Thunderbird Club

[JJR58]

Interesting. The only Thunderbird I can remember hearing live besides a modern TB+ one is a Bicentennial when I saw Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet, which didn't sound like it had much low end, at least how Dallas Good had it tuned. Since you've heard mine live, where would you place it in clarity, crispness, punch, etc., among the Lulls and Lollars and such.

Good question.
I'd say they're are much closer to the Lollars.
Lulls will just knock your socks off.
They are totally in their own league.

And surprised about the Bi-Cen.
But maybe @TBird1958 can shed a little light on that.
If not SideWinders, i wouldn't know what they'd be.

But your tone in the second set was spot on.

 

[lidl e]

60’s reverse and NRs are closer in neck feel (NRs sounding better imho)….for the later post 2000 models reverse necks are better tapered…..they sound pretty close however….
View attachment 4867402

Absolutely love it. To me, a top 3 bass.

Oddly enough I've never owned one but I played a reverse as my main for years.

As I mentioned above I'm just getting back into it semi seriously and my wife said of I keep it up I can replace my t-bird I regrettably sold.

If that happens, I would seriously consider the NR over the "regular"

 

[JIO]

Interesting to see what’s under the silks. Pretty scary looking, but if it works it works! Not sure I’d want to do a slide up to that zero fret. Actually I’ve never played a zero fret, no idea how that works or what it offers.


My goodness - he’s gone Rogue!
Bottoms up buddy!

The concept of a zero fret sonically is like having a brass or aluminum nut - it offers a chime-y distinction/edge to the tone being steel on steel. The 'string guide' (looks like a nut) only serves to keep the strings aligned. Functionally, the zero fret is set at a height just above the 1st fret so constant string to string. Many basses & guitars in the '60s had zero frets and they are making somewhat of a comeback of late.

'63 Burns of London Vista Sonic med-scale - zero fret is the string break, where a standard nut would be.

My UK made '67 WEM Watkins 24 fret short-scale also has one - it was more of a Euro & Japanese thing, only a few US brands used it. (Ampeg Scroll bass / Silvertone guitar were a couple)

 

[BklynKen]

Good question.
I'd say they're are much closer to the Lollars.
Lulls will just knock your socks off.
They are totally in their own league.

And surprised about the Bi-Cen.
But maybe @TBird1958 can shed a little light on that.
If not SideWinders, i wouldn't know what they'd be.

But your tone in the second set was spot on.

First video is cool just because. Second sounds clearer. I just read that Dallas Good passed away in Feb. at 48.

 

[dagrev]

For me it would be a pinky snapper. I'm sure I'd forget to remove my finger when moving the bass.

It works for him and has paid off, but would be a stupid idea for me. I'd just give up cartwheels. But that's just me.

 

[dagrev]

I'd also look at SD's TBird pick ups.

Wonder how they differ? Mind buying a set to help us out?

 

[JJR58]

Wonder how they differ? Mind buying a set to help us out?

 

[GBassNorth]

Is the neck profile on the non-reverse thunderbird exactly the same as the reversed?
I know the NR is set neck compared to the neck through on the reversed.
I'd consider a non reverse it played and sounded the same.

If you’re talking modern thunderbirds the answer is no, they are not the same neck profile. The 2021 NR has a slightly rounder and thicker (front to back) neck than the current standard reverse Tbird.

Does a modern NR play the same as a modern Reverse - I don’t feel any noticeable difference in playability between the two basses. Both have relatively thin fast necks. And both have gloss finishes on the neck. Frets appear to be about the same size as well. Reach is about the same on both basses. I think the reverse sits a bit better in my lap when playing seated than a NR and I think the NR hangs slightly different as well, maybe a tad more to the left, which might feel like a slightly longer reach when standing.

Does a modern NR sound the same as a modern reverse - they’re both in the same ballpark, with the Reverse a tiny bit warmer and darker and the NR a tiny bit more aggressive (but not as much as the Epiphone VP).

That's it. I was looking at a freshly emptied bottle and thought ...I could do something with that.

It works great! Been a while since I had one of those beers, a friend from Portland brought some down last time he visited.

The concept of a zero fret sonically is like having a brass or aluminum nut - it offers a chime-y distinction/edge to the tone being steel on steel. The 'string guide' (looks like a nut) only serves to keep the strings aligned. Functionally, the zero fret is set at a height just above the 1st fret so constant string to string. Many basses & guitars in the '60s had zero frets and they are making somewhat of a comeback of late.

'63 Burns of London Vista Sonic med-scale - zero fret is the string break, where a standard nut would be.
View attachment 4867399
My UK made '67 WEM Watkins 24 fret short-scale also has one - it was more of a Euro & Japanese thing, only a few US brands used it. (Ampeg Scroll bass / Silvertone guitar were a couple)
View attachment 4867401 View attachment 4867405 View attachment 4867407

Thanks for the enlightenment. That actually makes a lot of sense.
I do find myself favoring the fifth fret of a lower string vs an open string on some of my basses where there’s a significant difference in sound. My basses with brass nuts sound pretty close to a fretted note, the other nuts seem to be hit or miss.

 

[dagrev]

For those interested I posted a demo of this bass in genpop.

