This week’s BotW takes on the shape and style of a Gibson Thunderbird with a P/J pickup configuration that ended up looking great.
Builder Scott Sampson writes:
I have always played my Fender Jazz Bass (MiM), but have always loved the shape and styling of the Gibson Thunderbird. I decided to model my build after a T-bird.
The neck is from a Fender Bass that was lying around, and it was modified to have the T-bird style.
The body is made from Maple on the face, and pine on the back to make it lighter (in hindsight, might not have been wise, as the finished guitar had some significant head-dive, which I solved with a 2lb. lead weight from a local SCUBA shop and a leather sewn pocket in my strap).
The body was painted with Auto-Air colors Transparent Red Oxide and detail Golden.
The finish is an automotive clear coat, which was applied, block sanded, and re-applied.
The pick guard is made from Plexiglas with a vinyl cut decal in the T-bird style. I debated putting the pick guard on, but it is such a classic look.
The design on the head is vinyl, which was added to tie in with the pick guard.
The pickups are Lindy Fralin’s, with the bridge pickup being 5% overwound.
The bass also features an onboard, battery-less distortion circuit. Super cool effect, without a battery! And nothing at my feet when I play, which is a must for me, as it really bugs me having anything at my feet!
A classy vintage look, all without any “relic” stuff at all. Well done, Scott!
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What I’d like to know is: does this bass have the signature T-bird neck dive, or did the owner cure that on his build?
It does have considerable neck dive. The 2pound lead weight from a scuba shop seen into my strap has solved it. If that doesn’t hold up through gigging, I’ll router a cavity and mild the lead to fit right in the guitar. Bug so far, so good!!
love it! where can i get one? how much? whats the weight?
All I paid for was the Fralin pickups,Grover tuners, and the knives/switched. Everything else I do myself. As far as weight, I’m not sure, but much lighter than the actual T-bird!!
Nice Work! Great to see a creative mind looking at things differently.
A lot of great ideas have gone into this bass. Excellent work! I am building a bass with a similar configuration, but I’m using an all-pine body in the shape of a Telecaster guitar. Now THAT is some neck dive!
Could use a better bridge.It would probably incvrease the sustain and punch.I did it to my real T-Bird and it made alot of difference with a hipshot bridge on it.Also I converted it to string thru the body.But nice job.
Thanks for the compliments….I considered a better bridge….wanted it done in time for a gig, but I think I’ll take your advise and look at one. Thanks!!!
I heeded your advise and ordered a black Schaller bridge. I’m eagerly awaiting its arrival!!
I found a way to fix the “neckdive blues” on my bird bass build = NR
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk127/stpeterscia/Fundabirds/007fin02_zps8ce438f2.jpg
I had found online reference to a company that made and sold weighted guitar straps…me and a buddy with an SG were researching…but the link went no where, so I’m not sure if the company is still operating or not. But between the local Scuba shop and leather repair shop, they’ll have everything you need to fix any neck dive!!!
Nice Job there, especially the sunburst finish, for you only have one shot at that!!!!.. I know! 😉
Great looking bass. I have a T-Bird with no neck dive, because it is so damed heavy. My question is, where are you G string dead spots. Fenders always have that problem around B or C. Removing that much mass from the head stock would exacerbate the problem.
It must be pretty lite because my 76 TBird if not heavy at all.Nice job on the build!
Great job Scott, can you give some info on the distortion circuit as well? A web link would be great.
I had included the link in the original write-up, but it was edited out…here it is:
http://tonefiend.com/guitar/onboard-distortion-without-a-battery/
Hope this helps!!