Thunderbird Club

[Larry V]

This is a 2018, which came stock with the Babicz. I think the issue is the mounting holes, not the bridge itself. They're all symmetrical I think.

Definitely seems pretty even on the fretboard. What do you mean about a shift at the E string?

The bridge is shifted up towards the E string by what looks to be about 3/32" or maybe an 1/8". Like was mentioned earlier, it doesn't appear to affect the string spacing on the fretboard. They look as they should.

 

[BklynKen]

The bridge is shifted up towards the E string by what looks to be about 3/32" or maybe an 1/8". Like was mentioned earlier, it doesn't appear to affect the string spacing on the fretboard. They look as they should.

Oh. I think that's just an optical illusion from the photo. I think it's straight.

 

[dagrev]

My 2013 is perfect.

The pic doesn't show it, but the Hipshot is maybe 1/16 hanging over the center block more on the bass side. You have to stare at it but it's a tiny bit to one side. Strings are perfect along the fret board. But the center of the Hipshot seems to align with the center veneer. I suspect there will be some variation with some to get the strings/fret board correct, but the holes may be done automatically by machine and not done individually by a person looking it over to see if they need to be one way or the other.

 

[dagrev]

Ha! Yeah, understood on the strings! No pressure at all, but it would be cool to see one day when you have the time/motivation! Original Thunderbirds are so woefully under-represented in video and sound clips.

Nice new avatar. Get a new bass?.......

 

[Larry V]

View attachment 4374991

Take a pic like this, @BklynKen

 

[dagrev]

Tease.

Hey, these look really great!

I'm just trying to build anticipation.

 

[BklynKen]

View attachment 4374991

Take a pic like this, @BklynKen

Hard to get a good one because of reflections.

 

[dagrev]

They clearance holes for 2 big bolts that look like they are the mounting studs for the bridge. Easier to explain with pics:
View attachment 4374969 View attachment 4374968
IMO this is the worst bass bridge ever made. I think it was designed by looking at blurry photos of a Gibson. Check out the stamped tin saddle.

I recall the first time I saw one of those. I thought, "What the crap is that? Who does that?"

 

[Larry V]

This is the shift I'm talking about and I thought you were talking about. Isn't the bridge overhanging the raised center section more on the E string side than on the G string side?

 

[MCF]

The pic doesn't show it, but the Hipshot is maybe 1/16 hanging over the center block more on the bass side. You have to stare at it but it's a tiny bit to one side. Strings are perfect along the fret board. But the center of the Hipshot seems to align with the center veneer. I suspect there will be some variation with some to get the strings/fret board correct, but the holes may be done automatically by machine and not done individually by a person looking it over to see if they need to be one way or the other.
View attachment 4374991

Just speculating here, but my vote is that it is measured and drilled by a human after making sure the strings properly line up on the neck. They're really only building a few hundred basses, not thousands at a time.

 

[BklynKen]

View attachment 4375018

This is the shift I'm talking about and I thought you were talking about. Isn't the bridge overhanging the raised center section more on the E string side than on the G string side?

Oh! Sorry, I thought you meant something else. Correct. There's a very slight overhang of the E string side, but the G string side is very much within the block.

 

[dagrev]

Just speculating here, but my vote is that it is measured and drilled by a human after making sure the strings properly line up on the neck. They're really only building a few hundred basses, not thousands at a time.

Yes, that would be the way they should be made, and likely are, as that just makes sense. But it's so easy/tempting to program a machine to do it automatically, assuming all of the basses are exactly the same in every respect (in their mind for efficiency).

 

[BklynKen]

Yes, that would be the way they should be made, and likely are, as that just makes sense. But it's so easy/tempting to program a machine to do it automatically, assuming all of the basses are exactly the same in every respect (in their mind for efficiency).

Something makes me think that this was oddly done intentionally in order to get the strings centered along the neck. I emailed the pics to Gibson asking if this was common in 2018. Curious what they say. I don't have high hopes.

 

[Gaolee]

I'm weird(Breaking news-not!), but I like bursts and solid black, but the sparkling burgundy-Epi(Embassy) or Gibson-is stunning.

Nah, you are normal according to Gibson.

 

[Gaolee]

When my Gibson rep asked for my preferred color on the new NR's, I listed in order
Inverness
Pelham
Burgundy

After seeing @Tanner5382 's bass, I'd personally be giddy with any of the colors on offer.
Agree with many that a new reverse would be cool in those colors as well.
There's a chance I may be able to do a custom shop bass from them at some point. If so, it'll be a single pickup reverse

Maybe someday I'll be able to do that. Same thing - reverse with one pickup, shiny hardware, and a color TBD.

 

[Gaolee]

Hard to get a good one because of reflections.

View attachment 4375002

That makes it look pretty good. It would look just fine in nickel from that angle.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Hey, these look really great!
View attachment 4374999
I'm just trying to build anticipation.

did you order one?

 

[Larry V]

Just speculating here, but my vote is that it is measured and drilled by a human after making sure the strings properly line up on the neck. They're really only building a few hundred basses, not thousands at a time.

There is 0.0(Animal House reference)% chance that there's any strings involved in the bridge post locations being drilled. More than likely, if it's not being CNC'ed then there's a drill template involved. I'm thinking more likely CNC'ed but the body was out of position in the drill jig or off the mark if it was a visual placement.

 

[BklynKen]

There is 0.0(Animal House reference)% chance that there's any strings involved in the bridge post locations being drilled. More than likely, if it's not being CNC'ed then there's a drill template involved. I'm thinking more likely CNC'ed but the body was out of position in the drill jig or off the mark if it was a visual placement.

The funny thing is that the strings do line up fine along the neck. Better than my BC Rich.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

They clearance holes for 2 big bolts that look like they are the mounting studs for the bridge. Easier to explain with pics:
View attachment 4374969 View attachment 4374968
IMO this is the worst bass bridge ever made. I think it was designed by looking at blurry photos of a Gibson. Check out the stamped tin saddle.

brings up a great question….seems like the three point has been around forever…..for the hardcore Gibson bass aficionados;
- who designed the three point?
- what inspired it's "floating" operation? UB bridges?
- was it cast/machined at Gibson? OR, did Gibson use a metal supplier and if so, who?

wonder who could answer these….