Headless Thunderbird

[nofi]

the irony of this project is perfect.

[Chris P.]

Nice job!

[mc2NY]

Are you going to scallop the tail a bit so you can turn the tuners easier?

[neepheid]

Are you going to scallop the tail a bit so you can turn the tuners easier?

Once I get them fitted I'll see if it's necessary and yes, I'll do that if I feel it will be beneficial.

[shadowcastaz]

I built a headless  based on the Steinberger several years back . I would have prefered the tuning bridges you are using.Much more suttle. I hope they are easier to tune than mine.

Very nice job.

[godofthunder]

While I completely despise headless basses you are making a good go of this! I had my doubts.

[godofthunder]

the irony of this project is perfect.

Ain't that da truth !

[neepheid]

Well, I've decided to stop messing about worrying about modifying the body shape and just get the damn thing assembled.  I've got 2 weeks off coming up and a set of double ball end strings just arrived in the post.  There are three (relatively) simple steps:

1. Get the neck properly attached (will use a neck plate for now, but will be using recessed bushings eventually)
2. Get the bridge units attached (checking that the positioning is feasible for both intonation adjustment range and attaching double ball end strings)
3. Rewire electronics

After that I'll be able to assess the playability and make proper decisions about any body modifications (lower cutaway edge bevelling, scalloped out end for easier access to the tuners, possibly moving the strap button from the upper bout to the neck heel somewhere).

I'm looking forward to having a go on it soon

[Highlander]

While I completely despise headless basses...

One of the few areas we differ on...

[Johnny Crab]

Apologies for zombie thread awakening.....

Just getting parts together for one of these here.
Donor neck & tuners? Check
TB body? Check.....uncheck....
Got a sunburst Epi with case for VERY cheap to use as a patient but when wifey said "That one is very pretty" while we were cleaning it and setting it up on her kitchen island(bass workbench), I decided it's a beater/keeper and will get a body somewhere else.

The headless TB here will most likely be white, chrome hardware, and 2 Greco TB pups donated from their 3 pickup Les Paul clones with fretsonthenet rings. Chromitis has no cure I'm afraid.

[Alanko]

Bump! Did this savagery ever get completed? I've been toying with the idea of sawing up my Tokai Thunderbird in the same manner.

[Johnny Crab]

It didn't get completed yet partly due to time(not enough) and these projects ahead(no pun intended) of it:

1) Pot pickups on Greco V bass(or replace with chrome clone ones)
2) Texas flag bass(cheap SG clone) to partly copy "Little Texas" bassist's custom bass
3) Installation of more than a few T-Bird copy pickups into basses that are here

Plan pic of Texas Flag copy bass except the one here will have painted(Cheap Trick method) pickups to blend in with the flag. It's currently painted and awaiting time to put back together, hand-paint/touchup bridge area(it's in the star and will have the star painted over it), road test. The cheapo was $199 IIRC and worked OK in its stock form at a gig prior to the mods being started.

[lowend1]

I've finally decided to weigh in on this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoMgnJDXd3k&ab_channel=FunAvenue

[Dave W]

[Klondike]

I've finally decided to weigh in on this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoMgnJDXd3k&ab_channel=FunAvenue

Oh god I wish we had "like" buttons.