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Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: TBird1958 on August 17, 2012, 02:39:38 PM

Title: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: TBird1958 on August 17, 2012, 02:39:38 PM


Away she goes to Marty Bell on Tuesday.
For all our newbies, I originally bought this bass through the good offices '69Vette (OldmanC of late) it's been a great bass, love it's tone - the pups have a great warm growl to them. I have the feeling there are many stories inside this bass, it's headstock has a music store sticker from Arkansas, at one point it was refretted with large frets, much bigger than stock, and of course it has the requisite busted headstock, which over time has developed a slight lateral twist.
Anyway it's had it's share of knocks and dings, time for for a fresh coat of paint, it won't be black!
And yes we can have a poly vs. Nitro debate when it gets back. Meantme I'll be cleaning the parts up, any body have suggestions for Nickel tuners?


In pretty much the shape I got it from our good George.
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/thunderbirds008.jpg)

The bridge, right down on the body, note the reversed saddle on the E string.
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/1343407750.jpg)

And buck naked, see the indent of the bridge in the second photo
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/1345234198.jpg)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/1345234222.jpg)


 
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Highlander on August 17, 2012, 03:40:45 PM
You'll get no specific arguments from me re nitro, as I'm concerned how fragile my refin on the PC has been, whereas the "car" paint lasted almost untouched (excluding "hard" knocks) for two decades...

I'm surprised that I'm surprised by the rebate on the lower wing... is there a reason they do that rather than run through the centre... must be cost reasons...?
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: uwe on August 17, 2012, 03:46:50 PM
That routing was initially even on the post-87 reissues but has fallen away over time. Better routing machines I guess.
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Highlander on August 17, 2012, 04:11:36 PM
The routing on the Peter Cook runs along the edge of the "wing" - nothing could have been simpler - why do something that makes a build more complex...?
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: TBird1958 on August 17, 2012, 04:32:21 PM
Quote from: uwe on August 17, 2012, 03:46:50 PM
That routing was initially even on the post-87 reissues but has fallen away over time. Better routing machines I guess.


Errrrrrmmmmm. No, My '09 Nikki Sixx has that rout.
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Dave W on August 17, 2012, 04:49:42 PM
Maybe it's there as a place for tooling which holds it for CNC operations.
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Highlander on August 17, 2012, 05:16:58 PM
I was wondering that about the pair of holes in the pup routs...
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: uwe on August 17, 2012, 06:03:43 PM
Quote from: TBird1958 on August 17, 2012, 04:32:21 PM

Errrrrrmmmmm. No, My '09 Nikki Sixx has that rout.

Huh? Don't have mine near, but your Blackbird certainly didn't (you'd have ssen it under the see-through pg) nor has the short scale. And I have a couple of newer other Birds that don't have it either. IIRC, even the Epis don't have it, but I might be mistaken there ... Again the Epi Blackbird certainly doesn't have it.
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: TBird1958 on August 17, 2012, 06:26:50 PM


here you go.....


(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/Nikki%20Sixx/NikkiSixx015.jpg)
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: chromium on August 17, 2012, 06:40:53 PM
I think my old Epi Elitist Thunderbird might have had that route...

(EDIT:  nevermind... I think I'm thinking of the 76 which definitely has that route.  The Elitist just had a big knot in the wood under the guard... I just remembered something unsightly lurking there...)
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Nocturnal on August 17, 2012, 06:47:40 PM
The Epi Goth's don't have it either.
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Dave W on August 17, 2012, 09:46:06 PM
A wiring channel for neck-throughs? Wouldn't have to be there, though.
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: JZumbro on August 18, 2012, 01:10:46 AM
Quote from: Dave W on August 17, 2012, 04:49:42 PM
Maybe it's there as a place for tooling which holds it for CNC operations.

