Thunderbird Club

[Stealth57]

Before I throw the switch and risk smoking some good chit...I mean vintage amps, can I get a verification that what I understood last time is correct?

Bass into input 1 on my Music Man Sixty-five (connected to both the MM 115rh and Trace Elliot 2103h)
Input 2 on my Music Man Sixty-five into my Zoom B3n
Zoom B3n into the input on my Sunn Concert Bass (connected to the 215m)

The only thing extra is I put the Zoom in the loop as it is my plug in tuner and could also give me some sound options on the 215m cabinet.

View attachment 4885955

Well, it works. Obviously, you need to mess with volume on the amps to get the right balance. The problem is there is a lot of hiss introduced to the Sunn that isn’t there when plugged straight in.

 

[Gaolee]

here are the Pictures. Redish one is the 09 one



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The black neck plate is probably a replacement for some reason. That is where the serial number would have been.

 

[GBassNorth]

let’s do this!!
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Looks like a Curlee on stage. How’d she do?

 

[GBassNorth]

Yes, let’s!View attachment 4886011

Nice Ric! Bet it sounds great through that Ampeg stack.

 

[GBassNorth]

Well, it works. Obviously, you need to mess with volume on the amps to get the right balance. The problem is there is a lot of hiss introduced to the Sunn that isn’t there when plugged straight in.

I still say plug that bass into an ABY box with A into one amp/cab stack (clean) and B into the other amp/cab stack along with whatever sound shaping pedals you like. Would probably sound glorious!

 

[foal30]

Hi

advice wanted please

I have a young student who is full noise on rock music. His parents want to buy him a new bass for Xmas

I can get a second hand Epiphone Thunderbird here in NZ. Any options on their merits? Thanks

 

[foal30]

I played a friends Gibson Thunderbird maybe 20-25 years back. Pretty much h I’m in the dark on these instruments

 

[GBassNorth]

Hi

advice wanted please

I have a young student who is full noise on rock music. His parents want to buy him a new bass for Xmas

I can get a second hand Epiphone Thunderbird here in NZ. Any options on their merits? Thanks

The Epiphone Thunderbird is a rock solid bass and from a looks standpoint certainly well suited for rock music. From a sound standpoint they work very well with just about every genre of music out there. I use all my thunderbirds for everything from rock to jazz to country, blues and even classical music.

It should be noted, it’s not a small instrument like a short scale Squier Jaguar or Mustang or Bronco bass, and could be a bit harder to play for a young student from an ergonomics standpoint. If your student is under 5 feet tall it’ll be a long reach to first position. If that’s not an issue then the thunderbird is a great choice for beginners as well as seasoned players.

I personally like the Korean built Thunderbirds a bit more than the made in China models but either one can be a great instrument. Epiphone also has a Goth model Thunderbird (all satin black, voiced a bit darker than a standard Tbird) that I personally like a bit more than the standard version. Those were made in China and Korea as well. You’ll find that the used Epiphone Thunderbird IV (both China and Korea models) and the Goth (both China and Korea models) all run about the same price on the used market.

Things to look for on used models - tuners that are imprecise, basses that are neck heavy and hard to balance with a standard bass strap, and bridge body inserts that have pulled out of the body. There are inexpensive fixes for each of those things but as with any used bass purchase, it’s best to find one without issues. Your student will probably love a nice clean used Tbird and as a bass player will stand out (both visually and sonically) in a sea of Jazz and Precision basses.

 

[MCF]

Can't get much more awesome than this song - (who cares what bass was played...)

One of the first songs I ever learned! As I’ve said before, McVie was my “teacher.” Fleetwood Mac was huge in Santa Barbara from early on. I played along with The Pious Bird and Then Play On. Drop and lift the stylus over and over….it’s so much easier now.

 

[icefly]

Have a nice week

 

[MCF]

The Epiphone Thunderbird is a rock solid bass and from a looks standpoint certainly well suited for rock music. From a sound standpoint they work very well with just about every genre of music out there. I use all my thunderbirds for everything from rock to jazz to country, blues and even classical music.

It should be noted, it’s not a small instrument like a short scale Squier Jaguar or Mustang or Bronco bass, and could be a bit harder to play for a young student from an ergonomics standpoint. If your student is under 5 feet tall it’ll be a long reach to first position. If that’s not an issue then the thunderbird is a great choice for beginners as well as seasoned players.

