My New '77 Thunderbird

dadagoboi · April 26, 2012, 06:25:08 PM

Thanks to a huge effort from Dave and a heckuva packing job (seriously) today UPS delivered the '77 TBird discussed here last month. Only 138 were made in 77-78, I had one of the '77s and now I own another, almost exactly like mine down to the black pickguard. One owner, Mark Mueller of The Daily Planet. Unbroken and well cared for, original paint with a few touch ups. I'm currently cleaning and setting it up.

clankenstein · April 26, 2012, 07:05:11 PM

wow, cool! i always wondered how the sound of those differed with the pickups being in series and all.

TBird1958 · April 26, 2012, 08:13:30 PM

Great score!

White Thunderbirds are SEX!

Very jealous here

Dave W · April 26, 2012, 11:17:08 PM

It looks right at home.

godofthunder · April 27, 2012, 04:28:03 AM

Beautiful! I always wanted a white one. Congrats on the score!

Chris P. · April 27, 2012, 04:57:10 AM

Very, very beautiful! I love white ones! And my '76 is like my baby. Best sounding and playing bass ever imho.

dadagoboi · April 27, 2012, 05:34:31 AM

Thanks, guys. I'm digging it. Needs strings but seems to have a little more bottom than my '60s. Bridge pickup gets more of a Jazz bass quack too.

In '77 I had a black TBird on layaway at Betnun's where our singer Marty worked. When a white one showed up he called me and I bought it sight unseen. I'm really glad to have this one to replace it. Couldn't have happened without Dave's help!

drbassman · April 27, 2012, 05:47:34 AM

I'm so envious! Nice grab.

dadagoboi · April 27, 2012, 07:03:19 AM

Quote from: drbassman on April 27, 2012, 05:47:34 AM
I'm so envious! Nice grab.

The only bass I'm missing now is my '55 Precision and a replacement for it would be out of my price range...keep that Tele locked up, doc.

This just showed up on Ebay a few minutes ago, price was right. The Anvil case weighs a ton and needs the padding replaced. Dave did a great job getting the 'bird secure in it for shipping. 3 days from Minnesota!

drbassman · April 27, 2012, 07:37:35 AM

Quote from: dadagoboi on April 27, 2012, 07:03:19 AM
The only bass I'm missing now is my '55 Precision and a replacement for it would be out of my price range...keep that Tele locked up, doc.

This just showed up on Ebay a few minutes ago, price was right. The Anvil case weighs a ton and needs the padding replaced. Dave did a great job getting the 'bird secure in it for shipping. 3 days from Minnesota!

Amen Carlo, the Tele has a permanent home now! Now, I gotta get a 70's TB!

Barklessdog · April 27, 2012, 08:12:04 AM

Nice bass & congrats. Yeah those anvil cases are not easy to carry around.

uwe · April 27, 2012, 08:53:31 AM

I find cases too heavy for use to be kind of self-defeating.

Dave W · April 27, 2012, 09:00:45 AM

Quote from: Barklessdog on April 27, 2012, 08:12:04 AM
Nice bass & congrats. Yeah those anvil cases are not easy to carry around.

Tell me about it. I didn't weigh the bass separately, but the parcel weight was 57 lbs! Even with the packing material and box considered, the case must weigh about 40 lbs.

dadagoboi · April 27, 2012, 09:11:25 AM

Quote from: uwe on April 27, 2012, 08:53:31 AM
I find cases too heavy for use to be kind of self-defeating.

Quote from: Dave W on April 27, 2012, 09:00:45 AM
Tell me about it. I didn't weigh the bass separately, but the parcel weight was 57 lbs! Even with the packing material and box considered, the case must weigh about 40 lbs.

The anvil case was one of the reasons Mark sold. He didn't have a regular case and didn't want to gig it without protection. No problem if you have roadies but IMO the anvil is heavier than it needs to be. I also figure around 40 lbs.

gweimer · April 27, 2012, 09:22:15 AM

I couldn't afford a flight case for my Precision when I was doing road work,so I built one. I think I used 3/8" plywood. The road crew HATED me. Still, the day the truck backed over my bass, it paid off.