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Thunderbird Club

#184,822
KaraQ said:
They're the best! :thumbsup:



Congrats! :)




I can actually fit all seven in. And the acoustic. And both combo amps, as well as pedals, cords, etc.

And still be able to fit at least 2-3 people besides me :smug:
Click to expand...
I had a big green Chevy Express van. It had been a Washington State DOT van before I bought it and was used to haul workers around jobsites. It smelled like Portland cement and cigarette ashes when I got it, and it had evidence of a lot of minor skirmishes with heavy equipment that had been repaired with varying degrees of care over the years. But, it ran perfectly and was maintained in the way only a government entity maintains things. It was dark green. You couldn't miss it. Nobody ever did, so it got repaired repeatedly from people backing into it or driving into it on the road while I had it. It was in far better shape cosmetically when I sold it than it was when I got it. Thanks insurance!

Once I put limo tint on the windows and got rid of the seats except one back seat row, it would haul a PA, drum kit, upright bass, guitars, keyboard, guitar and bass amps, monitors, and I can't even remember what all else, plus have room for five people including the driver. Only problem is that it would get 17 mpg on the freeway at a steady 60 mph or more like 13 under normal conditions. And it didn't have cruise control, which meant that my legs and back would get angry after a while on the freeway.

But, it was about as reliable as they come for the six years I had it. I sold it to a family who were moving back to Mexico and wanted a van that could pull a trailer. I paid $5000 including all the taxes, licensing, and all that. Six years later, I hadn't put much into it except routine maintenance and sold it for $4000, cash. It was probably the best vehicle I have ever owned for a lot of reasons. Only problem is that it didn't fit some of the places I have to go, and it burned a lot of fuel. So, I have a Transit Connect that also had a government entity as its first owner. Gotta love government equipment maintenance.

The little Ford doesn't haul near as much, but it burns less fuel, has cruise control, and fits in parking garages for the most part.
 
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#184,824
Gaolee said:
I had a big green Chevy Express van. It had been a Washington State DOT van before I bought it and was used to haul workers around jobsites. It smelled like Portland cement and cigarette ashes when I got it, and it had evidence of a lot of minor skirmishes with heavy equipment that had been repaired with varying degrees of care over the years. But, it ran perfectly and was maintained in the way only a government entity maintains things. It was dark green. You couldn't miss it. Nobody ever did, so it got repaired repeatedly from people backing into it or driving into it on the road while I had it. It was in far better shape cosmetically when I sold it than it was when I got it. Thanks insurance!

Once I put limo tint on the windows and got rid of the seats except one back seat row, it would haul a PA, drum kit, upright bass, guitars, keyboard, guitar and bass amps, monitors, and I can't even remember what all else, plus have room for five people including the driver. Only problem is that it would get 17 mpg on the freeway at a steady 60 mph or more like 13 under normal conditions. And it didn't have cruise control, which meant that my legs and back would get angry after a while on the freeway.

But, it was about as reliable as they come for the six years I had it. I sold it to a family who were moving back to Mexico and wanted a van that could pull a trailer. I paid $5000 including all the taxes, licensing, and all that. Six years later, I hadn't put much into it except routine maintenance and sold it for $4000, cash. It was probably the best vehicle I have ever owned for a lot of reasons. Only problem is that it didn't fit some of the places I have to go, and it burned a lot of fuel. So, I have a Transit Connect that also had a government entity as its first owner. Gotta love government equipment maintenance.

The little Ford doesn't haul near as much, but it burns less fuel, has cruise control, and fits in parking garages for the most part.
Click to expand...
Looks like you did a little more that tint the windows....
0ca42896cb57ec9ac790e535d832a50c.jpg
 
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#184,825
Gaolee said:
I had a big green Chevy Express van. It had been a Washington State DOT van before I bought it and was used to haul workers around jobsites. It smelled like Portland cement and cigarette ashes when I got it, and it had evidence of a lot of minor skirmishes with heavy equipment that had been repaired with varying degrees of care over the years. But, it ran perfectly and was maintained in the way only a government entity maintains things. It was dark green. You couldn't miss it. Nobody ever did, so it got repaired repeatedly from people backing into it or driving into it on the road while I had it. It was in far better shape cosmetically when I sold it than it was when I got it. Thanks insurance!

Once I put limo tint on the windows and got rid of the seats except one back seat row, it would haul a PA, drum kit, upright bass, guitars, keyboard, guitar and bass amps, monitors, and I can't even remember what all else, plus have room for five people including the driver. Only problem is that it would get 17 mpg on the freeway at a steady 60 mph or more like 13 under normal conditions. And it didn't have cruise control, which meant that my legs and back would get angry after a while on the freeway.

