Thunderbird Club Pt. II

[TBird1958]

Thought it was about time I joined a club! Gibson 2009 model, first (and only) brand new expensive instrument that I've ever bought, so she's pretty special to me!

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Nice show pic!

Thanks for posting, you are number 115 Venom of God, rock that 'Bird!

TBird1958 #1
Godof Thunder59 #2
Funkster#3
Gibenbackerbass #4
Sidd Laroy #5
Jazzbo58 #6
Tender Prey #7
Showdown #8
The Mojo Hobo #9
Doctorpunch #10
Stiles72 #11
Brenner182 #12
Baird6869 #13
Poorbassist15 #14
PWV #15
Mr Typhus #16
Tracii #17
Aditya #18
amimbari #19
knifedge #20
Nitrofix #21
Atoz #22
bassphreak #23
Seydlitz #24
bassclef112 #25
bassplayer8953 #26
D.M.N. #27
Edhunter #28
kruno maestro #29
Tombowlus #30
Kalik #31
#32 is a duplicate entry so we'll keep it open for now.
Walter Vega 33
Carlos 840 #34
Shadowtippy #35
Saltymonkey #36
lel95 #37
gaffster787 #38
mc2ny #39
Low Sound Love #40
BrianKrashpad #41
Deep Six #42
BenEd #43
Bassmachine2112 #44
ponkoponk #45
Heatheroo #46
darkside 88 #47
GCool#48
TedhHernstorm #49
Darbo #50
uncletupelo #51
Vaider #52
Rip Topaz #53
bmb73 #54
Badfish #55
Afireinside #56
Redstrand #57
reptyls #58
dabido #59
96tbird #60
whilke #61
JIO #63
thebrain #64
Rob Martinez #65
bazzandeson #66
PhR #67
Dr.Eagle #68
lowend1 #69 Mopar or no car!
Basvarken #70
s mcsleazy #71
Burruss #72
Matty H #73
moonshinegtrs #74
bass lord mutha #75
jumbodbassman #76
davidprice #77
A-Step-Towards #78
birdman14 #79
Quadzilla #80
jbalou02 #81
johnk 10 #82
electrocoyote #83
ih8law #84
muzukman7 #85
3rdcurve #86
rdwil191 #87
BluesBear #88
JAF #89
Swin #90
TBirdie #91
bassplayerbob #92
trevorguns #93
Clammy #94
jammi_fool #95
Molochnik #96
Rocker47 #97
Shark1 #98
BlueTalon #99
Fab Superlative #100
Doragon #5150
ThumpsAlot #102
Doelle #103
AllyDetours #104
Southway #105
mav #106
tw63 #107
Casperrobo #108
Killa #109
roffe #110
SOB H.R.MC #111
icks #112
thepunisher #113
PatQ #114
Venom of God #115
Jirishman #116

 

[bassplayer8953]

Except I could buy two Epiphones for the price of one LTD.

There's a couple of models of LTD's: the 1004 & the 204. The 1004 looks like a clone of the ESP so it would obviously be more expensive, the 204's I've seen BIN on ebay for 299-399, so the 204 would be the actual competition for the Epi. And, unlike Epi, even the entry level model is neck-thru.

The ESP Guitar Company | 2011 USA Website

Unfortunately no color variety, black only on the 204. Otherwise I would probably have grabbed one by ow, just cuz...

 

[Jirishman]

Hello, this is my first post and I went straight for the Tbird thread!

Early-mid 2000s bird that was refitted with chrome hardware. Pickups were found on ebay, originally from an Orville. They sound absolutely amazing, and have gotten many a compliment on their growl or deep, rich clean tone. I replaced the 3 point bridge with a Hipshot Supertone, and it was worth every penny.

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Below is my first thunderbird from 1990. Has a really gorgeous burst, and I just replaced the stock pickups with Bartolinis. I was disappointed they were not closer to tbird pickups, but I appreciate having a different sound. The eventual plan is to refit this one with chrome hardware as well, and try out some Lull pickups I've heard so much about. It seems they are really worth the investment.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[shark1]

Hello, this is my first post and I went straight for the Tbird thread!

