Thunderbird Club

[Miles_ONeal]

A fully restored "Thunderbird" B-17G 42-38050

There's not a pic is there? If so, I'm unfortunately not seeing it.

I wasn't at first. had to reload and wait a bit. I think videos from Imgur must have to fully load first or something.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Oh yes I did ! I'm hopeless really. I'm a hack bassist and definitely a hack guitarist. Yes it has those pesky two extra strings but it's so beautiful.View attachment 4761667

I'd hold out for a VII.

 

[GonePlaid]

I wasn't at first. had to reload and wait a bit. I think videos from Imgur must have to fully load first or something.

Considering the purpose for which it was built, a beautiful airplane. IMNSHO.

 

[GonePlaid]

It's getting late in the EDT zone. I'm gonna sign out in the language of the city of my birth(Miami): Hasta la later.

 

[JIO]

Well, I dug out the "Rockbass" gig bag. Kinda skimpy on protection. Might be OK to take the 67 to the shop(last time I used the bag), but not to a gig. Then I dug out the keyboard case(yeah, I still have it). It's more unwieldy than the Coffin(TM) case. So. Back to the effing drawing board.

Gig-bag to (wait for it...) the gig. HSC in storage. One word - Mono.

 

[JIO]

My last driving(18 wheelers)gig was for a contract carrier for USPS. Considering the incredible amount of [stuff] they handle daily, they do a dang good job of getting [stuff] moved in a timely manner. And cheaper than either FedMess or Buster Brown.

If a body or neck - USPS... if a bass in HSC - UPS.

 

[JIO]

It's getting late in the EDT zone. I'm gonna sign out in the language of the city of my birth(Miami): Hasta la later.

sweet dreams as is said...

 

[GBassNorth]

Why I have stuck with EBCFs on mine.

On a related note - I played musical strings today to shake things up a bit and play to the strengths of each bass.
- La Bella Black Tapes removed from 2015 bird and SIT Power Steel SS rounds put on - sounds good, not stellar.
- EBCFs removed from the China Goth and Black Tapes from the 2015 installed - SOUNDS FREAKING AWESOME
- Chrome Flats removed from the BaCH Bird and EBCFs from the Goth installed - huge improvement over the chromes

Detailed Observations
SITs - nice sounding string, surprisingly little zing for a stainless round, dirt cheap, could easily substitute for a nickel round wound in a pinch. Very well balanced, still fine tuning the pickup heights on the 2015 to get the most out of this string. So far so good but need more time with them to finalize an opinion. Nothing jumping out at this time to make me think this is the best string for this bass, but not bad strings at all, so far a good middle of the road string at a bargain basement price.

La Bella Black Tapes - nearly every bass I’ve installed these on sounds better than whatever strings were on that bass before. I truly love EBCF strings, so I didn’t expect there to be any improvement in sound with the tapes. I was completely wrong! The tapes on the Goth ARE THE BOMB, I can’t imagine a better sounding string for this bass. Thick sweet lows, wonderful mids and crisp but not harsh highs. Almost piano like in the upper registers. Effortless playing with the light gauge and exceptionally expressive on attack, decay, bends and vibrato. Trust me, if you have a Goth put a .022 tone cap in it and slap some tapes on for a near Greco like experience.

EBCF - what can I say about these that hasn’t been said. Fantastic strings! To my ears they are the best sounding flat on the market and possibly one of the more round wound sounding flats out there. They seem to last a good long time and so far haven’t bothered my fingers at all (seems some are sensitive to the metal or possibly the surface roughness). I haven’t found a bass yet that these don’t sound good on.

Chrome flats - just not my cup of tea I guess. Pretty bright for a flat and seem to have a high mid focus. Nice and smooth, stiff but not too stiff. Don’t see myself buying any more of these, not even sure I want to put them on any other bass just yet, shame because they are a decent string and only lightly used. Outside chance I might try them on the 2015 bird if the SITs don’t work out.

 

[godofthunder59]

In the early spring I provided Mike Watt a new pg for his iconic Nonreverse Thunderbird bluey. Mike wanted the bass ready for a recording session. I sent along a Badbird Bridge but the anchors were so rusted installation had to wait till after the tour. I just heard from Mike this AM and man does this put a smile on my face

 

[PhR75]

A transistor and 12-string tuesday, aye?

Went to the rehearsal space today and dusted off the Waterstone TP-2 for a quick try-out (it's been months since I played it). It's wired in stereo so I plugged the neck pickup into the L4 and ran the bridge pickup into an overdriven L2.Why not the Hiwatt? I didn't have any powercords there. I didn't even have a pick in my pocket but the Waterstone's neck is so wide (52mm at the saddle) so it's quite easy to play fingerstyle too which I don't usually do with the 12-string.
Some stupid riffage and noodling but if one has to make a glorious racket an octave stringed bass with multiple amps is a good choice for that.
[This invalid link has been removed]

 

[dagrev]

Oh yes I did ! I'm hopeless really. I'm a hack bassist and definitely a hack guitarist. Yes it has those pesky two extra strings but it's so beautiful.View attachment 4761667

What's the motto? Repeat after me: "Buy it."
See, that was easy enough.
You're welcome and be sure and tell us how it plays!

 

[dagrev]

Do you play with a pick?

Yes, about 60/70% of the time now. Used to be the other way around, but have been enjoying the change.

 

[icefly]

Guys, to upgrade original Epiphone IV tuners, what options are plug and play?
Which do not need new drilling.

Maybe:
Hipshot Ultralite 3/8" (or 1/2")
Gotoh RES-O-LITE GB350
Other
?

 

[icefly]

The ones who answer my question, will be fully granted with PBass project pic, on Burgundy Mist

Last week


Yesterday (very first paint coat)

 

[WillyW]

I'd hold out for a VII.

that’s too many Roman numbres, I prefer a I.

 

[PhR75]

The ones who answer my question, will be fully granted with PBass project pic, on Burgundy Mist

Last week


Yesterday (very first paint coat)

Tele with two pickups will sound great. How did you decide the bridge pickup placement?

 

[JJR58]

The ones who answer my question, will be fully granted with PBass project pic, on Burgundy Mist

Last week


Yesterday (very first paint coat)

Love the bridge p'up placement, it'll be real punchy.

 

[PaleAngel_90]

Do any of you guys know of bands whose bassist plays Epiphone Thunderbird IV or G Thunderbird (as basic as possible, no mods) I'd like to look up bands, suggestions appreciated.

 

[dagrev]

A transistor and 12-string tuesday, aye?
View attachment 4761902

Went to the rehearsal space today and dusted off the Waterstone TP-2 for a quick try-out (it's been months since I played it). It's wired in stereo so I plugged the neck pickup into the L4 and ran the bridge pickup into an overdriven L2.Why not the Hiwatt? I didn't have any powercords there. I didn't even have a pick in my pocket but the Waterstone's neck is so wide (52mm at the saddle) so it's quite easy to play fingerstyle too which I don't usually do with the 12-string.
Some stupid riffage and noodling but if one has to make a glorious racket an octave stringed bass with multiple amps is a good choice for that.
[This invalid link has been removed]

We have libraries in the states. How about a tour here?

 

[dagrev]

The ones who answer my question, will be fully granted with PBass project pic, on Burgundy Mist

Last week


Yesterday (very first paint coat)

I love that color.