I rarely go over there. Those people ain't right and some are just scary.

 

[bobyoung53]

I found them thanks to an old thread here, I assume these aren't Thunderbird pickups then? I have Lollars in my 2018 thunderbird but it's been so damn long since I played it I can't compare them to my NR pickups in my mind, they sounded good though.


Hawkbucker

Edit: I have Lulls in my 2018 Thunderbird.

 

[lidl e]

If you’re talking modern thunderbirds the answer is no, they are not the same neck profile. The 2021 NR has a slightly rounder and thicker (front to back) neck than the current standard reverse Tbird.

Does a modern NR play the same as a modern Reverse - I don’t feel any noticeable difference in playability between the two basses. Both have relatively thin fast necks. And both have gloss finishes on the neck. Frets appear to be about the same size as well. Reach is about the same on both basses. I think the reverse sits a bit better in my lap when playing seated than a NR and I think the NR hangs slightly different as well, maybe a tad more to the left, which might feel like a slightly longer reach when standing.

Does a modern NR sound the same as a modern reverse - they’re both in the same ballpark, with the Reverse a tiny bit warmer and darker and the NR a tiny

Would an early-mid 90s be considered a modern thunderbird? I suppose it would compared to pre 76?

 

[dagrev]

The concept of a zero fret sonically is like having a brass or aluminum nut - it offers a chime-y distinction/edge to the tone being steel on steel. The 'string guide' (looks like a nut) only serves to keep the strings aligned. Functionally, the zero fret is set at a height just above the 1st fret so constant string to string. Many basses & guitars in the '60s had zero frets and they are making somewhat of a comeback of late.

'63 Burns of London Vista Sonic med-scale - zero fret is the string break, where a standard nut would be.
View attachment 4867399
My UK made '67 WEM Watkins 24 fret short-scale also has one - it was more of a Euro & Japanese thing, only a few US brands used it. (Ampeg Scroll bass / Silvertone guitar were a couple)
View attachment 4867401 View attachment 4867405 View attachment 4867407

My 2011 Regenerate has one. First I recall seeing, certainly owning.

 

[dagrev]

No, seriously Jeff. Buy a set. We need to know.

 

[JJR58]

No, seriously Jeff. Buy a set. We need to know.

I've got a recent purchase coming.
It'll be a while before i can score some pick ups.

 

[JIO]

My 2011 Regenerate has one. First I recall seeing, certainly owning.
View attachment 4867428
View attachment 4867429

Yep, like I said - it's being used again. Nice bass! Bet it sounds great - I like the pu combination.

 

[dagrev]

Would an early-mid 90s be considered a modern thunderbird? I suppose it would compared to pre 76?

Yes, in my book. Everything that's not a '60s something is modern to me.
All modern, including the '76 (2nd from the Right) are modern but the '64 on the far Right.

 

[lidl e]

Yes, in my book. Everything that's not a '60s something is modern to me.
All modern, including the '76 (2nd from the Right) are modern but the '64 on the far Right.
View attachment 4867434

Amazing. You're my kind of guy.

What are those bridges? I'm certain mine had a bridge like the second one.

 

[BklynKen]

Does a modern NR sound the same as a modern reverse - they’re both in the same ballpark, with the Reverse a tiny bit warmer and darker and the NR a tiny bit more aggressive (but not as much as the Epiphone VP).

That's a hard one because we have two modern NRs. The 2013 has the same TB+ as the Reverse. The 2021's we know are different.

 

[dagrev]

Yep, like I said - it's being used again. Nice bass! Bet it sounds great - I like the pu combination.

Thanks. I got it as a trade and some money on a Ric. Best trade I think I ever made. I love it. In talking to the builder, most were left handed and had pickguards. I think there are only two in the states without, mine and one (at that time) in AZ. Quality is fantastic.
Info:
This build is part of Renerate's Heritage Series™– Optimizing the vintage styling and sound of the classic electric basses introduced in the 1950’s. Lovingly produced with a ton of thought and quality.

Heritage Plus™ 4 Extreme- “NAMM 2011 s/n #RH....”

· Select Swamp Ash body with forearm & tummy contour, 3/8″R edge round over-
· Eastern Maple 21-fret neck w/dual carbon fiber stiffening bars
· 12″R Maple fretboard, zero-fret, vintage tint satin finish, 1-5/8″ nut width
· Nordstrand SCPB (neck) + Big Single (bridge) pickups
· Nordstrand 2-band 18v pre-amp (Vol – Blend – Passive tone – active Bass/Treble)
· Hipshot Ultralight tuners (with a Drop-D)
· Hipshot bridge
· All Chrome hardware

All Heritage™ Series necks are expertly crafted from seasoned hardwoods selected for proper grain orientation. Note that the volume knob is push/pull – the knob in the up(pull) position operates as a preamp bypass, enabling studio recording in passive mode as most engineers prefer.

 

[dagrev]

Amazing. You're my kind of guy.

What are those bridges? I'm certain mine had a bridge like the second one.

I've got a couple more, but no entire family pic.

Typical mid 70s 3-Point bridge that Gibson began using again around '89 (help me someone, I'm likely off on that date).