The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Bill's Shop: Projects, Mods & Repairs => Topic started by: Denis on February 14, 2014, 06:23:56 PM
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I received the bass safe and sound. First thing I did was take off the hardware and work on stripping some of the paint off the headstock looking for a serial number. As yet, nothing. It's had two sets of tuners on it in it's life though.
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/60s%20NR%20Thunderbird%20II/1836878_10152610016498502_1039095440_o_zpseef5ed95.jpg) (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/bigtreebluesea/media/60s%20NR%20Thunderbird%20II/1836878_10152610016498502_1039095440_o_zpseef5ed95.jpg.html)
Haven't stripped the neck yet, but dang is that one smooth neck. If it's repaired it's the best job ever.
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/60s%20NR%20Thunderbird%20II/1836782_10152610015943502_218702261_o_zpsdb064551.jpg) (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/bigtreebluesea/media/60s%20NR%20Thunderbird%20II/1836782_10152610015943502_218702261_o_zpsdb064551.jpg.html)
Both original pickup cavity and the added j pup cavity are red. Hmm. Was the j pup cavity painted red to match the original Cardinal Red finish? Who knows?
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/60s%20NR%20Thunderbird%20II/1956902_10152610015923502_236432582_o_zps2cea9695.jpg) (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/bigtreebluesea/media/60s%20NR%20Thunderbird%20II/1956902_10152610015923502_236432582_o_zps2cea9695.jpg.html)
Control cavity is also red.
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/60s%20NR%20Thunderbird%20II/1920993_10152610015928502_495521774_o_zps7e1fe279.jpg) (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/bigtreebluesea/media/60s%20NR%20Thunderbird%20II/1920993_10152610015928502_495521774_o_zps7e1fe279.jpg.html)
Is it normal to have a gap in the neck pocket like this?
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/60s%20NR%20Thunderbird%20II/1557390_10152610015938502_823196616_o_zpsf7c3a6c8.jpg) (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/bigtreebluesea/media/60s%20NR%20Thunderbird%20II/1557390_10152610015938502_823196616_o_zpsf7c3a6c8.jpg.html)
This photograph makes me think that the entire bass was stripped and then repainted. The original bridge was replaced and nicely, with an aftermarket bridge. My theory is that the entire bass was stripped and repainted. I also suspect the easiest course of action was to repaint it red if it was originally red. If the entire thing was stripped though, who's to say? That is some beautiful mahogany though.
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/60s%20NR%20Thunderbird%20II/1836782_10152610015933502_1366337131_o_zps1c4d23d1.jpg) (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/bigtreebluesea/media/60s%20NR%20Thunderbird%20II/1836782_10152610015933502_1366337131_o_zps1c4d23d1.jpg.html)
Someone had painted the pickguard black. In the original eBay photos you could just see the Thunderbird stamp.
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/60s%20NR%20Thunderbird%20II/NRpgbeforestripping_zps4fd294e5.jpg) (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/bigtreebluesea/media/60s%20NR%20Thunderbird%20II/NRpgbeforestripping_zps4fd294e5.jpg.html)
Not knowing what type paint was used, I started off experimenting with brake fluid (which model builders use to strip old model kits before rebuilding them) and model paint thinner. Turns out that using a dish washing scotchbrite pad, the thinner worked out quite well. The weird spot to the left of the pickup hole is actually distorted material. On the backside is an area which looks exactly like too much model glue was used when gluing to pieces together. It's bubbled and rough. Fortunately it's not terrible.
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/60s%20NR%20Thunderbird%20II/NRPGafterstripping_zps642a34cc-1.jpg) (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/bigtreebluesea/media/60s%20NR%20Thunderbird%20II/NRPGafterstripping_zps642a34cc-1.jpg.html)
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The gap is normal, NRs were never Gibson's finest work. Looking good!
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Thanks, Scott!
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In the control cavity never seen that notched outcrop for the screw before. The number of screws varies, either four or five are used.
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Nice work! Keep us posted
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It's always possible that she's had a "chequered" past and without a serial number there is no evidence of it...?
imho, which we all know is worth squat ;), if value is removed from the equation, the only thing that counts is the wood, the neck and the pup... you going a fresh coat of Cardinal...? The original scratch makes for a nice feature...
You lucky b*st*rd... :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Scott... I guess it would be fair to class you as the expert on these... what were the original tuners on these...?
:popcorn:
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Here's one of the eBay photos of the included items. I think only the TRC is not original.
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/60s%20NR%20Thunderbird%20II/NRparts_zpsb4c4011d.jpg) (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/bigtreebluesea/media/60s%20NR%20Thunderbird%20II/NRparts_zpsb4c4011d.jpg.html)
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That's a nice pile of parts! What color is the logo? If it is gold it looks original to me. Tuners should be open back reverse nickle plated clover leafs, posts are 11/16" in diameter. Having a brain cramp but I think Schaller made the originals.
