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Author Topic: Bill Walance's restored 1966 Gibson Nonreverse Thunderbird II  (Read 827 times)

godofthunder

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Bill Walance's restored 1966 Gibson Nonreverse Thunderbird II
« on: April 11, 2022, 08:12:59 AM »
  It's been almost 6 years since Bill passed, its hard to believe. I have been helping his window disperse his collection. I have mixed feelings owning this bass but I am glad it's with me. Sorry I still can't post photos,  I'll do a more comprehensive video later.
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BTL

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Re: Bill Walance's restored 1966 Gibson Nonreverse Thunderbird II
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2022, 08:31:19 AM »
As I mentioned on Facebook, it brings me great joy to know you have that bass. This restoration thread posted on the Reranch forum is what got me interested in the NR shape at the outset.
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Pilgrim

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Re: Bill Walance's restored 1966 Gibson Nonreverse Thunderbird II
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2022, 08:44:06 AM »
I can't think of a better person to have and love that bass.  Nicely done.
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morrow

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Re: Bill Walance's restored 1966 Gibson Nonreverse Thunderbird II
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2022, 09:05:23 AM »
You will think of him every time you play that bass .
It will have a good home .
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Basvarken

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Re: Bill Walance's restored 1966 Gibson Nonreverse Thunderbird II
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2022, 09:13:22 AM »
That's awesome Scott.
This bass couldn't have found a better place to stay.
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BTL

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Re: Bill Walance's restored 1966 Gibson Nonreverse Thunderbird II
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2022, 09:50:03 AM »
I went looking for Bill's restoration thread at the Reranch forum, but I believe it was lost in one of the crashes. The closest thing I could find was this:

https://www.reranch.com/reranch/viewtopic.php?t=43737&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15

It would be pretty special if we could find or recreate the process of this bass's restoration with Bill's own words and photos.
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Dave W

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Re: Bill Walance's restored 1966 Gibson Nonreverse Thunderbird II
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2022, 10:10:39 AM »
Here you go, Scott.

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godofthunder

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Re: Bill Walance's restored 1966 Gibson Nonreverse Thunderbird II
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2022, 12:22:10 PM »
 Bill and I badgering the Gibson rep at the House of Guitars, must be around 2011, we were ceaseless and merciless in our demanding a new Nonreverse from Gibson. Thanks for posting this Dave.
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uwe

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Re: Bill Walance's restored 1966 Gibson Nonreverse Thunderbird II
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2022, 01:05:54 PM »
It has stayed in the larger family, that's a good thing, Scott.

And it's a NonRev, so no DCINN ("deepening the cutaway interventions of notorious nature") need be feared. That bass is safe.  :rimshot:
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BTL

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Re: Bill Walance's restored 1966 Gibson Nonreverse Thunderbird II
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2022, 01:09:01 PM »
These are the only two photos I could find at Reranch, plus his avatar:





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Rob

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Re: Bill Walance's restored 1966 Gibson Nonreverse Thunderbird II
« Reply #10 on: April 11, 2022, 05:29:31 PM »
Thanks Brad!
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OldManC

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Re: Bill Walance's restored 1966 Gibson Nonreverse Thunderbird II
« Reply #11 on: April 11, 2022, 09:37:59 PM »
I think it went to the exact right person. RIP Bill.
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godofthunder

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Re: Bill Walance's restored 1966 Gibson Nonreverse Thunderbird II
« Reply #12 on: April 12, 2022, 03:30:11 AM »
Quote from: BeeTL on April 11, 2022, 01:09:01 PM
These are the only two photos I could find at Reranch, plus his avatar:






  Thanjs for digging those up Brad!
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BTL

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Re: Bill Walance's restored 1966 Gibson Nonreverse Thunderbird II
« Reply #13 on: April 12, 2022, 07:08:03 AM »
Quote from: godofthunder on April 12, 2022, 03:30:11 AM
Thanjs for digging those up Brad!

My pleasure...I'm bummed there was not more to be found.
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shadowcastaz

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Re: Bill Walance's restored 1966 Gibson Nonreverse Thunderbird II
« Reply #14 on: April 13, 2022, 03:41:11 PM »
I met Bill when we were both bidding on that bass on evilbay. He turned out to be one of the nicest people Ive met on line.A very talented gentleman
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