Greco Thunderbird

planetgaffnet · October 16, 2013, 06:56:39 AM

I've been trawling through some threads about Greco TBs; generally everything seems positive. Anyhow, one has come up on Basschat/UK (http://basschat.co.uk/topic/214884-fs-greco-thunderbird-price-drop/)...I've contacted the buyer about a possible trade (I'm looking to move an unused Waterstone TP12).

You'll see from the link that the bass itself looks a tad trashed (chewed by a dog springs to mind), and (to my eyes) the scratchplate looks too big. I'm between a rock and a hard place here...I don't mind moving the Waterstone, but is the Greco junk? I suppose if it's good enough, I could look at refinishing it to a non standard colour perhaps...money I wouldn't necessarily throw at an Epiphone.

So, how does it compare? Is it a close facsimilie to a Gibson? All the geometry the same etc. Mark?

P

Bionic-Joe · October 16, 2013, 09:08:12 AM

The neck is Like a Fender but the Body shape is exactly like a 1960's bird. Not a bad bass for the money!

TBird1958 · October 16, 2013, 10:43:18 AM

The pups on that bass are the S#&@

planetgaffnet · October 16, 2013, 11:51:37 AM

Mark
Is there anything I should be looking for? Are they prone to any issues?

I'm assuming you've looked at the thread...the pickguard doesn't look original (the Grecos I've seen have a large Eagle motif). I hate the knobs, so would maybe go for gold top hats.

Many thanks chap!
Paul

slinkp · October 16, 2013, 11:54:12 AM

Mine is pretty similar to that one, albeit less chewed up. I like mine a lot.

The pups are very growly for sure. They are, as far as I could tell from various comparisons posted a long while back, somewhat darker (less top) than 60s T-bird pups or Thunderbuckers.

The neck doesn't feel like a Fender to me, different contour, but I understand it's thicker than a Gibson - I've never actually played an authentic Thunderbird.

I think I got mine for under $600 US, so 600 GBP seems high to me, but maybe that's a normal UK price and/or the prices really have gone up that much in the past 10 years?

The one issue I have with mine is there's some fret buzz on the E string that I haven't been able to get rid of, although I've never had a professional setup done.
It only bothers me when playing unplugged.

TBird1958 · October 16, 2013, 12:21:52 PM

They are really sturdy basses, so aside from the wear that one is likely ok. The PG looks like an add-on, but since these may have had some production changes I can't say that for 100%. The set up on mine is very flat and I also get a bit of fret noise, it's also not quite a 34" scale bass so I have to pay attention to where I'm at on the fretboard. I paid $750 U.S. for mine a few years back, that included shipping from Japan, I'm pretty happy with, the tone of the pups is super growly (7ender players could never even concive of tone like this bass!) warm and tight ( no jokes here!) and sounds really good played fingerstyle. George (OldManC) also has one, I know he likes it a lot too.
It could be a good candidate for one of Scott's two point bridges as well.

planetgaffnet · October 16, 2013, 03:16:47 PM

Mark
Thanks for your input (oo-err), much appreciated as always. I'd need to redrill for Scott's Badbird I think...I mean, how difficult could this be? As I've posted previously, I have little love for the three-point bridge, but a Supertone would be too shiny. I'm sure I could source a TB plate...not worried about whether the holes match up as they'd be under it.

Paul
I'd say if the dollar/pound number is the same, then that's probably OK...yes it sucks, but just about everything is more expensive over here than in the USA. We really need to move over while we're still young enough to enjoy it

I've shot the seller a message to answer some questions. He's about an hour drive from me, so watch this space.

Paul

TBird1958 · October 16, 2013, 03:39:44 PM

I *think* George tried one of Scott's bridges on his, you do end up with the center post being unused tho.

OldManC · October 16, 2013, 04:15:15 PM

I put one of Scott's bridges on it and have never switched back. You do end up with the unused screw hole showing (from the three point). If I ever paint the bass I'll fill it but I'm not bothered at the moment. It's a great sounding bass. The nut is 1 3/4" with might be an issue with some bird fans, but I haven't ever had a problem with it. I had a two pickup model like the one pictured and it sounded great as well. I love Greco birds.

FYI, The two point is close enough on intonation that I never bothered looking into moving the post holes. Theoretically it shouldn't work (it wouldn't on a Gibson), but it sounds fine. If I paint it I'd probably have it measured for possible relocation, but I play it as is and am happy with it.

slinkp · October 16, 2013, 08:40:31 PM

Two recordings of mine from about 6 years ago... These were rough mixes with the bass VERY high in the mix with not much EQ, so you get a pretty good sense of what they sounded like direct (through a somewhat dirty preamp.)

(Neck pickup only, fingers)

(Both pickups, played with pick).

I did make two modifications to mine: I replaced the tuners with cloverleaf Hipshot Ultralights, they are smaller than the originals but I also replaced the stock strap buttons with my favorite Dunlop Dual Design straplocks (these are curently on every instrument I own), and moved one from the upper bout to the back of the neck joint.

I have no neck dive at all now. Before I did those mods, I would get quite tired playing it standing up: my left hand had to do way too much work just to hold the neck up. I don't think this is specific to Grecos, from reading the Outpost it seems T-birds in general are prone to neck dive.

TBird1958 · October 17, 2013, 08:17:41 AM

Re the refin.........

An Australian buddy from TB sent me these pics of a Firebird he'd painted, I'm thinking my Greco will get a vinyl wrap with this art as a quick refin.

OldManC · October 17, 2013, 10:16:48 AM

Quote from: TBird1958 on October 17, 2013, 08:17:41 AM
I'm thinking my Greco will get a vinyl wrap with this art as a quick refin.

I can't think of a more perfect theme for you. That's gonna look great!

Highlander · October 17, 2013, 12:11:06 PM

Maybe some purple highlights...?

planetgaffnet · October 17, 2013, 03:47:46 PM

Quote from: OldManC on October 16, 2013, 04:15:15 PM
I put one of Scott's bridges on it and have never switched back. You do end up with the unused screw hole showing (from the three point). If I ever paint the bass I'll fill it but I'm not bothered at the moment. It's a great sounding bass. The nut is 1 3/4" with might be an issue with some bird fans, but I haven't ever had a problem with it. I had a two pickup model like the one pictured and it sounded great as well. I love Greco birds.

FYI, The two point is close enough on intonation that I never bothered looking into moving the post holes. Theoretically it shouldn't work (it wouldn't on a Gibson), but it sounds fine. If I paint it I'd probably have it measured for possible relocation, but I play it as is and am happy with it.

I'd be tempted to put a Badbird on it, but I can't see how it would intonate properly.

Blackbird · October 18, 2013, 08:14:46 AM

Quote from: TBird1958 on October 17, 2013, 08:17:41 AM
Re the refin.........

An Australian buddy from TB sent me these pics of a Firebird he'd painted, I'm thinking my Greco will get a vinyl wrap with this art as a quick refin.

I'd love that. How do you get these done and what's the cost? My Black T-bird needs a pick-me-up.