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Thunderbird Club

#200,122
GBassNorth said:
LOL - thx for the complement!

I’ve never tried the upright but have always deeply admired those that play it well. It’s such an expressive instrument, it can weep like a baby when bowed in an orchestra or scream like a banshee when slapped on stage in a psychoBilly band. In my estimation it takes a lot of talent and technique to get the most out of an upright.

I’ve thought about getting a nice middle of the road upright, but the price for admission and upkeep is pretty darn steep, and to do it right I’d have to take lessons which would be an interesting endeavor for someone who doesn’t read charts. Maybe someday I’ll give it a try, in the meantime I’ll just admire others talent.
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Lessons? What are those! I learned to play upright after college when I found a mostly destroyed old Kay for $150. It had been abused in the New York Public Schools since 1950, and had the engraving on the tuning machine plate to prove it. It lasted for a while until the cat climbed it and knocked the neck loose for the second time. I figured it was a message from God that the old bass needed to be put to sleep. So I demolished it. Fast forward approximately 20 years and there was a reason to take it up again. So I did. Didn't know what I was doing, but that has never stopped me in the past. Now I consider it my primary instrument, although that is likely to change again since the band I was playing it in has fizzled for now.
 
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#200,123
dagrev said:
Nice to see something you can actually work on. Is it normal to feel dirty looking at your car? :laugh:
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yes….:D
upload_2022-3-10_12-53-31.jpeg
 
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#200,124
RedVee said:
Same. I’d love to be able to play an upright. A dinner music foursome would do.
But secretly I’d be dreaming of

View attachment 4615669

View attachment 4615666
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I don't stand on my doghouse. It was too expensive to do that kind of experiment. I do spin it and pick it up to play it like a guitar or lay it over and play it all the way to the ground at times, just to do it. Spinning it has turned into a time keeping device for stop time, but I don't do the other two very often.
 
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#200,129
Gaolee said:
...I learned to play upright after college when I found a mostly destroyed old Kay for $150....It lasted for a while until the cat climbed it and knocked the neck loose for the second time. I figured it was a message from God that the old bass needed to be put to sleep. So I demolished it.
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As in Pete Townsend demolished? That's way cool. Any clips? That would be must see TV! I can see you now swinging that monster around over your head and axing it into the floor. As long as the cat wasn't inside.
 
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#200,132
Gaolee said:
I don't stand on my doghouse. It was too expensive to do that kind of experiment. I do spin it and pick it up to play it like a guitar or lay it over and play it all the way to the ground at times, just to do it. Spinning it has turned into a time keeping device for stop time, but I don't do the other two very often.
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The Tshirt has an image of the guy (Scott Owen) in the pic above. It really captivated me the first time I sat TLE and he started his games.

The Sydney Conservatorium of Music had a teaching program for the general public. (Until the last couple of years).
I was toying with signing up in a few years when I retire. Hire a 1/2 or 3/4 size and have a crack. I’m not sure if the Con has restarted the program now.
 
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#200,133
ozzy138 said:
Thunderbird Club experts...

Ive just discovered a hairline crack on my 30 plus year old T.Bird...
Is it just the paint or has something more problematic occurred underneath?

Help.!!!
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Looks like they've been there a while. It could be serious if it continues. But it's possible that it's just the different sections are shrinking differently, could be some movement in the sections at one time. The finish will be less forgiving and can more likely show cracks that are not of concern. I'd just keep a close eye on it and try to avoid big humidity swings which can make the wood swell and contract a little more. It's not uncommon for there to be small cracks at the "V" joints where the wings are attached. As an example of common cracks that are of no concern.
 
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#200,135
ozzy138 said:
Thunderbird Club experts...

Ive just discovered a hairline crack on my 30 plus year old T.Bird...
Is it just the paint or has something more problematic occurred underneath?

Help.!!!
Click to expand...

The wood is shrinking at different rates, my '89 is doing this too. It's difficult to get a good picture of and the finish hasn't split like yours has.
bCC9Zj8.jpg


In this shot you can see an edge where the walnut has contracted an shrunk, it's evident all over this bass - it used to be a very warm classic white color and has yellowed nicely over it's 33 years - Is it vintage?

f3WcpiG.jpg
 
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#200,137
Gaolee said:
I don't stand on my doghouse. It was too expensive to do that kind of experiment. I do spin it and pick it up to play it like a guitar or lay it over and play it all the way to the ground at times, just to do it. Spinning it has turned into a time keeping device for stop time, but I don't do the other two very often.
Click to expand...


Yes you can have a lot of fun with those and they attract the eye.
 
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#200,139
Gaolee said:
I don't stand on my doghouse. It was too expensive to do that kind of experiment. I do spin it and pick it up to play it like a guitar or lay it over and play it all the way to the ground at times, just to do it. Spinning it has turned into a time keeping device for stop time, but I don't do the other two very often.
Click to expand...
In my mind, your band with you on doghouse looks something like this:
 
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#200,140
TBird1958 said:
The wood is shrinking at different rates, my '89 is doing this too. It's difficult to get a good picture of and the finish hasn't split like yours has.
View attachment 4616408

In this shot you can see an edge where the walnut has contracted an shrunk, it's evident all over this bass - it used to be a very warm classic white color and has yellowed nicely over it's 33 years - Is it vintage?

View attachment 4616409
Click to expand...
they used walnut?
 
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