Thunderbird Club

[Chucky Stiletti]

The gold "Gibson" on my '64 trc bleached white over time - I tried to capture the faint edges of leftover gold but the camera keeps focusing on the strings. So the only thing gold now is the knobs. The original black trc was black to disappear against the black hs face.

View attachment 4391196

my 68 came without a TRC as well…..the only gold lettered ones i could find online were matt finished so i had to spray mine with a clear gloss coat. all good now…..wonder why Gibson TRCs are such a point of contention…..don’t think i've ever seen a real one for sale….

 

[Nocturnal]

I think the gold one will look great on there and I'm on the fence about its placement. The purist wants to see it in the Greco location since it's a Greco that it's going on. But my eye has a hard time with that placement and thinks the Gibson location is better visually.

I do not care for the Greco location. My Greco Bird logo is almost completely worn off. I am good with that.

Does anybody know if Eppi ever put out a stock Tbird with a chrome three point and chrome tuners? Seems to me they’ve all been black hardware.

This run of the Epi "Custom Shop" Birds has chrome hardware as well. It was basically the TV Silver Bird several years in advance.

 

[PillO]

Guess I need to buy an NR.
But which color shall I buy…

One of each!

 

[JIO]

my 68 came without a TRC as well…..the only gold lettered ones i could find online were matt finished so i had to spray mine with a clear gloss coat. all good now…..wonder why Gibson TRCs are such a point of contention…..don’t think i've ever seen a real one for sale….

Me neither, but you can be certain that if a '63-'65 Gibson T-bird trc came up for sale - it would have an asking price of.., $500?

 

[Tbone76]

I finally picked up my first Gibson Thunderbird:



It’s a 2019 Heritage Red Burst, picked up used at Guitar Center. It came with all of the case candy, including the picture after it was built. The build card shows it was made on 11/2018, but it’s stamped on the neck as a 2019 model.

I got it for $1200, but I think I know why it was so inexpensive (relatively). It plays very nice with a medium action, but the neck has a bit too much relief. When I took off the truss rod cover, I saw that the truss nut is rounded off, so I can’t add tension. I know a lot of you will probably say to just return it, I think I’m going to bring it to my local shop to have it looked at and see if they can take care of it. I really love how it sounds (loud and aggressive!), the neck feels great even though I normally prefer wider necks, and the bass feels like it weighs under 8lbs. I was shocked at how light it is compared to my P Bass.

Assuming my shop can sort out the truss rod nut, I’m probably going to swap the top hat knobs for Speed Knobs, and I also plan on swapping to a Supertone bridge. Thoughts on my plan for addressing the truss rod? And as always, thanks for taking a look!

 

[Gaolee]

The gold "Gibson" on my '64 trc bleached white over time - I tried to capture the faint edges of leftover gold but the camera keeps focusing on the strings. So the only thing gold now is the knobs. The original black trc was black to disappear against the black hs face.

View attachment 4391196

I always thought that Thunderbirds would make more sense with black pickguards. But they look great with white pickguards.

 

[Gaolee]

I finally picked up my first Gibson Thunderbird:
View attachment 4391332
View attachment 4391333
View attachment 4391334
It’s a 2019 Heritage Red Burst, picked up used at Guitar Center. It came with all of the case candy, including the picture after it was built. The build card shows it was made on 11/2018, but it’s stamped on the neck as a 2019 model.

I got it for $1200, but I think I know why it was so inexpensive (relatively). It plays very nice with a medium action, but the neck has a bit too much relief. When I took off the truss rod cover, I saw that the truss nut is rounded off, so I can’t add tension. I know a lot of you will probably say to just return it, I think I’m going to bring it to my local shop to have it looked at and see if they can take care of it. I really love how it sounds (loud and aggressive!), the neck feels great even though I normally prefer wider necks, and the bass feels like it weighs under 8lbs. I was shocked at how light it is compared to my P Bass.

Assuming my shop can sort out the truss rod nut, I’m probably going to swap the top hat knobs for Speed Knobs, and I also plan on swapping to a Supertone bridge. Thoughts on my plan for addressing the truss rod? And as always, thanks for taking a look!

Replace the nut with one that's not stripped. I doubt that will be too tough to do if they can get the old nut out.

 

[Gaolee]

I finally picked up my first Gibson Thunderbird:
View attachment 4391332
View attachment 4391333
View attachment 4391334
It’s a 2019 Heritage Red Burst, picked up used at Guitar Center. It came with all of the case candy, including the picture after it was built. The build card shows it was made on 11/2018, but it’s stamped on the neck as a 2019 model.

I got it for $1200, but I think I know why it was so inexpensive (relatively). It plays very nice with a medium action, but the neck has a bit too much relief. When I took off the truss rod cover, I saw that the truss nut is rounded off, so I can’t add tension. I know a lot of you will probably say to just return it, I think I’m going to bring it to my local shop to have it looked at and see if they can take care of it. I really love how it sounds (loud and aggressive!), the neck feels great even though I normally prefer wider necks, and the bass feels like it weighs under 8lbs. I was shocked at how light it is compared to my P Bass.

