Epiphone Thunderbird - Vintage Makeover / Upgrade

[Basvarken]

Why would anyone make such a swimming pool routing underneath the pickguard?
Tbirds aren't heavy. So getting rid of all that wood is not really necessary
And making the body lighter would only enhance the neckdive even more.

[uwe]

It's radical but neatly done, maybe reduction of overall weight was the issue. And a cavity that size will actually make the bass a bit hollow-body-ish in sound.

Which gives me an idea: Why has never anybody done a thinline T- or Firebird?

[Stjofön Big]

Maybe a stupid idea, but anyway: Is there anyone here who's seen pup covers made in stainless steel? Or is that thought comparable to a curse in the church?

[TBird1958]

 I used this guy's repro's on my Lull, the bridge covers are really pretty nice. He's made pup covers in the past as well, I spoke with him about it and he mentioned that they did not sell well so he wouldn't continue making them - However if those of you that want them give him a firm order for a small quantity I'm sure he'll listen. 

[uwe]

Nein, ich nicht!

[stiles72]

If you want a hand rest, I'd just message the seller and see if he has one (any) that he'll sell you along with the bridge cover. That's how I found mine. He indicated to me that he might be doing another order of them later this year, but was waiting to see how the current batch of bridge covers sell first.

[Chris P.]

I bought a stainless steel cover once. Doesn't look as good as a chrome one.

Uwe: At this year's NAMM I saw a f-hole thinline Fender Jag which was gorgeous. So a thinline Firebird or T-Bird could be nice too!

[PhilT]

There's been a couple of Korean Epi Tbirds on UK ebay recently that have gone pretty cheap. For example, this one in red at 180GBP, when a standard one typically makes 150. A few days earlier an Alpine White went for 210. UK only shipping doesn't help, but not so long ago they were making 300-350.