I believe, due to having installed pickups in one of mine, that it was intended to make it it easier to get the wire through to the control cavity. To make that sharp turn you have to pull the wire all the way out that rout and then thread it through to the hole to the control cavity. That long horizontal rout makes it easy to loop the wire as you pull it through that second hole. Imagine pulling the wire through the hole from the pickup cavity to that rout. Then you start the end through the hole to the control cavity. At this point there is a loop of wire outside the bass that gets smaller as you pull the wire through to the control cavity. The long rout gives a place for that loop to go as it gets smaller. Hard to explain, but easy to do.
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: uwe on August 18, 2012, 02:11:23 AM
It's certain unsightly and has always bothered/disappointed me. Mark's pic of hus, uhum, chrome-trashed NikSixSig certainly gives an impression how good a TBird sans pickguard (where no one in his right mind would ever scratch anything with his pic) can look.
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: exiledarchangel on August 18, 2012, 03:37:27 AM
Quote from: uwe on August 17, 2012, 06:03:43 PM
Huh? Don't have mine near, but your Blackbird certainly didn't (you'd have ssen it under the see-through pg) nor has the short scale. And I have a couple of newer other Birds that don't have it either. IIRC, even the Epis don't have it, but I might be mistaken there ... Again the Epi Blackbird certainly doesn't have it.

Bolt-on Epis don't have it, they got a looong (and for some unknown reason wide enough to fit at least 6 pickup wires) route from the neck plate area to the control cavity.
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: stiles72 on August 18, 2012, 03:57:26 PM
Studio Tbirds don't have the route either; but my '07 Thunderbird IV does have it.
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: TBird1958 on September 29, 2012, 12:34:01 PM


Kinda breaking some of my own rules here........
It's on it's way back from Marty (his pics) I'll have it on 10/3 and get it up to Mike's -time to get started on a new PG.

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/1348943440.jpg)
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Nocturnal on September 29, 2012, 12:49:55 PM
Wow!! You really went a different direction than I was expecting  :o
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Highlander on September 29, 2012, 04:01:00 PM
 :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9H_cI_WCnE
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: maxschrek on September 29, 2012, 04:04:16 PM
Oh my God that is gonna be soooo incredible! Can't wait to see it put together.....congrats!



T
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Lightyear on September 29, 2012, 08:05:11 PM
Too cool!  Please don't tell me you have a matching G-string! ;D :o
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Dave W on September 29, 2012, 08:21:53 PM
Very understated and tasteful.  ;)
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: OldManC on September 29, 2012, 08:51:02 PM
Woohoo! Looks great!
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: planetgaffnet on September 30, 2012, 05:07:55 AM
Holy carp!  That was unexpected!
P
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Highlander on September 30, 2012, 05:17:02 AM
Quote from: planetgaffnet on September 30, 2012, 05:07:55 AM
Holy carp!  That was unexpected!

Is that a fishy typo or are you inferring a Tiger-Shark fin... ;D
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: clankenstein on September 30, 2012, 04:57:06 PM
thats going to be eye catching for sure!
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: uwe on October 01, 2012, 08:55:11 AM
Far out! I'm melting away ...

(http://www.bleedingcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/raiders-of-the-lost-ark.jpeg)

True Thunderglam. You should audition for fusion bands with it.
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Pilgrim on October 01, 2012, 09:19:39 AM
It will go with the hairdo, big time! 
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: uwe on October 01, 2012, 10:50:27 AM
A bass like Madam Mim did it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlX86FVuynw
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: TBird1958 on October 01, 2012, 10:56:16 AM
Quote from: Pilgrim on October 01, 2012, 09:19:39 AM
It will go with the hairdo, big time! 

Yup! 
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Highlander on October 01, 2012, 11:01:03 AM
Now hold on a cotton-pickin' minit they-ur bor... is y'all infurin' that y'all're goin' fur mat-chin acoot-tree-mints...?
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: godofthunder on October 01, 2012, 02:30:39 PM
  Mark that is incredible! Kenny either your trying to sound like Slim Pickers or Yosemite Sam , not sure which.
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Dave W on October 01, 2012, 03:31:59 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0VNHe5fq30
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Highlander on October 01, 2012, 04:15:50 PM
Smell the glove, Dasson... ;D
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: godofthunder on October 01, 2012, 07:09:18 PM
  Ha! It's a fine line between clever and stupid ;)
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Highlander on October 02, 2012, 02:39:31 PM
... and boy, do I fall the wrong side of the line from time to time... ;D

