Thunderbird Club

[Larry V]

Yeah. if I'm remembering it right, it's black '77's that he's trying to get them all.

I thought it was '79s. He's only missing one.

I guess I was remembering it wrong.

Happens a lot.

 

[dagrev]

HEY! Hey, now!

That was only a matter of time.

 

[godofthunder59]

I finally got a little time with the NR in the shop. I've installed one of my repro tailpieces, and my preferred strap lock on the heel of the neck. I am considering a tug bar as well. For those interested when installing the tail piece it should be about 1/2" from the back end of the three point bridge. When locating the position for the tug bar I placed a 60's pickguard over the newer one and it clearly shows the difference in pickup locations, I much prefer the 60's location and I personally think the new NR neck pickup is to far forward. I really like the 60's tailpiece on the bass, balances out things quite nicely and introduces good string angle break. Also note the brass shim under the D string saddle, I have had to do this with virtually every three point since the 70's.

 

[WillyW]

View attachment 4406385 View attachment 4406386 View attachment 4406387 View attachment 4406388 View attachment 4406389 View attachment 4406390 View attachment 4406391 View attachment 4406392 I finally got a little time with the NR in the shop. I've installed one of my repro tailpieces, and my preferred strap lock on the heel of the neck. I am considering a tig bsr as well. For those interested when installing the tail piece it should be about 1/2" from the back end of the three point bridge. When locating the position for the tug bar I placed a 60's pickguard over the newer one and it clearly shows the difference in pickup locations, I much prefer the 60's location and I personally think the new NR neck pickup is to far forward. I really like the 60's tailpiece on the bass, balances out things quite nicely and introduces good string angle break. Also note the brsss shim under the D string saddle, I have had to do this with virtually every three point since the 70's.

That's exactly what I'm planning to do with mine if they ever come back in stock.

Where did you find the tailpiece?

 

[godofthunder59]

That's exactly what I'm planning to do with mine if they ever come back in stock.

Where did you find the tailpiece?

I manufacture the, pm me.

 

[GonePlaid]

View attachment 4406385 View attachment 4406386 View attachment 4406387 View attachment 4406388 View attachment 4406389 View attachment 4406390 View attachment 4406391 View attachment 4406392 I finally got a little time with the NR in the shop. I've installed one of my repro tailpieces, and my preferred strap lock on the heel of the neck. I am considering a tig bsr as well. For those interested when installing the tail piece it should be about 1/2" from the back end of the three point bridge. When locating the position for the tug bar I placed a 60's pickguard over the newer one and it clearly shows the difference in pickup locations, I much prefer the 60's location and I personally think the new NR neck pickup is to far forward. I really like the 60's tailpiece on the bass, balances out things quite nicely and introduces good string angle break. Also note the brsss shim under the D string saddle, I have had to do this with virtually every three point since the 70's.

Interesting. Funny how each of us has their own preference(s). I've wondered how they'd sound with the neck pup farther forward/farther from the bridge pup. Just about where the new one's are. Do you think you'll be replacing the 3 point-at some point?

 

[godofthunder59]

Interesting. Funny how each of us has their own preference(s). I've wondered how they'd sound with the neck pup farther forward/farther from the bridge pup. Just about where the new one's are. Do you think you'll be replacing the 3 point-at some point?

Replacing the three point.......no clue, wish they would. Oh will I replace the three point? Naw not worth the effort.........maybe I'll put the last Badbird II on it but probably not.

 

[BklynKen]

View attachment 4406385 View attachment 4406386 View attachment 4406387 View attachment 4406388 View attachment 4406389 View attachment 4406390 View attachment 4406391 View attachment 4406392 I finally got a little time with the NR in the shop. I've installed one of my repro tailpieces, and my preferred strap lock on the heel of the neck. I am considering a tug bar as well. For those interested when installing the tail piece it should be about 1/2" from the back end of the three point bridge. When locating the position for the tug bar I placed a 60's pickguard over the newer one and it clearly shows the difference in pickup locations, I much prefer the 60's location and I personally think the new NR neck pickup is to far forward. I really like the 60's tailpiece on the bass, balances out things quite nicely and introduces good string angle break. Also note the brass shim under the D string saddle, I have had to do this with virtually every three point since the 70's.

That looks really good, Scott. While I'm not a fan of that on the Reverse, I think it works well on the NR.

What's the audio difference with the neck pickup positions?

 

[dagrev]

View attachment 4406385 View attachment 4406386 View attachment 4406387 View attachment 4406388 View attachment 4406389 View attachment 4406390 View attachment 4406391 View attachment 4406392 I finally got a little time with the NR in the shop. I've installed one of my repro tailpieces, and my preferred strap lock on the heel of the neck. I am considering a tug bar as well. For those interested when installing the tail piece it should be about 1/2" from the back end of the three point bridge. When locating the position for the tug bar I placed a 60's pickguard over the newer one and it clearly shows the difference in pickup locations, I much prefer the 60's location and I personally think the new NR neck pickup is to far forward. I really like the 60's tailpiece on the bass, balances out things quite nicely and introduces good string angle break. Also note the brass shim under the D string saddle, I have had to do this with virtually every three point since the 70's.

