Who's Who

Recently sold an Ashdown amp to Astrosmurf. Ed is a top guy to deal with, he transferred the money into my account straight away, and was also cool when I took a little longer sending out the amp. Top Bloke!

[quote name='Doctor J' timestamp='1324329043' post='1473161'] All it would take is for them to add a volute behind the nut but they insist on not doing it. It's not just Thunderbirds, I don't know how many repaired Les Pauls and SGs I've seen over the years. [/quote] But would you say they're as stable following repair? Is there any structural or tonal indifferences?

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1324328267' post='1473146'] Before the break the glue is all going in one direction. After the break the glue goes the other way too. [/quote] I take it that's a good thing

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1324327175' post='1473122'] Given that wood glues are generally tougher than the original wood and that some models are so prone to headstock breaks that I do sometimes wonder why the manufacturer doesn't break them before they leave the factory and glue them in the first place. [/quote] That's an interesting point there. I only use the Thunderbird as an example as I know they're prone to neck breaks, and I'm always terrified one day mine might break. But then looking at it from a different angle, that necks made up from 9 pieces of wood, so there's already plenty of glue in there. Surely a little more can't hurt!!!

Hi all I'm a very proud owner of a Gibson Thunderbird Bass, but it's one of the nice shiny newer models. I always keep my eye on the vintage models of this baby, but more often than not they're usually with a neck break that's been repaired. I know the Thunderbird has a notoriously weak neck, and I must admit the majority of the ones that I've seen repaired look to be fantastic jobs. But it got me thinking, has anyone ever experienced a guitar that's had a neck repair, or been unlucky enough to have the experience of getting their own guitar repaired. I just wondered, other than the obvious cosmetic appearance, are they ever the quite the same again. Do they come back playing and feeling as good as before, or is it always that obvious you're playing a repaired neck. I'm not really looking for advice on buying a vintage guitar, but just wondered what peoples experiences are really.

Hi Steve. If it were me I'd go for another Hydrive 4x10 and the LH1000. I've recently purchased a Hydrive 4x10 and the LH1000 and absolutely love them. I used to have a Hartke rig a few years back with the XL cabs and the HA head. But since buying these recently I really love them. When I tried the LH1000 in the shop I tried it with the Hydrive 8x10 and it was an absolute tone monster. If you go for another 4x10 you'll get the same sound, but have more portability. I got my 4x10 for under £480 delivered from Thomann.de, which seems a really great price. I'm sure the LH500 would have been loud enough for me, but if you're gonna run two cabs then you may as well get the LH1000 and have the extra head room. I spoke to another Basschatter a while back who got the full Hydrive rig when it first came out before moving it on. He said the 1x15 was nowhere near as loud or punchy as the 4x10. In his words 'I wish I'd gone for two 4x10's instead of the 1x15, they're much better cabs'. Plus all those 10's stacked up high will look awesome on stage and surely make you a far better Bass player!!!

On the newer US Standards, what's most peoples choice? String through the body, or through the top load bridge?