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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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- club thunderbird
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
The Limited Edition Custom Shop Metallic Red Thunderbird was originally part of a Limited run of four custom colors (Metallic Red, Pelham Blue, Alpine White and Ebony) manufactured in Korea from 2005-2007 (as far as I know).
Since the original limited run, both the Metallic Red and Pelham Blue have been reissued in recent years - Only manufactured in China instead.
I personally own two Korean (Ebony and Alpine White), and two Chinese (Metallic Red and Pelham Blue).
Other than the Limited Editions in Silverburst and TV Silver with the chrome hardware of recent years, there was also a limited run of three (Vintage Sunburst, Ebony & Alpine White) with chrome hardware - I believe these were originally for the Asian market, but have seen them available from different international sellers on EBay.
I do have both the Silverburst and TV Silver, but don't have the other three as I don't do chrome, unless it's a limited color I don't already have...
Pictures of my Limited editions were posted during our 12 Days of Christmas postings...
Nearly forgot:
There was also a Limited Edition one-off Pinkburst Epi Thunderbird, that was manufactured for the Pinkburst Project and auctioned away by Jay Jay French (Twisted Sister) for the benefit of The Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation - That's about as rare as rare can be...
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
Happy Birthday Larry, and congrats on an amazing new Thunderbird!
But it looks so nice against your black clothes...
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
Yeah, but needs too much polishing and are magnets for fingerprints...
XD
The sad part is that you're not even really exaggerating much. People love to spread stupid old myths about any instrument that isn't a Fender.
That always confuses me. People love to say it about Rickenbackers, too. I don't think instruments have genres. You can use any bass for just about any music. It might be "unconventional" sounding/looking, but that doesn't mean you can't do it. Chris Brubeck uses a Rickenbacker to play jazz, and Jeff Walker uses a hollowbody in the death metal band Carcass.
I actually think a T-bird would work really well for blues.
Love chrome. Been chroming out my T-bird, just can't find the tuner button shape I want (the tuners are the only remaining black hardware).
I actually prefer non-black basses, because I wear mostly black and so I don't want the instrument to blend visually with my shirt. I do have a black 4003S, but I'm planning on getting it refinished in white. My Peavey looks black in some pictures, but it's actually a dark purple, which still is enough that it doesn't blend with my shirt.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
My NtmBD just so happened today on my birthday. I got home and the box was waiting for me.
Here's some pics that just don't do this metallic red finish justice. It is way more rock and roll than I expected it to be and I'm very happy with it. The sound of course, every bit the growl we expect!
View attachment 1022012
View attachment 1022013
View attachment 1022014
The group shot of my 7 'bird flock.
View attachment 1022015
...and a silly pic that made my daughter laugh.
Larry, you do know the "Fudge Cake" nickname is gonna stick! Forever more I'll be referencing you as Larry Fudge Cake, has a nice ring to it.
Also as a general observation of the location of Bird hangers in your practice studio (and quite possibly applicable to your life as well) - it should be noted..... every stud has a TBird! ... and you sir have many!
Love your Dorthy Bird (the ruby red one)! I don't think I've ever seen another one, is it a stock finish?
On the back of the headstock on mine it says Limited edition Custom shop round in a circle thing . Ill take a pic tomorrow and post it up . I had a tweak on the truss rod today , just to sweeten things up a bit as there was a touch too much relief in the neck . She is playing even better now and the intonation is bang on . So much for the three point bridge being useless 
. On a seperate note , is there a bridge cover available to buy for T birds ? Or have the ones Ive seen been custom made ?
. On a seperate note , is there a bridge cover available to buy for T birds ? Or have the ones Ive seen been custom made ?
- Mar 13, 2008
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- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
On the back of the headstock on mine it says Limited edition Custom shop round in a circle thing . Ill take a pic tomorrow and post it up . I had a tweak on the truss rod today , just to sweeten things up a bit as there was a touch too much relief in the neck . She is playing even better now and the intonation is bang on . So much for the three point bridge being useless
You might PM Scott (GodofThunder59), also Thunderbucker ranch for bridge covers.
Lot's of nonsense gets talked about TBirds.
I have a 2008 TBird as well. I have swapped out the pickups for chromed EY 60s TBird reproductions (Chinabuckers we call them round here)- because I like chrome and they are a little clearer to my ear than the standard Gibson TB+s they put in TBirds.
It is my first choice bass for a our first set because of it's versatility and a TBird makes a visual statement on stage like nothing else. It can do the quiet stuff very nicely while people are eating and as the set progresses and we get rockier, it well..... rocks like a TBird. Later in the night I switch to a Les Paul Double Cut with the small TB+ pickups in the guitar humbucker cases, which crushes.
I posted this the other day after NYE so people have seen it before, but I am actually playing When All Is Said And Done by Toni Childs (second song in) in this pic and the TBird sounded wonderful. The pic caught me as I was playing the E that starts the chorus- sounds so full and warm even while plucking between the pickups.
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My NtmBD just so happened today on my birthday. I got home and the box was waiting for me.
Here's some pics that just don't do this metallic red finish justice. It is way more rock and roll than I expected it to be and I'm very happy with it. The sound of course, every bit the growl we expect!
View attachment 1022012
View attachment 1022013
View attachment 1022014
The group shot of my 7 'bird flock.
View attachment 1022015
...and a silly pic that made my daughter laugh.
Looks great, Larry! No need for Happy Birthday- you look happy!
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
I love white basses - Looks great against all the black on stage...
Happy birthday Larry.
I think the visual aspect is more important for most. The audience mostly doesn't give a flying ... about your tone aslong as it's there, but alot of bass players think you have to play x for genre y, because a Warlock wouldn't fit blues for example.
First thought how chilling cold this has to be in december, then checked your location.
Bought an Aguilar Agro pedal last week that thing does everything I want. Slightly overdriven to absolute fuzz. Only doesn't work well with the Blackbird. I guess the pups are too hot.
Anyone have experience with guitar set ups?
I think the visual aspect is more important for most. The audience mostly doesn't give a flying ... about your tone aslong as it's there, but alot of bass players think you have to play x for genre y, because a Warlock wouldn't fit blues for example.
First thought how chilling cold this has to be in december, then checked your location.
Bought an Aguilar Agro pedal last week that thing does everything I want. Slightly overdriven to absolute fuzz. Only doesn't work well with the Blackbird. I guess the pups are too hot.
Anyone have experience with guitar set ups?
Bird sounds remarkably (unexpectedly?) decent with a bit of chorus applied. Still sounds girthy and solid, even if it's not really recommended for laying down blues progressions.
I don't base any of my decisions off what the least musically aware of the audience thinks.
Just you wait, I'm going to play a warlock in a blues band.
Most Warlocks are really just P-basses, anyway.
Forever more I'll be referencing you as Larry Fudge Cake, has a nice ring to it.
That's good by me but LFC would be easier to type. Also as a general observation of the location of Bird hangers in your practice studio (and quite possibly applicable to your life as well) - it should be noted..... every stud has a TBird! ... and you sir have many!
Hi, my name is Larry Fudge Cake and it's been a week since the last time I used(bought a Tbird).
Group: Hi, Larry Fudge Cake.
Love your Dorthy Bird (the ruby red one)! I don't think I've ever seen another one, is it a stock finish?
She will for now and forever be called, Dorothy and yes it is a Limited run stock finish.
