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Thunderbird Concept (feedback needed)

F

Flyingaero

Jan 12, 2010
110
1
#1
Two weeks ago I dreamed up a thunderbird "concept" bass as my summer build. I like to think of it as a cross between the 66' Thunderbird and the current thunderbird which gets rid of what I find to be the awkward "lower arm. :
Tokai_thunderbir_49c81646882e4.jpg

It seems a bit out of place for me and I would like to build a more modern version similar to schecter+ibanez styling ( my style+comfort). Im still working out many areas of the design in the two months before summer and instead of keeping it all in my head I decided to photoshop it out:
babyvsdaddy.jpg

Im going for a 4 string that will a tad smaller than the one in the picture and you can see the original which I sloppilly 'shopped over with a pickguard. Nothing at this point is really final except that the final product will resemble a T-Bird. Not sure about the finish or whether im going to die it or paint it or swirl it with either one of them. This is mostly a place where I can exchange ideas with all who want to contribute. Please give me feedback and ideas! After looking at it again I still think the lower wing is throwing off the balance of the bass by the tiniest bit :eyebrow:
 
#2
I strongly suggest you draw it out fullsize and work with it from there. Way easier to deal with small changes on the fly. For starters, find a real one you can trace and go from there. Or blow up an image to actual size and print it off...
 
#3
Beej said:
I strongly suggest you draw it out fullsize and work with it from there. Way easier to deal with small changes on the fly. For starters, find a real one you can trace and go from there. Or blow up an image to actual size and print it off...
Click to expand...

Well it was sort of a spur of the moment thing :p I would much rather trace a real T-Bird but I dont know any one who owns one and I would get a lot of weird looks at the music stores or just be dismissed because im only 15 :mad: All the T-Birds they had on their website are gone, but Ill be going there tomorrow anyway to investigate. Ive never printed out anything much bigger than 8x11 so im not sure how that would really work :hmm:
 
#4
I'd just look for a really good picture from above online and use that to print off as close to full size as you can make it. Many printers have a "poster print" function that prints off an oversized image on several sheets of paper that you can then tape together and cut out. You can trace the image on a blank sheet and start modifying from there. My personal preference is a mechanical pencil and a fresh white eraser, (ahhhhhh) but everyone does it their own way...
 
#9
__HM__ said:
...Great fret access.. lol.
Click to expand...
:eek:
I was mostly focusing on the body shape and did not notice the 7 inaccessible frets! The only thing I can think of to help it stand up better is an angled strap button or a thumb rest repurposed as a little prop up for the guitar. The neck is a definite no-no though. Im a little off because im stressing over whether to buy a belt sander or orbital sander...with loaned money :atoz: hopefully tomorrow I will be running at full speed
 
#11
Simo98 said:
This

I used to have a standard T-Bird, the main problems were neck-dive, comfort (could do with a contour) and the inability to stand it up.

If I made a T-Bird it would be a tweaked Non-Reverse. Better fret access and much better balance. Id also do something about standing it up
Click to expand...

x2

Flyingaero, have you seen a non-reverse Thunderbird?
DSC06135.jpg


I'd probably move the whole neck and bridge further into the body, pretty much right at the back edge. Then I'd open the lower horn to improve fret access from there. I bet it would balance better and have better playability...
 
#14
Beej said:
x2

Flyingaero, have you seen a non-reverse Thunderbird?
Click to expand...
Yeah I was trying to apply the "flow" of the reverse onto the normal shape. Ill try and fix up my picture into what I actually wanted it to look like. Perhaps raise the hard to reach parts to make it fretless? I rarely go up that high unless im fooling around or making fun of my guitarist :ninja:
Beej said:
Please excuse my brutal photochop
Click to expand...
At least you have an excuse!
 

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