What should I do with my '67 Thunderbird ?

[godofthunder]

 Ok guys I'm torn by what to do here. The '67 I have been bringing back has a UGLY pickup by the bridge, I think it is a Lawrence. It sounds good but I never use it. I am thinking putting a Thunderbird pickup in there mainly so I don't have to look at that  black plastic. The bass started off as a II then someone added the extra pup. I could do a refine and turn it back to a II but I have been thinking I am going to keep it in it's state of mojo. What say you guys ? Turn it into a IV or just leave it  as it is ?

[exiledarchangel]

I'd say refin it, in Pelham Blue, the best color in our galaxy!
If you use the bridge pickup, leave it, or else make it a II.

[sniper]

i vote make it a 4, you can always do a refin back to a 2

[Barklessdog]

Why not just mount an empty chrome cover without a pickup in it?

Look good and can serve as a thumb anchor.

[godofthunder]

Why not just mount an empty chrome cover without a pickup in it?

Look good and can serve as a thumb anchor.

To a rational person that might make a whole lot of sense but it would just drive insane knowing there is no pickup under there.

[Dave W]

I would probably refin it and make it a II again. If you like the finish in its present condition, just remove the pickup and leave it open. Use it as a compartment to shoot sparklers out of.

[Highlander]

I know what you could do, send her over to me, just for a decade or two - the perfect spec to try and convert me to NR T'birds... promise I'd treat her like she was my own...!

... oh, and yes, I first saw Mr Lea in 1973 (with a support act called Home that featured Laurie Wisefield, later of #2 Wishbone Ash (another T'bird band) and a bass player that now plays for some small Oz band, AB/CD or something like that...?, last time I saw Slade was '82 or there abouts... even had the Ambrose Slade LP... sad but true... and thanks for the words... how's the DR201 pair running (I'm DR103-SWITCH on the VABB site) ...?

Re your "pup" - if it sounds good, use it, if you don't use it, lose it (ps, any spare pickups to Ken Stewart, Reevesland-Upon-Thames, Surrey, UK , oh yeah, especially if it fits an RDArtist slot, but it don't,so ...) - as for finishes, sometimes it's great to play a relic just because it is a relic, regardless of the condition - anyone can have a perfect looking instrument - my only concerns re instruments are a) does she play well and b) does she sound good - I fully understand esthetics, but...

Looks like she could be a beautiful player - don't leave her for the encores...

If you really want her "finished" I could offer some colour advice, re mine...!

Oh. and can someone tell me more about "Pelham Blue"...?

[TBird1958]

Couldn't you add a Lull pup?

I know you could make it work   

[godofthunder]

Couldn't you add a Lull pup?

I know you could make it work   

That's what I am thinking of Mark. Just not sure what I am going to do with it (besides keep it)   

[TBird1958]

I think you should just play the hell out of it!

If keeping it ever becomes an issue...............well, you have my phone # 

[Stjofön Big]

"Why not just mount an empty chrome cover without a pickup in it?"
Now, that sure sounds like close to hell. Like putting a Lloyd engine in a Jaguar (anyone remembers the Lloyd cars? Extremely small and weak vehicles from the 60's)...

[Saf]

just leave it this was of try to find a chrome cover for over the black pup.
I wouldn't do anything do this bass beside putting the string updie down but that's because I'm lefthanded.

[EvilLordJuju]

One day, in the not too far future, sunburst will be the exception rather than the rule.

It's been changed to a IV - you can't undo that, but the finish is still good enough to keep.

I'd get a chrome pickup instead of the black one, and leave it at that.

[Blazer]

I would probably refin it and make it a II again. If you like the finish in its present condition, just remove the pickup and leave it open. Use it as a compartment to shoot sparklers out of.

Yeah, go all Ace Frehley with it.


One of Ace Frehley's smoker Les Pauls, as you can see, the smoke bombs have burned a hole right through the body. What can I say, the ultimate relic?

[godofthunder]

One day, in the not too far future, sunburst will be the exception rather than the rule.

It's been changed to a IV - you can't undo that, but the finish is still good enough to keep.

I'd get a chrome pickup instead of the black one, and leave it at that.

Jules believe me I thought of the same thing about sunbursts being the exception. I think this is the best course of action. Put a proper Thunderbird pickup in and leave as is. Thanks Jules for your input and everyone else as well.