The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: dadagoboi on April 26, 2012, 05:25:08 PM
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Thanks to a huge effort from Dave and a heckuva packing job (seriously) today UPS delivered the '77 TBird discussed here last month. Only 138 were made in 77-78, I had one of the '77s and now I own another, almost exactly like mine down to the black pickguard. One owner, Mark Mueller of The Daily Planet. Unbroken and well cared for, original paint with a few touch ups. I'm currently cleaning and setting it up.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1977%20Thunderbird/P1050736.jpg)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1977%20Thunderbird/photo3.jpg)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1977%20Thunderbird/photo4.jpg)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1977%20Thunderbird/photo5.jpg)
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wow, cool! i always wondered how the sound of those differed with the pickups being in series and all.
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Great score!
White Thunderbirds are SEX!
Very jealous here ;)
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It looks right at home. :thumbsup:
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Beautiful! I always wanted a white one. Congrats on the score!
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Very, very beautiful! I love white ones! And my '76 is like my baby. Best sounding and playing bass ever imho.
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Thanks, guys. I'm digging it. Needs strings but seems to have a little more bottom than my '60s. Bridge pickup gets more of a Jazz bass quack too.
In '77 I had a black TBird on layaway at Betnun's where our singer Marty worked. When a white one showed up he called me and I bought it sight unseen. I'm really glad to have this one to replace it. Couldn't have happened without Dave's help!
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I'm so envious! Nice grab. ;D
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I'm so envious! Nice grab. ;D
The only bass I'm missing now is my '55 Precision and a replacement for it would be out of my price range...keep that Tele locked up, doc. ;)
This just showed up on Ebay a few minutes ago, price was right. The Anvil case weighs a ton and needs the padding replaced. Dave did a great job getting the 'bird secure in it for shipping. 3 days from Minnesota!
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1977%20Thunderbird/DSC00288.jpg)
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The only bass I'm missing now is my '55 Precision and a replacement for it would be out of my price range...keep that Tele locked up, doc. ;)
This just showed up on Ebay a few minutes ago, price was right. The Anvil case weighs a ton and needs the padding replaced. Dave did a great job getting the 'bird secure in it for shipping. 3 days from Minnesota!
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1977%20Thunderbird/DSC00288.jpg)
Amen Carlo, the Tele has a permanent home now! Now, I gotta get a 70's TB!
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Nice bass & congrats. Yeah those anvil cases are not easy to carry around.
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I find cases too heavy for use to be kind of self-defeating.
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Nice bass & congrats. Yeah those anvil cases are not easy to carry around.
Tell me about it. I didn't weigh the bass separately, but the parcel weight was 57 lbs! Even with the packing material and box considered, the case must weigh about 40 lbs.
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I find cases too heavy for use to be kind of self-defeating.
Tell me about it. I didn't weigh the bass separately, but the parcel weight was 57 lbs! Even with the packing material and box considered, the case must weigh about 40 lbs.
The anvil case was one of the reasons Mark sold. He didn't have a regular case and didn't want to gig it without protection. No problem if you have roadies but IMO the anvil is heavier than it needs to be. I also figure around 40 lbs.
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I couldn't afford a flight case for my Precision when I was doing road work,so I built one. I think I used 3/8" plywood. The road crew HATED me. Still, the day the truck backed over my bass, it paid off.
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Tell me about it. I didn't weigh the bass separately, but the parcel weight was 57 lbs! Even with the packing material and box considered, the case must weigh about 40 lbs.
That's why we sometimes use 1/4'' polypropylene panels instead of laminated 3/8'' birch plywood. They're about 30% lighter. The big case I made for my Bachbird came in at 29 pounds. All the other hardware and aluminum extrusion is of the same quality on either.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/10725_133288216295_133281256295_3019120_7839656_n.jpg)
(I skimped and used a surface handle instead of a recessed one for some reason...)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/10725_133288221295_133281256295_3019121_904321_n.jpg)
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I couldn't afford a flight case for my Precision when I was doing road work,so I built one. I think I used 3/8" plywood. The road crew HATED me. Still, the day the truck backed over my bass, it paid off.
I built a case for my first Fenderbird out of 3/8" ply and 3/4" pine sides and center brace/neck support. I made it into a 3+1 headstock 15 years later and then it fit into a regular case as well as stopped diving. I fondly remember taking the hinges, latches and handle off the carcass and leaving it in a mini storage space in High Point, NC. It weighed around 30 lbs.
That's a sweet case, Tom!
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Love that 77- nice catch
wow, cool! i always wondered how the sound of those differed with the pickups being in series and all.