Mark... when's this lady coming home to get her fittings back... we still need to see the full-frontal shots toooo... :popcorn:
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: godofthunder on October 02, 2012, 02:50:50 PM
Quote from: godofthunder on October 01, 2012, 07:09:18 PM
  Ha! It's a fine line between clever and stupid ;)
One of my favorite quotes from Spinal Tap. ;)
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Highlander on October 03, 2012, 12:37:43 PM
Now that movie is iconic - I was never sure if the "Monolith" sketch related to Black Sabbath or Hawkwind's "Atomhenge" set until I looked today... ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVxp58fUNmA
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: godofthunder on October 03, 2012, 12:48:49 PM
  "and the cats meow" omg makes me spit out my coffee every time.
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: TBird1958 on October 03, 2012, 01:10:58 PM
Quote from: HERBIE on October 02, 2012, 02:39:31 PM
... and boy, do I fall the wrong side of the line from time to time... ;D

Mark... when's this lady coming home to get her fittings back... we still need to see the full-frontal shots toooo... :popcorn:


  ;)  It's here at my work today, Marty had sent me a bunch of pics under two different light sources, I honestly didn't know which was "correct" and choose one. Here's a cell pic near sunlight on a nice October day here in the Northern Hemisphere.....
Even this doesn't do it justice, quite stunning really.

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/1349290237.jpg) 
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: uwe on October 03, 2012, 01:57:54 PM
Danke, Mark. Now I'm not alone with my SPCB. Mutual bad taste has something comforting. You have given the adjective "garish" new meaning. Gutes Mädchen!
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: TBird1958 on October 03, 2012, 02:10:47 PM


  ;D

Danke Herr Moderator!

I'm just not a creature of convention............ '70s Glam still influences me.

Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: the mojo hobo on October 03, 2012, 03:23:21 PM
Quote from: TBird1958 on October 03, 2012, 01:10:58 PM

Even this doesn't do it justice, quite stunning really.


Well it does have to compete with that hot pink guitar case. I'll bet it will look great in front of  a little black dress.
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: uwe on October 04, 2012, 05:40:57 PM
Dave Hill would certainly like it. And I do too.
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: godofthunder on October 04, 2012, 06:33:40 PM
 Little big for H.
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: TBird1958 on October 04, 2012, 06:46:30 PM

I always liked Dave Hill, total Glam - I think moreso than anyone else, including Bowie, Bolan and Ian Hunter. Great musician? No, probably not, but then neither am I  ;)   
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: uwe on October 05, 2012, 01:31:19 PM
Quote from: godofthunder on October 04, 2012, 06:33:40 PM
Little big for H.

True, kind of Thunderbird with legs.

Hill wasn't a bad guitarist, tasteful and precise.
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: godofthunder on October 05, 2012, 01:38:49 PM
 Mark I just had a thought you refinishing this bass makes mine more valuable :) Thanks! Seriously it looks great. Would I have done it ? Never in a million years, but it suits you ;)
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: TBird1958 on October 05, 2012, 02:09:09 PM
Quote from: godofthunder on October 05, 2012, 01:38:49 PM
Mark I just had a thought you refinishing this bass makes mine more valuable :) Thanks! Seriously it looks great. Would I have done it ? Never in a million years, but it suits you ;)

Here's the thing tho, up close the original paint was shot, plus the headstock had been busted and it was entirely likely one of it's body wings had separated because it mismatched noticably. Were it a better example like Carlo's beautiful white one I wouldn't have considered it - ever. In this case I felt like it was in the best interest of the bass to clean it up and get it looking better (that's obviously a matter of personal taste  ;D ) so like that line in " Gudbye 't Jane" I "have them made to match up to her suits"   ;D

It's up Mike's getting put back together now, I can't seem to get a good shot of it tho, it changes color from purple to violet depending on the light........

I shot this

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/1349466899.jpg)

And Marty shot this, oddly, both are right.


 (http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/wildthing2.jpg)


Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Highlander on October 05, 2012, 03:41:44 PM
Lucky you didn't go green...

(http://image.toutlecine.com/photos/b/a/r/barney-and-friends-06-1-g.jpg)

(pic glitch edit)
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Lightyear on October 05, 2012, 07:58:36 PM
I like it.  Like GOT said I wouldn't of done it but you resuscitated the old gal into a beauty again.

