Thunderbird Club

[JIO]

Tommy did play a similar Robin for many years. Supposedly still occasionally does. It’s a terrific bass and I could see someone loving the pickups. I just don’t

A solid-body bass/guitars' sound/character originates from the pu's/electronics. It's understandable that we are drawn to our favorite basses because of the type of pu's/electronics they have. Has to look good also ... unless you're you are into playing great sounding/playing ugly basses!

 

[jd56hawk]

That pic looks day-go red. Cardinal Red is Gibson's version of Fender's Fiesta red. I dig it.

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Cherry (red) is a different, translucent shade of red - not aware of 'bright cherry' but I see Cardinal red is sometimes referred to as that. Can't see any similarity.
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The refinished Epiphone is definitely a hotter red.

Regardless, I think it looks better with the black pickguard.
I'd swap the regular control knobs for these, too.

 

[JIO]

The refinished Epiphone is definitely a hotter red.
View attachment 4575701
Regardless, I think it ooks better with the black pickguard.
I'd swap the regular control knobs for these, too.
View attachment 4575702

Whatever makes it your own. Over the years Fiesta red has appeared in many shades, from a light coral colour to a bright tomato red-orange. It was originally used on late '50s Ford Thunderbirds.

 

[icefly]

No, not mine, but why can't Epiphone do what this guy did?
View attachment 4575683

If you mean.., bright colored finishes... I'd have to say it probably wouldn't be a big selling point today. The '80s were when outrageous colours and finishes flourished but being an exclusively "style" thing - it had a definite (short) 'shelf-life'. (as most 'styles' do) Most T-bird owners gravitate to "classic" colours and finishes. Somewhat conservative I know... but it is what it is. In this regard, supporting your local guitar finisher is a good alternative to such mediocracy.

What about "limited colour series"?
May work for them (Epiphone/Gibson), and us (buyers)

 

[JJR58]

sorry my bad!…better?…
View attachment 4575334

Gibson Thunderbird IV 1966 Sunburst | Southside Guitars | Reverb

Right here in Brooklyn.

 

[Instagator]

The refinished Epiphone is definitely a hotter red.
View attachment 4575701
Regardless, I think it ooks better with the black pickguard.
I'd swap the regular control knobs for these, too.
View attachment 4575702

I did a VP in Dakota Red nitro..just because it wasn’t available as a stock color.

 

[dagrev]

So, the TRC on yours, mine and Jio's are different than the two pictured in The Gibson Bass Book, which why I was confused about mine. Both of the Birds in the book show the TRC mounting screws closer to the nut and the TRC actually touching it. Pages 37, 42 and 43. An interesting variation.

When I first noticed this years ago on mine, then saw yours I began to wonder if it was "repair" related, but that's not the case with JIO's, so it's apparently just Gibson being consistent. All the old NR's seem to be close to the nut. I haven't noticed any of those drifting upward. I wonder if it could be related to hand shaping the headstocks and then needing to place the TRC to fit/match the shape that was created. In other words, I wonder if the headstocks don't have a fair amount of differences in them where they meet the neck. I hope that makes some sense, even if completely off the mark. Just a wild guess.

Trying to match the curves in this area. But this one is obviously by the nut and not mine.

 

[GBassNorth]

When I first noticed this years ago on mine, then saw yours I began to wonder if it was "repair" related, but that's not the case with JIO's, so it's apparently just Gibson being consistent. All the old NR's seem to be close to the nut. I haven't noticed any of those drifting upward. I wonder if it could be related to hand shaping the headstocks and then needing to place the TRC to fit/match the shape that was created. In other words, I wonder if the headstocks don't have a fair amount of differences in them where they meet the neck. I hope that makes some sense, even if completely off the mark. Just a wild guess.

Trying to match the curves in this area. But this one is obviously by the nut and not mine.
View attachment 4575783

Yikes! Could they have put those screws any closer to the edges of the headstock! I’d have been a nervous wreck drilling those holes. Hair to small and you’ll crack the headstock tightening the screw, and a hair too deep and your through the back of the headstock, no room for error on that placement.

 

[dagrev]

My TRC, at least you can see why I want to replace it.

View attachment 4575664

Mine is a little less pronounced but has that same bow to it. Possibly due to different parts shrinking at different rates, replacement TRC.... I don't have a clue. I believe my '76 is that was a little as well.

 

[dagrev]

No, not mine, but why can't Epiphone do what this guy did?
View attachment 4575683

Parent company......

