The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: godofthunder on January 17, 2008, 05:18:57 PM

Title: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: godofthunder on January 17, 2008, 05:18:57 PM
 Some of you guys might remember this poor shared of a Thunderbird I bought off ebay for 10 bucks. I rebuilt the body and sent it off to Dolan's for a new neck. I'm stoked.(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/phoenix.jpg) Looked like this when I bought it. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/100_2259.jpg)
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: OldManC on January 17, 2008, 05:51:31 PM
I'm really looking forward to seeing the finished product!
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: drbassman on January 17, 2008, 06:43:21 PM
Lookin' good!
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: Barklessdog on January 18, 2008, 05:41:46 AM
The Wall Clock lives!
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: Dave W on January 18, 2008, 10:10:09 AM
I had completely forgotten about that one. What will you be doing for electronics?
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: godofthunder on January 18, 2008, 04:04:59 PM
 I have a 60's Thunderbird pup just waiting for it's new home ! The pickguard is also a original 60's. I will use one of my bridges and one of the tail pieces that Bill (drbassman)is having made. The bass will be finished in Polaris white.
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: Lightyear on January 18, 2008, 09:56:36 PM
That looks great!  Talk about back from the dead! :o

What radius did you choose for your fingerboard and is that ebony?
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: godofthunder on January 19, 2008, 07:48:39 AM
  Standard Gibson 12" (I think) radius, rosewood for the fingerboard
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: Muzikman7 on January 19, 2008, 09:05:55 AM
You guys do some amazing work, can't wait to see that done.
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: drbassman on January 20, 2008, 07:03:25 AM
I'm in the hunt for the next one!!!  I'd love to find another NR basket case.
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: godofthunder on January 20, 2008, 07:36:20 AM
I'm in the hunt for the next one!!!  I'd love to find another NR basket case.
LOL Yeah me to Bill.
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: drbassman on January 20, 2008, 10:02:03 AM
I know, we're afflicted with the same disease.   
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: shadowcastaz on January 20, 2008, 11:10:17 AM
....MMMMMMeeeeee toooooo!
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: drbassman on January 20, 2008, 11:15:49 AM
....MMMMMMeeeeee toooooo!

Someone should develop an vaccine!
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: Barklessdog on January 20, 2008, 11:33:18 AM
I was going to build a mahogany RD once but then it dawned on me as why?

If anything I would like a LP Triumph project and cut away the lower horn like on my Fenderbird for upper fret access

Rob is goating me on to do this!
 :o

Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: godofthunder on January 20, 2008, 11:42:24 AM
  I have no desire to be cured.  ;D
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: godofthunder on March 04, 2008, 05:14:40 PM
 It's here !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll try to post some pics tonight !  Dolan did a fantastic job on the neck ! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/pheonix002.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/ v102/godofthunder59/pheonix001.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/pheonix003.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/pheonix001.jpg)
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: drbassman on March 04, 2008, 05:54:09 PM
Ah yes, it turned out great!  Another Gibson train wreck rescued!  Now I want another one!
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: shadowcastaz on March 04, 2008, 07:18:06 PM
Damn that is a nice job . Dr. B , you been teachin on the side?
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: marcnorth on March 04, 2008, 07:59:46 PM
Nice looking bass, I like the white.
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: Nocturnal on March 04, 2008, 08:08:09 PM
Looks like it's going to be killer!!!
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: TBird1958 on March 04, 2008, 08:11:07 PM

 Scott, looking good as always!....that's sweet  :D
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: Dave W on March 04, 2008, 08:34:14 PM
That sure turned out nice. But we knew all along that Dolan would do it right.
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: godofthunder on March 05, 2008, 06:45:50 AM
 Thanks guys I am going to do her in polaris white. Michael really did a nice job, There is a small volute on the back of the headstock that I am very glad to see. It will add a little extra strength and also mark the bass as not all original, something that has concerned me once (after I'm dead) the bass is out of my possession that it does not get passed off as all original. Bill I can't wait to see this with the tail piece on it !
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: uwe on March 05, 2008, 06:58:19 AM
Very nice.

(more hesitantly): And there will be no Badass bridge?
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: godofthunder on March 05, 2008, 07:05:53 AM
No Badass bridge Uwe ,the only Badass on it will be me ;) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/JSmoke2410.jpg)
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: drbassman on March 05, 2008, 10:40:17 AM
Yep, the tailpiece will definitely set her off nicely.  About that mug shot...........I mean promo picture!
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: Barklessdog on March 05, 2008, 10:53:31 AM
Very nice!

You still have those model g's?
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: uwe on March 05, 2008, 11:52:34 AM
Very nice!

