hats off to you for having it be your #1 player….
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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
- Start date
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- Tags
- club thunderbird
I always wear a hat/cap.
Thanks Donny, we call those “Jelly Bean” mags
Thanks George
Happy Birthday @RedVee !
Thanks Kara
Happy Birthday, Geoff! Hope you're having a great one filled with everything you love!
New strings day! 
....a pretty "snug" fit into the bridge
....especially the (.125) B-string.
Since it's non-tapered, and with the increased stiffness of the DDTs, I had to remove the saddle, and pull the end through with the tuner (would not go through the top opening at all).
I may end up taking a small, round file to open up the string-path in the bridge some, so the string will be easier to change going forward.
But, other than re-setting the B-string saddle, I only had to make a couple of adjustments, switching from 45-125 DR neon reds.
I was able to drop the height of the G-string slightly, and had to move the E-string saddle forward about half a turn. Everything else was fine.
One thing that was pretty interesting, is that the volume for the E to G-string increased dramatically.
Since it did not for the B-string (which is the same size as the one taken off), I assume it largely due to the increased string diameter of the upper four?
(or maybe the not necessarily super awesome stock pickups.....)
Tone is definitely a bit brighter & can get a little twangy/clangy with a 1.14mm plastic pick, but sounds pretty awesome with a 3mm hard felt pick
Looking forward to seeing how they settle in, I've been pretty happy with the way the DDTs sound on the Redbird.
....a pretty "snug" fit into the bridge
....especially the (.125) B-string.
Since it's non-tapered, and with the increased stiffness of the DDTs, I had to remove the saddle, and pull the end through with the tuner (would not go through the top opening at all).
I may end up taking a small, round file to open up the string-path in the bridge some, so the string will be easier to change going forward.
But, other than re-setting the B-string saddle, I only had to make a couple of adjustments, switching from 45-125 DR neon reds.
I was able to drop the height of the G-string slightly, and had to move the E-string saddle forward about half a turn. Everything else was fine.
One thing that was pretty interesting, is that the volume for the E to G-string increased dramatically.
Since it did not for the B-string (which is the same size as the one taken off), I assume it largely due to the increased string diameter of the upper four?
(or maybe the not necessarily super awesome stock pickups.....)
Tone is definitely a bit brighter & can get a little twangy/clangy with a 1.14mm plastic pick, but sounds pretty awesome with a 3mm hard felt pick
Looking forward to seeing how they settle in, I've been pretty happy with the way the DDTs sound on the Redbird.
Congrats! With case and excellent playability @ $300?!?! A steal for sure!
2 things that work like magic to cure any dive you may experience.
The first one doesn't cost you anything and that is to relocate the the forward strap button to the heel plate on the back. Just get a longer screw and replace one of the heel plate screws. Others drill a new hole in the heel plate but I haven't found that to be necessary.
The second one is to get a 2.5-3" strap that's not smooth on the backside. A wider grippy strap should do it.
Enjoy that bass and welcome to the club!
Fair warning... Thunderbirds like to flock together and no one ever just has one.
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I've not seen the bottoms, but I wasn't sure and couldn't recall if yours had single poles or doubled. Looks similar to G&Ls, but the poles are adjustable. I don't recall seeing what they look like on the bottom either. I'm just noting the visual similarities, I know the Gibsons and G&Ls have nothing in common.
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Must be. That ain't right. Can I have it? I'll send you a real Epiphone VP.
It can't be difficult for Epi either. They make their guitars in more than three finishes. Run a few over to the guitar spray booth where they have more cans.That's one of the problems with basses with that superfluous string....New strings day!
View attachment 4539211
....a pretty "snug" fit into the bridge
View attachment 4539219
....especially the (.125) B-string.
Since it's non-tapered, and with the increased stiffness of the DDTs, I had to remove the saddle, and pull the end through with the tuner (would not go through the top opening at all).
I may end up taking a small, round file to open up the string-path in the bridge some, so the string will be easier to change going forward.
But, other than re-setting the B-string saddle, I only had to make a couple of adjustments, switching from 45-125 DR neon reds.
I was able to drop the height of the G-string slightly, and had to move the E-string saddle forward about half a turn. Everything else was fine.
View attachment 4539223
One thing that was pretty interesting, is that the volume for the E to G-string increased dramatically.
Since it did not for the B-string (which is the same size as the one taken off), I assume it largely due to the increased string diameter of the upper four?
(or maybe the not necessarily super awesome stock pickups.....)
Tone is definitely a bit brighter & can get a little twangy/clangy with a 1.14mm plastic pick, but sounds pretty awesome with a 3mm hard felt pick
Looking forward to seeing how they settle in, I've been pretty happy with the way the DDTs sound on the Redbird.
godofthunder59
Life is short, buy the bass.
- Feb 19, 2006
- 9,057
- 38,405
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Cataldo Basses, Whirlwind products, Thunderbucker pickups
Vintage Pro Thunderbird best bird built since the 60s, even better in some ways.
I remember you telling me that before I bough my first VP (which was massive incentive). You were on the money! I wish everyone could play a 60s version a little to fully appreciate the truth of what you said. I can't speak to the Greco bird, but as far as anything Gibson/Epi has ever done, nothing even comes close. Gibson could have slapped a Gibson instead of Epi TRC on it and sold it for well over a grand. But Epi gets the points and the glory for getting it right while people in Nashville are.... Well, we'll see.
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A VP with a Gibson TRC....w/ a nitro finish? Yes, please!
You can have that right now for a heck of a lot cheaper than Gibson will sell it to you for.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
I kinda like the exposed pole pieces, wonder how it would look on a bird?
