The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: TREPSTRASH on August 26, 2009, 10:35:53 AM

Title: Non-reverse T-bird
Post by: TREPSTRASH on August 26, 2009, 10:35:53 AM
I am curious if anybody has a template for non-reverse T-bird body.  I am itching to make one, and need to start somewhere, might as well be the body.  I am ultimately going to make a vicious fender-bird, so any help along the way would be awesome, especially concerning the depth of the neck-set into the body.  From all the pictures that I have seen, there seems to be some discrepancy with that.
Anyway, thanks for looking and maybe somebody has a answer for me. 
Thanks to Barkless Dog for pointing in the right direction.

michaelT.
Title: Re: Non-reverse T-bird
Post by: godofthunder on August 26, 2009, 06:05:02 PM
 I can send you a pattern snail mail or I bet some of the other guys have 'em pdf  and can email it. Let me know what works. Here is one of mine in action. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/2237659070083345702mPBPbc_ph.jpg)
Title: Re: Non-reverse T-bird
Post by: OldManC on August 26, 2009, 10:50:48 PM
I knew Scott would be along before too long.  ;)

Hey Michael, welcome to the Outpost! I hope you'll feel at home here. You certainly have good taste in basses, so you're already cool in my book...
Title: Re: Non-reverse T-bird
Post by: Iome on August 27, 2009, 03:08:52 AM
I've got Rob's PDF tracing, i'll send it tonight from my home 'puter, give a email adress.
Title: Re: Non-reverse T-bird
Post by: uwe on August 27, 2009, 03:28:36 AM
And Scott's tracing has the added benefit of coming with a free Model G routing ... (ducking quickly)
Title: Re: Non-reverse T-bird
Post by: godofthunder on August 27, 2009, 04:19:02 AM
That bass is routed for a Tbird pup ;)
Title: Re: Non-reverse T-bird
Post by: Barklessdog on August 27, 2009, 05:21:08 AM
Glad you came aboard and lets us know what you need help with as these guys know as they have built & had built non reverses.

Title: Re: Non-reverse T-bird
Post by: Lightyear on August 27, 2009, 09:00:43 PM
Welcome to the asylum - we get pudding at 3:00 ;)

I have a PDF from my NR Fenderbuild I can send to you as well - it's measured out for a Fender neck, bridge, pups, controls etc.  Let me know.
Title: Re: Non-reverse T-bird
Post by: Iome on August 28, 2009, 12:58:29 AM
Hey Light, i'd love the tracing with the neck pocket, could you send it to me please? jpanada at infinito dot it
Title: Re: Non-reverse T-bird
Post by: Lightyear on August 28, 2009, 08:38:33 PM
Iome, you have mail.

I came up with these measuremnts with help from George, OldmanC, and others - I think it is fairly accurate.  One thing to consider is that as this is drawn the reach to the nut is long - it was for me and I'm 6'1" with long arms.  You may consider moving the neck pocket back, maybe 5mm, towards the rear and moving the pickups on bridge spacing by that amount as well - this would help the reach to the first fret.

Title: Re: Non-reverse T-bird
Post by: TREPSTRASH on August 29, 2009, 02:50:46 PM
Hey guys, sorry about not responding.  I, for some reason, thought that the board would email me to let me know if there were any posts....you know what they say about assuming.  ANYWAY.  I would love to get a copy from whom ever wants to post a pdf.  I will gladly take any and all to make the most informed decision I can about the cuts before I buy the wood.

here are the goods:
trepstrash at g mail dot com

You guys are awesome for doing this too.  I am thinking about putting some of those Mike Lull T-bird pickups in it, if I can ever save up enough $$$.  Any thoughts?

mt
Title: Re: Non-reverse T-bird
Post by: TBird1958 on August 29, 2009, 03:13:41 PM
 You can't go wrong with those Lull pups! I have them in my single pup Lullbird, my BaCHbird and I just purchased two more to retrofit my Gibson Nikki Sixx MkII - they're expensive but well worth it. Every time I visit with Mike he tells me a little more about them and how they were made, they are an exact replica of the 60's original right down to the bobbin shape and all the materials used, the covers are from the same manufacturer Gibson used.  Big :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Non-reverse T-bird
Post by: godofthunder on August 29, 2009, 05:13:40 PM
 I don't have any Lull Tbird pups but they look to be the Bomb. I would go with them on Marks reccomendation  alone. Why not just use one pup ? I have always liked Thunderbird IIs the best, One pickup basses rock.
Title: Re: Non-reverse T-bird
Post by: Hornisse on August 30, 2009, 10:45:25 AM
Or you could go with 3 pickups like Craig Gruber did on the Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow LP Gatefold.  I used to have a photo of that but can't locate it.
Title: Re: Non-reverse T-bird
Post by: godofthunder on August 30, 2009, 04:16:57 PM
Three pups at $300 bucks each for a total of 900 bucks in pickups alone !  :o I'm sticking with one !
Title: Re: Non-reverse T-bird
Post by: TBird1958 on August 30, 2009, 04:19:55 PM

Yeah, that could get a little out of hand!
My BaCH sounds Sooooo good with that pup tho  ;)
Title: Re: Non-reverse T-bird
Post by: Hornisse on August 30, 2009, 06:10:47 PM
Have you posted pics of the Bach since the retrofit Mark?  I'd love to see it with the mod.
Title: Re: Non-reverse T-bird
Post by: TBird1958 on August 31, 2009, 12:28:36 AM


Quote from: Hornisse on August 30, 2009, 06:10:47 PM
Have you posted pics of the Bach since the retrofit Mark?  I'd love to see it with the mod.

Not yet, I'm waiting on a pickguard from Paul Chandler which should be back in a week or so. It should look nice in an understated classic way - I wanted to post some in process pics of it as a short project at the same time.  :)   
Title: Re: Non-reverse T-bird
Post by: Iome on August 31, 2009, 01:47:41 AM
Quote from: Lightyear on August 28, 2009, 08:38:33 PM
Iome, you have mail.

I came up with these measuremnts with help from George, OldmanC, and others - I think it is fairly accurate.  One thing to consider is that as this is drawn the reach to the nut is long - it was for me and I'm 6'1" with long arms.  You may consider moving the neck pocket back, maybe 5mm, towards the rear and moving the pickups on bridge spacing by that amount as well - this would help the reach to the first fret.



Thanks alot L.Y. and don't worry about the imperial measurement, it's not your fault the Queen left you them... at least you drive on the right side of the road  ;D . I agree with you about moving the neck, pickups and bridge a little back, i'm doing that on the reverse Fbird i'm building now. It seemes like Gibson always leave a lot of space behind the bridges on their basses.
Title: Re: Non-reverse T-bird
Post by: Dave W on August 31, 2009, 07:57:29 AM
Quote from: Iome on August 31, 2009, 01:47:41 AM
It seemes like Gibson always leave a lot of space behind the bridges on their basses.

Take a look at an EB-0L or 3L sometime.
Title: Re: Non-reverse T-bird
Post by: uwe on August 31, 2009, 08:25:52 AM
Yup, there the bridges almost fall off the butt of the bass. Obviously, the SG shape wasn't intended for bass, much less for a longscale one.
Title: Re: Non-reverse T-bird
Post by: Iome on August 31, 2009, 12:12:06 PM
i know, it's just that tbirds really got some space back there. I love the EbL's for being so short.