16
Rickenbacker Basses / Dale Fortune
« on: December 08, 2014, 10:51:45 AM »
Anyone know how to contact him. Is he still building basses? Thanks!
Show Posts
This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
17
Gibson Basses / Early EB 3 or EB2D BRIDGE pup route HELP!
« on: November 29, 2014, 09:57:53 AM »
I'm finally getting around to installing a vintage BRIDGE neckbucker into my '67 EBO.
Anyone have a picture of the proper shape route? I spent a lot of time looking for one, found a 70s pic but it's basically a rounded rectangle. I remember seeing something a little different on 60s EBs and would like to get it as correct as possible. Thanks!
Anyone have a picture of the proper shape route? I spent a lot of time looking for one, found a 70s pic but it's basically a rounded rectangle. I remember seeing something a little different on 60s EBs and would like to get it as correct as possible. Thanks!
18
The Bass Zone / Shipping Damage
« on: March 21, 2014, 05:35:53 AM »
Ever ship or receive a bass that was damaged in transit and filed a claim with the shipping company? Which company and what was the result?
19
Gibson Basses / Gibson Custom Colors
« on: March 16, 2014, 11:01:47 AM »
I ordered a quart of '59 Cadillac "Inverness Green" acrylic lacquer from TCP Global for Denis' upcoming NR refin. The can says "Jademist Poly". By cross referencing the paint code DDL-42480 I found that was the '59 Pontiac/GMC name. That led me to this 1959 Oldsmobile chart. I couldn't help noticing many colors are the exact Gibson name.
This one chart is about all you need to find most of the '60s Thunderbird custom color paint codes. BTW Cardinal Red and Dakota Red are the same color.
This one chart is about all you need to find most of the '60s Thunderbird custom color paint codes. BTW Cardinal Red and Dakota Red are the same color.
20
Bass Amps & Effects / Genz Benz Streamliner 900 vs Shuttle 6.2
« on: February 28, 2014, 06:16:49 AM »
Thanks to Pilgrim I bought a Shuttle 6.2 on closeout. I was happy with it until I watched a comparison video between it and a Streamliner 900. Shuttle has 1 12AX7, Streamliner 3 and the tone circuit approach is different, Streamliner is old school Baxendahl, Shuttle more modern with sweep parametric and shelving with a footswitch for versatility. Both were made in Taiwan, known for great quality. 3 year warranty.
Dimensions are close, Streamliner is an inch taller and longer but a lot sexier looking. Shuttle is all square edges and has almost a hobby box look. Knobs on Streamliner are a little larger and easier to operate, and there are fewer lights. Streamliner weighs 6+ lbs, Shuttle 4+
Backpanels are similar but Streamliner doesn't have a footswitch. Shuttle has Shelving switches and the footswitch is a nice option for those.
Streamliner uses allen heads to secure the top, Shuttle phillips heads. The Embossed "GB" is a nice touch.
Shuttle bottom has 16 protruding Phillips head screws and glue on feet, the screws on the Streamliner are all recessed including the 4 feet.
Sides. It's obvious a lot of thought was put into the Streamliner's looks. It was the top of the Genz line and looks like a high end piece of stereo gear.
...and it seems to give a nod to Ampeg when it's powered up.
Yeah, but what's the difference in sound? IMO bottom end is tighter with the Streamliner and it's easier to use. Controls shown are where I set it for a pair of ThunderBuckers: bass cut, 600 mids boosted, treble flat. That's connected to a '67 B-15 cabinet YMMV.
I paid $600 for the Streamliner, $400 for the Shuttle. Worth the difference in sound quality, ergonomics and looks to me. Plus more head room, gain and 50% more power.
For more on the Shuttle vs Streamliner tone differences check this at around 2.20
Dimensions are close, Streamliner is an inch taller and longer but a lot sexier looking. Shuttle is all square edges and has almost a hobby box look. Knobs on Streamliner are a little larger and easier to operate, and there are fewer lights. Streamliner weighs 6+ lbs, Shuttle 4+
Backpanels are similar but Streamliner doesn't have a footswitch. Shuttle has Shelving switches and the footswitch is a nice option for those.
Streamliner uses allen heads to secure the top, Shuttle phillips heads. The Embossed "GB" is a nice touch.
Shuttle bottom has 16 protruding Phillips head screws and glue on feet, the screws on the Streamliner are all recessed including the 4 feet.
Sides. It's obvious a lot of thought was put into the Streamliner's looks. It was the top of the Genz line and looks like a high end piece of stereo gear.
...and it seems to give a nod to Ampeg when it's powered up.
Yeah, but what's the difference in sound? IMO bottom end is tighter with the Streamliner and it's easier to use. Controls shown are where I set it for a pair of ThunderBuckers: bass cut, 600 mids boosted, treble flat. That's connected to a '67 B-15 cabinet YMMV.
I paid $600 for the Streamliner, $400 for the Shuttle. Worth the difference in sound quality, ergonomics and looks to me. Plus more head room, gain and 50% more power.
