Reunited...and it feels so good.

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 11:28 am

FINALLY got my 1974 4001 back from my luthier after it's 400,000 mile overhaul. (Don't ask how long it was actually gone....) Had the .0047 cap removed, bridge p/u rewound by Lindy Fralin & some other assorted work done. Remember - the worst thing that you can do is tell your luthier "Take your time on this one." He does excellent work though & did turn around 2 of my other basses in a week for an show of mine that came up really quick.

The 4001 sounds fantastic! I really missed that bass.

Anyhow, here's an updated family portrait. It's not a Paul Yan quality photo, but gets the point across.

1974 4001
1978 3001
2003 4003
2001 Gibson Thunderbird
1988 Fender Jazz (w/ DiMarzios & slightly modded)

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 11:57 am

Nice thunderbird, how's it play and sound? I've always wanted one of those.

BTW, Where has Paul Yan been?

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 3:08 pm

where in the world is Paul Yan?

lowendbob · Post by **lowendbob** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 4:00 pm

Chris, nice color combo on the Fender jazz. I sold my 75 RI a few months ago, now I'm wanting another jazz bass.

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 6:18 pm

Love that T-bird...BIG sound. Lotsa *** end, but plenty o'punch too. A ***** to hit the upper register because of the cutaway, but a great bass.

Funny thing about the jazz bass, I've been playing it a lot lately. I'm working with this singer/songwriter chick & there's just times that a Fender is what you need...

I recently put that tortoise shell pick guard & tele knobs on it. It's a great basher bass.

lshaia · Post by **lshaia** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 4:05 am

I found a NOS T-Bird this past April, what a fantastic bass! Chris, you were one of the guys who convinced me that I had to have one, thanks! Now if you could just point me in the direction of a stand that will work with it ...

Paul has been on an extended business trip, he should be back soon.

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 4:32 am

Congrats on the T-bird...they're great huh?!

I really wish I had gone with the natural finish on mine...yours is beautiful.

As for stands? Good luck...
I usually just keep mine in the case, but at practice I use one of those double stands with the t-back thingy. You can adjust them so they're real tall & you won't scrape the butt end of the bass. I don't like leaving it on there for a long time because all of the weight is supported by the neck/headstock & those necks are disturbingly thin. I guess that's why most of the old ones on ebay have the dreaded words "headstock repair".

Nice score Lindsay, enjoy it!

Somebody say hi to Paul for me.

lshaia · Post by **lshaia** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 5:18 am

Thanks, Chris, it's everything you said it would be and more. I really like the natural finish, too bad Gibson discontinued it. Incidently, mine's an '01, too; Musician's Friend sat on it for four years then dumped it when the finish was discontinued. Right place at the right time, I guess.

shinynewtoy · Post by **shinynewtoy** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 6:40 am

I've been intrigued by T-birds ever since I saw Mike Watt use one, and then found out he recorded much of one of his solo records with one. While I definitely prefer the Minutemen to anything Watt's done since, the bass tone on the record I'm talking about was incredible.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 8:37 am

I've always wanted one since I saw one at a local music store on the counter when I was a kid, it was probably 1966-67, and it was kind of a sunburst, I thought it was the coolest looking bass I had ever seen, it was in for a repair and would have been way out of my price range anyway.

seth_lorinczi · Post by **seth_lorinczi** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 5:24 am

Speaking of Thunderbirds....

Really wish I had before/afters. You would not BELIEVE how abused this bass once was.

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 6:02 am

Nice color...
What is that? A 76-79?

How bad was it? Busted headstock too?

seth_lorinczi · Post by **seth_lorinczi** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 6:14 am

Thanks, it's a '77. In the process I learned Pelham Blue was also an early '60s Cadillac color....

Yes, headstock was busted (though that was repaired long ago). The finish was BURNED off the guitar with a blowtorch. The guitar was spraypainted black and red. A Fender-style bridge was NAILED to the body.

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 8:31 am

Jesus...that's what I call a labor of love.
Nicely done...

seth_lorinczi · Post by **seth_lorinczi** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 8:39 am

Hey, thanks! Actually, I'm now considering selling it. It's such a cool instrument, but I'm not sure when I'm really going to use it. Too many Rickenbackers!