Thunderbird Club

[Engle]

Well, I finally got home, and got the groceries put away
(still haven't put away laundry, but I didn't want to wait more!)


I finally got to see what was in my new box.....

View attachment 4378213

As expected, a Thunderbird shaped chunk of wood!

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I've also discovered, that when they said it was unfinished, what they really meant was UNFINISHED....

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Which is 100% perfect for my purposes!



...with some other Thunderbird shaped chunk of wood....
View attachment 4378233

That looks like fun!

 

[KaraQ]

so... what are we looking at? As in, factory second? custom build? ...

Not 100% sure, it was posted as an Epiphone Pro IV that wasn't finished. The wood, shape, & routs (what it has, anyway) seem to be a spot-on match for my Pro V, other than the whole five string part.

So, maybe a factory unit that didn't get finished for some reason? Maybe not? Either way, I think it'll work out perfect for me

 

[KaraQ]

That looks like fun!

I'm sure it will be! It's a bit more unfinished than my Classic Pro was, which means it'll be even more custom by the time I get "done"

 

[JIO]

Not 100% sure, it was posted as an Epiphone Pro IV that wasn't finished. The wood, shape, & routs (what it has, anyway) seem to be a spot-on match for my Pro V, other that the whole five string part.

So, maybe a factory unit that didn't get finished for some reason? Maybe not? Either way, I think it'll work out perfect for me

Most excellent! A cool project that will eventually result/transform into a KaraQbird. If inclined, you can post a build thread covering it over in Luthiers Corner. We always welcome new posters there and this is a perfect example of what goes on. Everyone is very helpful and loves to see 'in progress' pics/details related to creating a bass. There is every level of maker/modder there, from master luthiers to novice DIY'rs - and everyone's involvement is based on collaboration and education. Tell them "Geo sent you"

 

[KaraQ]

Most excellent! A cool project that will eventually result/transform into a KaraQbird. If inclined, you can post a build thread covering it over in Luthiers Corner. We always welcome new posters there and this is a perfect example of what goes on. Everyone is very helpful and loves to see 'in progress' pics/details related to creating a bass. There is every level of maker/modder there, from master luthiers to novice DIY'rs - and everyone's involvement is based on collaboration and education. Tell them "Geo sent you"

Sounds like a good idea

It'll probably be a bit of a slow burn, depending on funding, and how much the details end up changing. But that's part of the fun

 

[GBassNorth]

I think it looks pretty decent on my old Jazz. White or black wouldn't do much for me either on this bass. It's the only bass I have with that cursed stuff. I would never, ever order or buy a bass with it if I had another equal choice. I really don't like it, but many do. Yet I did buy this bass and like it. GBassNorth has a brother Pbass that looks equally good with it.
View attachment 4378031

It must be "Satur-tort-day", I'm good with that

The bookend for my bird brother Dagrev's beautiful pre CBS Jazz…

All original 1968 Fender P Bass. Doesn't play like butter, that would be messy and gross, but it does play sweet.


A bass build I did about a decade ago…

Before I found the joy of Thunderbirds. Packed with features that I wanted in a bass but couldn't find anywhere - 5 string raw rosewood/rosewood neck on a Jazz body with a reverse split P bumped up closer to the neck and a Vintage wound Stingray humbucker near the P sweet spot, each pup tied into a separate two band custom built John East preamp and routed to a stereo output jack. Finished in aged Oly white (French vanilla) with gold bling hardware and of course a TORT GUARD. If I were to do it all over again the only thing I'd do different would be to use a pair of Tbird pups and possibly a Tbird body.

And finally, my only other tort sporting bass - a Gibson of all things, 5 string and three tone burst to boot! I think the EB2013 was Gibson's way of giving Fender the Bird….

 

[GBassNorth]

Oh great @KaraQ ,
Just when we thought we had quelled the exploding headstock rumors you go and start exploding body rumors…

 

[KaraQ]

Oh great @KaraQ ,
Just when we thought we had quelled the exploding headstock rumors you go and start exploding body rumors…
View attachment 4378265

I weighed the exploded body just for fun....not as deadly as the headstock projectile

Center block/neck/headstock: 4 lbs. 1 oz.
Upper wing: 1 lbs. .25 oz.
Lower wing: 12.85 oz.


Be interesting to see how much the weight increases as parts go on....


I also checked some old pics of the Pro V, and the pickup routs are different slightly, as I thought.

The Pro V has the usual rout that most (all?) neck-through 'birds have for the neck pickup, so that the wiring goes into the lower wing under the pickguard, then to the control cavity.

The explod-a-bird is routed like the bolt-on Thunderbirds, with a passage between the two pickup cavities, instead (the Pro V does not have this).
Which I have no problem with; I had noticed the no-wing-rout in the ad, and was planning to have the between-the-pickups rout done. Saves a step

And, it gives me the option of using a clear, or no, pickguard. Neither of which is likely, but it's nice to have the option?

 

[Katoosie]

@KaraQ
Do you play DR strings? I mean the coloured ones.

 

[KaraQ]

@KaraQ
Do you play DR strings? I mean the coloured ones.

