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Thunderbirds by Mike Lull
- Thread starter TBird1958
- Start date
I'm in line for a non reverse! 
This is an idea who's time has come, and I thought the same thing about his headstock- looks perfect on a bird.
This is an idea who's time has come, and I thought the same thing about his headstock- looks perfect on a bird.
Seems like a great idea, look how many have made a "better" fender.
Seems not too hard to do the same with a Tbird?
Why not?
A high quality Tbird/Fenderbird seems like a great idea.
Lakland almost did one.
Seems not too hard to do the same with a Tbird?
Why not?
A high quality Tbird/Fenderbird seems like a great idea.
Lakland almost did one.
What makes this a 'Fenderbird' - the bolt on neck?
To me a Fenderbird has a P neck including headstock, so being that this is bolt-on Mike Lull neck is this not more of a high class Epi-bird or Studio-bird?
Not that it really matters. To me this is a Mike Lull T'bird. I've just answered my own question!
To me a Fenderbird has a P neck including headstock, so being that this is bolt-on Mike Lull neck is this not more of a high class Epi-bird or Studio-bird?
Not that it really matters. To me this is a Mike Lull T'bird. I've just answered my own question!
What makes this a 'Fenderbird' - the bolt on neck?
To me a Fenderbird has a P neck including headstock, so being that this is bolt-on is this not more of a high class Epi-bird or Studio-bird?
Not that it really matters. To me this is a Mike Lull T'bird. I've just answered my own question!
I define a Fenderbird sonically by it having a bolt on maple/maple neck with a mahogany body and Tbird pickups- any other picks make it sound like (mm/p/j) not a Fenderbird.
What makes this a 'Fenderbird' - the bolt on neck?
To me a Fenderbird has a P neck including headstock, so being that this is bolt-on Mike Lull neck is this not more of a high class Epi-bird or Studio-bird?
Not that it really matters. To me this is a Mike Lull T'bird. I've just answered my own question!
I supposem the answer is "all of the above" and "none of the above."
The Gibson Studio bass has a set neck, so that is a bit off the mark.
The Fenderbird, as you say, has a P neck.
This new bass is a Lullbird!!
As you said!!
I supposem the answer is "all of the above" and "none of the above."
The Gibson Studio bass has a set neck, so that is a bit off the mark.
The Fenderbird, as you say, has a P neck.
This new bass is a Lullbird!!
Yeah and the Epibird has a maple b/o neck so it's half a Fenderbird!!
...LullBird it is!
Whatever. I hope ya'll who get the first single and double pickup models will grace us with some soundclips.
Love the look of these. They looked absolutely stunning hanging from the wall rack in Mike's shop both times I was in there!
Love the look of these. They looked absolutely stunning hanging from the wall rack in Mike's shop both times I was in there!
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,895
- 142,211
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
I must admit, I am intrigued.
While I prefer the Gibson T-bird headstock, the Lull HS is not a deal breaker. Still, I will have to see the price.
The deal breaker for me is, does this bass REALLY, TRULY and ACCURATELY re-create the T-bird tone of the '63-'64 models?
If YES, then I may have to get one. Or at least buy the Lull T-bird PUs to put in a Gibson T-bird, if that would be more cost effective.
In any event, this is real exciting!
While I prefer the Gibson T-bird headstock, the Lull HS is not a deal breaker. Still, I will have to see the price.
The deal breaker for me is, does this bass REALLY, TRULY and ACCURATELY re-create the T-bird tone of the '63-'64 models?
If YES, then I may have to get one. Or at least buy the Lull T-bird PUs to put in a Gibson T-bird, if that would be more cost effective.
In any event, this is real exciting!
The price is what I expected, typical with a high end builders bass. I would get one if I could afford one-in sea foam green!
I'm sure the bass is amazing. I doubt lull would do anything otherwise.
The price though is close to a real 60's bird that is worn or with a headstock repair. Double that of a 70's bird, which to some is not even close to a 60's one in tone.
As someone pointed out this bird will be for a player who does a lot of gigging and does not want to take his irreplaceable 60's bird on the road, or one who want that 60's sound, a solid neck and Lull high quality.
Entwistle built them for a reason this way. I still have yet to play a bass that sounds as good to my ears as one using a mahogany body with a maple neck. Best of both worlds.
Rumor has it he might make a version with the lower horn cut away as well.
I'm sure the bass is amazing. I doubt lull would do anything otherwise.
The price though is close to a real 60's bird that is worn or with a headstock repair. Double that of a 70's bird, which to some is not even close to a 60's one in tone.
As someone pointed out this bird will be for a player who does a lot of gigging and does not want to take his irreplaceable 60's bird on the road, or one who want that 60's sound, a solid neck and Lull high quality.
Entwistle built them for a reason this way. I still have yet to play a bass that sounds as good to my ears as one using a mahogany body with a maple neck. Best of both worlds.
Rumor has it he might make a version with the lower horn cut away as well.
I guess I could wait a few years...the thought of Green T-bird would be cool (especially if its British Racing Green).
The retail for a M4V I am looking at is $3400, it costs about $2500 for it street. So would that mean a bit over $3000 for one of those 'Birds?
The retail for a M4V I am looking at is $3400, it costs about $2500 for it street. So would that mean a bit over $3000 for one of those 'Birds?
godofthunder59
Life is short, buy the bass.
- Feb 19, 2006
- 9,057
- 38,405
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Cataldo Basses, Whirlwind products, Thunderbucker pickups
I am tooled up to build NR "fenderbirds" I will sell bodies or do complete builds. Here is one I built for my personal stage arsenal. I love Dimarzio model Gs and BA bridges. I can easily build with Tbird pickups and my own Badbird Thunderbird bridge.
godofthunder59
Life is short, buy the bass.
- Feb 19, 2006
- 9,057
- 38,405
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Cataldo Basses, Whirlwind products, Thunderbucker pickups
Here is one of my bridges installed on my '69 Thunderbird. Note the extra travel for the saddles. normaly the bridge would be intsalled with the extra travel facing the bass side but on this bass the mounting studs were moved forward so the bridge is installed backwards.
A installed on a '64 Thunderbird.
godofthunder59
Life is short, buy the bass.
- Feb 19, 2006
- 9,057
- 38,405
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Cataldo Basses, Whirlwind products, Thunderbucker pickups
Here is the bridge installed on a NR I am in the process of restoring. I also make the pickguards
godofthunder59
Life is short, buy the bass.
- Feb 19, 2006
- 9,057
- 38,405
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Cataldo Basses, Whirlwind products, Thunderbucker pickups
- Feb 2, 2001
- 12,719
- 1,291
- Disclosures
- Builder: Valenti Basses
Not much different than a Gibson.
The one I built using Warmoth parts had better access to the higher frets but it looked weird (to me) because of that.
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Adding J pup to P bass, should I go 60’s or 70’s spacing?- Latest: darwin-bass
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