Early-mid 2000s bird that was refitted with chrome hardware. Pickups were found on ebay, originally from an Orville. They sound absolutely amazing, and have gotten many a compliment on their growl or deep, rich clean tone. I replaced the 3 point bridge with a Hipshot Supertone, and it was worth every penny.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Below is my first thunderbird from 1990. Has a really gorgeous burst, and I just replaced the stock pickups with Bartolinis. I was disappointed they were not closer to tbird pickups, but I appreciate having a different sound. The eventual plan is to refit this one with chrome hardware as well, and try out some Lull pickups I've heard so much about. It seems they are really worth the investment.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Wow, congrats on some nice ones

 

[Grissle]

My Fenderbird

 

[Jools4001]

Hmmmm.....well it's new bass day for me, I've just unpacked my brand new Epiphone T-Bird Pro IV about an hour ago and I've just been playing my first few songs on it.

I bought it because my band does half of the second set downtuned to Eb and I wanted an inexpensive bass to do that. I also like the T-Bird's cool looks and figured it would be a nice stage companion for my Ric (which is my main player). I also bought it from a German internet dealer without ever having played a T-Bird before.

The quality of the bass for such an inexpensive instrument is really impressive. The neck-through construction and the finish seem really solid, the bridge has got a nicely engineered look about it and the tuners are nice and smooth. It also sounds good, the electronics seem noise free and it's got a bit of zing but is darker sounding than the Ric - which is exactly the contrast I wanted.

The strap button is behind the neck and there is absolutely no neck dive (despite the reputation)....but...I find that it feels weird on the strap. The whole bass sits further to the left than any other bass I own - putting my right hand right over the bridge pickup and making the first fret feel miles away. That's not such a big deal, I can adjust to that, but what I find really disconcerting is the way the bass hangs face forward so that it tilts away from me towards the floor.

Funnily enough, I don't look at the fingerboard a great deal when playing, nonetheless, the only way I can seem to get it into a comfortable position - with the fingerboard tilting slightly upwards towards me - is either to loop the strap across the top of the rear bout to pull the top of the bass closer, or to wear the bass lower than I would like and assume a zenkutsu dachi forward karate stance and rest it on my right thigh - although I suppose I could drink a huge amount of beer, grow a giant gut and rest it on top of my belly.

Any tips out there or is this just the way T-birds are?

I like everything else about the bass so I'll persevere until I feel comfortable or until the 30 day return period draws near

 

[PatQ]

Yeah, I think that's the way Thunderbirds are. I control it with my leg so it doesn't fall over. You can also use your right forearm. It takes some minutes to get used to it

 

[winterburn69]

Been on here awhile, always just too lazy to post a pic. So here it is. Boring Epiphone in vintage sunburst, white pickguard. Nothing exciting, but lots of fun. Strings look weird because I took the pic in the middle of changing strings, which turned into several pics and then later a facebook photo album covering the event.

Anyone ever use flats on a Thunderbird? I know Simon Gallup (The Cure) used to use flats on his StingRays and such back in the '80s, but what about now?

 

[BluesBear]

The strap button is behind the neck and there is absolutely no neck dive (despite the reputation)....but...I find that it feels weird on the strap. The whole bass sits further to the left than any other bass I own - putting my right hand right over the bridge pickup and making the first fret feel miles away. That's not such a big deal, I can adjust to that, but what I find really disconcerting is the way the bass hangs face forward so that it tilts away from me towards the floor.

Any tips out there or is this just the way T-birds are?

Pretty much, that's just the way they are. "The Tilt" was the reason the original birds had the upper strap button in the standard edge position. The bass layed flatter against your body IF you could keep it on the strap. Playing an original Thunderbird was the reason I bought the first set of Shaller Straplocks I ever saw. I personally believe the original button was the reason the Fenderbird was created.
I have seen others relocate the bottom strap button higher up the edge to help stop the tilt.

Myself, I have no issues with the tilt while playing. But I have to be careful between songs or when laying back. A 'Bird is not the bass to let go of with both hands.
When I am not playing, as long as my right arm is resting on the body or I have my left hand gripping the neck I have no problems.

...although I suppose I could drink a huge amount of beer, grow a giant gut and rest it on top of my belly.

Nope, believe me, that won't work.

 

[TBird1958]

Hello, this is my first post and I went straight for the Tbird thread!