For more on the Shuttle vs Streamliner tone differences check this at around 2.20
21
Gibson Basses / THREE POINT REPACEMENT?
« on: January 22, 2014, 05:26:43 PM »
I've been thinking about this for a long time. THE major flaw with a Three Point is the almost total lack of break angle. I think it's very important and a big reason why 60s Birds sound different from their later siblings. Anyway here it is, my ripoff of Scott's Badbird for Thunderbirds not made in the '60s. This is a prototype I got from Steve today. A little rough but it make this Epi Bolt on SING. It's my Cataldo bridge "embiggened" to accommodate Three Point stud spacing.
Goes LOW, great break angle, individual string spacing and height, and it's shiny...
Price will be more than a Supertone but less than Hipshot's bridge/tailpiece combo. Slightly less ugly IMO.
Goes LOW, great break angle, individual string spacing and height, and it's shiny...
Price will be more than a Supertone but less than Hipshot's bridge/tailpiece combo. Slightly less ugly IMO.
22
Gibson Basses / Through neck Orville by Gibson Thunderbird?
« on: December 19, 2013, 06:23:55 AM »
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Orville-by-Gibson-Thunder-Bird-Bass-MIJ-Japan-Vintage-/111241493892?ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123
Check out the pix, all black hardware, multi lam neck, belly cut. Pickguard has typical crappy Orville by Gibson 'bird logo.
Check out the pix, all black hardware, multi lam neck, belly cut. Pickguard has typical crappy Orville by Gibson 'bird logo.
23
Gibson Basses / Tom Peterson ThunderBird II
« on: November 13, 2013, 04:01:54 PM »
A Seattle customer of mine (a single pickup REV) is visiting L.A. and went to see the traveling Cheap Trick exhibit. I had told him TP used a single pup 'Bird to convince him one is all he needs. The heading on the email: "You were right!"
24
Gibson Basses / ORVILLE Thunderbird on EBay
« on: November 04, 2013, 05:13:34 PM »
Customer of mine sent me this link. Seems high to me, plus different pictures have different pickups. Comments?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/gibson-thunderbird-bass-Orville-/301003057277?#description&autorefresh=true
http://www.ebay.com/itm/gibson-thunderbird-bass-Orville-/301003057277?#description&autorefresh=true
25
Bill's Shop: Projects, Mods & Repairs / 1997 Status Buzzard in the swamp
« on: September 11, 2013, 07:44:02 AM »
This is the real deal. Designed with JAE's input before he sold his soul to the Warwick devil. Bolt on, active electronics, thin profile graphite Precision width with very little taper (17mm string spacing at the bridge) neck. Super Jumbo, perfectly crowned, low frets with action to match. The body definitely seems to me a combo of Precision at the neck and Thunderbird at the bridge end. It's a BIG bass because of that and the extended range but not too heavy.
Previous owner had a mishap. Structurally sound now but the bass will get a body refin. It's polyurethane, something I don't do, so I'm looking for a finisher to shoot it in Dakota Red. I emailed Marty Bell (thanks for the assist, Mark!), haven't heard back yet.
Knobs from the neck: master vol, blend, midrange boost sweep with switch to disable, treble (above) and bass (below). With the bass set flat the output is pretty nondescript on the Status "Hyperactive" pickups but add a little bass boost and it roars. No noise at all from the pre/pup combo, very hifi. I've been joking with my customer I'm going to see what the pre does to a set of ThunderBuckers when I pull it during paint prep.
Carbon fiber shows thru the clear. I love zero frets but 26 total playable seems like overkill...unless you REALLY need that high A on the G. But it plays flawlessly all the way up there, even after 15+ years of gigging.
Getting to play a bass that JAE "designed" has been great!
Previous owner had a mishap. Structurally sound now but the bass will get a body refin. It's polyurethane, something I don't do, so I'm looking for a finisher to shoot it in Dakota Red. I emailed Marty Bell (thanks for the assist, Mark!), haven't heard back yet.
Knobs from the neck: master vol, blend, midrange boost sweep with switch to disable, treble (above) and bass (below). With the bass set flat the output is pretty nondescript on the Status "Hyperactive" pickups but add a little bass boost and it roars. No noise at all from the pre/pup combo, very hifi. I've been joking with my customer I'm going to see what the pre does to a set of ThunderBuckers when I pull it during paint prep.
Carbon fiber shows thru the clear. I love zero frets but 26 total playable seems like overkill...unless you REALLY need that high A on the G. But it plays flawlessly all the way up there, even after 15+ years of gigging.
Getting to play a bass that JAE "designed" has been great!
26
Bill's Shop: Projects, Mods & Repairs / CURRENT CATALDO
« on: August 28, 2013, 07:06:57 AM »
I have 4 builds in house at the moment, 3 JAEbirds and an NR. I figured it would make more sense to put what I'm doing in one place. Turned 67 today and trying to simplify my life. 
JAEbird with a '66 ThunderBucker set has become my bread and butter. 0052 is going to a retailer in Japan.
0053, a Fiesta Red JAEbird is going to Italy. Thank God for Google Translate!