 

[dagrev]

A solid-body bass/guitars' sound/character originates from the pu's/electronics. It's understandable that we are drawn to our favorite basses because of the type of pu's/electronics they have. Has to look good also ... unless you're you are into playing great sounding/playing ugly basses!

So you're saying even among us a Gibson "Thunderturd" would not likely be a big splash? I'm assuming typical Gibson would only have one color.

 

[dagrev]

Yikes! Could they have put those screws any closer to the edges of the headstock! I’d have been a nervous wreck drilling those holes. Hair to small and you’ll crack the headstock tightening the screw, and a hair too deep and your through the back of the headstock, no room for error on that placement.

It's a design feature. Those were the strategically placed holes to manage shear force required to facilitate, manage and contain the fracture they all knew was inevitable to the controlled break-point area.

 

[jd56hawk]

I did a VP in Dakota Red nitro..just because it wasn’t available as a stock color.

View attachment 4575768 View attachment 4575769 View attachment 4575770 View attachment 4575771 View attachment 4575772

First thing I did with two of my Thunderbirds was change the control knobs.
Why not?
Easiest cosmetic mod there is.
I've never had a bass refinished or refinished one myself, but a non-standard color definitely makes a bass your own.

 

[Engle]

Well, chalk it up to the early months of production. If what's been written about the 1st year only producing 3 T-bird II's is true, '64 was essentially the first (and only) full year for the gen1 T-bird. It would be interesting to know a month-by-month as things like this tr cover seemed to have moved sometime within the year. Unlike Fender, the month within a year when something at Gibson was produced was not documented.

It seems like the Gibson shop wasn’t too concerned with exact placements of covers and pickguards. 60 years later, we (bass nerds) notice the details, but at the time things like TRCs might have been seen as relatively simple tasks delegated to whoever in the shop had some time. And as long as it looked ok, the basses went out the door.

 

[GonePlaid]

Mine is a little less pronounced but has that same bow to it. Possibly due to different parts shrinking at different rates, replacement TRC.... I don't have a clue. I believe my '76 is that was a little as well.

Yup. Mine too also. I've tried to get the 'arch' out of it, but short of drilling at least one new hole, ain't happ'nin'.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

When I first noticed this years ago on mine, then saw yours I began to wonder if it was "repair" related, but that's not the case with JIO's, so it's apparently just Gibson being consistent. All the old NR's seem to be close to the nut. I haven't noticed any of those drifting upward. I wonder if it could be related to hand shaping the headstocks and then needing to place the TRC to fit/match the shape that was created. In other words, I wonder if the headstocks don't have a fair amount of differences in them where they meet the neck. I hope that makes some sense, even if completely off the mark. Just a wild guess.

Trying to match the curves in this area. But this one is obviously by the nut and not mine.
View attachment 4575783

could it be because JIO’s doesn’t have a h/s break?..

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Right here in Brooklyn.

no reason not to bring it with you right?….

 

[MCF]

What about "limited colour series"?
May work for them (Epiphone/Gibson), and us (buyers)

Epiphone has been stingy about colors for a decade. From about ‘07 to ‘10, they put out some beautifully finished Thunderbird IVs in white, Pelham Blue, TV Silver, Silverburst, black and red. They called them Limited Edition Custom Shop Thunderbirds. I believe that stopped around the time the production of the bolt ons switched from Korea to China.

You’re right of course. They should resurrect the program. But don’t hold your breath.

 

[TBird1958]

When I first noticed this years ago on mine, then saw yours I began to wonder if it was "repair" related, but that's not the case with JIO's, so it's apparently just Gibson being consistent. All the old NR's seem to be close to the nut. I haven't noticed any of those drifting upward. I wonder if it could be related to hand shaping the headstocks and then needing to place the TRC to fit/match the shape that was created. In other words, I wonder if the headstocks don't have a fair amount of differences in them where they meet the neck. I hope that makes some sense, even if completely off the mark. Just a wild guess.

Trying to match the curves in this area. But this one is obviously by the nut and not mine.
View attachment 4575783

Honestly, I'm thinking the inconsistency arises because Gibson likely had to cut the TRCs especially to fit when the screw holes are next to the nut. The TRCs like mine, Danny's and Jio's are likely from the Firebird parts bin.

 

[JJR58]

no reason not to bring it with you right?….

Wouldn’t that be sweet.