Early-mid 2000s bird that was refitted with chrome hardware. Pickups were found on ebay, originally from an Orville. They sound absolutely amazing, and have gotten many a compliment on their growl or deep, rich clean tone. I replaced the 3 point bridge with a Hipshot Supertone, and it was worth every penny.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Below is my first thunderbird from 1990. Has a really gorgeous burst, and I just replaced the stock pickups with Bartolinis. I was disappointed they were not closer to tbird pickups, but I appreciate having a different sound. The eventual plan is to refit this one with chrome hardware as well, and try out some Lull pickups I've heard so much about. It seems they are really worth the investment.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Beautiful basses, and a big +1 to the Orville pickups, Mike Lull's Thunderbird pups are really nice as well, they're a faithful recreation of Gibson's '63's. I use them in several of my other basses, Gibsons and BaCH.

Welcome to the Thunderbird Club Jirshman you are #116! Post gig shots and any questions

My Orville, refinned and sporting a two point bridge.

 

[stiles72]

Below is my first thunderbird from 1990. Has a really gorgeous burst, and I just replaced the stock pickups with Bartolinis. I was disappointed they were not closer to tbird pickups, but I appreciate having a different sound. The eventual plan is to refit this one with chrome hardware as well, and try out some Lull pickups I've heard so much about. It seems they are really worth the investment.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

How would you describe the sound of the Barts? I have a 2007 Thunderbird IV with stock pups that I've been contemplating swapping out.

 

[Jirishman]

How would you describe the sound of the Barts? I have a 2007 Thunderbird IV with stock pups that I've been contemplating swapping out.

I think the Bartolinis are decent pickups, but theyre not nearly as close to original Tbird pickups as they claim to be.
The Barts are more 'modern' sounding and very clean, little growl can be coaxed out of them.
I'm not sure if this has anything to do with the way the pickups were wired in my bass, but I find the bass pickup is far hotter than the treble - if I turn it down it just sounds very weak and thin to me.
But I'm ok with the bass pickup doing most of the legwork. When I have both pickups running at full volume, I typically get some clear lows and punchy low mids. The treble pickup tops everything off decently, but once you turn the bass pickup down a bit, its clear that treble isn't really meant to run on its own.
Since I don't have the funds for a set of Mike Lull pickups right now, I'm considering putting the Gibson stock pickup back in the treble position, and seeing if that balances things out. Could be cool!

 

[BluesBear]

I think the Bartolinis are decent pickups, but theyre not nearly as close to original Tbird pickups as they claim to be.
The Barts are more 'modern' sounding and very clean, little growl can be coaxed out of them.
I'm not sure if this has anything to do with the way the pickups were wired in my bass, but I find the bass pickup is far hotter than the treble - if I turn it down it just sounds very weak and thin to me.
But I'm ok with the bass pickup doing most of the legwork. When I have both pickups running at full volume, I typically get some clear lows and punchy low mids. The treble pickup tops everything off decently, but once you turn the bass pickup down a bit, its clear that treble isn't really meant to run on its own.

How do you imagine it would sound if you reversed the pups?

 

[Midas]

I found this beauty yesterday and could not resist:

 

[nbjfkusjzd vghn sznmvxl]

I would like to join the Club !

I have a 2009 mdl. Thunderbird in Sunburst
and
2009 Nikki Sixx Special Edition Thunderbird in Dark Black Cherry

Have been playing....studying now for 16 months.

Thanks !
Craig in Oregon

 

[Dr. Eagle]

Yeah, I think that's the way Thunderbirds are. I control it with my leg so it doesn't fall over. You can also use your right forearm. It takes some minutes to get used to it

I use my right forearm to keep the bass back against me. I also have fret lights on the top of the neck. www.fretfx.com
I have them on all my basses except the SX I just received. I am gonna play that one a bit more before I decide on the investment. The fret lights help a ton for quick reference so I don't need to see the fretboard per se.

 

[snowblinder]

I would like to join the club, as I just picked up an Epiphone Elitist series Thunderbird on Ebay. I had been wanting a Thunderbird for the last several months, but could never warrant spending a ton of money on one, and the Epiphone ones with bolt-on neck and crappy pickups weren't an option, so I kept my eyes peeled for an Orville, Greco, or Ibanez model. Well, this gorgeous Epiphone Elitist showed up on Ebay one day. I noticed it was not a bolt-on neck model, and it had all chrome (nickel?) hardware. It also has a Gibson truss rod cover on it, which isn't a big thing for me, but it admittedly does make it appear a bit more similar to the vintage Thunderbirds, which is what I was lusting for in the first place. It also came with a really heavy-duty hardshell case (HUGE bonus). Anyway...I fell in love with it and knew right away that I wanted it. I sold my SVT, and immediately put the funds from that towards the Thunderbird.

