Just played a Tacoma Thunderchief Fretless!

[Eilif]

Kinda like a lot of bass guitars that are great at doing their thing (Warwick, Ric, Ibanez SR, Ken Smith)...

I struggle to figure out more than one genre where a P bass with the right strings wouldn't just work better.

...or, in this case, even one already existing genre.


Still a great instrument that'd be cool to have sitting next to the couch.

I just meant I didn't want to start a "Prog Grass Rock Band".

I think I mostly agree with your point above though if what you're saying is that a P-bass crosses genres easier than some other high-end instruments.

Spector shop in Woodstock bought a used Thunderchief and took it apart measuring it. Then designed their new Timbre from that knowledge. And while it is contract built in China, it is top notch quality. You might look into them.

And for the price one could afford to have a fretted one converted to fretless reasonably. Mine sound amazing and play like a much more expensive AEB.
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Interesting, I had no idea that Spector was keeping the generalities of Thunderchief in production. Thanks for sharing this. Look like it's priced midway between the Olympia and Tacoma versions of the Thunderchief.

 

[HeavyDuty]

I've had three Tacomas (all fretted, one four and two fives) and they were all amazing. I had no problems keeping up with acoustic guitars in a living room setting. I kinda wish I had kept one of the fives, but after I had an Emerald Balor built it seemed like an unnecessary luxury.

 

[bholder]

I've had three Tacomas (all fretted, one four and two fives) and they were all amazing. I had no problems keeping up with acoustic guitars in a living room setting. I kinda wish I had kept one of the fives, but after I had an Emerald Balor built it seemed like an unnecessary luxury.

Yeah, really the only reason I still have my TC is to "keep the collection together" - really no justification at all, it hasn't been getting any playing time...

 

[B-Mac]

Spector shop in Woodstock bought a used Thunderchief and took it apart measuring it. Then designed their new Timbre from that knowledge. And while it is contract built in China, it is top notch quality. You might look into them.

And for the price one could afford to have a fretted one converted to fretless reasonably. Mine sound amazing and play like a much more expensive AEB.
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Have a link handy?

 

[mikeoso]

I actually was able to A/B (both fretted) Tacoma Thunderchief and Spector Timbre. They both sounded amazing (and comparable to my ear) acoustically. The Baggs preamp on the Thunderchief was absolutely incredible and gave the 'Chief the win in my book. That said, for what I needed & the price I grabbed the Timbre and haven't regretted the decision.

Out of curiousity, how did the unplugged volume compare?

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

I just meant I didn't want to start a "Prog Grass Rock Band".

I think I mostly agree with your point above though if what you're saying is that a P-bass crosses genres easier than some other high-end instruments.


Interesting, I had no idea that Spector was keeping the generalities of Thunderchief in production. Thanks for sharing this. Look like it's priced midway between the Olympia and Tacoma versions of the Thunderchief.

Tacoma has not in production ever since Fender bought them out and stopped production. Although used models are out there.

Spector Timbre is retailing for around $900, better prices on line in the $750 range new. They pretty much copied the ladder bracing and size design to maintain the Thunderchief's volume and resonance. And have a wonderful acoustic loud tone, and seem to me as good in tonal character as many others out there for almost twice the price.

Thunderchiefs are running used from $900 to $2k depending on the seller and the quality.

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

Have a link handy?

OK
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[B-Mac]

OK
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Thanks so much
I see they also make a SS version
Anything to add more G.A.S.

 

[Spidey2112]

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

Thanks so much
I see they also make a SS version
Anything to add more G.A.S.

Yep, the Short Scale came out last year. Mine are 34" scales. But the price was right.

But for my needs the Timbre is is a great AEB. I don't do AEB gigs much at all. I'm pretty much a USA Spector NS4 player, but will grab an AEB for just fun sometimes with friends, or even one of my uprights if it needs more of a Jazz style flair (if one of my fretless Spectors won't fit in).
But the Timbres do well for my needs and have a couple of different string options for giggles. That's why there are two.

The Black one has a set of Optima 24K Uniques .045 to .105 on it, and the Walnut one has a set of Elixir 80/20s .045 to .100. I really prefer the Optimas.

 

[StringsNKeys]

Out of curiousity, how did the unplugged volume compare?

I don't recall any noticeable difference. I play mostly unplugged anyway, so the acoustic sound was really what I was checking out.