As for the color - Pilgrim will be along shortly to tell you that it's blue and NOT purple :P ;D
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: godofthunder on October 07, 2012, 08:27:17 AM
Quote from: Lightyear on October 05, 2012, 07:58:36 PM
I like it.  Like GOT said I wouldn't of done it but you resuscitated the old gal into a beauty again.

As for the color - Pilgrim will be along shortly to tell you that it's blue and NOT purple :P ;D
I really do like it! On you Mark it will look fabulous :)
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: godofthunder on October 07, 2012, 08:29:15 AM
 I think this looks much better on me ;) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/77thunderbirdguard003.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/JOHNNYSMOKEBuffaloNYwaterfront8-19-13179.jpg)
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: TBird1958 on October 07, 2012, 09:35:43 AM


Almost odd to see you playing a Reverse - regardless of color Scott  ;D
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: nofi on October 07, 2012, 09:43:32 AM
it reminds me of a meat puppets album covers.

http://www.amazon.com/Monsters-Meat-Puppets/dp/B00000IN4L
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: godofthunder on October 07, 2012, 10:16:30 AM
Quote from: TBird1958 on October 07, 2012, 09:35:43 AM

Almost odd to see you playing a Reverse - regardless of color Scott  ;D
LOL Your not the first to say that! I really take crap when I break out a *ender.
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Pilgrim on October 07, 2012, 01:52:27 PM
Quote from: Lightyear on October 05, 2012, 07:58:36 PM

As for the color - Pilgrim will be along shortly to tell you that it's blue and NOT purple :P ;D

Hey, Mark gets special dispensation since he lives in the heart of purple-and-goldness.  As long as it's not mine, I don't care if it's purgipular.  (That's a coined term meaning "the quality of being purple.")
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: TBird1958 on October 07, 2012, 02:23:15 PM


Ahhh....ya know the girlie part of me likes flashy colorful things  ;D
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: NOT on October 07, 2012, 07:25:26 PM
Whoa! Sweet bass, Mark. It reminds me of Dokken. And it's perfect for The Nasty Habits!
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Bionic-Joe on October 08, 2012, 06:41:36 AM
Mark!!!!! I just realized who you remind me of....Arthur Harold KANE....you should dye your hair blonde and you will have Nailed it!!! (plus paint a T bird White and wear some platform boots!!!!)
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: TBird1958 on October 08, 2012, 08:28:55 AM

Quote from: Baz Cooper on October 08, 2012, 06:41:36 AM
Mark!!!!! I just realized who you remind me of....Arthur Harold KANE....you should dye your hair blonde and you will have Nailed it!!! (plus paint a T bird White and wear some platform boots!!!!)

Well, I have the T Birds and boots already Baz  ;)

But I'm just not a good blonde......

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/Burny019.jpg)
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: maxschrek on October 08, 2012, 09:30:37 AM
Nah, Mark is waaaaaaaaayyyyy prettier than Killer Kane! 8)


T
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Highlander on October 08, 2012, 02:22:41 PM
Quote from: TBird1958 on October 08, 2012, 08:28:55 AM
But I'm just not a good blonde......

Neither was Arthur... ;D
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Pilgrim on October 09, 2012, 10:52:12 AM
Not a good blonde either...but impressive....perhaps Mark's other persona?

(http://www.images-fonds.com/modules/mg3/albums/Celebrites_hommes/Arnold-Schwarzenegger/Arnold%2BSchwarzenegger%2B-%2Bconan%2Bthe%2Bbarbarian.jpg)
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: TBird1958 on October 09, 2012, 11:27:26 AM


  :mrgreen:


Well we all know that's a bit of a stretch Al!


Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Highlander on October 09, 2012, 01:35:27 PM
You could work on the moobs...

Have you ever gone blonde...?
Title: Re: '77 Thunderbird re fin is a go!
Post by: Pilgrim on October 12, 2012, 02:28:43 PM
Quote from: TBird1958 on October 09, 2012, 11:27:26 AM

  :mrgreen:

Well we all know that's a bit of a stretch Al!


But the headdress is rawther faabulous.