Thunderbird questions.

A Thunderbird is more versatile than some would tell you. You may look a bit different from your average jazz cat, but if you've got the technique, chops and the scales, sure you can do it on a T-bird. You may find however that you will need to experiment with your amp to get a tone that works.

The bass has a 34" scale length. As far as I know the frets are nickel/silver. Not sure what you mean otherwise about a scale of measurement for the frets?

Sounds like you may have tightened your strings too much! De-tune and start again, slowly this time and if your not using one, invest in a tuner!

Asking questions is a good thing - don't apologize, it's how we all lean at some time or another!!

 

Perhaps the strings are cut too short? My Thunderbird is probably 1+ years old (forgot to ask previous owner), but no truss rod issues.

 

Warpped neck?

Strings to tight: may be the guage / brand you're using. I play Roto flats on my T-bird and have never had an issue with " too tight" or the truss rod.

 

Might the strings be short-scale strings? I'm not sure about that but I can't really find another reason for it to be too tight.

 

A full tightened truss rod is not going to change your tuning by more than a couple of tones or so. It will also most likely render your bass playable, with everything buzzing below the 7th fret.

Can you confirm that you have the strings on the bass, wound around the tuning heads and is there another way you can describe the phrase "too tight for the tuning" - do you mean too short for example?

 

Dude, you are gonna look like Kirk Hammet showed up at the Blue Note cellar if you know what I mean, but - and due diligence declared unapologetically from a T-bird player - your Bird can walk Charlie Parker and his gang all the way downtown, man! ;-)

Nothing to add to what other posters have added on question 2 and 3. Sounds like you may have a serious neck bow issue there perhaps.

 

No offence, but the OP seems to have a general lack of experience. Nothing wrong with that, no one is born with the info. I think it may be time to take your instrument to a pro tech or luthier and have him give it a once over. Ask a ton of questions. Also visit the setup forum.

As far as jazz, why not?

 

Ive heard that about older Funders (sp) too.

 

Nothing wrong with the epi thunderbird, alittle tweaking and a set up is all you need,I had to play around with mine alittle to get the best out of her,and you can play any type of music with her,just dial in the right tone and your good to go.
I find ,and on most basses is that you cand change the tone just by plucking in different spots,try plucking between the pick-ups It seems to my sweet spot on the bird,or try near the bridge for a more tighter and alittle brighter sound,play with your tone knob and also your controlls on your amp.
My advice would be to take her to sombody who knows how to do a set up,or do a search and find some info on how to do your own set up,it is not that hard to do,and it is a good thing to learn how to do,it will save you money down the road.
There is no special bass for Jazz,Jazz players use many different brands or styles of basses ,all you got to do is learn to play Jazz and apply it to your bass.
Good luck to you Eno

 

The truss rod wouldn't cause the strings to be too tight. The best thing would be to take it to a guitar tech and have him look at it for you. I can't think of a single reason why you wouldn't be able to tune it to the correct pitch. I've owned upwards of 30 basss in my life, and have never had that happen. Either you are using the wrong strings, or you are tuning to the wrong pitch (maybe an octave high?).

 

My bass has 4 pegs in a row on the top and 2 in a row in the bottom, which is the best of both worlds and has alleviated any possibility of the issues you describe.