The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: planetgaffnet on October 03, 2016, 03:23:07 AM
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Just remember, you will never be able to unsee this. You have to wonder where people's heads are sometimes. I suppose, with patience, you could saw off the crap and rebuilt it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-Gibson-Thunderbird-4-String-Bass-/191984420919?hash=item2cb329c837:g:X9wAAOSwNRdX77H1 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-Gibson-Thunderbird-4-String-Bass-/191984420919?hash=item2cb329c837:g:X9wAAOSwNRdX77H1)
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:puke:
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I can and Hopefully WILL fix that. VERY easy fix.
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Go for it Baz!
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I can and Hopefully WILL fix that. VERY easy fix.
If you do resurrect it, please take lots of photos so we can share the unification process.
P
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It looks like it can be fixed with a lot of hard work and patience. Hope you can get it Baz!!
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I can and Hopefully WILL fix that. VERY easy fix.
If anybody, it's you Baz.
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Really looking forward to see this! I love when people rescue mangled instruments.
Years ago somebody on the 'pit (was it Baz??) bought an all-but-firewood EB0 from me. It had a cheezy flame paint job and an added P-bass pickup at the bridge, and a bad neck break that I should have spotted... I got burned (ha ha) in an over-eager ebay buy, and then sold it at a loss to a Dudepitter who fixed it up really nicely.
I seem to recall it got refinished white with the P-bass route filled in and maybe a Darkstar in the neck position. I can't remember who, though!! I wonder where it is now. Anybody remember this??
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I'm out
Headstock repair.
I almost bought it this morning until I was told about some type of headstock repair
I don't dig broken headstocks
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Really looking forward to see this! I love when people rescue mangled instruments.
Years ago somebody on the 'pit (was it Baz??) bought an all-but-firewood EB0 from me. It had a cheezy flame paint job and an added P-bass pickup at the bridge, and a bad neck break that I should have spotted... I got burned (ha ha) in an over-eager ebay buy, and then sold it at a loss to a Dudepitter who fixed it up really nicely.
I seem to recall it got refinished white with the P-bass route filled in and maybe a Darkstar in the neck position. I can't remember who, though!! I wonder where it is now. Anybody remember this??
Didn't Barkless Dog buy and rebuild an EB that he refinished in white?
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Didn't Barkless Dog buy and rebuild an EB that he refinished in white?
Yes, but IIRC his was'nt at all that bad shape. It had original cherry or walnut finish which he indeed refinished white. He added a Rio Grande Pitbull guitar sized humbucker by the bridge.
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An American atrocity of Wounded Knee, Rosewood and My Lai proportions.
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I'm optimistic on this pig. Sure it has a busted headstock - it's a thunderbird. So,you get an epi bird, saw off the sides, take off what's left here, glue em on, paint and go.
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But at least a maho Epi, please! Maple wing Tbirds sound a bit deadish = Nikki Sixx Signature II.
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Seeing as Baz is out I'm in, as long as the price doesn't get stupid. If I end up with it I am going to turn it into a II.
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(http://blog.yellowbirdproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/protest-3_.jpg)
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That split P-pup is really adding insult to
gross injury a lynching. :-\
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Scott has revived one worse than this.
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Scott has revived one worse than this.
That's what I was thinking. I think that poor thing would look incredible as a II.
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Seen WAY worse headstock repairs, it could be fun project. Might I suggest TV Yellow? I've always thought that would look good on a 'bird.
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Years ago somebody on the 'pit (was it Baz??) bought an all-but-firewood EB0 from me. It had a cheezy flame paint job...
I dug up from my archives that it was a dudepitter named johnnythumbfive, aka John DeLowery.
John, are you on here?
I'd love to see pics of what he did with that bass again, it came out really pretty as I recall ...
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That's what I was thinking. I think that poor thing would look incredible as a II.
We were talking about this on TB - I suggested the same thing, great minds think alike!
Go for it Scott!
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I dug up from my archives that it was a dudepitter named johnnythumbfive, aka John DeLowery.
John, are you on here?
I'd love to see pics of what he did with that bass again, it came out really pretty as I recall ...
I remember him, he had stopped posting at the Pit before it went down. AFAIK he's never registered here.
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:popcorn:
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:popcorn: :popcorn:
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Just hoping it doesn't get stupid $$$
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If it gets $$$$$ then nothing is lost and someone else just wants it more and you can put it towards something less mutilated...