My 76 has those sidewinder pickups, but it was rewired in parallel at some point. I'm sure that people here could discern the subtle differences, but IMO the sound is real similar to the newer birds (same wiring config). Had it side by side with Nokturnal's black 2000(?) several times.
Can't say I've heard the series sound up close and personal, but I might speculate that it would yield more midrange emphasis/honk? It'd be easy enough to convert one to parallel, though, if desired.
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I have two of those anvil type cases - one for my prototype single cut Ripper, it came with it, and one for my banez Flying V long scale, I had it made - spectacularly bad mistake!!!!! I've used both of them once.
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When you are doing 20+ gigs a month for a couple straight years, and your bass is tossed into the back of a truck repeatedly, a flight case becomes almost necessary. When the bass sits in the closet and goes with you in your car to a couple gigs a month, the gig bag is your friend. :thumbsup:
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Uwe, I may have seen it before but I don't remember you having the Ibanez V. Is it the mate to my '76 Destroyer with the stock P/J set up ?
I have two of those anvil type cases - one for my prototype single cut Ripper, it came with it, and one for my banez Flying V long scale, I had it made - spectacularly bad mistake!!!!! I've used both of them once.
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Naw, you are talking about the later model which was called - wince - Rocket Roll. Mine is 76 cherry maho long scale model with an Ibannez mudbucker and a minibucker. It sounds like a docile 70ies EB-3L. I bought it out of affectionate interest only because I wanted one at the time (a cover band bassist had one) but it was unaffordable for me then. It's the same model your friend Herr Lea played on the Thanks for the Memory promo for instance. I don't think he ever used it live.
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Cleaned up and ready for Sunday School
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1977%20Thunderbird/P1050802.jpg)
I made the new pick guard, stuck a paper bird on for pix (99% humidity this AM warped it, I'll get around to doing a decal eventually or find an original guard), knobs are from Allparts.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1977%20Thunderbird/P1050765.jpg)
Remains of the leather strap lock dye. Bass has a lot of touch up on typical chip areas. I haven't done anything but clean and polish. Frets have also been leveled, obviously it's been played a lot. Mark really took care of this 'Bird!
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1977%20Thunderbird/P1050787.jpg)
The overlay looks like plastic under the paint. Nickel Bass Burners.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1977%20Thunderbird/P1050791.jpg)
Original hand rest, I bought a repro bridge cover a while back.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1977%20Thunderbird/P1050763.jpg)
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SUPERBICIFRAGITENNIALEXPIALIDOCIOUS!!!!
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Beautiful!! Congrats Carlo!!
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Lookin' good!
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Yes that's it ! Man I would love either one though the cherry with the muddy and mini would be cool because of the Jim Lea connection.
Naw, you are talking about the later model which was called - wince - Rocket Roll. Mine is 76 cherry maho long scale model with an Ibannez mudbucker and a minibucker. It sounds like a docile 70ies EB-3L. I bought it out of affectionate interest only because I wanted one at the time (a cover band bassist had one) but it was unaffordable for me then. It's the same model your friend Herr Lea played on the Thanks for the Memory promo for instance. I don't think he ever used it live.
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Gorgeous!
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i'm happy for you Carlo, congrats to the bass for finding a good home with you
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Thanks, Guys!
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Wow, just WOW!!
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Am I the only one who thinks that the ashtrays don't do any good to any Thunderbird? The nickel/chrome pickups are desirable and look great so why cover them?
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Am I the only one who thinks that the ashtrays don't do any good to any Thunderbird? The nickel/chrome pickups are desirable and look great so why cover them?
Agreed, but is nice to own for value's sake. Really nice bass. love the vintage white / cream.
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Am I the only one who thinks that the ashtrays don't do any good to any Thunderbird? The nickel/chrome pickups are desirable and look great so why cover them?
I like the look, makes it completely vintage.
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Am I the only one who thinks that the ashtrays don't do any good to any Thunderbird? The nickel/chrome pickups are desirable and look great so why cover them?
I have them on two of my three '76s and really like them alot! The bridge cover makes a great hand rest - and since my hand is down by the bridge the pup cover isn't in the way either.......Plus, it's an opportunity to have more CHROME on a bass ;D
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I put the covers on for the picture, they aren't even screwed down. When I got my original 'bird in '77 they came off immediately because they got in the way. I played with a stainless steel pick and both pickups quickly got chewed up. If it was just going to hang on the wall I'd put back the covers. I like the visual of the pickup cover, the bridge one doesn't do much for me.
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Dying for a white one! That's just beautiful Carlo!
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Just as with Fenders and Ricks, the covers look great, but get in the way of most players' picking or plucking techniques.
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I just got my '77 back & took them off, nice to have them but my right hand moves all over the place & I need the room,