Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I was at Jammin Jersey's today, and could no longer resist the 2000 Epi Thunderbird that's been hanging on the wall for a while. Gonna have to sell something quick this week. The finish is beautiful, it's a dark tobacco burst, very rich looking. I can't wait to give it the "treatment"! I have been piecing together a Goth Thunderbird, but I had real probs finding pups. I may just re-sell the neck and body. I will attempt pix tomorrow but I am not very good........ I played it at church today, and I got a real nice tone out of it through the LMKII and the PB212. It would be interesting to do the concentrics and a 3 way. Oh, and I'll need to move the strap button!!!!!!

PS- Not a big fan of the white pickguard, but clueless as to what to go to. Cream?

I see this is a real active topic! I went and got 3 500k pots today, but I'm wondering if I should put in a 3 way and lose the tone control, just 2 vols and a switch. Any input?

charlyg wrote:I see this is a real active topic! I went and got 3 500k pots today, but I'm wondering if I should put in a 3 way and lose the tone control, just 2 vols and a switch. Any input?

I suppose it's just a matter of preference - like you, I'm used to a Rick control setup so I like having a switch on my basses. I've wanted to install a 3-way switch on my Jazz since I really started using it, but it seems so sacreligious in a way - I can't recall ever seeing a pickup switch on one before. I think it'd be really cool on a T-bird, though!

I'd personally keep the tone control, as I use it. If you don't, then you might as well replace it with a switch!

I did it on my P/J. There is a fellow selling the jazz control plate with concentrics on ebay, and I had him add the switch for another 10 bucks. It is AWESOME!It is a very clean install.

Gonna put some Chromes on it here shortly. I had to laugh at a lot of the reviews I read online. Youngsters complaining that the bridge is held on by the strings and falls off when you take all the strings off! I'm thinking of putting the strap lock into the body at the base of the neck. Otherwise I have to drill through the neck plate,or drill out a strap lock for the bigger neck plate screws.

Regarding the install of a switch, you could always get a Firebird pickguard blank with the spot for the switch and install it where it would be on the Firebird. A new Thunderbird decal would be easy to come by. Best of luck with the project.

I find it interesting that the rumor on the street is, Gibson doesn't sell replacement TB2 pups as they are indestructible(per GIbson). Of course, I have no idea if this is true, but it would explain the scarcity of such pups.

I'm probably gonna "get it" for this, but the Thunderbird sustains WAY more than my 4003! I believe it is because of the 3 point bridge. If I am correct, this seems to fly in the face of bridge lift theories. My theory is because the bridge is only attached at 3 points, it is allowed to vibrate more. and metal vibration will sustain way longer than wood........

I'm pretty much talking to myself, but folks keep reading so I thought I'd pass on how the bird sounds with Chromes. Wow! It really does thunder. Between the bird and the LMKII, I can get most any tone I have ever heard,without having to resort to active pups,which sterilize the sound IMHO.

charlyg wrote:I'm pretty much talking to myself, but folks keep reading so I thought I'd pass on how the bird sounds with Chromes. Wow! It really does thunder. Between the bird and the LMKII, I can get most any tone I have ever heard,without having to resort to active pups,which sterilize the sound IMHO.

Glad its working out for you Charly! Let us know about any future ado about the T-bird.

charlyg wrote:I'm pretty much talking to myself, but folks keep reading so...

I've been reading; just not talking (or posting) because I don't own a T-Bird IV... yet. But I've been thinking about getting one, myself.

They are hard to put down. Extremely fun to play for some reason!

MIK instruments seem to be getting better and better. Not quite to MIJ standards yet, but the gap has closed significantly. I'm keeping an eye out for a T-bird to add to the burgeoning herd (or should that be flock?).

antipodean wrote:MIK instruments seem to be getting better and better. Not quite to MIJ standards yet, but the gap has closed significantly. I'm keeping an eye out for a T-bird to add to the burgeoning herd (or should that be flock?).

I'd agree. The fit and finish of instruments that have come out of Epiphone lately have been a better quality than they were in the past. Now if they would just couple the selection of instruments that they had in the mid and late '90's with the quality that they have going for them these days. If they did, I'd probably be buying at least two more instruments.

I remember when Epiphone and MIK meant Made in Kalamazoo.