ThunderBird Reverse/Non Reverse RNR Build

[Dadagoboi]

I decided to combinine the 2 Gibson TBird bodies as a beginning point for a new design.

The originals

First sketch on the right. You can see where the contours have been changed at the neck end. The 1" grid paper comes from Mead, I got it at Office Depot. That dark thing on the left of the picture is a flexible curve, it makes drawing smooth lines a lot easier.

A little more development.

The first dummy proto

Second body.

Unlike the original 'Birds, this one will fit in a standard bass case.

Next is to smooth and contour the 2x4 body, drill the holes for the string thru and locate the bridge.

 

[ctmullins]

Wow - it looks wonky, but in a good early-60s-capricious-optimism kind of way! Any functional reason behind the angled pickup, or just more jauntiness?

 

[Dadagoboi]

Wow - it looks wonky, but in a good early-60s-capricious-optimism kind of way! Any functional reason behind the angled pickup, or just more jauntiness?

Thanks! I've been looking at the first proto for a while now, I think the body will work with the right paint and pickguard proportions. Only one way to find out.

That pickup is from a 5 string and angling it was a way to use all of it. When you think about it, a Precision pup is almost angled by the way the split coils are offset. The actual pick up may end up being a Dark Star or a coil tapped ThunderBucker. The DS would have to be squared up but the TBer is wide enough to angle.

 

[BTL]

I like it!

I have a similar thought process fermenting in my head...I may have to get cracking!

Which swamp do you live in by the way?

 

[Dadagoboi]

Through the body stringing on this one. The ferrules are going to be in a straight line when I fix them

The body was looking a little tubby so after some recontouring on the bridge end I mocked up some changes.

Here's what I have so far, much more svelte and I like the straight lines with the curves. I know I've seen it somewhere. Hope to get my Dark Star by Tuesday. Meanwhile I have a pile of JAEbirds to work on.

I live in the Keystone Heights Swamp, near G'Ville.

 

[BTL]

[...] I live in the Keystone Heights Swamp, near G'Ville.

The design looks really nice!

I like that you use pine for prototypes.

By the way, I used to drive through that area all the time to visit a client in Green Cove Springs.

I live on the south end of the Brooker Creek Preserve swamp on Moccasin Creek in Oldsmar.

 

[kenfxj]

Looks like it's going "YAY!"

 

[Dadagoboi]

Back on the job with this. New bridge and a pair of ThunderBuckers. The design has calmed down a bit and I'm fairly satisfied with the look. The shape of the horns has been slightly softened. Pickguard needs a little tweaking. It's a manila file folder...very easy to mod

 

[Dadagoboi]

Starting the actual build. First, transfer final shape to 1/2" MDF to make pin router template by gluing drawing with Titebond. Template is bandsawn close to line and filed and sanded to correct dimensions except for neck perimeter.

Attach neck pocket perimeter template.

Pin routing pickup routes into body template using pickup rings for correct sizing. Final neck pocket perimeter gets done after this.