0054 is going to SoCal, that's a customer supplied Novak FauxBucker. Looking forward to hearing it.
Ebony board and a 2+2 headstock, Scott P/G. It will fit in a standard size case and definitely NOT neck dive.
The build is for the original owner of what became Scott's and is now Jim's NR Fiver. He's pretty much letting me do what I want, including color. My kind of customer! Headstock shape is the first consideration. I'll be using Hipshot clovers.
Speaking of Jim, here's the bridge pup upgrade to his NR.
Did this for Stoney Johnstone. He owns a Fiesta Red JAEbird and I installed ThunderBuckers in 2 Jag basses for him. Sent me the MIM LPB body with Schaller bridge for the '66 set install. Cataldo neck is just for the photo.
Oh yeah. My Birthday present to me. Allparts "second" swamp ash body, Fender P MIJ "E" neck, previously black DiMarzios that I painted, Minwax white oak latex stain and 2 coats of sealer for a semi matte finish.
Bought the used Badass around '82 to put on my first FenderBird build. The finish took one day, I'm easy to please.
JAEbird with a '66 ThunderBucker set has become my bread and butter. 0052 is going to a retailer in Japan.
0053, a Fiesta Red JAEbird is going to Italy. Thank God for Google Translate!
0054 is going to SoCal, that's a customer supplied Novak FauxBucker. Looking forward to hearing it.
Ebony board and a 2+2 headstock, Scott P/G. It will fit in a standard size case and definitely NOT neck dive.
The build is for the original owner of what became Scott's and is now Jim's NR Fiver. He's pretty much letting me do what I want, including color. My kind of customer! Headstock shape is the first consideration. I'll be using Hipshot clovers.
Speaking of Jim, here's the bridge pup upgrade to his NR.
Did this for Stoney Johnstone. He owns a Fiesta Red JAEbird and I installed ThunderBuckers in 2 Jag basses for him. Sent me the MIM LPB body with Schaller bridge for the '66 set install. Cataldo neck is just for the photo.
Oh yeah. My Birthday present to me. Allparts "second" swamp ash body, Fender P MIJ "E" neck, previously black DiMarzios that I painted, Minwax white oak latex stain and 2 coats of sealer for a semi matte finish.
Bought the used Badass around '82 to put on my first FenderBird build. The finish took one day, I'm easy to please.
27
Other Bass Brands / New Rondo Agile Bass Six
« on: July 25, 2013, 09:43:06 AM »
30" scale, 24-84 string set $449.
28
Bill's Shop: Projects, Mods & Repairs / "50th Anniversary" Cataldo G8R 41
« on: July 05, 2013, 09:30:10 AM »
Well, 50th Cataldo anyways.
I've had this nice mahogany blank for a couple of years, it was originally meant for a JAEbird
I didn't want it to end up painted a solid color like this korina body (ended up Fiesta Red) so I kept putting it aside when orders came in.
Matt B requested a G8R 41 4 string in cherry and wanted something special. I was surprised to find the G8R body fit the same blank. It seemed appropriate for bass #0050. Here's the rough body and neck with bridge and tail located:
Heavy contouring to allow easy upper fret access
Cherry Baybee, actually red Ultra penetrating stain.
I've had this nice mahogany blank for a couple of years, it was originally meant for a JAEbird
I didn't want it to end up painted a solid color like this korina body (ended up Fiesta Red) so I kept putting it aside when orders came in.
Matt B requested a G8R 41 4 string in cherry and wanted something special. I was surprised to find the G8R body fit the same blank. It seemed appropriate for bass #0050. Here's the rough body and neck with bridge and tail located:
Heavy contouring to allow easy upper fret access
Cherry Baybee, actually red Ultra penetrating stain.
29
Gibson Basses / Incoming Grabber
« on: July 03, 2013, 05:59:30 AM »
Been looking for a Grabber. I bought this one June 15 but it had some problems so I returned it. Loved the neck, it sounded great but the whole bass was sticky and smelled of cheap car freshener. Plus no case, bridge cover or knob pointers and the saddle screws were all buggered. The store staff at Willie's was very easy to deal with and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again, I'd just ask more questions. I did a measured drawing of the body before I sent it back...you never know!
'Won' this one yesterday (Tuesday) AM, it will be here Friday. Looking forward to the Gibson 'Fender'.
I like the all natural maple finish and the single pickup as opposed to the G-3 black headstock/3 pickup configuration. Hope it smells and feels better than the first one. I'll post pix, hopefully not requiring smell-o-vision.
'Won' this one yesterday (Tuesday) AM, it will be here Friday. Looking forward to the Gibson 'Fender'.
I like the all natural maple finish and the single pickup as opposed to the G-3 black headstock/3 pickup configuration. Hope it smells and feels better than the first one. I'll post pix, hopefully not requiring smell-o-vision.
30
Gibson Basses / Polaris White Bicentennial on Ebay
« on: June 13, 2013, 08:10:00 AM »
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=161045065107&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123
Anyone else think the side strap button location is off?
Anyone else think the side strap button location is off?