Here's the page I'll make to document it as it goes along. Because it is often true that nothing truly belongs to a man until he has f***ed with it, my beloved bird is going to have some modifications to make it a better instrument for me and my playing. Some of the upgrades are hardly necessary, but what the heck. I'll have plenty of pictures when its out of the shop. It is, as we speak, undergoing the blade and has to sit for a few weeks so the nitro can dry.
Here's the list of everything going to be done over the next couple weeks, and I'll check 'em off with pictures as I go! Yes, as uninteresting as it is I don't have anyone else to share my enthusiasm with so you guys will have to humor me.
Major Mods:
- The "Butcherbird" Cutaway - Saw it on this very forum and it was a revelation. It will greatly improve access to those upper frets. Whats cool is that the shop is a certified Gibson repair facility and can create this cutaway and still keep the sunburst finish "like it was custom made from Gibson." They're going to fit the pickguard to the new shape.
- Warwick Bridge (black) - Always loved this bridge when it came to neck through basses. It sits within the body to really get down to that low-neck angle thats often on neck through instruments. And stylistically, I think its a very modern take on the original 60's two-piece Thunderbird bridge. My setup on the T-bird right now is fine but adjusting intonation is a bear, and I've had my bridge fall onto the floor during a string change sending all my saddles a'flying! What a pain.
Minor Mods:
- done Gotoh Res-O-Lite Tuners (black) - Gotoh's tuner to compete with Hipshot. A classy heart-shaped tuning key and the same weight savings - a set of 4 is the same as 3 of the stock Grover tuners. Here's a picture
- done Switchcraft Jack (black) - Replaced the stock jack with a Switchcraft jack. Mouser sells them (Mouser# 502-151) and even in black if you talk to a sales rep. This actually did seem to clear up the tone in a very modest way, but maybe that's just me.
- done Warwick Security Strap-Locks (black) - Picked some up. These look and function almost the same as the Schallers, but I wanted the black to match. The snap to unlock it seems kind of ginger, but I don't think it'll be problematic.
- RS Guitarworks Super Pots - In my quest to leave no Thunderstone unturned, I'm going to replace the Pots too. One of my Gibson volume pot shafts is already a little wobbly after a year, so a big feature of the RS designed CTS pots were brass shafts. They advertise having "very smooth" volume transition, but we'll see. I'm going to use the wiring diagram for a '76 T-bird that uses 2 500k volume pots along with a 250k tone pot (I'm not sure if this is actually different from the modern Tbird wiring, anyone know?).
- Vintage Sprague .047 Cap - Using the '76 schematic, it called for a .047 capacitor. I got one on eBay cheap that tested very strong when I got it. The t-bird control cavity has all the room in the world for an old oil/paper cap, so what the hey. Anyone know what the original brand and voltage was on your stock '76 cap? The Spragues are 400w.
- New Nut - Suggestions needed - I was leaning to a Tusq nut based on how well I've seen them work on Fender basses, but does anyone have experience with a nut material other than that?
- Indicator Knob Washers - All guitars should have these!
