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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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- club thunderbird
Well I may get into some brass for the Blackbird- brass chemically treated to go black, maybe with an etched design to push through the blackening. I also have a stalled P-bass project that has a brass pickguard I already cut for it. Maybe the Bird will get some stealth-like steampunk attributes.
My bass, yeah I'm more inclined to snap that up a notch. But for a theatrical affect, I get the beat up look. Thinking a Jethro Tull aspect there... medeival farmers, etc.
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That Warwick looks like it got pulled up out of a shipwreck! Nice job. A tad much for me though. Yes, even for me... lol.
Too bad, I could use a little extra bread!
Too bad, I could use a little extra bread!
I'm down with the "aged" look. Not necessarily "beat to crap" except with Fenders.
The basses I tend to like most actually don't seem to show that much wear. With old 4001s and T-birds, a lot of times there's some belt buckle rash, and some wear of the finish along the back of the neck, and not much else.
I was checking out a 1985 G&L L1000 at my local shop. It had kinda the perfect wear. Hadn't been mistreated, but had clearly been played a lot. You could tell by the finish being worn down in this tiny spot next to the pickup where the previous owner anchored his thumb, and the finish being worn off the center of the back of the neck in the first and second positions. Other than that it was in very good condition.
I like basses that look worn and somewhat dirty... if that comes from me using it. I don't know man, the accumulation of several small damages and scratches done by myself to my gear make me feel closer to my instrument. But buying it like that or doing it on purpose just seems really stupid to me
I'm trying to keep my gear pristine but of course I'm not playing out with my stuff and I have no chance of being in a live band. I just play for my own entertainment and with my kids when they'll have me join them.
Even when I've bought basses with flaws I've made improvements to them to make them a close to perfect as possible.
To me buying a vintage bass with honest wear is ok but to buy a new bass intentionally "relic'ed" is just dumb.
Even when I've bought basses with flaws I've made improvements to them to make them a close to perfect as possible.
To me buying a vintage bass with honest wear is ok but to buy a new bass intentionally "relic'ed" is just dumb.
I feel a bit the same, if I buy something new I want it new. 
Example: the Road Worn P. I'd struggle to buy that new, I'd prob go to an equivalent like the Classic 50s. But used, I guess I would buy either RW or Classic 50s.
Funny thing the way the mind works.
Example: the Road Worn P. I'd struggle to buy that new, I'd prob go to an equivalent like the Classic 50s. But used, I guess I would buy either RW or Classic 50s.
Funny thing the way the mind works.
Other than my Nash P, anything new is still new. My tbird was already a bit beat and all the better for it. My old grabber was the best beater, it was a gem of peeling paint and split wood...but the tone
Couple of better shots of the top of the Les Paul Double Cut- cleaned up and minor issues addressed.
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,894
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- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
That sums me up these days too, I like my gear to look the way I bought it, I always clean my basses every couple of plays, each to their own of course we're all different. I no longer play in a band either and the way things are looking at home I doubt I will any time soon so I'm much like you in that I play for my own pleasure and stress relief
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No, it has been used a fair bit so it has a few bumps here and there.
After a night of letting it settle I'm going to let up on the grille relic'ing idea. However I wonder what all that salt water, etc, would do to a piece of brass...
I may paint the grilles black though. With the fairly blacked-out amp jig in-a-box, that might be kinda slick. Gear that disappears onstage is cool with me.
I may paint the grilles black though. With the fairly blacked-out amp jig in-a-box, that might be kinda slick. Gear that disappears onstage is cool with me.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
The whole reverse 'Bird ergonomic feel is my thing. So, I'll be building a 7ender P with a Lowe reverse 'Bird body sooner or later. It will be strung with flats and will probably have ashtrays over the pickup and tail. That will get the 7ender sound AND hang where I want a bass to hang. I'll probably use some kind of vintage wound P pickups to get it good and thumpy. The body will be ash, just to complete the package. The pickguard is the only question mark in my mind - should it have one or not? I haven't decided.
Or you could remove the existing grills and make some black or relic 'd ones.
That way you're not doing anything permanent.
Besides, spray painting grills never works, they always get chipped, unless they're powder coated.
I have 3 reverse bodied PJ basses with and without the guard. It's a personal choice really. I think Birds look good with and without the guard. My Hamers look good without and my Warmoth looks good with. I think it depends on the wood and finish you choose. A trans finish on ash with the grained highlighted would look fantastic IMO.
