What have I done ... people will be stampeding here to get this ...

[Basvarken]

1972?

Did they make Thunderbirds in that year?

Looks more like the body of a bicentennial to me, with that three point bridge and those three screw pickups...

[Denis]

You got it Denis?  If so that is cool!

Yep, 'twas I!

Now, I wonder if a Jazz neck will fit in that neck pocket... I suppose also I'll need a proper Bicentennial pg sometime.

Earlier this year, I saw a pair of those pups go for nearly $700.

[Pilgrim]

J and P necks have the same heel, so either one should fit.

That's a pretty clean project...I like the finish that's on it!

[Denis]

J and P necks have the same heel, so either one should fit.

That's a pretty clean project...I like the finish that's on it!

I'm thinking a nice J neck with the block inlays would look nice on this. Yes, it's pretty clean, that is certain! I think the natural, nonburst T-birds are gorgeous!

[chromium]

Congrats Dennis!  That's gonna be a sweet bass.

I've seen a couple of NOS 76-79 guards pass by on Ebay.  Keep your eyes out there- ya never know.

[Denis]

Thanks! I'll definitely look for one of those pgs! Thinking about it, is there any way to tell if this is a '76 or one of the later BIs, if both the original pg AND the headstock are MIA?

[Hornisse]

Probably by the dates on the pots.  I was really tempted by that body too.

[Bionic-Joe]

Now you can sell me those Orville pickups from your Epiphone!!!!

[Aussie Mark]

Lucky bastard, I would have gladly hit that BIN if I'd seen this thread in time.

[eb2]

Congratulations on a fun project.  Now you should hold out for an original 1972 pickguard. 

[Denis]

Congratulations on a fun project.  Now you should hold out for an original 1972 pickguard. 

Did the Firebird bass and Thunderbird bass use identical pickguards that year or did they change them in '73? 

[uwe]

Congrats, in good hands it is! Given the christening this poor body received, you should call the endproduct Firebender or something!

I KNEW this would end up here.

[Denis]

Showed up today! He found the cover for the back covering the pots, which are numbered 70-035 1377615.
The bridge saddles each have a number cast into the bottom; 1, 2, 3 and 4.

I can believe the neck was broken on it and it's evident that it was treated rather roughly in it's life. There's a piece taken out of the rear upper horn but the edges are smooth, so it happened a very long time ago.

The routing for the Fender neck appears to have been very nicely done and there are marks on the back indicating that a neck with the backing plate was at one time bolted to the body.

The wood is gorgeous though!

When I figure out my new digital camera I'll post pics.

[Highlander]

 

[Freuds_Cat]

Congrats Denis