Muzz Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 OK, so this whole Fenderbird thing is becoming a bit of an obsession, but, after a very long time in the making, the Laklandbird lives! A big, big thank you to Steve Curtis at PMT in Manchester for a cracking neck pocket, given a very unusual request - a 22-fret neck onto a 19-fret pocket. The pocket, like the first one he did for me, is airtight. And yes, it also has the Most Pointless Top Five Frets in bass history, but as I get giddy and nauseous anywhere above the 12th fret, that won't be an issue for me. Still some bits and bobs to do with pickups (Dingwall) and preamp (East U-Retro), but nearly there. Here's the two of them together: [attachment=136557:fenderbirds1.jpg] [attachment=136558:fenderbirds2.jpg] Oh, and one of them will be in the For Sale section soon - can't really justify two of them at once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 (edited) They are lovely looking, they seem just right to my eyes. Epi bodies? EDIT: Just seen your ad for an Epi neck so have answered my question Edited June 9, 2013 by ezbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 They look great Muzz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 Oooooh, the Laklandbird also has a supertone bringing up the rear. Beautiful bass! Me likey!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 Lakland did actually experiment with a protype Fenderbird . This is it : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 [quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1370798361' post='2105686'] Lakland did actually experiment with a protype Fenderbird . This is it : [/quote] Wonder why they never ran with it? I would have bought one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted June 9, 2013 Author Share Posted June 9, 2013 Wasn't it a JE prototype thing that never went anywhere? Anyway, it's only got 20 frets... Cheers chaps, like I say, it's a bit of an obsession now. [quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1370797783' post='2105667'] Oooooh, the Laklandbird also has a supertone bringing up the rear. Beautiful bass! Me likey!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [/quote] And Ultralites with a detuner at t'other end...no neck dive here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 [quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1370800022' post='2105733'] Wasn't it a JE prototype thing that never went anywhere? Anyway, it's only got 20 frets... Cheers chaps, like I say, it's a bit of an obsession now. And Ultralites with a detuner at t'other end...no neck dive here... [/quote] I am seriously impressed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigsmokebass Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 I'd so have one! However, as nice as they are. I wouldn't put a Fender neck on an Epi body or at least not the bottom end model. The lakland model is awesome, however, I think I'd prefer a rosewood neck. BSB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted June 10, 2013 Author Share Posted June 10, 2013 The body wood on the Epi T-Bird is a nice piece of Alder, which looks good, and there's very little Epi left in either of them, but the real test is how they play, which is...great. I'm convinced a great neck pocket makes a lot of difference, and that's down to Steve at PMT. It's a US Lakland neck, too, which will originally have cost zillions. I'll get some better pics of the Birdseye Lakland board, it's ridiculous. Never liked Rosewood meself; maple all the way, or wenge at a push. They're much brighter than the real thing, but then the Dingwall pickups are very different to Gibbo humbuckers, and by the time I've got the active 3-band in there, it'll be different again. They're a visual exercise as much as anything, and as such I think they work. Oh, and it's not a Fender neck - it's a Mighty Mite Jazz, just to confuse things even further... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigsmokebass Posted June 12, 2013 Share Posted June 12, 2013 I suppose on what sound you'd like to achieve from this customization, each to their own on body woods, necks, frets, hardware and electronics. Personally, I like the Gibson TBird as it is. I think for myself to customize a Fenderbird, I'd add a jazz neck with rosewood frets and change to a badass bridge or something just something simplistic and what everyone's used to but as mentioned, everyone's different BSB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted June 14, 2013 Author Share Posted June 14, 2013 Yeah, as I said, it's more of an aesthetic exercise; the chrome covers and rings are going on there, too. It won't sound much like a T-Bird, but that's kinda the idea. No need for a Badass - the Supertone bridge is a big improvement on the Gibbo 3-point one (which IIRC is the same on the £200 Epi and the £1000 US), and fits straight into the existing bridge mounts. It's the easiest bridge swap there is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grissle Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 (edited) I just got the title reference! Man I haven't seen that old Thunderbird movie in ages and ages! BTW I do have a Fenderbird, [IMG]http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss360/Grissle209/492110E2-746E-4F22-86A0-EF95ADA8281C-8338-000001C169248D75.jpg[/IMG] Edited June 15, 2013 by Grissle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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