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You can always make the bass Entwistle used in Tommy...the Hook Bass
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Or just a nice 20/20!
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Is it really worth all the money and labour?
Thunderbirds aren't that rare. I'd wait for a better project to come along.
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Is it really worth all the money and labour?
Thunderbirds aren't that rare. I'd wait for a better project to come along.
It's never worth the money, that's for sure. Nor is it worth the labour, assuming you're looking at labour expressed as time, even at minimum wage. But it's worth it for the sense of accomplishment and the sheer empowerment of "I did that!". I have restored from basket cases a Victory and a Ripper and neither will ever make a profit if sold, but that wasn't the point for me. It was the enjoyment of bringing poor, abused instruments back to something approaching their former glory.
If I wasn't a little tight for cash right now I'd have considered taking this project on.
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It's a rescue mission alright, but there is value in that too.
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Yeah, I think this would be a great project for somebody who relishes a challenge and enjoys the process. And a terrible idea for anybody else :)
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Really not that much work. Pretty much making and grafting on Honduras replacements for the cutoffs, filling the P route, 3 point replacement, and a refin. Too bad those aren't the original Klusons, they're Gotoh clones. The truss rod cover does look original, though!
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Part of the fun is the challenge of putting it right, also this one is a bit of a blank slate. I have no qualms turning it into a II. I paid $ 800 for my unbroken 77, a exceptional deal even though I had to sort out the pickups. Not sure what I'd pay for this thing but it is fast approaching my threshold.
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Too bad those aren't the original Klusons, they're Gotoh clones.
Not necessarily a bad thing, if they're Res-o-lites. These help cure the neck dive!
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Awe crap, I thought the tuners were originals, there goes half the value of the thing. :o
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Ok. Who won it? You can lay tinfoil over the middle of the body and use an iron. Then get a spatulas and gently work the glue as it separates. Once you buy wood for the replacement wings, you can get a local wood mill to cut the v
Shape on the ends
Of yor wood.i would then cut out the shape of the wings, do your final sanding, rout the control cavity... Then comes the hard part. You need to taper both sides of both wings. Aaron, I think a local wood Mill can help you with this. Then glue.
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Ok. Who won it? You can lay tinfoil over the middle of the body and use an iron. Then get a spatulas and gently work the glue as it separates. Once you buy wood for the replacement wings, you can get a local wood mill to cut the v
Shape on the ends
Of yor wood.i would then cut out the shape of the wings, do your final sanding, rout the control cavity... Then comes the hard part. You need to taper both sides of both wings. Aaron, I think a local wood Mill can help you with this. Then glue.
Thanks, Baz...I think I have it covered. It's going to be a NOS clone of my '77, even the three point. Method to be determined upon inspection.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1977%20Thunderbird/1977Thunderbird_zpsbd85e4b1.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/1977%20Thunderbird/1977Thunderbird_zpsbd85e4b1.jpg.html)
I'm not going to remove the existing wings if I don't have to. Main reason for that is the P route needs to be filled and no matter how it's done it won't be 'original'.
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Thanks, Baz...I think I have it covered. It's going to be a NOS clone of my '77, even the three point. Method to be determined upon inspection.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1977%20Thunderbird/1977Thunderbird_zpsbd85e4b1.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/1977%20Thunderbird/1977Thunderbird_zpsbd85e4b1.jpg.html)
I'm not going to remove the existing wings if I don't have to. Main reason for that is the P route needs to be filled and no matter how it's done it won't be 'original'.
8) 8) 8)
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If it's as described, you got it for a reasonable price. :toast:
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Thanks, Baz...I think I have it covered. It's going to be a NOS clone of my '77, even the three point. Method to be determined upon inspection.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1977%20Thunderbird/1977Thunderbird_zpsbd85e4b1.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/1977%20Thunderbird/1977Thunderbird_zpsbd85e4b1.jpg.html)
I'm not going to remove the existing wings if I don't have to. Main reason for that is the P route needs to be filled and no matter how it's done it won't be 'original'.
Thin Veneer laminate over the top middle section!!
