Fenderbird build, reverse or non-reverse?

[Chris P.]

I love that colour!!

Blazer,

I have two NOS Thunderbird pick up covers and rings. They were on eBay a whole ago and a lot us us bought some. It are only covers and not pick ups. i don't know what to with them yet. Replace the busted ones on my T-Bird, using them for a future Explorerbird, using one on the BaCH-bird and one on the Jr... So I'll come back to it.

At the moment I have:
- A Darkstar (P-string spacing)
- A chrome Fender Tele humbucker (which also is an option for the BaCH)
- A chrome/black Duesenberg
- A reisse DeArmond Goldtone bridge humbucker
- two chrome T-bird covers

[Freuds_Cat]

I love the idea of playing about with different shapes, colours and hardware but keeping a conection to the original Gibson concept. I can even come at the whole FenderBird thing. But for whatever reason it always makes me cringe to see Fender style pups on a Gibson style body.

[Barklessdog]

I always said the same thing about the irony If you or I do that, but when a iconic player does it, it's considered genius!

If you or I do it, we have ruined a bass.

[Freuds_Cat]

Yep are right there. At least the Ox did it with new bought bodies and necks (as far as I am aware). Not like it was vintage instruments being bastardised.  In the same light I guess its probably still OK for us to buy Warmoth or similar bits and make Frankenbasses.

[godofthunder]

Yep are right there. At least the Ox did it with new bought bodies and necks (as far as I am aware). Not like it was vintage instruments being bastardised.  In the same light I guess its probably still OK for us to buy Warmoth or similar bits and make Frankenbasses.

Except all those Thunderbirds he relived of pickups and hardware.

[Blazer]

  Except all those Thunderbirds he relived of pickups and hardware.

From what I learned, He bought all those parts from Gibson after they discontinued the thunderbird and had to get rid of all the stuff they had lying around, so there were no vintage basses harmed.

[Chris P.]

Do you have any proof for that, Blazer? I'm always wondering and I thought the same, without any evidence.

[Freuds_Cat]

From what I learned, He bought all those parts from Gibson after they discontinued the thunderbird and had to get rid of all the stuff they had lying around, so there were no vintage basses harmed.

That was my reading as well although unfortunately I can no longer remember the source. Too long ago.

[Blazer]

From Whotabs.

From November 1975, Guitar Player interview

    Once I realized the Thunderbird was the bass I was going to be playing for a few years, I panicked because they stopped making them. I went to Manny's [156 West 48th St., New York, NY 10036], and told them to buy up the whole stock, so consequently I got ten two-pickup Thunderbirds. Some of them had harmonic, microphonic pickups, so I couldn't use them, and with the rest, I just couldn't get the action as low as I wanted. So I used the pickups and hardware and bought some blonde Fender Precision necks and had some old style Thunderbird bodies built for the Fender necks to fit, and I've been using them on stage more than the Thunderbirds. I use them for recording as well. Blonde Precision necks are my favorites; those and Rickenbackers. Thunderbird necks tend to be too thin down at the bottom. I get my fingers all tangled up when I go to the first fret.


I guess I was wrong here...

[godofthunder]

 Yep thats where I read it, I still have that issue tucked away.

[Freuds_Cat]

Yep thats the article.  Doesnt't say a lot for Gibsons QC that out of 10 basses he still makes the comment :

"Some of them had harmonic, microphonic pickups, so I couldn't use them, and with the rest, I just couldn't get the action as low as I wanted."

[Blazer]

Today I bought myself a far more serious neck to use in the build.



Allparts, baby.

I also glued the mahogany pieces together and as soon as the glue has set I'll begin work on the body.

[Freuds_Cat]

How many shillings was that neck Blazer?

[drbassman]

Wow, that neck's a beauty.   Nice choice!

[Chris P.]

Tres cool!