Assuming my shop can sort out the truss rod nut, I’m probably going to swap the top hat knobs for Speed Knobs, and I also plan on swapping to a Supertone bridge. Thoughts on my plan for addressing the truss rod? And as always, thanks for taking a look!

And I forgot to say congratulations, and that's a beautiful finish.

 

[GBassNorth]

I finally picked up my first Gibson Thunderbird:
View attachment 4391332
View attachment 4391333
View attachment 4391334
It’s a 2019 Heritage Red Burst, picked up used at Guitar Center. It came with all of the case candy, including the picture after it was built. The build card shows it was made on 11/2018, but it’s stamped on the neck as a 2019 model.

I got it for $1200, but I think I know why it was so inexpensive (relatively). It plays very nice with a medium action, but the neck has a bit too much relief. When I took off the truss rod cover, I saw that the truss nut is rounded off, so I can’t add tension. I know a lot of you will probably say to just return it, I think I’m going to bring it to my local shop to have it looked at and see if they can take care of it. I really love how it sounds (loud and aggressive!), the neck feels great even though I normally prefer wider necks, and the bass feels like it weighs under 8lbs. I was shocked at how light it is compared to my P Bass.

Assuming my shop can sort out the truss rod nut, I’m probably going to swap the top hat knobs for Speed Knobs, and I also plan on swapping to a Supertone bridge. Thoughts on my plan for addressing the truss rod? And as always, thanks for taking a look!

Your shop should be able to remove the old nut (just be careful not to put any excessive force on the headstock, they do break). Once the old nut is off they can put a fresh spec Gibson nut back on. Also, be sure to get a proper Gibson nut tool “crack pipe” and you’ll be good to go.

 

[Nocturnal]

I finally picked up my first Gibson Thunderbird:
View attachment 4391332
View attachment 4391333
View attachment 4391334
It’s a 2019 Heritage Red Burst, picked up used at Guitar Center. It came with all of the case candy, including the picture after it was built. The build card shows it was made on 11/2018, but it’s stamped on the neck as a 2019 model.

I got it for $1200, but I think I know why it was so inexpensive (relatively). It plays very nice with a medium action, but the neck has a bit too much relief. When I took off the truss rod cover, I saw that the truss nut is rounded off, so I can’t add tension. I know a lot of you will probably say to just return it, I think I’m going to bring it to my local shop to have it looked at and see if they can take care of it. I really love how it sounds (loud and aggressive!), the neck feels great even though I normally prefer wider necks, and the bass feels like it weighs under 8lbs. I was shocked at how light it is compared to my P Bass.

Assuming my shop can sort out the truss rod nut, I’m probably going to swap the top hat knobs for Speed Knobs, and I also plan on swapping to a Supertone bridge. Thoughts on my plan for addressing the truss rod? And as always, thanks for taking a look!

Congrats!! She is a beauty!!. I would definitely see about getting the truss-rod nut replaced but if they tell you it's screwed, you can return it.

 

[TBird1958]

I finally picked up my first Gibson Thunderbird:
View attachment 4391332
View attachment 4391333
View attachment 4391334
It’s a 2019 Heritage Red Burst, picked up used at Guitar Center. It came with all of the case candy, including the picture after it was built. The build card shows it was made on 11/2018, but it’s stamped on the neck as a 2019 model.

I got it for $1200, but I think I know why it was so inexpensive (relatively). It plays very nice with a medium action, but the neck has a bit too much relief. When I took off the truss rod cover, I saw that the truss nut is rounded off, so I can’t add tension. I know a lot of you will probably say to just return it, I think I’m going to bring it to my local shop to have it looked at and see if they can take care of it. I really love how it sounds (loud and aggressive!), the neck feels great even though I normally prefer wider necks, and the bass feels like it weighs under 8lbs. I was shocked at how light it is compared to my P Bass.

Assuming my shop can sort out the truss rod nut, I’m probably going to swap the top hat knobs for Speed Knobs, and I also plan on swapping to a Supertone bridge. Thoughts on my plan for addressing the truss rod? And as always, thanks for taking a look!

Congratulations, that's a cool finish! Hopefully it can be sorted out - Letme know if you'd like me to add you to the club.

 

[TBird1958]

"nut tool"

In my best Beavis and Butthead voice "nut tool"


Sorry!

 

[Tbone76]

Congratulations, that's a cool finish! Hopefully it can be sorted out - Letme know if you'd like me to add you to the club.

I’m happy to be added to the club once it’s sorted out. I just want to make sure it isn’t buggered before committing (although it would give me an excuse to pick up a non-reverse.....).

 

[GBassNorth]

I think it was The ThunderBird Elite.

View attachment 4390856

So does the TV Silver.
View attachment 4390878

Yep definitely a Elite or Elitist

I do not care for the Greco location. My Greco Bird logo is almost completely worn off. I am good with that.
This run of the Epi "Custom Shop" Birds has chrome hardware as well. It was basically the TV Silver Bird several years in advance.
View attachment 4391301

Thanks everybody for the info and pics!