I personally like the Korean built Thunderbirds a bit more than the made in China models but either one can be a great instrument. Epiphone also has a Goth model Thunderbird (all satin black, voiced a bit darker than a standard Tbird) that I personally like a bit more than the standard version. Those were made in China and Korea as well. You’ll find that the used Epiphone Thunderbird IV (both China and Korea models) and the Goth (both China and Korea models) all run about the same price on the used market.

Things to look for on used models - tuners that are imprecise, basses that are neck heavy and hard to balance with a standard bass strap, and bridge body inserts that have pulled out of the body. There are inexpensive fixes for each of those things but as with any used bass purchase, it’s best to find one without issues. Your student will probably love a nice clean used Tbird and as a bass player will stand out (both visually and sonically) in a sea of Jazz and Precision basses.

Agreed. I love my Epi bolt-ons!

 

[MCF]

One of the first songs I ever learned! As I’ve said before, McVie was my “teacher.” Fleetwood Mac was huge in Santa Barbara from early on. I played along with The Pious Bird and Then Play On. Drop and lift the stylus over and over….it’s so much easier now.

And this….

 

[Stealth57]

I still say plug that bass into an ABY box with A into one amp/cab stack (clean) and B into the other amp/cab stack along with whatever sound shaping pedals you like. Would probably sound glorious!

Phase 3, the B3n has 2 outputs. I’ll give that a try. ABY will be phase 4 if that doesn’t work.

 

[Engle]

Nice Ric! Bet it sounds great through that Ampeg stack.

It’s a 70’s MIJ copy, but I love it. Sound on stage was fat and juicy! I run the Mesa on it’s 2 ohm setting to reduce the output.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

The Epiphone Thunderbird is a rock solid bass and from a looks standpoint certainly well suited for rock music. From a sound standpoint they work very well with just about every genre of music out there. I use all my thunderbirds for everything from rock to jazz to country, blues and even classical music.

It should be noted, it’s not a small instrument like a short scale Squier Jaguar or Mustang or Bronco bass, and could be a bit harder to play for a young student from an ergonomics standpoint. If your student is under 5 feet tall it’ll be a long reach to first position. If that’s not an issue then the thunderbird is a great choice for beginners as well as seasoned players.

I personally like the Korean built Thunderbirds a bit more than the made in China models but either one can be a great instrument. Epiphone also has a Goth model Thunderbird (all satin black, voiced a bit darker than a standard Tbird) that I personally like a bit more than the standard version. Those were made in China and Korea as well. You’ll find that the used Epiphone Thunderbird IV (both China and Korea models) and the Goth (both China and Korea models) all run about the same price on the used market.

Things to look for on used models - tuners that are imprecise, basses that are neck heavy and hard to balance with a standard bass strap, and bridge body inserts that have pulled out of the body. There are inexpensive fixes for each of those things but as with any used bass purchase, it’s best to find one without issues. Your student will probably love a nice clean used Tbird and as a bass player will stand out (both visually and sonically) in a sea of Jazz and Precision basses.

An excellent summary. That was my first bass, and all I played for several years. When I finish modding it (just because I love doing that), I expect to play it plenty more.

 

[JJR58]

Phase 3, the B3n has 2 outputs. I’ll give that a try. ABY will be phase 4 if that doesn’t work.

Way back I used to really be into the whole mix and match thing.
I’m happy with one rig that can do it all.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

And this….

I soooo wish I could have seen this version of FM. Another all time fave song. This and Oh Well were the first two FM songs I tried to learn on guitar. This one was easier than Oh Well. Fast lead was never my forte.

 

[Engle]

One of the first songs I ever learned! As I’ve said before, McVie was my “teacher.” Fleetwood Mac was huge in Santa Barbara from early on. I played along with The Pious Bird and Then Play On. Drop and lift the stylus over and over….it’s so much easier now.

Guitarist and I were talking about this the other day. He used to use a reel to reel to slow down music to learn it. Now youtube allows you to change the playback speed.

 

[Stealth57]

Way back I used to really be into the whole mix and match thing.
I’m happy with one rig that can do it all.
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But running 3 15s at the same time does have the piss off the neighborhood vibe

 

[GBassNorth]

Way back I used to really be into the whole mix and match thing.
I’m happy with one rig that can do it all.
View attachment 4886351

That 322 is just a beast in every sense of the word! I’d bet Jim Bergantino has killed more cab related GAS than just about any cab builder out there. Seems like once you get one you realize that it just isn’t gonna get any better.