Yes, I have the red neon ones on two basses, and I have Black Beauties on one (all Thunderbirds.....)

 

[Larry V]

Well, I finally got home, and got the groceries put away
(still haven't put away laundry, but I didn't want to wait more!)


I finally got to see what was in my new box.....

View attachment 4378213

As expected, a Thunderbird shaped chunk of wood!

View attachment 4378214

View attachment 4378216




I've also discovered, that when they said it was unfinished, what they really meant was UNFINISHED....

View attachment 4378217

View attachment 4378218

View attachment 4378219

View attachment 4378221

View attachment 4378222



Which is 100% perfect for my purposes!



...with some other Thunderbird shaped chunk of wood....
View attachment 4378233

So glad to see your positive attitude on display and I really look forward to what you'll make of it!

Quick question... do you own a router?

 

[KaraQ]

So glad to see your positive attitude on display and I really look forward to what you'll make of it!

Quick question... do you own a router?

Nope! But that is what Home Depot is for, yes?

Realistically though, for what I want to do, I'll probably wait until I have what needs to be done locked in, and then just take it to a professional type.
The only major routing I'm anticipating atm is for the bridge inserts, an opening from the neck pickup rout & battery box to the controls area, and to finish up the routing (holes for pots & output jack, and a bit shaved off for a cover) for the control cavity. Maybe a bit removed inside, depending on which pre-amp I decide to use, and how well it fits.

 

[RedVee]

Oh great @KaraQ ,
Just when we thought we had quelled the exploding headstock rumors you go and start exploding body rumors…
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I was interested to see that the wings aren't a v groove attachment but dowels.

 

[KaraQ]

I was interested to see that the wings aren't a v groove attachment but dowels.

Yes, I was a bit surprised by that, but I guess maybe it's an Epiphone thing? One of the ways they make them more cheaply than the Gibsons?

Or maybe it's not a real Epiphone, and somebody just made it in their garage?

 

[Larry V]

Nope! But that is what Home Depot is for, yes?

Realistically though, for what I want to do, I'll probably wait until I have what needs to be done locked in, and then just take it to a professional type.
The only major routing I'm anticipating atm is for the bridge inserts, an opening from the neck pickup rout & battery box to the controls area, and to finish up the routing (holes for pots & output jack, and a bit shaved off for a cover) for the control cavity. Maybe a bit removed inside, depending on which pre-amp I decide to use, and how well it fits.

From what I can tell, the only routing needed is for the control cavity, all else can be drilled. Since you mentioned the battery box, I guess that means you intend to make this build active. Since I've never owned an active Thunderbird, I'm not sure if that needs routing or just the right sized battery box dropped into it. You easily could take some measurements and get that figured out but to me, I'd guess the opening in the wood for the battery box is already sized right but that's just guessing.

 

[Katoosie]

Yes, I have the red neon ones on two basses, and I have Black Beauties on one (all Thunderbirds.....)

Thanks.
Do you have any idea if black beauties are made out of the same stuff as different neons, say the yellow ones? I asked DR but maybe you know this.
Asking for a friend.

 

[KaraQ]

From what I can tell, the only routing needed is for the control cavity, all else can be drilled. Since you mentioned the battery box, I guess that means you intend to make this build active. Since I've never owned an active Thunderbird, I'm not sure if that needs routing or just the right sized battery box dropped into it. You easily could take some measurements and get that figured out but to me, I'd guess the opening in the wood for the battery box is already sized right but that's just guessing.

Yes, it'll be active.
Allegedly, it was meant to be a Pro IV originally, so I'm going to do some "improvements" over what stock was. Waffling a bit on which EMGs I want to use, and got the pre-amp choices down to possibly two.

The only routing it needs for the battery box is really just drilling. Just sideways, like the drilling from the pickup cavity to the control box, to get the power leads through to the pre-amp.

But yeah, the pots, output jack, just drilling; sideways drilling for battery leads & pickup wiring. If I don't need to make mods to fit the pre-amp, then the only real routing, I think, is to make a spot for the control box cover. I'll probably have the holes for the bridge inserts done professionally, to ensure proper accuracy for the depth, diameter, and perpendicularity.

 

[KaraQ]

Thanks.
Do you have any idea if black beauties are made out of the same stuff as different neons, say the yellow ones? I asked DR but maybe you know this.
Asking for a friend.

The Black Beauties are different, they're stainless steel, like the Bootzillas and Dragon Skins. The neons, as well as Silver Stars and Red Devils, are silver/nickel plated steel.

 

[Goatrope]

Is that a fog machine? Are you in charge of the fog machine??

I think I need a fog machine for home...

Lol, no such luck. But many of the places we play do provide lots of smoke.

I'm in charge of the lights, and triggering sound effects (like the falling cash register coins in "Money", or the alarm clocks in "Time", or the chimes from "Bridge of Sighs"). Also have a canned instrumental version of "Happy Birthday" that sounds like Guy Lombardo's band. Lots of cool stuff.

 

[Katoosie]

The Black Beauties are different, they're stainless steel, like the Bootzillas and Dragon Skins. The neons, as well as Silver Stars and Red Devils, are silver/nickel plated steel.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Thanks tho.