Here’s what’s going on - I was surfing the net last night in the wee hours of the morning and ran across a used Eppi bird for sale at Guitar Center. It was a stupid low price of $180 and supposedly in good condition. It was advertised as a Burgundy Thunderbird (which is probably wrong, it’s most likely a burst) but the pic was so dark it looked like a solid black finish so who knows. It also had a chrome 3 point and what looked like chrome tuners which seemed odd for a normal Eppi. The pickups looked like std black plastic, not chrome and no sign of trim rings either. I didn’t see a Ltd or any other special stamp at the back of the heel. All things considered I don’t think it’s an elite. Probably just a plain burst Eppi IV that someone slapped chrome hardware on.

I figured what the heck, at that price I’ll give it a spin, I’ve been looking for a body donor for my FrankenGoth anyway. Thing is, with Guitar Center you sometimes just don’t know for sure exactly what it is they’re selling due to all the inaccurate listings and poor pictures. Recall I got my 2015 bird there when it was advertised (and priced) as a std Gibby, and my BaCH thunderbird was advertised as an “Epic Firebird”. So next week I guess I’ll find out what I got, unfortunately I didn’t grab a screen shot before I bought it so there’s no pics on the web I can reference.

 

[GBassNorth]

…(although it would give me an excuse to pick up a non-reverse.....).

I like the way you think! you’ll fit in perfect here.

 

[Gaolee]

I’m happy to be added to the club once it’s sorted out. I just want to make sure it isn’t buggered before committing (although it would give me an excuse to pick up a non-reverse.....).

You can do that and have both. We are here to enable.

 

[PillO]

I finally picked up my first Gibson Thunderbird:
View attachment 4391332
View attachment 4391333
View attachment 4391334
It’s a 2019 Heritage Red Burst, picked up used at Guitar Center. It came with all of the case candy, including the picture after it was built. The build card shows it was made on 11/2018, but it’s stamped on the neck as a 2019 model.

I got it for $1200, but I think I know why it was so inexpensive (relatively). It plays very nice with a medium action, but the neck has a bit too much relief. When I took off the truss rod cover, I saw that the truss nut is rounded off, so I can’t add tension. I know a lot of you will probably say to just return it, I think I’m going to bring it to my local shop to have it looked at and see if they can take care of it. I really love how it sounds (loud and aggressive!), the neck feels great even though I normally prefer wider necks, and the bass feels like it weighs under 8lbs. I was shocked at how light it is compared to my P Bass.

Assuming my shop can sort out the truss rod nut, I’m probably going to swap the top hat knobs for Speed Knobs, and I also plan on swapping to a Supertone bridge. Thoughts on my plan for addressing the truss rod? And as always, thanks for taking a look!

I love that look/colour. Only offered the one year IIRC.

The truss rod nut if fixable, is a small issue to correct.

 

[dagrev]

I finally picked up my first Gibson Thunderbird:
View attachment 4391332
View attachment 4391333
View attachment 4391334
It’s a 2019 Heritage Red Burst, picked up used at Guitar Center. It came with all of the case candy, including the picture after it was built. The build card shows it was made on 11/2018, but it’s stamped on the neck as a 2019 model.

I got it for $1200, but I think I know why it was so inexpensive (relatively). It plays very nice with a medium action, but the neck has a bit too much relief. When I took off the truss rod cover, I saw that the truss nut is rounded off, so I can’t add tension. I know a lot of you will probably say to just return it, I think I’m going to bring it to my local shop to have it looked at and see if they can take care of it. I really love how it sounds (loud and aggressive!), the neck feels great even though I normally prefer wider necks, and the bass feels like it weighs under 8lbs. I was shocked at how light it is compared to my P Bass.

Assuming my shop can sort out the truss rod nut, I’m probably going to swap the top hat knobs for Speed Knobs, and I also plan on swapping to a Supertone bridge. Thoughts on my plan for addressing the truss rod? And as always, thanks for taking a look!

Nice looking Thunderbird you've got there! No doubt it might be the best playing bass you own.

That nut being rounded may mean no more than someone with poor tool skills tried to adjust it or a goofball couldn't figure out the right size socket (5/16) to fit and just went with what he/she had in hand. You may want to take it to make sure the neck will adjust--and likely it will. But if you want a nut, PM me and I'll send you one if you just want to change it and adjust it yourself. But, getting one that's rounded off and tight could be tricky. (I had to buy about three or four a while back to replace the one on my '76, which may have been owned by the same person who had yours! No point in anyone here buying several when I have extras.) That offer still stands for anyone here in need of a ..... You know.

 

[dagrev]

In my best Beavis and Butthead voice "nut tool"


Sorry!

But it was funny and made be crack up!

 

[dagrev]

I’m happy to be added to the club once it’s sorted out. I just want to make sure it isn’t buggered before committing (although it would give me an excuse to pick up a non-reverse.....).

Good plan. Either way, two are better than one! And, the NR will sound different.