The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: PWV on January 26, 2008, 08:44:10 PM
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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.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/AmpegKat/DSCN0248.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/AmpegKat/DSCN0254.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/AmpegKat/DSCN0252.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/AmpegKat/DSCN0250.jpg)
Think it needs a new nut too:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/AmpegKat/DSCN0247.jpg)
Thoughts, opinions, suggestions, welcome!
;D
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Hey Dave,
Sorry I couldn't go with you to look at this.........Ze Fraulein had an excessivly chromey photo session!
Its cool that this bass has some History behind it, after you told me that it was Steve Fossen's I recalled a picture of him with this very instrument in one of Seattle's papers. Anyway, FWIW paint it ANYTHING but a standard Gibson finish....... Personally I think it'd be fantastic in orange metallic. Have Mike put a third strap button at the heel (where it belongs) If you need to you borrow one of my correctly wired 'Birds to take with you to Mike's so he can use the right pots and wiring scheme just let me know. Welcome back into the fold!
And for an out of context quote....." Think it needs a new nut too"..... ::) Don't we all?
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Not sure what color to recommend, but I agree with the Fraulien. No standard Gibson color, or at least not a typical sunburst. Uwe recently posted a pic of his purple-burst T-bird, now thats thinking outside the box! Also, Mark went with green & purple metalic on a couple of his & those are great! If I ever rehab a Bird I think I'd go with graphite gray, or gun metal gray, something along those lines.
Did anyone here buy that red sparkle 76 Bird that was on Ebay around Christmas time? I wanted that one bad for some reason.
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"Did anyone here buy that red sparkle 76 Bird that was on Ebay around Christmas time? I wanted that one bad for some reason.'
It looked like a 3 block paint job tho...........Good from 3 blocks away. I looked pretty close at it actually, had a Bad**s bridge and for some reason the tuners had been replaced. Still the Red was a pretty color, you're right about that.
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Congratulations!
I'm not one for surf-y colors, but Seafoam Green would look good for that kind of look. If it were mine, I'd stick with charcoal or black.
I have a pic somewhere of a Seafoam Green Bicentennial Bird once owned by Tom Petersson, then Evan Sheeley, then Steve Barr -- can't remember who owns it now. If you're interested, I'll try to find it.
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Congrats!
I like the surf colors, although that blue ice metallic color that is on there looks pretty cool to me too.
(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/43035_b.gif) (http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/decobird.jpg) (http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/nrtb-heathermist-1.jpg)
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The Dude had a seafoam or Surf green one that looked amazing.
That's what I would pick
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1. Follow your heart. You might not want to rush things though. I have a white semi beat up body refin one with odd holes behind the bridge which I immediately after purchase decided I'd refinish. It took a while before I aquired paint etc. When it was time for refin I'd grown to love it as is. Just one of those things....I like the finish on yours.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/doombass/Gibson/vitmatta.jpg)
2. What Fräulein said. Move it!
3. I've only heard good things about the Plek process but have no experience myself. It seems important that you know exactly what setup you prefer since the Plek is made to optimize the frets for a specific neck setup and string height.
4. If you think the Epi case not being adequate you should be able to get a Gibson case from any Gibson dealer if they have'nt skipped selling cases as they did with other bass parts.
Also, like Fräulein said, check the wiring. My Whitey was wired in parallell and that was no good. It could have been the pickup setup but when both volumes were on 10 it had a thin sound to it. I wired it in series like it was from the factory and it sounds better than my Sunburst '76.
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Great score!
As for the refin - it's yours - do what you want! I've alwyas been partial to the surf colors and really like daphne blue and sonic blue myself.
I'm not sure about the Plek treatment - never palyed anything that it was done to. But it looks like the frets are a bit low and perhaps worn - I would think that a refret, with a fret board leveling, would do wonders for your new baby - at the very least a fret leveling.
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That red sparkle had a finish like a topographic map ! I was tempted but it looked sooooooooooooo bad, the color was cool but the execution sucked. That is a nice bass you snagged ! Pelham Blue, Inverness green all cool colors, I like Polaris white myself. The more I look at it I like it as is. Shinny basses make me nervous.
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Wow. Great score. I'm jealous! ;D
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"I have a pic somewhere of a Seafoam Green Bicentennial Bird once owned by Tom Petersson, then Evan Sheeley, then Steve Barr -- can't remember who owns it now. If you're interested, I'll try to find it."
You know Evan is just one of the coolest most genuine guys you'd ever hope to meet, even tho Bass NW is just 20 mins. from me I don't make it there that often. Evan always remembers who I am, (I guess the Green 'Bird helps!) but he's alawys got some time to chat and I remember him telling me how he took the pickguard off of that Seafoam 'Bird and sent it UPS Overnight to Tom, who autographed it and sent it back........Evan is class, pure class! Find us a pic Dave!
In most ways that Epi case is way better than the original, I wouldn't sweat that too much, I don't care for '76 cases at all. I keep telling you (jokingly) to get a Subaru Outback.....you'll never have any trouble getting you and your gear anywhere, I had all 5 of mine plus 2 suitcases with me at yesterday's photoshoot...with room to spare ;)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/Gibson_1976_Thunderbird_Custom_Gree.jpg)
Evan shot this pic for me one day, he loves Thunderbirds, at one point while playing with TKO he had 6, and took no end of pleasure in lining them all up onstage.
