Thunderbird Club

[WillyW]

Lol, I never have to search far to find the THUNDERBIRD Club!
I was just wondering if someone can tell me where to get the "mod bar" that you string through at the back-side of the three-point bridge?

And how's everybody??

this is the best looking route…. Get it from @godofthunder59

 

[TBird1958]

A little bit from Nikki Sixx and his time in Seattle.

Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx on how Seattle shaped his music – The Seattle Times

 

[WillyW]

So are thunderbird pickups considered humbuckers or single coils?

 

[Larry V]

So are thunderbird pickups considered humbuckers or single coils?

Humbuckers

 

[Larry V]

Don’t try and make a mod bar unless you have a drill press. A power drill and vice clamp would be a minimum and even then a royal pita. Just buy one here…
GIBSON® EPIPHONE® BASS BRIDGE 3-POINT (MOD-BAR!) | eBay

Yes! That's what I'm sure @Count Bassie was talking about and he definitely has the skill set and tools to make this for himself. Hell, I could make one of those out of an old lag bolt without too much effort.

 

[KaraQ]

View attachment 4454877

Yes! That's what I'm sure @Count Bassie was talking about and he definitely has the skill set and tools to make this for himself. Hell, I could make one of those out of an old lag bolt without too much effort.

That looks like it would cause problems with being able to lower the bridge

 

[Larry V]

this is the best looking route…. Get it from @godofthunder59

View attachment 4454793

For a tailpiece, no doubt. But that's not what he was looking for.

@GBassNorth found the item on eBay.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

For a tailpiece, no doubt. But that's not what he was looking for.

@GBassNorth found the item on eBay.

View attachment 4454928

what is that thing? is it to clear the silks on a three point? looks attached to the bridge….thought i’d seen it all….

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

what is that thing? is it to clear the silks on a three point? looks attached to the bridge….thought i’d seen it all….

never mind, read the description……either i missed it or not a commonly discussed item here..

 

[WillyW]

I thought it was interesting that his "expert" said he had actually never seen a Thunderbird bass before. It wasn't in perfect shape either, extra unplugged hole in the body end for a strap pin and no bridge or pickup covers. Further, just seeing that bass laying on the counter with no block under the neck to keep the headstock from supporting weight made me cringe. I know it's rare but I would not have paid so much for that bass.

not sure where they pull most of their prices from, that was pretty beat, don’t care if it’s one of 20 that year.

I’d rather have a new one for cheaper.

 

[TBird1958]

not sure where they pull most of their prices from, that was pretty beat, don’t care if it’s one of 20 that year.

I’d rather have a new one for cheaper.

Remember that they're in Las Vegas, and some folks buy these things to "collect them as opposed to playing them out as we would. There is value in that bass, to be sure - just not the prices mentioned. FWIW a new one wouldn't sound at all like a '76-'79, the pickups are entirely different.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

not sure where they pull most of their prices from, that was pretty beat, don’t care if it’s one of 20 that year.

I’d rather have a new one for cheaper.

or even rarer….70’s NR..

 

[WillyW]

Remember that they're in Las Vegas, and some folks buy these things to "collect them as opposed to playing them out as we would. There is value in that bass, to be sure - just not the prices mentioned. FWIW a new one wouldn't sound at all like a '76-'79, the pickups are entirely different.

I guarantee they don’t sound $7500 different.

 

[Engle]

For a tailpiece, no doubt. But that's not what he was looking for.

@GBassNorth found the item on eBay.

View attachment 4454928

My method doesn’t look as cool, but it works:

 

[JJR58]

Uh oh, Thursday carried into Friday.

 

[dagrev]

Humbuckers

"The Humbuckers."

 

[dagrev]

Uh oh, Thursday carried into Friday.
View attachment 4455120

You just wanted to show off the L/HPF!

 

[Gaolee]

Here’s the Pawn Shop scene where a 1979 Thunderbird is sold by a bass player that bought it in Nashville. I guess that doesn’t mean he’s from Nashville but maybe he is…

@dukeorock, do you know this guy?

$9K for a '79? Well, OK then.

 

[Gaolee]

I'm just up the coast, by June it will only be raining, gray and cold 6/7 days a week. Welcome mat is out for you guys.

Lovely Juneuary in Seattle.

 

[Gaolee]

I thought it was interesting that his "expert" said he had actually never seen a Thunderbird bass before. It wasn't in perfect shape either, extra unplugged hole in the body end for a strap pin and no bridge or pickup covers. Further, just seeing that bass laying on the counter with no block under the neck to keep the headstock from supporting weight made me cringe. I know it's rare but I would not have paid so much for that bass.

And, he had never seen a Thunderbird before. That disqualifies him. Each of us has seen a bunch of Thunderbirds.