The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: godofthunder on July 06, 2008, 11:17:19 AM

Title: Let the healing begin, '67 Thunderbird
Post by: godofthunder on July 06, 2008, 11:17:19 AM
The last thing I need to be doing is screwing around with basses, I should be packing. I's been driving me nuts I don't have studs to mount the damn bridge ! I had Roy on the phone from RS last Thurs and I forgot to order some Tonepro studs. Sooooooooooooooooooooo I improvised. I took two round head woods screws with a head dia. that fit the bridge channel cut them to the right length. Next I wraped the thread end in masking tape so the were snug in the stud insert and gently screwed them in, presto stop gap bridge studs ! Hardware first then paint !  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/67nrtbirddassonbridge001.jpg)
Title: Re: Let the healing begin, '67 Thunderbird
Post by: Basvarken on July 07, 2008, 12:16:51 AM
It looks awesome already!
Title: Re: Let the healing begin, '67 Thunderbird
Post by: uwe on July 08, 2008, 07:43:58 AM
I miss a Badass II ...


 :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Let the healing begin, '67 Thunderbird
Post by: Chris P. on July 08, 2008, 08:00:53 AM
Dolf Datsun has a BadAss on his NonRev and it looks fine:)
Title: Re: Let the healing begin, '67 Thunderbird
Post by: godofthunder on July 09, 2008, 03:54:09 AM
I miss a Badass II ...


 :mrgreen:        Uwe I would be happy to sell you the removed Badass II  ;D
Title: Re: Let the healing begin, '67 Thunderbird
Post by: godofthunder on July 09, 2008, 05:26:33 AM
 The transplant is complete ! I'm going to go over to my buddies house this morning and wire her up, I casn't find any of my tools they are all packed up   :sad: Looks better already ! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/67NRChrome001.jpg)
Title: Re: Let the healing begin, '67 Thunderbird
Post by: nofi on July 09, 2008, 06:31:41 AM
i never cared much for ' pretty ' basses. this one looks great as is.
Title: Re: Let the healing begin, '67 Thunderbird
Post by: godofthunder on July 10, 2008, 03:37:20 PM
Baby steps my friends. I fixed the pushed in section of the control cavity, sorted out the controls and got things in the right spot, Tonepro studs installed, now all I need is a nice fresh set of Roto Sounds ! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/67NR002.jpg)
Title: Re: Let the healing begin, '67 Thunderbird
Post by: Nocturnal on July 10, 2008, 04:36:13 PM
What did you have to do to repair the control cavity? Was it a difficult repair?
Title: Re: Let the healing begin, '67 Thunderbird
Post by: godofthunder on July 10, 2008, 04:39:55 PM
 When I got the bass the input jack was where the tone control should be. Typical Gibson damage the jack was pushed in and the wood around the area cracked and caved in. I worked glue into the cracks and used a block on either side ( covered with clear packing tape so they would not stick to the body) and clamped it up, presto no more pushed in top.
Title: Re: Let the healing begin, '67 Thunderbird
Post by: godofthunder on July 11, 2008, 06:07:33 PM
I have been so busy with the move I neglected to say that the tail piece is one that Bill (drbassman) has had made, really makes the bass !
Title: Re: Let the healing begin, '67 Thunderbird
Post by: rockinrayduke on July 12, 2008, 07:37:36 AM
I have a BA2 on my Fenderbird now, looks fine-sounds great but I think I'd rather have the bridge and tailpiece that you have on this one, Scott, looks nice. And I am also of the "looks fine as it is" bunch. Mojo!
Title: Re: Let the healing begin, '67 Thunderbird
Post by: drbassman on July 12, 2008, 08:35:20 AM
Looking good! Are you gonna repair the finish to match?
Title: Re: Let the healing begin, '67 Thunderbird
Post by: godofthunder on July 12, 2008, 02:16:04 PM
 I know Uwe will roll his eyes but I am a preservasionist/conservationist. one of my passions is period American antiques. I am torn with this bass as to what to do. So many IIs have been converted to IVs and so many tobacco sunburst refinned in custom colors.   I could easily do some conservation work on the finish and be quite happy but then there is the bridge pup to deal with. I could remove it and patch and false grain the area, soon to be worn away by my playing or I can fill the void and do a opaque custom color. I am leaning toward the refin and II status. If the bridge pup wasn't there I would leave the finish as is  no question. The bridge pup has to go.
Title: Re: Let the healing begin, '67 Thunderbird
Post by: Lightyear on July 12, 2008, 06:32:48 PM
I have a BA2 on my Fenderbird now, looks fine-sounds great but I think I'd rather have the bridge and tailpiece that you have on this one, Scott, looks nice. And I am also of the "looks fine as it is" bunch. Mojo!


Ummm, have you looked under the BA2?  :o  I never considered installing a two piece setup and I did the typical hole under the middle of the bridge Fender thing to run the ground wire.  You'll need to do some work if you want to make the conversion - sorry ;)
Title: Re: Let the healing begin, '67 Thunderbird
Post by: rockinrayduke on July 13, 2008, 09:49:00 AM
Quote
I never considered installing a two piece setup and I did the typical hole under the middle of the bridge Fender thing to run the ground wire.  You'll need to do some work if you want to make the conversion - sorry Wink

Understood. I just said I'd "rather" have that setup. I'll just have have to wait for the Bachbird to get that!

So Scott, you're going to restore it to original?
Title: Re: Let the healing begin, '67 Thunderbird
Post by: drbassman on July 13, 2008, 04:52:51 PM
If it were mine, I'd consider adding a TB pup and repairing the finish as much as possible.  I like that old gnarly sunburst finish.  Then, there's the fill the pup rout and solid color route.  Man, decisions, decisions!
Title: Re: Let the healing begin, '67 Thunderbird
Post by: Lightyear on July 13, 2008, 07:19:04 PM
Understood. I just said I'd "rather" have that setup. I'll just have have to wait for the Bachbird to get that!

So Scott, you're going to restore it to original?

Me too - if I had it to do over again ;D