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Thanks, Baz...I think I have it covered. It's going to be a NOS clone of my '77, even the three point. Method to be determined upon inspection.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1977%20Thunderbird/1977Thunderbird_zpsbd85e4b1.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/1977%20Thunderbird/1977Thunderbird_zpsbd85e4b1.jpg.html)
I'm not going to remove the existing wings if I don't have to. Main reason for that is the P route needs to be filled and no matter how it's done it won't be 'original'.
Could you post updates here? Looking forward to this.
P
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Thin Veneer laminate over the top middle section!!
That's what I was thinking...
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Could you post updates here? Looking forward to this.
P
I will be documenting "Bicentennial 'Bird, The Unbutchering" here and at Talk Bass Full disclosure this is probably going to be an exercise in Commerce, not 'Art.
Thin Veneer laminate over the top middle section!!
Maybe, I've done it before (over P and J routes).
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/2010%20Fenderbird/JACK.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/2010%20Fenderbird/JACK.jpg.html)
IMO it's not necessary under a solid finish but there's no rush to make a decision at this point.
Meanwhile, I have one bicentennial pup. Anyone have one to sell or a three hole cover?
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I just came across this one while looking for other parts, too pricey for me but who knows when another will come up...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Unused-1970-Gibson-Thunderbird-pickup-cover-/222276726860?hash=item33c0b9b04c:g:EGkAAOSwLnBX576b
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I remember picking some of those up for way less than that!
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I just came across this one while looking for other parts, too pricey for me but who knows when another will come up...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Unused-1970-Gibson-Thunderbird-pickup-cover-/222276726860?hash=item33c0b9b04c:g:EGkAAOSwLnBX576b
Thanks, I saw that this morning. Not cost effective, the BIN is almost as much as I pay for a pair of ThunderBuckers which is my fallback option.
I remember picking some of those up for way less than that!
I'm sure they've become rarer but even the starting price looks crazy compared to what I paid for the carcass. I'd rather buy a dead BiCen pup, have Steve unepoxy it and attempt a resurrection. Again, considering all options.
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I'm not going to remove the existing wings if I don't have to. Main reason for that is the P route needs to be filled and no matter how it's done it won't be 'original'.
Glad to see the bass went to a forumite, especially yourself! Maybe a daft thought, but if you could sacrifice one of the wings you could use the recovered material to fill the P route? That way you are, technically, keeping it original albeit in grafted form?
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Glad to see the bass went to a forumite, especially yourself! Maybe a daft thought, but if you could sacrifice one of the wings you could use the recovered material to fill the P route? That way you are, technically, keeping it original albeit in grafted form?
That's a possibility. I have at least 25 board feet of Honduras mahogany so getting a match won't be too difficult whatever the situation. Unfortunately the P route is wider than the raised center section. Adds to the difficulty of getting a tight fit.
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I have a Bicentennial pickup for sale at the moment.
And I have a casing as well (I had an Artec stuffed in there)
I'm asking 150 euro for the Bicentennial pickup over at a Dutch auction site.
(https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-0/p180x540/13920434_10209867790036447_8004461804019639238_o.jpg)
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I know I have a 3-hole cover in my parts box, but if I remember correctly, it has a small dent in it. $50. You're probably better off buying that pickup from Basvarken though.
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Thanks for the quick response, guys!
I have a Bicentennial pickup for sale at the moment.
And I have a casing as well (I had an Artec stuffed in there)
I'm asking 150 euro for the Bicentennial pickup over at a Dutch auction site.
That's reasonable, Rob. But I need a bridge pickup, pretty sure that's a neck because of the plastic cable. Bridges have braided shield, at least that's the setup on my '77.
I know I have a 3-hole cover in my parts box, but if I remember correctly, it has a small dent in it. $50. You're probably better off buying that pickup from Basvarken though.
Depending on the size of the dent that might work. I'll message you after the bass arrives.
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(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/2010%20Fenderbird/JACK.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/2010%20Fenderbird/JACK.jpg.html)
I do love the use of the Strat jack socket on the side of the body. Never seen that before. Genius.
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Glad you won it Carlo! The route sucks, I would fill it then do a veneer over the raised center section. Me I would put Thunderbuckers in it, not a fan of the originals.
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I do love the use of the Strat jack socket on the side of the body. Never seen that before. Genius.
I built that bass in '83 but I can't remember where I saw the Strat jack in the side position. Fairly sure I stole the idea from somebody. I've seen it since, best example was my '91 Hamer Chaparral 12.
