Thunderbird Club

[Thumper]

Amazing how stuff like this unfolds. There’s a lot to be said about hindsight being 20-20.
Interesting comment on the Sadowsky. I really tried to like the Sadowsky basses for a while about ten years ago but after running through about three of them I gave up. Workmanship was top notch and all the parts were high quality but for some reason I couldn’t get any of them to sound noticeably better than my Fender or even Squier Jazz basses. I gave up and turned to Alembic, never looked back.

Me too, about 10 years ago. Went through 2, big disappointment, just meh. World class fit and finish, very light. I was proud of the last one, took it to audition for a Country band, they asked if I had another bass I could play, but I was hired. Evidently I wasn't the only one who found it less than stellar. They preferred my TI loaded 519 Zon.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Sorry to say, yes they are.

Others make them but all the ones I've seen appear to be Epiphone Thunderbird versions. Not really that noticeable until you get up close.

thought so, no biggie and thx Larry.......think Plaid's coming to the rescue with a couple...

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Rock n Roll….dream rig, forgot how good the smaller ones sound…

 

[Keith Rawlings]

Thoughts?

 

[PillO]

Thoughts?

View attachment 4386509

 

[godofthunder59]

I built this Nonreverse Thunderbird body while in college 38 years ago, it's what in part got me booted out. The body is mahogany with a 1/4" maple top ala Les Paul. Over the years in storage it developed a cup, this past summer I have been working on getting the cup out and have had good results. I finally started laying out neck, pickup, control cavity routes and bridge location, in the next few weeks I'll start routing. It blows my mind I built this so long ago and that I hung onto it for so long . Updates to follow.

 

[JJR58]

I built this Nonreverse Thunderbird body while in college 38 years ago, it's what in part got me booted out. The body is mahogany with a 1/4" maple top ala Les Paul. Over the years in storage it developed a cup, this past summer I have been working on getting the cup out and have had good results. I finally started laying out neck, pickup, control cavity routes and bridge location, in the next few weeks I'll start routing. It blows my mind I built this so long ago and that I hung onto it for so long . Updates to follow. View attachment 4386546 View attachment 4386549 View attachment 4386552

This is super awesome. No better way for me to say it.

 

[Engle]

Thoughts?

View attachment 4386509

Mel Epiphone is probably a more consistent shot

 

[Engle]

I built this Nonreverse Thunderbird body while in college 38 years ago, it's what in part got me booted out. The body is mahogany with a 1/4" maple top ala Les Paul. Over the years in storage it developed a cup, this past summer I have been working on getting the cup out and have had good results. I finally started laying out neck, pickup, control cavity routes and bridge location, in the next few weeks I'll start routing. It blows my mind I built this so long ago and that I hung onto it for so long . Updates to follow. View attachment 4386546 View attachment 4386549 View attachment 4386552

Very cool. You need to finish it now that you’ve showed us!

 

[GonePlaid]

I built this Nonreverse Thunderbird body while in college 38 years ago, it's what in part got me booted out. The body is mahogany with a 1/4" maple top ala Les Paul. Over the years in storage it developed a cup, this past summer I have been working on getting the cup out and have had good results. I finally started laying out neck, pickup, control cavity routes and bridge location, in the next few weeks I'll start routing. It blows my mind I built this so long ago and that I hung onto it for so long . Updates to follow. View attachment 4386546 View attachment 4386549 View attachment 4386552

Are you gonna use a 3 point?

 

[godofthunder59]

Are you gonna use a 3 point?

Hardee har har Badbird naturally

 

[godofthunder59]

Very cool. You need to finish it now that you’ve showed us!

That's the plan, I retired this summer I have the time

 

[godofthunder59]

I built this Nonreverse Thunderbird body while in college 38 years ago, it's what in part got me booted out. The body is mahogany with a 1/4" maple top ala Les Paul. Over the years in storage it developed a cup, this past summer I have been working on getting the cup out and have had good results. I finally started laying out neck, pickup, control cavity routes and bridge location, in the next few weeks I'll start routing. It blows my mind I built this so long ago and that I hung onto it for so long . Updates to follow. View attachment 4386546 View attachment 4386549 View attachment 4386552

Parts laid out.

 

[GonePlaid]

That's the plan, I retired this summer I have the time

Any idea how you're gonna finish the maple? My LPB2/5 is flamed.

 

[godofthunder59]

Any idea how you're gonna finish the maple? My LPB2/5 is flamed.
View attachment 4386610

Not sure, it's flat sawn not quarter, it's pretty plain. Might go custom color possibly vintage cherry stain, depends how well the stain bits into the maple.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I've always loved that song. So many groovy things happening at once, not unlike a good festival. And that driving bass line!

 

[GonePlaid]

Not sure, it's flat sawn not quarter, it's pretty plain. Might go custom color possibly vintage cherry stain, depends how well the stain bits into the maple.

After 38 years, no need to make a snap judgement. Perhaps you know someone with modeling skills and an airbrush.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I've always loved that song. So many groovy things happening at once, not unlike a good festival. And that driving bass line!

Danny McCulloch did some really shady stuff later, but he could play that bass.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I built this Nonreverse Thunderbird body while in college 38 years ago, it's what in part got me booted out.

Should have built a reverse, dude. Then you'd have had the bass and still been in school!

 

[WillyW]

Waiting on the new strings, luminescent side dots installed, grounding problem fixed.