Just an idea...

Kevin_bluebass · January 16, 2011, 08:34:04 PM

Hey guys,
I'm building a short scale Thunderbird prototype in the Projects, Mods and Repairs section of this great forum and an idea struck me...

Since I'm building a shortie Bird to adress some key issues (balance, fret acces, length) I thought about going even further!

Has anyone ever thought of doing a headless Thunderbird?
I'm definitely considering it for my next prototype build!
Only problem is could I still tune a headless bridge if there is body under it?
And another question... If I were to cut off the headstock of an existing neck with a headstock truss rod adjust what would happen?

What do you think?

uwe · January 17, 2011, 04:54:26 AM

Too many existing Thunderbirds have been headless in their lifetime at one point or another already!!!

For all the structural weakness and the "accident waiting to happen"-aspect of it, I find the shape and the size of a TBird headstock as important to its overall look as the body. It's ok to reduce the headstock a little in size as they did from 87 on, but a TBird without any headstock at all I find hard to envisage.

dadagoboi · January 17, 2011, 07:09:21 AM

I think Peter Cook addressed some of the problems you mention, don't know if he consciously thought about all of them. The original Fenderbird is 1 inch longer than a Jazz bass. I has much less neck dive than a Gibson Thunderbird and no problem with reaching the G tuner. Add a set of Resolites or Hipshot Ultras and there's no reason to lose your head.

Balance is almost as important as weight with any bass under 9 pounds IMO. There are a few different headless designs but generally it seems they have end of the body tuning. Carruthers did an interesting one.

http://www.playawayguitars.com/play_away_guitars_shop.php?itemID=551

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

exiledarchangel · January 17, 2011, 02:04:46 PM

[blasphemous mood=on] I think a headless Tbird would look great, and I mean it. [blasphemous mood=off]

uwe · January 17, 2011, 05:47:20 PM

Someone hand the Greek a saw!!! Scott, do you have a spare?

exiledarchangel · January 18, 2011, 01:20:33 AM

Hey, why not? It would balance perfect then!

uwe · January 18, 2011, 03:35:26 AM

You guys have no respect for perfect design ... may it be the Euro or the Thunderbird ... ; - )

Droombolus · January 18, 2011, 10:52:28 AM

Blasphemy ! It looks like a headless chicken .........

Basshappi · January 18, 2011, 10:57:41 AM

I know I've seen at least one that had a Stienberger-type arrangement on it. It was a custom project not a production bass. If I remember where it was I'll get a pic up.

But IMO it just doesn't look right.

exiledarchangel · January 18, 2011, 12:09:41 PM

Doesn't Gibson owns Steinberger? Maybe its time for a marriage of designs. After all, end of world is near.

godofthunder · January 18, 2011, 12:50:29 PM

Quote from: uwe on January 17, 2011, 05:47:20 PM
Someone hand the Greek a saw!!! Scott, do you have a spare?

Will you ever let it go ? I take a saw to one bird (and not even a vintage one at that) I'll never hear the end of it.

Basshappi · January 18, 2011, 03:03:46 PM

Quote from: exiledarchangel on January 18, 2011, 12:09:41 PM
Doesn't Gibson owns Steinberger? Maybe its time for a marriage of designs. After all, end of world is near.

"Gibson and Fender, living together, MASS HYSTERIA!!"

copacetic · January 18, 2011, 06:35:34 PM

A TBIV without a headstock from a design and visual point of view is just not right. Somehow we(and I use that term loosely) have come to accept the Fenderbird mainly because JE had it and it was done at a time where he was pushing things to get the best sound/balance/feel with what was available at the time and I will venture to guess even 'looks'. Headless basses are definitely a look and do have their own 'rules' in terms of construction, balance etc. I would say that using the same shape and size as the Thunderbird might require some special considerations and adjustments to perhaps let it stand on it's own so to speak.
Now that brings up the subject and reason once again that all modern TBIV's should all be equipped with BLACK HARDWARE with the exception of white or black finishes!

the mojo hobo · January 19, 2011, 05:56:04 AM

No, you have it backwards: all modern TBIV's should all be equipped with CHROME HARDWARE with the exception of white or black finishes!

uwe · January 19, 2011, 06:19:33 AM

No, I understood him just right and perfectly well. He mean't what he said, good boy!