Thunderbird Club

[D.M.N.]

Well, it's done.
Glad I have a very understanding husband.

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[D.M.N.]

There's rumor that a II will be done by Gibson, but I'd be patient.

I will absolutely demolish my bank account if they do a proper vintage spec'd reissue II.

 

[Count Bassie]

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I used a scotch pad to dull the gloss on the neck - I do this on most all my basses.
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I usually use #0000 steel wool... Interesting and maybe better to use Scotch-Brite... Less intrusive I guess.

 

[JIO]

yes, dot markings (rosewood) unbound(?)....white (took blk PG off)...someone had taped it up with electrical tape a la early EVH...tape was removed when I got it but the marks remained...

If it were dot & unbound and had lollypops, it was a late '65. CBS took control of Fender in June '65 and some late '65s had lollypop tuners which were made in-house. For hard-core collectors, depending on what month a '65 was made - it's either pre or post CBS and its (collector) value will be different. Some people (incorrectly) consider any '65 to be pre-CBS. It's all silly as nothing had changed in that year on the basses/guitars, other than the addition of lollypop tuners on some Jazz basses. Case in point - my late '66 (Sept) P is exactly the same as a pre-CBS P (early '65 or older) in every way. (and it was a whole lot less expensive!) At least for the Jazz bass - '66 was when things began to change at Fender.

 

[JIO]

I usually use #0000 steel wool... Interesting and maybe better to use Scotch-Brite... Less intrusive I guess.

I use the scotch-pads to keep the tiny fibers of steel wool away from the pu magnets. (and everywhere else)

 

[TBird1958]

For sure - please do! I did notice the tr cover being rounded out at the top. And judging by where the screw is (centered) makes me think it is a replacement as you can see the screw on mine is near the curve point. Was the hs repaired? Usually when they are all black front & back this is the case. So many '63-'65 II's & IV's have been repaired.

View attachment 4542374
I used a scotch pad to dull the gloss on the neck - I do this on most all my basses.
View attachment 4542377

HS is black front and back so I wouldn't be surprised if it had been broken - I suspect that it has.

 

[WillyW]

Yes - it looks cool! As I said - I very much like the way checking looks. Natural flexing/movement of aged lacquer has a way of creating beautiful filigree. It can be created on a new lacquer finish - MJT des a nice job of it. (BMM J) Then there is craquelure (my finish on a '68 Silvertone Hornet) and (original) on a late '60s Dano 12-string. This is caused by shooting lacquer over a 'false dried' lacquer base colour. (in my case red over black) It becomes this while you watch (pretty cool) and can be accelerated by forced air. (hair-dryer set on 'air' - or a compressor) Depending on how the top coat is sprayed - you will get fine texture or a more open texture. (as the two examples illustrate)

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I went for “old barn door” on a couple of mine.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

If it were dot & unbound and had lollypops, it was a late '65. CBS took control of Fender in June '65 and some late '65s had lollypop tuners which were made in-house. For hard-core collectors, depending on what month a '65 was made - it's either pre or post CBS and its (collector) value will be different. Some people (incorrectly) consider any '65 to be pre-CBS. It's all silly as nothing had changed in that year on the basses/guitars, other than the addition of lollypop tuners on some Jazz basses. Case in point - my late '66 (Sept) P is exactly the same as a pre-CBS P (early '65 or older) in every way. (and it was a whole lot less expensive!) At least for the Jazz bass - '66 was when things began to change at Fender.

yeah I remember the CBS debacle...kinda like HD and AMF....isn't that when they added the blocks and binding?...
also, wasn't early 65 the last year of concentric controls? or, did those go away with CBS? mine had the std. VVT..

 

[WillyW]

HS is black front and back so I wouldn't be surprised if it had been broken - I suspect that it has.

the eBay auction mentioned a repair, but it didn’t sound like a full break, some refinish

 

[RexxRokket]

Nice playing!!

Thanks, man!

Rexx - welcome to the new year!
I have to admit, I’m not normally a fan of slap technique on bass, but that was done very tastefully and the percussive nature of the technique fit the song very well. Nicely done sir! Keep ‘em coming!

Thank you! if you listen to the original recording it doesn't even have bass on it, so I decided to make my own arrangement on bass and said ''well... why not'' haha.

Here is the original btw

Still putting us talentless hacks to shame.
Where is the `bird?

Not a chance in hell, my bird is here but can't sing for the moment...

WoW, you are so very fluid, amazingling talented. Thank you, Luis.

Hey there! thank you very much, Veronica.

But the playing is quite good as always! Reminds me of Roundabout-era Yes.

Whats up thunderbrother? now that's a compliment!

Sometimes I play with other people, yes, but I'm currently working on my solo material

Well said-and I agree.

Thank you, sir.

 

[Justyn Brando]

Whelp, just pulled the trigger on another Vintage Pro, but ebony finish. The collection grows!

Lol ashtray set to follow, and black w/ gold pickguard

 

[Count Bassie]

Happy new year thunderbuddies!

I still can't play my bird... but I brought thunderbird pickups this time at least.

This genre is called ''rumba flamenca'' and this is 100% my own arrangement for this song from the scratch, you may like it (or not).

(The video recording is quite bad I must say)

Very sharp stuff!

 

[Count Bassie]

You could just buy TI Jazz Flats, plenty bendy and they sound great. However, my experience on fast fretting complex songs is that floppy isn’t a good thing, it slows me down. A lighter gauge EB Cobalt flat is what I’d be after. A bit easier to fast fret and bend without feeling floppy and slowing you down.

I've taken a shot at some DR High beams. I haven't tried them, and if they don't do well I'll probably go back to Cobalt Flats...

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

For sure - please do! I did notice the tr cover being rounded out at the top. And judging by where the screw is (centered) makes me think it is a replacement as you can see the screw on mine is near the curve point. Was the hs repaired? Usually when they are all black front & back this is the case. So many '63-'65 II's & IV's have been repaired.

View attachment 4542374
I used a scotch pad to dull the gloss on the neck - I do this on most all my basses.
View attachment 4542377

are original TRCs gold lettering?

 

[godofthunder59]

are original TRCs gold lettering?

Bicentennials had white lettering, gold for 60s birds.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Congrats to our Queen! A checkmark next to that bucket list item.

yeah...she's more credible now!......
just kidding your highness............

 

[Bent77]

Congrats on the fantastic bass score your highness!!

 

[Bent77]

So here’s where the test mule (LocoMule) science project is at:

Yes that’s an SG/EB pickup at the neck/Rick position. Cause why not

By itself, glorious beautiful, but thick tone. Not like a mudbucker though

With a touch of bridge, adds mids and clarity, but not a ton

In cancellation, it’s one of the weirdest pissed of bridge plucked heavy sound. Very cool, not a lot of output or low end

that middle position. With a little neck rolled in, it’s aggressive but smooth. By itself? It’s angry AF. I like it

 

[Count Bassie]

yeah...she's more credible now!......
just kidding your highness............

 

[Gaolee]

Well, it's done.
Glad I have a very understanding husband.

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It's been a long time coming. Congratulations!