Picked this up today off of Craig's List - 76 Refin Tbird. Doesn't have the Original case, but everything else seems there. The original pots and knobs are in the case and the chrome looks great! The owner did take care of it since 1982, and I have a good feeling about the purchase. Now I'm back in the TBird club -woohoo! It sounds great.
Now the questions - I plan on taking it up to Mike Lull who does amazing setup/restore work...pls feel free to offer comments, this is my mini-project for awhile:
1) The refin on here is faded in quite a few places, and the serial number decal is long gone from the headstock. So I feel ok about pursuing another refin - should I go for an "authentic" Gibson-looking WHite or SB? Or should I follow my heart, and go for a one of a kind bling-bling surf color? Ala Sonic Blue, Seafoam Green, Coral pink, etc?
2) Seems like this original knob placement leads to the neck dive. The newer birds have a strap knob on the back, not the wing. Should I ask Mike to correct the strap button placement?
3) I'm going to have him Plek it - anything I should be aware of?
4) Where I can get a Thunderbird case? Right now its in an Epiphone hardshell.
Think it needs a new nut too:
Thoughts, opinions, suggestions, welcome!