The first day that I had it in hand, I had a bit of a hard time getting used to it. I've played Precision and Jazz Basses all of my life, and this was a whole different beast in terms of how it felt. However, I've had almost a week now to play it constantly, and I'm growing very comfortable with it. All it needs is a setup from my tech because the E string has some buzz on the upper frets, and a new set of my absolute favorite strings, Rotosound Swing 66's. Then, I will plug it into my GK 800RB/VT Bass/Ampeg 8x10 setup and crumble foundations, haha.

I seriously love this bass. Don't think I'll ever get rid of it.

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[TBird1958]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Welcome to club!
Orvilles are fantastic Thunderbirds, I love mine

Here's an undated list for you guys.


TBird1958 #1
Godof Thunder59 #2
Funkster#3
Gibenbackerbass #4
Sidd Laroy #5
Jazzbo58 #6
Tender Prey #7
Showdown #8
The Mojo Hobo #9
Doctorpunch #10
Stiles72 #11
Brenner182 #12
Baird6869 #13
Poorbassist15 #14
PWV #15
Mr Typhus #16
Tracii #17
Aditya #18
amimbari #19
knifedge #20
Nitrofix #21
Atoz #22
bassphreak #23
Seydlitz #24
bassclef112 #25
bassplayer8953 #26
D.M.N. #27
Edhunter #28
kruno maestro #29
Tombowlus #30
Kalik #31
winterburn69 #32
Walter Vega 33
Carlos 840 #34
Shadowtippy #35
Saltymonkey #36
lel95 #37
gaffster787 #38
mc2ny #39
Low Sound Love #40
BrianKrashpad #41
Deep Six #42
BenEd #43
Bassmachine2112 #44
ponkoponk #45
Heatheroo #46
darkside 88 #47
GCool#48
TedhHernstorm #49
Darbo #50
uncletupelo #51
Vaider #52
Rip Topaz #53
bmb73 #54
Badfish #55
Afireinside #56
Redstrand #57
reptyls #58
dabido #59
96tbird #60
whilke #61
JIO #63
thebrain #64
Rob Martinez #65
bazzandeson #66
PhR #67
Dr.Eagle #68
lowend1 #69 Mopar or no car!
Basvarken #70
s mcsleazy #71
Burruss #72
Matty H #73
moonshinegtrs #74
bass lord mutha #75
jumbodbassman #76
davidprice #77
A-Step-Towards #78
birdman14 #79
Quadzilla #80
jbalou02 #81
johnk 10 #82
electrocoyote #83
ih8law #84
muzukman7 #85
3rdcurve #86
rdwil191 #87
BluesBear #88
JAF #89
Swin #90
TBirdie #91
bassplayerbob #92
trevorguns #93
Clammy #94
jammi_fool #95
Molochnik #96
Rocker47 #97
Shark1 #98
BlueTalon #99
Fab Superlative #100
Doragon #5150
ThumpsAlot #102
Doelle #103
AllyDetours #104
Southway #105
mav #106
tw63 #107
Casperrobo #108
Killa #109
roffe #110
SOB H.R.MC #111
icks #112
thepunisher #113
PatQ #114
Venom of God #115
Jirishman #116
Midas #117
GibsonBassCAZ #118
snowblinder #119


Show pics welcome as always

 

[winterburn69]

Been on here awhile, always just too lazy to post a pic. So here it is. Boring Epiphone in vintage sunburst, white pickguard. Nothing exciting, but lots of fun. Strings look weird because I took the pic in the middle of changing strings, which turned into several pics and then later a facebook photo album covering the event.

Anyone ever use flats on a Thunderbird? I know Simon Gallup (The Cure) used to use flats on his StingRays and such back in the '80s, but what about now?

No # for me?

Darn! It didn't copy the picture!

 

[TBird1958]

Whoop....My boo-boo! Winterburn, would you like to bump to the #32 slot? It was a duplication from much earlier.

Meantime you get a random shot of my 1975 Ibanez lawsuit 'Bird - It never got a formal "owner's shot" behind the Subaru