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Thunderbird Club

#198,401
4918187640_e645ea29bf_b.jpg
 
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#198,403
Andii Syckz said:
Keep us posted on the outcome!

For anyone curious, & new to 3 point bridge system (the traditional one, not aftermarkets like babicz/hipshot). Here's the post i was speaking of earlier. I'm sure many know of this one, thought i'd bring it as a refresher for all of us - newcomers & long time lurkers xD

Gibson/Epiphone 3 point bridge setup.
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I didn't read the whole thread that came from but assumed it was an old bass that had sat for a length of time. I agree with everything he said except I am much more careful when tightening a truss rod, I take the string pressure off the neck (which means pushing or pulling the neck backwards so the strings get closer to the neck) so the truss rod doesn't have to fight it and usually only turn them 1/8 to 1/4 of a turn when tightening them unless the bass neck is obviously really bowed and then let it sit for a while and check again as it will sometimes take a neck a while to respond.
I usually stand them up on the floor and put my knee behind the bass body and pull on the neck while tightening the truss rod. It works for all basses that adjust at the headstock, with Fenders I hold them in playing position and pull on the neck with my elbow on the body while tightening the truss rod. This was even put into Fender manuals years ago, I bought a new P bass in 1970 and it said put the bass on a table and have someone hold the neck down while you hold the body down and then tighten the truss rod. But it can easily be done alone with just about any bass. Your neck will thank you in the long run.
 
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#198,404
bobyoung53 said:
I didn't read the whole thread that came from but assumed it was an old bass that had sat for a length of time. I agree with everything he said except I am much more careful when tightening a truss rod, I take the string pressure off the neck (which means pushing or pulling the neck backwards so the strings get closer to the neck) so the truss rod doesn't have to fight it and usually only turn them 1/8 to 1/4 of a turn when tightening them unless the bass neck is obviously really bowed and then let it sit for a while and check again as it will sometimes take a neck a while to respond.
I usually stand them up on the floor and put my knee behind the bass body and pull on the neck while tightening the truss rod. It works for all basses that adjust at the headstock, with Fenders I hold them in playing position and pull on the neck with my elbow on the body while tightening the truss rod. This was even put into Fender manuals years ago, I bought a new P bass in 1970 and it said put the bass on a table and have someone hold the neck down while you hold the body down and then tighten the truss rod. But it can easily be done alone with just about any bass. Your neck will thank you in the long run.
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upload_2022-2-17_11-0-53.jpeg
 
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#198,415
MCF said:
My wife is a country fan and I occasionally go to shows with her. We saw Alan Jackson at the Kodak Theater a few years ago. All kick drum. No bass. I was miserable.
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Had the same experience at a Chicago concert in Atlanta. And we were sitting right in front of subs. I've played many of those bass lines, so I heard 'em in my head. Not through the speakers.
 
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#198,416
Chucky Stiletti said:
sometimes wonder how many folks that bought these old Birds brand new are still around..
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Wouldn't that be fascinating to know! And how many are in a closet someplace.
x out of 718 Thunderbird IIs
x out of 322 Thunderbird IVs

One of the most unique and best sounding basses of all time only made a fuzz over 2 years (obviously not counting the equally worthy NRs).
 
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