The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: OldManC on January 30, 2021, 09:55:12 PM
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(https://www.dropbox.com/s/fjycm5axzpjdp6o/1976%3A1954%20Conversion%20small.jpg?raw=1)
This was my first restomod project, working with a new (to me) luthier. There were a couple of hiccups along the way, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I can't really play well right now (recently had surgery for cubital tunnel syndrome in my elbow), so no demo video yet, but believe me, this Thunderbird went from being a dud to one of the best sounding birds I've ever had. Before the new iteration, it sounded like it had a sponge mute pushed under the strings, but not in a good way. I had the same thing happen with my first Thunderbird back in the early 80's, so I took a chance that this one would open up again once it had the right bridge. Special thanks to Scott, who provided the perfect bridge and tailpiece. Thunderbucker '66 pickups and rings were also included in this build. They sound great to my ear. It's all angry piano again, and the sustain is insane. I'm in love with this thing.
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Congrats George.
I hope you have a speedy recovery, so you can rock this beautiful bird soon
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8)
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:thumbsup:
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Beautiful! We need some sound samples.
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Beautiful! We need some sound samples.
When I can get my fingers to fret notes properly at speed, I'll definitely work some up. I think another few weeks and I'll be there.
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When I can get my fingers to fret notes properly at speed, I'll definitely work some up. I think another few weeks and I'll be there.
Sounds good. Feel better!
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Thank you!
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Looks great!
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That bass looks absolutely fantastic! If it looks fantastic it probably plays fantastic as well. 8)
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But you had one like that und sold it to me! :)
Sehr schöne Arbeit.
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But you had one like that und sold it to me! :)
Sehr schöne Arbeit.
I know... And I still feel bad about doing it!
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You are aware that it only sounded different because it had a faulty pup? :mrgreen:
Took me years to realize.
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You are aware that it only sounded different because it had a faulty pup? :mrgreen:
Took me years to realize.
I'm glad it went to someone who was able to make it right (and didn't just throw an EMG in it). That was one reason I was OK with letting it go; I knew you would be a good steward of such a rare piece.
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Neil Young effectively fathered a "genre" with a "faulty" pup... ;)
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Neil Young effectively fathered a "genre" with a "faulty" pup... ;)
You're not wrong! :mrgreen:
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So did Dusty Hill with his Telecaster Bass and I had an EB0 LP Junior bass with a broken pup which sounded great - until it gave up the ghost completely and after repair now sounds like any mudbucker. :-\
George's '86 TBII sounded middish, scooped and slightly distorted with its damaged sidewinder, output was comparatively low too. I wasn't even sure whether it was a nice sound, but no other Bird in my nest sounded like it.
For the record: That pickup damage may very well have happened on its way from the US to ze Reich at the time. Pick up damage is from my experience the most frequent transatlantic transport damage (I've never had a broken neck). That stuff gets rattled a lot even if handled carefully.
I played it for years with that sound and when it stopped working, the repair had it resume the typical Bicentennial sound which I'm not a huge fan of as both 60ies und TB Plus pups have a more even output.