Glad you won it Carlo! The route sucks, I would fill it then do a veneer over the raised center section. Me I would put Thunderbuckers in it, not a fan of the originals.
Thanks! Thinking about it, veneer may be a good option. If I run it from the middle of each of the original routes, the seam will be completely hidden by the pup ring. Also thanks to you, Baz, and Tom for convincing me to reconsider my approach
I also prefer the 60s humbucker design compared to the BiCen sidewinder.
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Not sure where I first saw the Strat jack on the end first but I've seen it on a few body types over the years. Most recent one I remember was a custom Bird built by RS Guitarworks about 10 years ago. The Bird was for sale relatively recently on eBay or Reverb.
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Well, it was a really good packing job, two boxes inside a double layer of single face. Arrived alive.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1977%20Thunderbird/P1100128_zpsd5jqpz57.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/1977%20Thunderbird/P1100128_zpsd5jqpz57.jpg.html)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1977%20Thunderbird/P1100129_zpss4hyaqa6.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/1977%20Thunderbird/P1100129_zpss4hyaqa6.jpg.html)
The execution matches the concept, crude. Threaded saddle bridge will definitely find a new home.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1977%20Thunderbird/P1100135_zpsvgrzzfuh.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/1977%20Thunderbird/P1100135_zpsvgrzzfuh.jpg.html)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1977%20Thunderbird/P1100136_zpsevyuehlk.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/1977%20Thunderbird/P1100136_zpsevyuehlk.jpg.html)
Frets aren't bad, neck is dead straight and truss rod nut doesn't appear to have been turned, much less abused. Neck crack is insignificant, didn't even crack the headstock veneer. There are some serious whacks on the side of the headstock, amazing it isn't broken
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1977%20Thunderbird/P1100138_zpsq6zqnyyr.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/1977%20Thunderbird/P1100138_zpsq6zqnyyr.jpg.html)
It sounds like...a Thunderbird...and it's really light!
it's going to be a while before I get started on the refurb, have a bass to complete.
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It's nice when one meets or even exceeds expectations, even if it does need a total rehab. Can't wait to see you bring it back to life!
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That looks better than I expected.
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:popcorn:
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Here's the general idea: Two straight cuts, then grafting on new mahogany using original Titebond.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1977%20Thunderbird/P1100136%20trim_zpswtptzscu.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/1977%20Thunderbird/P1100136%20trim_zpswtptzscu.jpg.html)
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Or steam it out and make 2 new wings....
don't forget the taper....
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Explorer wings... thru-neck explorer... :vader:
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Here's the general idea: Two straight cuts, then grafting on new mahogany using original Titebond.
In my mind I had you doing two new (full) wings but your plan preserves more of the original bird. I like that!
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Makes sense, and you can keep the cutoffs for possible future use.
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Making the male 'V' cut in the wings requires a shaper and custom cutter (neither of which I currently own or need). I'm looking to complete the work as economically as possible with the tech I have.
No matter how correct the wing restoration the center section won't be. Maybe I could see the point of the extra work and expense if it were. Doing it this way still allows someone else to do a total wing graft, but it won't be me.
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I think you plan works just fine. How are going to make the cuts? In my mind a simple sled, or jig, for a table saw does the trick.
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I think you plan works just fine. How are going to make the cuts? In my mind a simple sled, or jig, for a table saw does the trick.
I'll bandsaw the cuts with a 3TPI blade, then 'joint' using a bottom bearing 1/2" straight router bit against a clamped on straight edge. Can't use my actual jointer, unfortunately.
I've owned at least six tablesaws, from my current $129 15 amp, 10 inch to a 7hp 16 inch, 10 foot slider with 5 inch scoring blade. I much prefer the bandsaw and a jointer for instrument work. I make rough crosscuts using a 7" circular saw or Bosch jigsaw if necessary. I haven't used the table saw in years, it has a 2'x8' piece of plywood clamped to the top of it, it's my main workbench. Maybe if it wasn't so underpowered.
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Finally, a 13-ply body TBird!
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Good plan. I'd use the cutoffs to plug the P rout.
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Any progress here? I woke up at about 6.00am this morning and it was the first thing I thought about!
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Any progress here? I woke up at about 6.00am this morning and it was the first thing I thought about!
No, sorry. Other work in front of it.