neepheid

Use the correct length strings - especially around small tuner posts. I've had an E string explode and unravel on me before trying to cheap out fitting long scale strings on a short scale. The problem is trying to get the fattest part of the string round the tuner - which is going to happen if you try to use regular/long scale strings. You need them to taper off after the nut - buying the correct length strings will help with this. You can usually find deals on D'addario XL strings of the appropriate scale length - I have some on my 32" scale Squier Jaguar H. EXL170M - can usually be had for around £20-22. If you think that's expensive, then I don't know what to tell you - inflation's a biatch! EXL160M - if you like your strings a bit fatter, seems less people do, so on a quick search found them a mite bit cheaper than the EXL170M

I don't like the "why should you win?" thing, sorry

But look at what it says at the top of the page...

LOL, Bax website is back online for some reason. Still can't order anything,

LOL, nope, you're screwed. If I don't get a bye for a bass which has been living rent free in my head for 12 years, you certainly don't get a pass for a paltry 4 years.

And if you want MORE padding, there's a TGI Ultimate Series, which is around £120ish.

Although that's into Mono territory (a place I refuse to visit because it's too damn much for a bloody gigbag), I say save your pennies - one of the many gigbags I use with my BB1200 is a TGI Extreme Series such as found here - https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/product/tgi-gigbag-bass-guitar-extreme-series/ (other stockists are available), it's well padded, can fit A4 paper in the front pocket and it's around £50-60.

What's your budget?

Dunno. I paid by debit card, so I'm boned. Thankfully in my case it was <£100, paid back in September last year and I'm over it already, but others may not be in a position to be so glib about it.

Well, that's official - if you had any pending orders with Bax, you ain't getting it. You'll be added to the bottom of a very long list of creditors. "According to the administration of the bankrupt companies, you have placed an order. Unfortunately, due to the bankruptcy, this order can no longer be delivered. We regret that we are unable to convey more favourable news in this regard. Consequently, you have a claim in the bankruptcy of Bax-Shop.nl B.V. amounting to <amount>. If this amount is correct, no further action is required from you, and this amount will be recorded on the list of provisionally recognized concurrent bankruptcy claims."

And, it's official. Email from whoever is winding up Bax... "According to the administration of the bankrupt companies, you have placed an order. Unfortunately, due to the bankruptcy, this order can no longer be delivered." Game over, at least buying one new.

What's wrong with the stock tuners?

No, you did not prompt this (I don't think having it on a wishlist counts), it is an unsolicited gift, you weren't involved in any way, so I think you're good. Nice family, lovely gift, enjoy!

I get that, but I'm starting to wish I hadn't opened my fat gob RE: T-birds being neck through, which was only intended as a factually correct statement and one of the (many) reasons why the bolt on Epiphone "Thunderbird" is not the right path to choose when chasing down a white T-bird...

Yes, but this thread is about the OP trying to get a Thunderbird they saw in a video, so the EB (2014) is not really relevant in this context, no matter how much it sounds like a Thunderbird. That's why I didn't bring it up, nor did I mention the Epiphone Embassy (either the OG 60s one or the modern reimagined one) or the Gibson IV, despite having owned an example of all of them except the 60s Embassy. And yes, as a discontinued model, you can find it from time to time on the used market here in the UK, having previously been able to buy them new (I owned mine from new).