Thunderbird Club

[ThaCoast]

@Nocturnal question of your spector bird: what are the body specs, measurement wise? Curious to know how oversized i went with my torched thunderbird

 

[dagrev]

Well, I wasn’t going to admit paying to get the membership, if that’s what you mean!

Another one got away.....

 

[dagrev]

It’s Thursday. Someone give me the bird! (Pictures)

 

[JJR58]

It’s Thursday. Someone give me the bird! (Pictures)

 

[MCF]

It’s Thursday. Someone give me the bird! (Pictures)

Ok. TT!

 

[Engle]

Over a year ago, my brother was all hot and bothered to learn Taxman. I said "Yeah, really cool, let's do it!" I went ahead and learned the bass part and learned to play along with the track. Of course, he ends up saying "there are all these weird b7 chords I have to learn to play it, so I haven't gotten around to it". Fast forward to a few weeks ago -"hey I can play Taxman. Have you learned it yet?". Well, yeah, but I have also had the hand surgery since then...

So the last couple of weeks I have worked on it. I am not up to the same speed as the Beatles, anymore. It is more difficult to play and it slows me down. It really comes down to as much as I am adjusting to the new way my index finger works, it is tough for playing. But we have discussed it and we can play it slower.

That makes me think about the arrangement. I have re-learned it playing it on the D standard Thunderbird, rather than on an E standard bass. So it has a darker tone to it. Maybe more of a Queen's of the Stoneage or maybe Kings X vibe to it. I'm now thinking about trying it on the BEAD tuned EB3.

When we get a chance to play together I will report on how it sounds with a more angry tone to it.

Getting to the point. I wonder if I will ever be able to play like I could. I have to think about making my index finger work and it doesn't work like it used to. I think I need something to help with muting as when I play a low G the high G string will rings as I can't mute it like I used. Getting old and having body parts need repair sucks. But I'm making the most of it, no sympathy - just getting on with things as much as I can.

When I think of the bass line in Taxman, it sounds like a short scale bass with flatwounds played in the upper register.
I can’t remember if you have a short scale, but that and lighter strings may be the way to go.
I’m really enjoying this one:

 

[dagrev]

Ok. TT!
View attachment 4641458

Nice pair.... Ever consider black tapes for the PB NR? You may not want that sound, but tapes do go great with all that black hardware. I can't picture taking the LaBellas off my '06. I like the sound and feel. Makes my nicest playing bass (tied with the '64) even better.

 

[dagrev]

When I think of the bass line in Taxman, it sounds like a short scale bass with flatwounds played in the upper register.
I can’t remember if you have a short scale, but that and lighter strings may be the way to go.
I’m really enjoying this one:
View attachment 4641482

I think I messed up in not getting one when one retailer had them marked down (for some reason). Really low for a US made Gibson.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Yeah, I think the series II BaCHs had slightly thicker bodies and no belly cut, but the trade of was a lot of the early ones with belly cuts were butcher blocks with veneers IIRC. The later series were either one or two pieces I think, maybe three, but solid mahogany. Mine is Series II I believe, though I had JohnK put a belly curve on it to make it more accurate. Never noticed the lack of contour on my Greco though.

kinda butcher (series II) blockish but only under the right light….would have had it refinished already if it wasn’t for that cherry finish looking so good under ambient light…

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Nice pair.... Ever consider black tapes for the PB NR? You may not want that sound, but tapes do go great with all that black hardware. I can't picture taking the LaBellas off my '06. I like the sound and feel. Makes my nicest playing bass (tied with the '64) even better.

or even those black steel rounds you so graciously sent…..

 

[MCF]

Nice pair.... Ever consider black tapes for the PB NR? You may not want that sound, but tapes do go great with all that black hardware. I can't picture taking the LaBellas off my '06. I like the sound and feel. Makes my nicest playing bass (tied with the '64) even better.

Thanks! But nope. I’m addicted to stainless steel rounds. SIT Power Steels on that one and Dunlop Marcus Miller stainless steel Superbrights on the ‘21. This week during vacation at the beach, I found the secret sauce for a vintage tone from the ‘21 through my little Rumble 25 travel amp. Not what I get from the Mesa rig, but really nice tone for shedding in a condo.

Volume at 8:30. Overdrive engaged. Contour engaged. Bass at 11:00; mids and highs around 4:00. Tone on the Thunderbird at 8 1/2 and volume adjusted equally around 3 to 4. Good times.

 

[MCF]

I think I messed up in not getting one when one retailer had them marked down (for some reason). Really low for a US made Gibson.

Yeah. For a couple weeks there you could have bought one for $600. A lot of us messed up on that one.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I've had fretting had problems before too, takes some work (and time) to get through. After four of my left-hand fingers got cut ~20 years ago, I didn't think I'd ever be able to play properly again, and sold off all my stuff (which was stupid.... ).

Took years before I had enough mobility, strength, & feeling in the ends of my fingers to start re-learning to play (still a work in progress ), and the end of my left index finger still has issues sometimes.


But I have more fun playing now, than I did before, so there's that, I guess

sorry to hear…happy you overcame…

 

[TBird1958]

Tummy cut, angled neck heel and reshaped backside of the lower Bout on my Lull.

It has a very nice arm carve as well, just below my right hand.

Gratuitous red dress shot.

 

[Gaolee]

I've not ever had a single issue with Cobalt flats.
But i do have alien claws and sweat to prevent any string from harming me.
The strings haven't done a thing to any of my basses.

Same, except that my body chemistry doesn't dissolve glass.

 

[GBassNorth]

Both of my VPs have them.

You’re right, I recalled incorrectly. Like I said, I really don’t pay any attention to the belly cut on any bass I own. Never felt it made any difference with how the bass hangs on me.

View attachment 4641457

So are you sporting the latest trend in reverse intonation on that VP?

 

[MCF]

Tummy cut, angled neck heel and reshaped backside of the lower Bout on my Lull.

View attachment 4641533

It has a very nice arm carve as well, just below my right hand.

Gratuitous red dress shot.
View attachment 4641534

That looks like it is really comfortable (the bass, not the dress)!

 

[dagrev]

or even those black steel rounds you so graciously sent…..

View attachment 4641519

Ha! Hope you enjoy them or at least know if they were something to explore. Yeah, that would be a great option as well. But I like those tapes a lot better for my purposes.

 

[GBassNorth]

It’s Thursday. Someone give me the bird! (Pictures)

Here ya go, I’ll flip ya eight of ‘em…

 

[TBird1958]

That looks like it is really comfortable (the bass, not the dress)!

It's not pants, so of course it's comfortable!
The Bird is too, but still always wear some wristbands when I play live.