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That's a nice pile of parts! What color is the logo? If it is gold it looks original to me. Tuners should be open back reverse nickle plated clover leafs, posts are 11/16" in diameter. Having a brain cramp but I think Schaller made the originals.
Kluson on the tuners. Same as used on early 60s Fenders but with different collars on the headstock.
Looking good, Denis!
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Kluson that's the name I was looking for!
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Kluson that's the name I was looking for!
I'm surprised the Chinese didn't buy the name. Probably been out of business too long.
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I'm surprised the Chinese didn't buy the name. Probably been out of business too long.
Kluson tuners have been back out for a few years now. The are currently owned by WD Music. I don't know any of the details of how they acquired the company or trademark.
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Since this bass could have originally been red, and repainted red, or it might not have been red but repainted red, I've decided there's not real reason why it has to be red.
Therefore, Inverness Green!
Glenn Cornick had one that color when he played with Wild Turkey and though this pic is black and white you can tell it's a metallic color.
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/glenncornick1971_zps6ed0b893.jpg) (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/bigtreebluesea/media/glenncornick1971_zps6ed0b893.jpg.html)
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Good choice!
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Paint is ordered, Inverness Green Poly, Ditzler code DDL 42480. Acrylic lacquer like the original '59 Caddy color. Looking forward to working with Denis on this!
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Nice color. It's rare you get both covers. My old Nr's serial number was very faint but still there.
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Nice- this is gonna be sharp!
:popcorn:
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Paint is ordered, Inverness Green Poly, Ditzler code DDL 42480. Acrylic lacquer like the original '59 Caddy color. Looking forward to working with Denis on this!
This is gonna be a GREAT thread!
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Well crap. I posted an update and it didn't take. Grr...
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Project started, bass at shop for electronics, set up, original bridge relocation (since it was replaced and moved anyway), etc.
After that, off to the paint and body shop. I'm using RS Guitarworks upon recommendation from Baz. I like what they said and they listened to what I had to say.
Still going to be Inverness Green!
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My friend in Kentucky just had his 72 Pbass refinished by RS and can't stop raving out their work. He has used them before and has always been very happy with the outcome. Looking forward to seeing this one finished!!
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That's good to hear!
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Mine came out decent......I am relicing it... have some nicks already... just needs some smoke to yellow it and some cold checking...
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Were they able to re-stamp the serial number?
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Were they able to re-stamp the serial number?
Haven't gotten that far yet. Once my guy here relocates the original bridge in the right position, puts it all together, sets it up and make sure it plays like it should, then it will come apart for shipment to RS. Who knows, maybe the serial number is under the paint somewhere.
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Actually I was asking Baz, as his was finished. I did find a serial number under the paint on one of mine.
(http://mojohobo.com/images/serno.jpg)
This one keeps breaking and needs professional attention, and I would like the serial number restored.
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Boy, that number is close to the edge. Based on where that number is I should see it in the first pic in the original post about it. I don't see one though. Maybe one it's fully stripped it will pop up.
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Mine was there...I just Lightly restamped it to make it more prevalent...more deeper....I have some vintage stamps that are almost 100% dead on...
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Mine is close to the edge as well...RS doesn't have the stamps.... I do...
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I painted Mine Myself...Pelham Blue with the original DuPont Acrylic Laquer....I mixed it to the gram with the original Paint Pigments and Binder and balancer....The real deal...
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It's actually lighter in person.
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Got my rewound NR pickup back from Steve at Thunderbucker (thanks, Steve!) a couple days ago so later this morning the pup and correct bridge studs are heading over to the shop so my guy can continue work on the NR. Once he gets it up and running with the electronics sorted out, etc, it will be taken apart and sent to RS Guitarworks.
One of the first things I'm going to ask when it gets there is if the serial number shows up when they strip off the rest of the paint from the back of the headstock. Fingers crossed it's there somewhere, even if it's light.
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If it is there, I've taken an awl and magnifier to scrape out the old paint in the numbers. If you're careful, it can work and shows under new paint.
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I tried to clean out the paint on the serial on my SG and just ended up making it worse... mind you, you could hardly call mine "original..." :o
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Mind you, a steady hand and good magnification do help.
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Back from the shop round one!
Rewound pickup from Steve, bridge located where it should have been when it was new, temporary strings (for setup purposes), etc.
This thing sounds GREAT! Really clean with great tone. Now the pace is picking up!
Next step (after I play it for a while) is to remove all the electronics and hardware, finish the case for it I've been working on and ship it off to RS Guitarworks for the crazy expensive stuff.
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/bigtreebluesea/60s%20NR%20Thunderbird%20II/Back%20from%20Harrys_zpsijhbuy17.jpg) (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/bigtreebluesea/media/60s%20NR%20Thunderbird%20II/Back%20from%20Harrys_zpsijhbuy17.jpg.html)
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wow that looks cool.
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:popcorn: