.

Elwood used a Pro V, the neck on the IV might be a little narrow for a 12er.

@ctmullins just made these two through necks for my next twelver projects, they're 1-7/8" at the nut. Dual trussrods, 3 piece maple with macassar ebony fretboards. One 32", one 34. Basically those are later Hamer specs after they had trouble with the earlier 1 piece/1 rod necks. I've built two that way but I use light strings on them.

The NR is 1-7/8" at the nut, Big Bottom is 1-3/4". They're converted Fiver necks

Looking forward to seeing how yours works out!

Dadagoboi, yes, the IV neck would be too narrow, I imagine. FWIW, the Warmoth neck is also 1-3/4" at the nut, 34" scale. It won't have the dual truss rods, but I will use the graphite stiffening rods for stability without adding too much weight. Just out of curiosity, what are the dimensions at the heel on the BB? That's where I'm concerned about whether the Warmoth neck is a wise way to go.

 

[DerekW]

If you like Guinness you really should make the effort to go to Ireland some day, the stuff is very different over there, very smooth is the only way I could describe it compared to what gets shipped.

That's a true story.

 

[Dadagoboi]

It did work out, although I will be taking a different approach than L.L.. I am going to use a Warmoth 8-string neck, and route it myself for 12. L.L. used the Epi's 5-string neck, and some fortuitous truss rod work was required ahead of time.



Dadagoboi, yes, the IV neck would be too narrow, I imagine. FWIW, the Warmoth neck is also 1-3/4" at the nut, 34" scale. It won't have the dual truss rods, but I will use the graphite stiffening rods for stability without adding too much weight. Just out of curiosity, what are the dimensions at the heel on the BB? That's where I'm concerned about whether the Warmoth neck is a wise way to go.

The Warmoth eighter neck is standard Fender width at the heel. It's a beast and I'm sure it will take 12 strings. The profile is massive and the headstock is totally out of control. I modded one for this Eighter build, trimmed the headstock and slimmed the profile:

I can't find my build thread but it went into the details. It has a huge headstock. Here's a shot of after trimming it.

I was going to use a Warmoth 4 string neck on the NR build, 1-3/4 at the nut, 2-1/2 at the heel with graphite rods, but decided to go with the fiver neck since I knew it worked....that was AFTER I bought the Warmoth 4 string neck. I still have it if you have any interest . Maple/rosewood with tilt paddle headstock, undrilled.

 

[Mosstone]

Been having a good listen to as many strings as I can make sense of and this is my short list



damned if I can make a descision here

If you have more than one bass, you should try the Cobalts on at least one of them. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[TBird1958]

I recently acquired my first Thunderbird, an Epi Thunderbird IV. I've always loved the aesthetics of TBirds, but never really expected to get around to acquiring one. That said, I've been gasing for a 12 string pretty badly, and had been lustfully keeping an eye on a Hamer 8 string TBird that had been listed on Reverb for the last year or so (and which sold recently). Then, I decided one day that a I should just build my own 12 string, and decided a Thunder12 made a lot of sense. A little research turned up L. L. Elwood's work on his 12 (Twelve) String Thunderbird, which provided the motivation I needed. Fortunately, I found this guy new for an incredible price:
View attachment 936292

I was going to get the hardware first, but I thought better of it. I decided I'd get the bass first, so I can enjoy it while I go about collecting the rest of what I'll need. And enjoy it, I have. I love the sounds I can get out of this, particularly with a pick. I'm looking forward to the project I have ahead of me, but it's nice not to be in a hurry.

Shall I add you to the club Sir?

 

[Klondike]

I recently acquired my first Thunderbird, an Epi Thunderbird IV. I've always loved the aesthetics of TBirds, but never really expected to get around to acquiring one. That said, I've been gasing for a 12 string pretty badly, and had been lustfully keeping an eye on a Hamer 8 string TBird that had been listed on Reverb for the last year or so (and which sold recently). Then, I decided one day that a I should just build my own 12 string, and decided a Thunder12 made a lot of sense. A little research turned up L. L. Elwood's work on his 12 (Twelve) String Thunderbird, which provided the motivation I needed. Fortunately, I found this guy new for an incredible price:
View attachment 936292

I was going to get the hardware first, but I thought better of it. I decided I'd get the bass first, so I can enjoy it while I go about collecting the rest of what I'll need. And enjoy it, I have. I love the sounds I can get out of this, particularly with a pick. I'm looking forward to the project I have ahead of me, but it's nice not to be in a hurry.

I had to go back and reread that build thread. Great lookin bass.

 

[Klondike]

If you have more than one bass, you should try the Cobalts on at least one of them. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

This is a really good comparison and sound of the EB's. Same onebI have but I use a 100E. Sounds awesome.

 

[Mosstone]

This is a really good comparison and sound of the EB's. Same onebI have but I use a 100E. Sounds awesome.

I use the 45-100 set. I'm seriously thinking about putting these on the bird, but I just put a new set of Lo-Riders on 'er recently. Considering how long DRs last, it might be a while.

 

[GrizzleTone]

The Warmoth eighter neck is standard Fender width at the heel. It's a beast and I'm sure it will take 12 strings. The profile is massive and the headstock is totally out of control. I modded one for this Eighter build, trimmed the headstock and slimmed the profile:

I can't find my build thread but it went into the details. It has a huge headstock. Here's a shot of after trimming it.

I was going to use a Warmoth 4 string neck on the NR build, 1-3/4 at the nut, 2-1/2 at the heel with graphite rods, but decided to go with the fiver neck since I knew it worked....that was AFTER I bought the Warmoth 4 string neck. I still have it if you have any interest . Maple/rosewood with tilt paddle headstock, undrilled.

That's very generous of you, thank you. I'll DM you and see what we may be able to work. Thanks again!

Shall I add you to the club Sir?

Yes, please! Thank you!

 

[veebass]

Well went to pick up my two GK Neo 212iis this morning. They checked out- very pleased with them and the price.
Guy offered me a bass- 2006 Gibson LP Double Cut in Black Cherry. Needs a clean, strings and service but just far too good a deal. It came home with me.
Pics don't do the maple cap justice. I'll take some better ones when I clean it up.

 

[Nocturnal]

Great bass!! Congrats! Those pickups are the same I used in my Goth rebuild. Very aggressive and sound fantastic IMO.

 

[veebass]

Great bass!! Congrats! Those pickups are the same I used in my Goth rebuild. Very aggressive and sound fantastic IMO.

Yes the strings are SUPER DEAD and all rusted and she still sounded great when I tried her out to check the pickups etc.

 

[DerekW]

That's dead sexy! Wow! Never seen one of those with the double cutaway.