You still have those model g's?  :o :o :o :o

John, don't give him ideas please!!!!! Couldn't you just have diverted this thread to anal sex as customary with you?
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: doombass on March 05, 2008, 02:05:05 PM
Wow, that's nice. I know you've waited for this for a long time now.
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: drbassman on March 06, 2008, 08:08:26 AM
There's nothing like a rescued NR!  What a great sound and retro look.  I'm actually taking mine to a quiet gig on Saturday, I'll try to have the wife take some pictures to share.  My NR with the Mesa rig is awesome!  Can't wait to hear Scott's!
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: godofthunder on March 07, 2008, 05:50:29 AM
 Where is the gig Bill ? Tonight Fri we are at the Juke box on rt 104 in Spencerport, former country bar turned rock establishment. The first time we played there the country band that had been playing every fri might for YEARS showed up to play, no one told them about the new format. I felt real bad for them. Right out of the Blues Brothers. My faithfull NR will be onstage as always, I keep saying I am going to stop bringing it to gigs but I just depend on it so much. John yes I still have model G's waiting for their new home ;) the model Gbird is still off at the finishers  :'( I rigged up the bass to play naked and man did it sound great. I am building these to use on stage.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/nrfbird002.jpg
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: drbassman on March 07, 2008, 05:59:21 AM
Wow, that's a real bummer for the other band!  I hate when that happens.  Bar owners can be such dicks!  Your F-Bird looks so sweet, I'm still gonna do one someday if I can ever get these other projects off my bench!  My gig is a church event at Brook Lea CC.  The crowd should be pretty tame.   :P

I've actually finished my NR completely except for filing the saddles a little more.  I really like having the groove in them, it lowers the strings a bit and I can adjust for the fret board radius too.  Also keeps them where I want them when playing!  Otherwise, it's all done.  I had to wet sand and polish the back again because I had to redo the clear coat after a problem with leaving it on a rubber mat over night.  Opps, won't do that again!  Can't wait to see yours totally finished!
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: godofthunder on March 07, 2008, 06:13:20 AM
 Bill are you using using tone pro studs ? I think we have talked about this before. I found using the Tone Pro studs on vintage Thunderbirds you are going to have higher action than if you use original Gibsons. I am not sure why but I ran into this when installing one of my bridges on my NR using Tone Pro studs. I have never had this happen with the original studs. Bummer about the back of your Bird ! I tell the wife and daughter all the time keep your plastic and rubber junk off the furniture, I don't think they belive me that that that stuff can eat finish..........................but it does !
 
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: drbassman on March 07, 2008, 06:52:16 AM
Bill are you using using tone pro studs ? I think we have talked about this before. I found using the Tone Pro studs on vintage Thunderbirds you are going to have higher action than if you use original Gibsons. I am not sure why but I ran into this when installing one of my bridges on my NR using Tone Pro studs. I have never had this happen with the original studs. Bummer about the back of your Bird ! I tell the wife and daughter all the time keep your plastic and rubber junk off the furniture, I don't think they belive me that that that stuff can eat finish..........................but it does !
 

Ditto on the rubber and nitro interactions!  I'm using the Tone Pros cuz I actually can tork them all the way down, lower than the couple sets of original studs I have on hand.  Weird, huh?   For some reason, I need that bridge bottomed all the way out in order to get close to the action I want.  I still need about 1/8" more before it's down where I like it.  The action right now is good, but I like it low and just a hair above buzzing!
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: Barklessdog on March 07, 2008, 07:34:56 AM
Quote
I tell the wife and daughter all the time keep your plastic and rubber junk off the furniture, I don't think they belive me that that that stuff can eat finish..........................but it does !

I had a bit of that with my Reranch nitro bird, but my Rd sit/sat on rubber all it's life without ill effect???
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: godofthunder on March 07, 2008, 08:33:10 AM
 I can't provide a answer John, wish I knew !
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: ramone57 on March 07, 2008, 09:17:07 AM
I'm pretty sure the formula for nitro has changed over the years, so that may have something to do with it.  fwiw, I've never had any reactions between nitro & rubber (sounds obscene!) on any of my instruments.
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: godofthunder on March 07, 2008, 09:19:23 AM
The more I think about it I have never had a problem with a factory job, just on refins I have done with spray bomb nitro.
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: drbassman on March 07, 2008, 11:51:54 AM
I think it depend on the rubber compound in question.  I use those see thru rubber non-skid mats on my work surface and that stuff leaves marks in the nitro.  Even caused it to swell.  The rubber on my Warwick 5-guitar stand doesn't mark any of my nitro finished basses.  It's all in the chemistry.
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: Dave W on March 07, 2008, 04:46:55 PM
I've definitely seen the problem on factory paint jobs. It's true that nitro formulas have changed over the years (different vendors, improvements and EPA regulations) but new and old can be affected. Just depends on the composition of the rubber or plastic.
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection
Post by: Lightyear on March 07, 2008, 09:08:15 PM
I've definitely seen the problem on factory paint jobs. It's true that nitro formulas have changed over the years (different vendors, improvements and EPA regulations) but new and old can be affected. Just depends on the composition of the rubber or plastic.

I built my daughter a long bookcase to set under the windows in her bedroom when she was about five.  Made it out of clear pine that I put a pickled finish on that I didn't want to yellow so I used Deft.  Stuff worked well and polished out great.  Thing is about six feet long and maybe 28" high.  I get it all set up and books loaded and she in turn used the top of it to play on - every piece of plastic she left on it, those of you with daughters know just how much Barbie crap is plastic, melted into the Deft!  Some the plastic the Deft melted!  To this day the top looks like Manuel Noriega's face ;D
Title: Re: NR Tbird resurection Up Date
Post by: godofthunder on May 31, 2008, 05:42:08 AM
 With the move progress has almost ground to a halt  :-\ But last night I installed a set of vintage  clover leaf tuners and Bill's tail piece ! I have yet to route the control cavity and install the nut. I am getting close but the wait is killing me. Right now the bass is primed out. I want to install all the hardware and wire her up before I do the final finish. Patience my ass.