neepheid

Welcome to the forum

Easy things first - the Grabber slider: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260750391208"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=260750391208[/url] The original Grabber pickup mounts with four screws and is a humbucker. Also used in the 80s on the Gibson Q-80, and the Explorer bass. Some useful info here: [url="http://www.flyguitars.com/gibson/bass/grabber_techinfo.php"]http://www.flyguitars.com/gibson/bass/grabber_techinfo.php[/url] and here: [url="http://www.flyguitars.com/gibson/bass/parts/pickup/#18"]http://www.flyguitars.com/gibson/bass/parts/pickup/#18[/url]

+1 for the MP-BT1, had mine for a few years and find it very useful and sturdy.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1164137' date='Mar 16 2011, 10:00 AM']Better not let Neepheid hear you say that. [/quote] Meh, each to their own. On the strength of their current bass output, I'd be inclined to agree. In fact I'd go so far as to say that I find their current output a load of uninspiring, insipid tosh made up of diluted past glories and strange, bastardised reissues which capture little of the flavour or spirit of the models they are meant to be descended from. I also curse them for the creation (and continued use) of the abomination which is the three point bridge. Having said that - if you're having a pop at Gibson's most fertile and creative period in the bass world (70s and 80s) then [url="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=square%20go"]square go[/url]

Oh Gibson, what are you doing these days? I don't think I've liked anything you've done since the late 80s.

Also have a care as to where the truss rod adjusts on the neck you wish to use. If it has heel truss rod access, get a pickguard with the notch cut out at the heel, if it's head access then get one with a plain heel otherwise you have a pointless notch in your pickguard. Up to you, but it would irritate me

[quote name='shemeckfrac' post='1162799' date='Mar 15 2011, 09:58 AM']This option explores pickups capability. Anyone can tell me if parallel/series switching is worth doing? Never played around with parallel/series configurations so don't know if that option adds any practical value.[/quote] The Bass Whisperer outlines it all with a G&L Tribute L-2000: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT4AP58jC5o"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT4AP58jC5o[/url]

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='1161844' date='Mar 14 2011, 03:00 PM']Have you thought about carving the back of the lower horn to make it thinner? Also the back of the neck pocket so there's not a huge chunk of wood there. I can't remember where I saw it a while ago, I thik it was on a 36 fret bass (and a tasteful one, not a wishbass ), it looked like it improved the upper fret access a lot without compromising (or even changing) the looks from the front.[/quote] Interesting, but I can't quite visualise how that's going to help. Can you find any pics of what you mean? Had a bit of a setback last night - my Mouse sander went pop. Bah!

[quote name='gary mac' post='1162651' date='Mar 15 2011, 07:03 AM']Thanks chaps. Sorry if I'm being dense but do you mean the existing holes to the body would show after fitting the replacement pickguard or just that they wouldn't line up?[/quote] It's possible that you could be really unlucky at the thin end, but mostly the screw holes won't line up. I've put a MIM hole pattern one on a Squier before. All of the holes bar one didn't line up. Had to drill them out, glue in dowel then drill new holes.

Unlikely to fit. Fill the existing holes and redrill.

Ach, maybe so but I started to go through it anyway as I was sanding off black stuff so I'm going to take the lot off. To be honest I prefer not to have unknown substances present, you never know if there could be an unfavourable reaction when finishing. EDIT: besides, I'll be carving recesses in the body for the bridge, modifying the neck pocket and reshaping the bottom horn, so those parts won't have that sealer coat on anyway so I'd rather just take the lot off.

This'll be light, and it's a bargain price! [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=127026"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=127026[/url]

The top black stuff isn't too bad but there's a layer of brown stuff underneath and that is taking an age to shift!

Only one of my current basses is still currently being produced, so replacement would be a bit of a pest. That hasn't stopped me gigging any of them. I do keep an eye on my bass at a gig. I don't mind sharing my amp if it makes the gig go smooth but no-one but me gets to play my bass. I always take a stand to the gig and the bass is either in the case/bag or on the stand. I don't see what else I can practically do to ensure its safety. Happy that I have done all I can, I take whatever bass I fancy playing that night.

This matt black goth stuff is bloody tough. I was hoping it would recoil simply by being exposed to sunlight Seriously though, I am in the middle of sanding, and it is hard going.

[quote name='Cygnus x-1' post='1159931' date='Mar 12 2011, 10:16 PM']If I were to buy a neck from the USA for around $100, does anyone know if it would cost anthing in tax at my end (UK) and if yes roughly how much? any advice much appreciated, thanks.[/quote] Yes it would. VAT is 20%. It probably is below the value needed for Customs Duty to kick in. The courier might levy a charge for presenting the goods to HMRC, paying the duty on your behalf then invoicing you. So the answer is 20% plus anything between £5 and £15. Or it might sneak under their noses...

Hollow/semi-hollow?

[quote name='BassKS' post='1158329' date='Mar 11 2011, 05:23 PM'][url="http://www.bassmerchant.com/manufacturers/G-and-L/98.html"]http://www.bassmerchant.com/manufacturers/G-and-L/98.html[/url] Surely Tribute series.[/quote] At that price, absolutely.

[quote name='ezbass' post='971878' date='Sep 29 2010, 04:08 PM']Yep that's pretty much "the" fix. For a proper pro job a correct sized piece of dowel should be wood glued in, allowed to dry and then redrilled, but who has the time (or the right piece of dowel) for that?[/quote] Me, for one

Is this a UK wide thing or just an England and Wales thing?

Still looking for the right neck. In the meantime I have been thinking about ways to improve the dusty end access - one of the quirks of the Thunderbird - without harming the overall aesthetic. This was my first thought which should give about 1.5" of improved access by following the angle of the bottom horn much further and ending in a tighter turn near the neck: Is it still arguably a Thunderbird? Is it subtle enough?

[quote name='jarvmasterc' post='1155225' date='Mar 9 2011, 01:01 PM']Hi all, looking for a bit of advice. I'm currently trying to fix up ressurect an Epiphone Thunderbird bass that i've recently acquired - The bass itself is in good nick, the body and neck are fine as are the electronics. The only issue is the bridge which is missing 3 saddles. I've tried to track down spares via the interweb but to no avail. Does anyone know the best route to go down to get some spare saddles or a website that might stock them? If not any ideas on a replacement bridge that would suit it? Cheers![/quote] I have a bridge off an Epi Goth Thunderbird that I don't need. PM me for details.

I had this discussion with Rich ^^^ in a slightly different guise of "if you could only keep one bass, which would it be?" and for all my love of weirdy Gibson basses, I'd have to say that my G&L Tribute L-2000 would be the last one to go.