I kept thinking something looked different but never stared long enough to figure it out. For the life of me I don't know why Gibson is obsessed--(demented) and can't leave the spacing alone? I think the modern Thunderbirds would sound better had that not changed the spacing. Exactly what was wrong with perfection?
Demented: "Having lost the normal use of the reason [they sounded great where they were--what reasoning thought moving them was an improvement?]; afflicted with or characterized by dementia [forgetting part of the reason they sounded so good in the first place and are in demand).

I like the claw! A lot. Makes it look normal, or what I'm so used to seeing.

I see the bridge PU is lowered about as far as it can go it seems. Don't use a bridge PU much?

 

[MCF]

View attachment 4406385 View attachment 4406386 View attachment 4406387 View attachment 4406388 View attachment 4406389 View attachment 4406390 View attachment 4406391 View attachment 4406392 I finally got a little time with the NR in the shop. I've installed one of my repro tailpieces, and my preferred strap lock on the heel of the neck. I am considering a tug bar as well. For those interested when installing the tail piece it should be about 1/2" from the back end of the three point bridge. When locating the position for the tug bar I placed a 60's pickguard over the newer one and it clearly shows the difference in pickup locations, I much prefer the 60's location and I personally think the new NR neck pickup is to far forward. I really like the 60's tailpiece on the bass, balances out things quite nicely and introduces good string angle break. Also note the brass shim under the D string saddle, I have had to do this with virtually every three point since the 70's.

That looks good. Do you anticipate a problem with the three point sliding back? And how do you solve it?

 

[PillO]

Interesting. Funny how each of us has their own preference(s). I've wondered how they'd sound with the neck pup farther forward/farther from the bridge pup. Just about where the new one's are. Do you think you'll be replacing the 3 point-at some point?

You may recall that until the re-organization (which saw the end of Henry J) Gibsons were delivered with a Babicz bridge. So, I would argue that they did, but for cost reasons (or other reasons that were never disclosed, cost is just my assumption), they reverted.

 

[Gaolee]

Quick question: Are there any cloverleaf-style tuners that will fit with the current Thunderbird headstock? Asking for a friend......

Yep. Hipshot makes them. You have to ask for mini clovers, which are just a bit smaller. Regular sized clovers will work, but under certain circumstances, they interfere with each other. I have the minis on the Flamingo, and they work perfectly and look the part. I don't recall the exact model number now, but they fit the current headstocks exactly. The Flamingo is a '91, and I had to do a bit of drilling, since the set screw is in a different place from the machines Gibson used back then.

Chrome is good! Your friend asks good questions.

 

[dagrev]

You may recall that until the re-organization (which saw the end of Henry J) Gibsons were delivered with a Babicz bridge. So, I would argue that they did, but for cost reasons (or other reasons that were never disclosed, cost is just my assumption), they reverted.

It's all about what the customer wants...as long as it doesn't cost more or much more. You're right, it's basic economics of running a business. Unless subsidized by....in which case such realities don't matter. It just boils down to simple math, and company in Gibson's position has little to no margin to play with.

 

[Gaolee]

Quick question… why does it burn when I pee?

Because you need another Thunderbird. That's why.

 

[Gaolee]

Sounds like the only practical solution to your problem is to buy two more Thunderbirds.

And refinish them. Of course.

 

[Gaolee]

I'm thinking of getting an arctic white thunderbird and I'm thinking of swapping out most of the hardware, only thing is the pickups I'm looking to put in it are chrome so all the other hardware has to match. What are people's opinions on white thunderbirds with all chrome hardware?

All Thunderbirds are the biz with chrome. Gibson and Epiphone should offer them with chrome instead of black.

 

[dagrev]

Because you need another Thunderbird. That's why.

I really need to go pee. Or is that I need to go get another Thunderbird? Which one should be done first?




Never mind, I know what everyone here will say--and my bladder will be shot.

 

[Gaolee]

That was only a matter of time.

He's right, you know. Covers are the way to go.

 

[TBird1958]

View attachment 4406385 View attachment 4406386 View attachment 4406387 View attachment 4406388 View attachment 4406389 View attachment 4406390 View attachment 4406391 View attachment 4406392 I finally got a little time with the NR in the shop. I've installed one of my repro tailpieces, and my preferred strap lock on the heel of the neck. I am considering a tug bar as well. For those interested when installing the tail piece it should be about 1/2" from the back end of the three point bridge. When locating the position for the tug bar I placed a 60's pickguard over the newer one and it clearly shows the difference in pickup locations, I much prefer the 60's location and I personally think the new NR neck pickup is to far forward. I really like the 60's tailpiece on the bass, balances out things quite nicely and introduces good string angle break. Also note the brass shim under the D string saddle, I have had to do this with virtually every three point since the 70's.

The tail piece and tug bar are looking great Scott! I can tell it'll just be a matter of time before I add them to mine.

 

[BklynKen]

Has any thread on TalkBass hit 10k pages? We'll hit that in 700 and I wonder if it'll just expand that page number box. I see the first page's is the same size as 9300's.