But, it was about as reliable as they come for the six years I had it. I sold it to a family who were moving back to Mexico and wanted a van that could pull a trailer. I paid $5000 including all the taxes, licensing, and all that. Six years later, I hadn't put much into it except routine maintenance and sold it for $4000, cash. It was probably the best vehicle I have ever owned for a lot of reasons. Only problem is that it didn't fit some of the places I have to go, and it burned a lot of fuel. So, I have a Transit Connect that also had a government entity as its first owner. Gotta love government equipment maintenance.

The little Ford doesn't haul near as much, but it burns less fuel, has cruise control, and fits in parking garages for the most part.
Click to expand...
Yup.
1227191309-00.jpg
 
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#184,826
Gaolee said:
I had a big green Chevy Express van. It had been a Washington State DOT van before I bought it and was used to haul workers around jobsites. It smelled like Portland cement and cigarette ashes when I got it, and it had evidence of a lot of minor skirmishes with heavy equipment that had been repaired with varying degrees of care over the years. But, it ran perfectly and was maintained in the way only a government entity maintains things. It was dark green. You couldn't miss it. Nobody ever did, so it got repaired repeatedly from people backing into it or driving into it on the road while I had it. It was in far better shape cosmetically when I sold it than it was when I got it. Thanks insurance!

Once I put limo tint on the windows and got rid of the seats except one back seat row, it would haul a PA, drum kit, upright bass, guitars, keyboard, guitar and bass amps, monitors, and I can't even remember what all else, plus have room for five people including the driver. Only problem is that it would get 17 mpg on the freeway at a steady 60 mph or more like 13 under normal conditions. And it didn't have cruise control, which meant that my legs and back would get angry after a while on the freeway.

But, it was about as reliable as they come for the six years I had it. I sold it to a family who were moving back to Mexico and wanted a van that could pull a trailer. I paid $5000 including all the taxes, licensing, and all that. Six years later, I hadn't put much into it except routine maintenance and sold it for $4000, cash. It was probably the best vehicle I have ever owned for a lot of reasons. Only problem is that it didn't fit some of the places I have to go, and it burned a lot of fuel. So, I have a Transit Connect that also had a government entity as its first owner. Gotta love government equipment maintenance.

The little Ford doesn't haul near as much, but it burns less fuel, has cruise control, and fits in parking garages for the most part.
Click to expand...
Is that the van that said "FREE CANDY" on the sides?
 
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#184,829
GBassNorth said:
Such a sweet thing! Can’t wait to see a pic of it next to, and in, the same light as your earlier model PB NR, that will help me nail the color of the new birds.
Enjoy!
Click to expand...
I’m a bit busy with that nasty four letter word the next few days. Looking forward to the weekend to get things dialed in, take more pics and enjoy it. It looks darker in the pics posted compared to in real life.

Some notes:
They’re definitely not Tbird+ pickups or copies or the VP pickups. They’re definitely meant to have a vintage tone and they do. They’re more even across the spectrum than the VPs. They sound great. I’ll put some stainless roundwounds on it soon enough.

Setup is Gibson spec. Way too high for my preference. Strings are still settling in. Intonation is really close.

The strings look different than the Gibson branded strings I put on the shorty recently.

The fit and finish and fretwork are exceptional. Anyone who criticizes Gibson QC in the post Henry days is nuts.
 
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#184,831
BklynKen said:
Wow, that's nuts. Congratulations! What config do you think you'd be using for gigs like the one Jeff and I were at in Brooklyn?
Click to expand...

Not really sure. Some runs you go on include an outdoor fest and a small club or whatever. So what may seem a bit much on Friday could be barely hanging on Saturday. Gotta find a decent all around rig, if that makes sense
 
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#184,834
MCF said:
I’m a bit busy with that nasty four letter word the next few days. Looking forward to the weekend to get things dialed in, take more pics and enjoy it. It looks darker in the pics posted compared to in real life.

Some notes:
They’re definitely not Tbird+ pickups or copies or the VP pickups. They’re definitely meant to have a vintage tone and they do. They’re more even across the spectrum than the VPs. They sound great. I’ll put some stainless roundwounds on it soon enough.

Setup is Gibson spec. Way too high for my preference. Strings are still settling in. Intonation is really close.

The strings look different than the Gibson branded strings I put on the shorty recently.

The fit and finish and fretwork are exceptional. Anyone who criticizes Gibson QC in the post Henry days is nuts.
Click to expand...
So you like it and are going to keep it then......

Sounds like more solid reasons to buy one at some point. Seems like a definite must have Thunderbird.
 
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