Poor sweet baby.

[neepheid]

Is it really worth all the money and labour?
Thunderbirds aren't that rare. I'd wait for a better project to come along.

It's never worth the money, that's for sure.  Nor is it worth the labour, assuming you're looking at labour expressed as time, even at minimum wage.  But it's worth it for the sense of accomplishment and the sheer empowerment of "I did that!".  I have restored from basket cases a Victory and a Ripper and neither will ever make a profit if sold, but that wasn't the point for me.  It was the enjoyment of bringing poor, abused instruments back to something approaching their former glory.

If I wasn't a little tight for cash right now I'd have considered taking this project on.

[uwe]

It's a rescue mission alright, but there is value in that too.

[slinkp]

Yeah, I think this would be a great project for somebody who relishes a challenge and enjoys the process.  And a terrible idea for anybody else

[dadagoboi]

Really not that much work.  Pretty much making and grafting on Honduras replacements for the cutoffs, filling the P route, 3 point replacement, and a refin.  Too bad those aren't the original Klusons, they're Gotoh clones.  The truss rod cover does look original, though!

[godofthunder]

     Part of the fun is the challenge of putting it right, also this one is a bit of a blank slate. I have no qualms turning it into a  II.  I paid $ 800 for my unbroken 77, a exceptional deal even though I had to sort out the pickups. Not sure what I'd pay for this thing but it is fast approaching my threshold.

[Basvarken]

Too bad those aren't the original Klusons, they're Gotoh clones.

Not necessarily a bad thing, if they're Res-o-lites. These help cure the neck dive!

[godofthunder]

    Awe crap, I thought the tuners were originals,  there goes half the value of the thing.

[Bionic-Joe]

Ok. Who won it? You can lay tinfoil over the middle of the body and use an iron. Then get a spatulas and gently work the glue as it separates. Once you buy wood for the replacement wings, you can get a local wood mill to cut the v
Shape on the ends
Of yor wood.i would then cut out the shape of the wings, do your final sanding, rout the control cavity... Then comes the hard part. You need to taper both sides of both wings. Aaron, I think a local wood Mill can help you with this. Then glue.

[dadagoboi]

Ok. Who won it? You can lay tinfoil over the middle of the body and use an iron. Then get a spatulas and gently work the glue as it separates. Once you buy wood for the replacement wings, you can get a local wood mill to cut the v
Shape on the ends
Of yor wood.i would then cut out the shape of the wings, do your final sanding, rout the control cavity... Then comes the hard part. You need to taper both sides of both wings. Aaron, I think a local wood Mill can help you with this. Then glue.

Thanks, Baz...I think I have it covered.  It's going to be a NOS clone of my '77, even the three point.  Method to be determined upon inspection.



I'm not going to remove the existing wings if I don't have to.  Main reason for that is the P route needs to be filled and no matter how it's done it won't be 'original'.

[Rob]

Thanks, Baz...I think I have it covered.  It's going to be a NOS clone of my '77, even the three point.  Method to be determined upon inspection.



I'm not going to remove the existing wings if I don't have to.  Main reason for that is the P route needs to be filled and no matter how it's done it won't be 'original'.

[Dave W]

If it's as described, you got it for a reasonable price. 

[Bionic-Joe]

Thanks, Baz...I think I have it covered.  It's going to be a NOS clone of my '77, even the three point.  Method to be determined upon inspection.



I'm not going to remove the existing wings if I don't have to.  Main reason for that is the P route needs to be filled and no matter how it's done it won't be 'original'.

Thin Veneer laminate over the top middle section!!

[planetgaffnet]

Thanks, Baz...I think I have it covered.  It's going to be a NOS clone of my '77, even the three point.  Method to be determined upon inspection.



I'm not going to remove the existing wings if I don't have to.  Main reason for that is the P route needs to be filled and no matter how it's done it won't be 'original'.

Could you post updates here?  Looking forward to this.
P

[gearHed289]

Thin Veneer laminate over the top middle section!!

That's what I was thinking...

[dadagoboi]

Could you post updates here?  Looking forward to this.
P

I will be documenting "Bicentennial 'Bird, The Unbutchering" here and at Talk Bass  Full disclosure this is probably going to be an exercise in Commerce, not 'Art.

Thin Veneer laminate over the top middle section!!

Maybe, I've done it before (over P and J routes).



IMO it's not necessary under a solid finish but there's no rush to make a decision at this point.

Meanwhile, I have one bicentennial pup.  Anyone have one to sell or a three hole cover?