Gaolee Posted September 13, 2010 Share Posted September 13, 2010 What's the likelihood of Epiphone making non-reverse Thunderbirds again? I love the way my normal (if any Thunderbird is normal) one sounds, but even after moving the strap button to the body at the base of the neck, it is still a bit neck heavy. It is the bottom line model with a bolt on neck, so those of you who get excited about drilling holes in expensive instruments can relax now. A non-reverse should have the same sound but balance better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted September 13, 2010 Share Posted September 13, 2010 I'd say slim to none. And if they do start making them again, it would probably be a limited run. As much as we love them, I dont think they were in that high demand. Hard to say though, really. As for sounding like your regular T-bird, the non-reverse birds had a few diffrerent pickup configs, so the chances of it sounding like a T-bird are not likely. The most common ones you will find are the 90's Korean models with P/J pickup configs. I guarantee they dont sound like a modern T-bird with mini hums. That, and I dont know if they would actually be lighter. Its basically the same body flipped upside down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaolee Posted September 14, 2010 Author Share Posted September 14, 2010 Lighter isn't the issue, it's the balance, as all of you know. It's too bad, since I really like the 'Bird and it would be even better with better balance. It's the low end model made in China with a bolt on neck, but it sounds much better than it has any right to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted September 14, 2010 Share Posted September 14, 2010 I dont know if the balance would actually be any different that a normal T-bird. The body isnt reversed (as in left to right), its upside down...meaning that the top horn is on the bottom and vice-versa. I dont see how this would change the balance at all. If anything (and it might just be an optical illusion), the body, to me, looks smaller than a normal bird - which means it could be more neck-heavy. Not sure though. Anyone here with a non-rev that can attest to the balance? Eggmuffins? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaolee Posted September 14, 2010 Author Share Posted September 14, 2010 The reason I would expect better balance is because the strap button would be farther toward the head of the neck. It's not by much, but it's still in a better place than even my relocated strap button. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted September 15, 2010 Share Posted September 15, 2010 I guess that would make sense. I didnt think of it that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saxdragon Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 I just bought a non-rev yesterday (to match my '68 non-rev Gibson Firebird) and I can tell you if anything, it's MORE neck-heavy than the reverse T-bird (one of which I also own). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 So I was right. Thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golem Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 I just bought a non-rev yesterday (to match my '68 non-rev Gibson Firebird) and I can tell you if anything, it's MORE neck-heavy than the reverse T-bird (one of which I also own). I wonder if the REAR strap pin on the non-reverse is further back [away from neck]. That can have the effect you describe. Now I admit to not know these Birds up close and personal .... but here's what I do know, practical stuff about hang balance and strap pin location. Imagine an ax hanging only by its front strap pin, one that is pretty much level balanced that way [which is pretty commonly the case]. Now ... put two rear strap pins on it, at different distances from the neck. Pulling upward on either pin will generate some neck dive. Due to a shorter lever length [front pin is pivot of the lever] you will need to exert more force to lift the pin that is closer to the neck. Get the idea ? I don't know much about Birds, but IF the rear pin on a non-reverse is somehow further BACK, that can increase neck dive .... possibly negating the benefit of having the front pin a bit more forward. BTW, for those willing to drill 2 holes in the back side of their Bird, relief is just $30 away: http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Steinberger-Synapse-Bass-Strap-Hook-with-Screws?sku=369900 If you insist on using a custom fitted hard case, you'll need to be a bit inventive ..... Make the hook pivot away. or Make it quickly removable [brass inserts] or Modify your case lining. Gig bag should be no problemo. ` Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaolee Posted September 30, 2010 Author Share Posted September 30, 2010 I wonder if the REAR strap pin on the non-reverse is further back [away from neck]. That can have the effect you describe. Now I admit to not know these Birds up close and personal .... but here's what I do know, practical stuff about hang balance and strap pin location. Imagine an ax hanging only by its front strap pin, one that is pretty much level balanced that way [which is pretty commonly the case]. Now ... put two rear strap pins on it, at different distances from the neck. Pulling upward on either pin will generate some neck dive. Due to a shorter lever length [front pin is pivot of the lever] you will need to exert more force to lift the pin that is closer to the neck. Get the idea ? I don't know much about Birds, but IF the rear pin on a non-reverse is somehow further BACK, that can increase neck dive .... possibly negating the benefit of having the front pin a bit more forward. BTW, for those willing to drill 2 holes in the back side of their Bird, relief is just $30 away: http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Steinberger-Synapse-Bass-Strap-Hook-with-Screws?sku=369900 If you insist on using a custom fitted hard case, you'll need to be a bit inventive ..... Make the hook pivot away. or Make it quickly removable [brass inserts] or Modify your case lining. Gig bag should be no problemo. ` Interesting hook. I use straplocks on my 'Bird since I generally like the neck at a steep, near vertical angle. It makes for a bit of weirdness with a Thunderbird, but it actually helps with neck dive for the moment arm reasons you mention in your comments about strap button location. The concern with a hook is what would happen when the neck angle gets steep enough to start making the strap likely to pop off of the hook. I suppose another solution would be to attach the strap to the neck at its head like you would an acoustic guitar, but I'm not concerned enough about the balance to do something quite as odd looking. Vanity does actually kick in eventually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golem Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 ..... The concern with a hook is what would happen when the neck angle gets steep enough to start making the strap likely to pop off of the hook. ....... If you take a good look at the hook, you'll see that when the neck is nearly vertical the slot is pointed straight downward, thus offering maximum security vs gravity .... unless you energetically leap stright up and down while playing. Other stage gyrations would be quite safe, such as spinning, rocking .... but if it's your job to direct the other players with a skyward thrust of the neck ... oooopz, yes you COULD lift the ax right offa the strap ! I'm not into stage gymnastics, I just play. And I like a pretty steep neck angle. For me it works. Altho I never had to CHOOSE this device, cuz my 'Berger includes one, I'm seriously thinking of ordering a 3 of them from MF. I have some odd basses that I've done balance-fix tricks to, but the hook would be a better answer on those, like my Godin A4 and a similar, custom-built ax. Both are semihollow body, full 34" neck, without top horn. And both are FL. I find supporting a neck-in-hand is more annoying with FL, where fluid freedom of motion is important. I often play FL with my right hand well up onto the neck, and the hook shifts the bass to my right, so my right hand doesn't hafta reach across my own body's centerline to play on the neck. ` Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaolee Posted October 5, 2010 Author Share Posted October 5, 2010 Sounds like it is worth a try. Drilling holes in this particular instrument will not cause any disturbance to anybody anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saxdragon Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 I don't have a problem with neck dive IF i use my 4 inch wide leather strap with the suede on the inside. If you use a slippery strap, it's a problem. Just use a wide strap with a rough inside surface. Glue a strip of terrycloth to it, or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saxdragon Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I wonder if the REAR strap pin on the non-reverse is further back [away from neck]. That can have the effect you describe. Now I admit to not know these Birds up close and personal .... but here's what I do know, practical stuff about hang balance and strap pin location. Imagine an ax hanging only by its front strap pin, one that is pretty much level balanced that way [which is pretty commonly the case]. Now ... put two rear strap pins on it, at different distances from the neck. Pulling upward on either pin will generate some neck dive. Due to a shorter lever length [front pin is pivot of the lever] you will need to exert more force to lift the pin that is closer to the neck. Get the idea ? I don't know much about Birds, but IF the rear pin on a non-reverse is somehow further BACK, that can increase neck dive .... possibly negating the benefit of having the front pin a bit more forward. BTW, for those willing to drill 2 holes in the back side of their Bird, relief is just $30 away: http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Steinberger-Synapse-Bass-Strap-Hook-with-Screws?sku=369900 If you insist on using a custom fitted hard case, you'll need to be a bit inventive ..... Make the hook pivot away. or Make it quickly removable [brass inserts] or Modify your case lining. Gig bag should be no problemo. It occurs to me that the Reverse Epi Tbird i owned had a neckdive problem. It wasn't as pronounced as my non-reverse. But when it was hanging off me, the strap that was connected to the back button was pulling to the side...actually pulling the rear body of the bass closer to my body. Which probably reduced the upward-lifting effect you described. So I would say, it's better to move the strap FARTHER away. ` Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.