Berserker Posted October 1, 2023 Share Posted October 1, 2023 Decided I need a passive bass, but then realised I'm skint. Went out to the shed and realised I have enough parts to probably build several basses! I love the sound of Thunderbirds, the body of Jazz basses, and the necks of P basses... so I thought, why not combine them all! Thought I'd document the process, and my inevitable cockups! Jazz body made from a very sought after tonewood called Uruguayan Mahogany alternative. Freehand routed for the neck pickup, but thought I better make a template for the bridge one. Like a glove! Ebay Precision neck with Jazz style inlays I have a Fender high mass bridge and some Gotoh tuners to finish it up. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berserker Posted October 1, 2023 Author Share Posted October 1, 2023 (edited) Going for a Thunderbird type burst finish, but I like pretty rustic finishes so it'll be a little less precise. Bit of progress this weekend, filled the grain with black filler and sanded back, then started the stain and oil process: Amber stain base layer Black edges blended with a little brown First coat of Crimson Guitars penetrating oil applied Edited October 1, 2023 by Berserker 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbacco Posted October 10, 2023 Share Posted October 10, 2023 I like the idea of combining the different "brands" under the same umbrella 🙂 ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berserker Posted October 10, 2023 Author Share Posted October 10, 2023 7 hours ago, mrbacco said: I like the idea of combining the different "brands" under the same umbrella 🙂 ! Thanks, oil should be cured enough to start assembling in the next couple of days 👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted October 11, 2023 Share Posted October 11, 2023 Great stuff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berserker Posted October 17, 2023 Author Share Posted October 17, 2023 Bit of progress. The oiling process seemed to soak up a lot of the black stain so the burst doesn't look great, but I'm pretty happy with it. Waiting for the bridge and pickguard screws to arrive, I thought I had some in the shed! Then just need to modify the pickguard and install/wire the pickups. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berserker Posted October 17, 2023 Author Share Posted October 17, 2023 Bridge and pickguard screws arrived... and I've lost the pickup screws! Pickguard modified to accept the Tbird pup, just gotta wait for new pickup screws now. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pea Turgh Posted October 17, 2023 Share Posted October 17, 2023 That looks ace! I like the contrast between the shiny shiny chrome and the antique-style body finish. Love TB pickups. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard R Posted October 17, 2023 Share Posted October 17, 2023 I like the "busted burst" effect. It looks as if it's been used a lot over many years, but well looked after on the journey. Not artificially reliced, just well played. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berserker Posted October 17, 2023 Author Share Posted October 17, 2023 12 minutes ago, Richard R said: I like the "busted burst" effect. It looks as if it's been used a lot over many years, but well looked after on the journey. Not artificially reliced, just well played. Thanks. Yeah I like it, a little head start on the aging process! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardH Posted October 18, 2023 Share Posted October 18, 2023 What pickups are you using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berserker Posted October 18, 2023 Author Share Posted October 18, 2023 36 minutes ago, RichardH said: What pickups are you using? I bought them years ago, after reading loads of recommendations on Talkbass. Pretty sure it's these ones: https://www.eyguitarmusic.com/Thunderbird-Bass-Pickup-Vintage-Style-for-GibsonChromeNickel_p_2287.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelDean Posted October 18, 2023 Share Posted October 18, 2023 Yeah, that looks really cool. Love a bit of chrome! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardH Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 Ahhh, yes, they are the ones I have an eye on for a potential Grabber/tbird style build (thundergrab?) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 On 17/10/2023 at 18:09, Berserker said: Bridge and pickguard screws arrived... and I've lost the pickup screws! Pickguard modified to accept the Tbird pup, just gotta wait for new pickup screws now. Very nice work @Berserker 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pea Turgh Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 What were the import duties & wait times like, @Berserker? I love the look of Thunderbird pickups and see some in my future. The link you sent had them at the most reasonable price I’ve seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 Great looking bass! Similar to what I have in mind for a Hofner 189 body I picked up 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berserker Posted October 19, 2023 Author Share Posted October 19, 2023 3 hours ago, RichardH said: Ahhh, yes, they are the ones I have an eye on for a potential Grabber/tbird style build (thundergrab?) Cool, I'll post some sound clips when it's done so you can get a feel for them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berserker Posted October 19, 2023 Author Share Posted October 19, 2023 1 hour ago, Pea Turgh said: What were the import duties & wait times like, @Berserker? I love the look of Thunderbird pickups and see some in my future. The link you sent had them at the most reasonable price I’ve seen. I honestly can't remember, I bought them years ago. I don't recall a long wait though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berserker Posted October 22, 2023 Author Share Posted October 22, 2023 All finished except strap locks. Plays really well after a quick setup. The sound is very different from my usual Spector tone as you can imagine, but I really like it, especially with a pick. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berserker Posted October 22, 2023 Author Share Posted October 22, 2023 (edited) Here's some quick and dirty sound samples. Really like the sound of both pickups together. There's a real growl to this pickups, I thought the input was clipping at first. 1. Pick - both pickups 2. Pick - Neck pickup 3. Pick - Bridge pickup 4. Fingers - both pickups 5. Fingers - Neck pickup 6. Fingers bridge pickup Fenderbird sound samples.mp3 Edited October 22, 2023 by Berserker 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelDean Posted October 22, 2023 Share Posted October 22, 2023 It's all come together really nicely and sounds great! I bet it'd love a bit of dirt too... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berserker Posted October 22, 2023 Author Share Posted October 22, 2023 1 minute ago, MichaelDean said: It's all come together really nicely and sounds great! I bet it'd love a bit of dirt too... Thanks! Yeah, it sounds monstrous with some distortion... really thick and meaty! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted October 22, 2023 Share Posted October 22, 2023 On 19/10/2023 at 15:43, Pea Turgh said: What were the import duties & wait times like Mine arrived within 2 weeks, paid 20% VAT same as on any purchase from outside the UK. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted October 24, 2023 Share Posted October 24, 2023 On 22/10/2023 at 12:17, Berserker said: Here's some quick and dirty sound samples. Really like the sound of both pickups together. There's a real growl to this pickups, I thought the input was clipping at first. 1. Pick - both pickups 2. Pick - Neck pickup 3. Pick - Bridge pickup 4. Fingers - both pickups 5. Fingers - Neck pickup 6. Fingers bridge pickup Fenderbird sound samples.mp3 1.51 MB · 0 downloads Those pickups sound great and very little volume difference between the neck and bridge pickups. I also like the finish, looks like one of those early eighties Washburn's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.jpg.7e18f76540598a8efc0e6ca9be453059.jpg)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.