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1. Follow your heart. You might not want to rush things though. I have a white semi beat up body refin one with odd holes behind the bridge which I immediately after purchase decided I'd refinish. It took a while before I aquired paint etc. When it was time for refin I'd grown to love it as is. Just one of those things....I like the finish on yours.
Yes - I'm going to slow down a little here. Really slammin' this weekend, can't believe I did this too. But I could live with this refin/finish too for awhile - more important to get neck setup and cleaned up in the short term. The chrome pup's are in great shape and sound great so that's a plus...
and yes Mark, and Epi case will get me by for awhile too. I'm really trying to focus on getting a White modern Bird set up the way I had one a few months ago. Everything about it was perfect... this just happened to pop up on Craig's list, the wife was out of town, aiiiieee - how many stories start out this way? :o
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/gcarlston/Thunderbirds/TP_Dude_seafoambird.jpg)
There ya go...
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/gcarlston/Thunderbirds/TP_Dude_seafoambird.jpg)
There ya go...
That's what I'm talking about! That's what SFG should look like....
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I really like the current fin and the way it is worn - very naturally aged. But if you must refin it, I'd do what you like and something personal.
The PLEK machinery is used on Gibson custom shop stuff and on all Warwick basses and Framus guitars. I've only heard rapturous things about it (from players, manufacturers and in magazines) - the difference is supposed to be night and day and it does away with even the most resistant buzz prone "evil spots" on the fretboard. While the PLEK machine works, strings are kept on the bass under full tension. All you have to do is say how low you want the frets before the process starts.
Grear score btw!
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The more I think about it, the more I lean to keeping this "aged re-fin" look and putting the money down on one of these GoTW Gibsons in a bling-bling finish. Almost the same bang for the buck.
The tone is in this one. I can definitely hear it... and I guess I'm more interested in getting the sound with the smooth action of modern TB combined. This is the sound I'm after too - (And sure - I'd probably plek Kim Gordon too. ;D Just look at her G-string... )
(http://www.sonicyouth.com/mustang/eq/bass03a.jpg)
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My computer issues continue to baffle me, I don't see Ms Gordon's G string in that pic, most unfortunately so. :-\
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/gcarlston/players/bass03a.jpg)
There ya go, Uwe!
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That's really odd, Uwe. The other day you couldn't see a pic that was directly uploaded as an attachment. But the (first) Kim Gordon photo isn't an attachment, it's hosted on Sonic Youth's own website.
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Unless.... you're really looking for her.... *insert Burlesque Tom-Tom fill here* .... "G-string." bwahahaha! This is a family site, correct? ::)
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Ummmm.....Yeah her G string :D
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If you didn't already know, that T-Bird the Dude is holding was either given to him by Tom Petersson, or used to belong to him. The Epiphone Embassy that I had for almost 20 years belonged to Tom Petersson AND Jon Brandt at one time.
My one and only new bass purchase was a bicentential T-Bird. Cost me $750 new. It suffered from headstock syndrome - fell off my stand in the rehearsal space onto the carpet. I did the quick fix and eventually sold it for...gasp...$325 to someone I knew.
It's the one on the right photo.
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b170/gweimer/GaryCollage3.jpg)
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That's really odd, Uwe. The other day you couldn't see a pic that was directly uploaded as an attachment. But the (first) Kim Gordon photo isn't an attachment, it's hosted on Sonic Youth's own website.
Ach Herr Moderator, are we a bit slow today? ;D I didnt say I don't see the bass' G string (I see and saw that fine, thank you), I said I don't see her G string. She would have to turn around for that I guess. That is why my post was headed "worn G string".
;)
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Your subtle humor went right over my head. ???
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That's quite alright, Dave, a man your age is allowed to be unconcerned by worn G strings.
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Well I'm younger than both of you I think and I missed that too... Oops! :-[
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I was trying to be the set-up man, pass and assist to Uwe...*drum crash - "Thank you very much! Two shows nightly Ladies and Gentleman - please try the veal! * :D
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The joke would have hit more people it it were this picture-
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/kt.jpg)
The other picture makes you kind of avert thy eyes not
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I wondered when you were gonna get that.............
I did my best to imitate Ms. Tunstall at this past weekend's photoshoot, should know in a week or so.
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Re: The Ice Blue 76 TB.... the seller e-mailed me this:
The Bass is color called "Ice Blue". Evidently a famous rock group on the
east coast bought this Bass and had it re-finished to the color they wanted.
The group was supposedly Heart, per Gibson.
So obviously at least half of that claim is wrong, Heart being a West Coast group. I know Steve Fossen works at Bass NW on Saturdays so I'll give him a call and see if has any memory of this bass. If it was another "East Coast Group" it would have been approx. 1977-1981ish. I think Steve left Heart around 1981, and the seller had picked this one up in Anchorage in 1982. So the timing was right, apparently there was some other gear sold along with the TBird (band yard sale of sorts I think).
Anybody out there *maybe* see an "East Coast Group" with this bass back then? (Kind of a needle-in-a-haystack search maybe, but maybe one of y'all were there at Capitol Center in the haze...)
I found this vid of Steve playing a Sunburst TB... also a reminder of how hot Ann used to be huh?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpkitLUbeEg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpkitLUbeEg)
*How do you embed a video btw? *
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Heard from Steve tonight - he only played Sunburst TB's and one "Red One" in Heart...no biggee. I need to take it to Mike soon! 8)
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*How do you embed a video btw? *
I haven't enabled it, at least yet. Clicking on a link is easy enough for everyone and means that I don't have to worry about possible security issues with embedded flash.