raven1844 Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 A while back I came across a really good deal on a "Limited Edition/Custom Shop" Epiphone Thunderbird at Music Go Round. I wasn't looking to buy it, but the store made me a package offer along with a vintage Ampeg Portaflex that I was going to buy anyway. I normally don't care for Epi birds due to the nut width being wider than a Gibson, but this one sounded really good unplugged so I figured what the heck. I later on figured out that this one has a mahogany body like the Goths, Silverburst, and Blackbirds. Factory fluke? No clue - but it was a nice bonus. Since it was already finished in Pelham Blue - I decided to give it a "vintage makeover" of sorts and dress it up like a '64 Gibson Thunderbird. Some of the components I added or had to use aren't true 60's specs, but the overall impression I wanted was that of a bass from the '60's. I took it to it's first gig last weekend, and got lots of compliments on the look. Some people even thought it was a vintage T-bird so I feel like I succeeded in nailing the vintage vibe. The Epiphone neck pickup put out lots of deep thump, and the repro Lull T pickup gave well defined growl without being overly crisp. Perfect combination! Here's a list of the upgrades/changes: Hipshot Ultralite tuners Gibson Studio TRC (Epi TRC retained) Bone nut Gibson silver top knobs Silver jack nut Schaller straplocks in off center positions Chrome Epiphone bridge Repro handrest and bridge cover Foam mute Vintage Gibson finger rest Silver pickguard screws Tone pot wired to work on neck pickup only Mike Lull bridge pickup & ring 500K CTS pot on bridge pickup DR Black Beauties Before: After: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stein Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 Nice work I like it. Good taste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelvinator Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 Nice mods! Looks great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 That looks really awesome. WAY better than before the mods. Curious, though, how does the pickup cover not get in the way when playing. That looks to be right about where my hand would be. Do you play further back on the bridge pickup? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raven1844 Posted March 17, 2011 Author Share Posted March 17, 2011 I don't even notice the covers are there. Then again I'm also used to playing a 62 P-bass with covers. Usually I just rest my thumb on the pup cover the same way I would the pickup- and pluck behind it. Sometimes for a mellower tone, I'll use the "Jamerson" technique and rest my middle,ring, and pinky fingers on the cover itself - and use my index finger alone to pluck on the neck side of the cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 I guess its something you just get used to then, eh? I dont hink I could get used to something like that very easily, but it sure looks cool. You did a great job on that bass! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggs Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Drool ... & this isn't a critism raven, I'm just curiuos, but why lable it a Gibby when it's an Epi Why not loud & proud man... loud & proud! Cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Aestetically, I like the Gibson TRC better because it has chrome lettering and has no white layer. But yeah, aint no shame in an Epiphone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raven1844 Posted March 19, 2011 Author Share Posted March 19, 2011 Drool ... & this isn't a critism raven, I'm just curiuos, but why lable it a Gibby when it's an Epi Why not loud & proud man... loud & proud! Cheers, Purely aesthetic reasons. Same as a lot of the other components. I'll never get the opportunity or have the funds to own/gig out a vintage '60's Gibson, so I wanted this to look as close as possible. I really should have used a TRC that has gold lettering, but I had the silver one already and it adds to the chromed out look. I've even thought of swapping the thick Epi pick gurad for a thinner .060 Gibson guard, and adding a '60's tail piece behind the three point bridge. Greco Thunderbirds have that combination, and with the bridge cover the three way isn't that noticeable. Those mods are way off in the future - if I ever do them. But for now it's getting the reaction I wanted from folks at shows Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 Either way, I think it looks great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggs Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Either way, I think it looks great. +1 to that... she's a stunner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CDRhom Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Really well done. Thanks for the reasoning behind the pup combination. Mike is justifiably proud of his pickups, one is about all I can manage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleWide Revival Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Man, that thing looks awesome!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBJAG Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 freakin awesome~ wanna trade with my jaguar? just kidding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob R Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 That's some nice work I've always like that color with those mods it looks even better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.