Thunderbird Club

[RedVee]

By the serial # it's a 21. 7 lbs, 1 ounce.

Wow, that’s light!

 

[GonePlaid]

My luthier removed the bridge on the one that wouldn't intonation. Put in a dowel, redrilled, used touch up paint, and didn't charge me because he had it 2 months. I gave him a bottle of Jack though.

He prolly needed it.

 

[GonePlaid]

Wow, that’s light!

Yeah. Hope they didn't leave sumpin' out.

 

[Thumper]

Nope, my lightest is 7 lbs 5 ozs

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

My Birds are celebrating

View attachment 4907121

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Yes - coincidentally, my x-mas/70th b-day present to myself (thank you myself!) will be here on Tuesday.., (hint; it's not a bass)

View attachment 4907111

Are you sure?

 

[PhR75]

Any Max Webster fans here? My friend is finally getting his book done. Pre-order links here:
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[Chucky Stiletti]

something so satisfying about bringing classic audio gear back to life after sitting on a shelf for half a century…..

 

[JIO]

What matters is that it gets the job done, no?

Absolutely! A new bike is a wonderful thing!

 

[PaleAngel_90]

A fellow went to Israel and visited all the religious sites. When he came back to America, a friend asked him if he'd seen the wailing wall. Yes, he had. His friend asked him what he thought of it. He replied "it was like talking to a wall". Same situation. At some point I realized he was gonna do it his way. Okee-dokee.

Why do you torture yourself by staying with someone either incapable/unwilling to adapt to other musical genres? I truly don't understand it...

 

[Bassmike62]

Thanks! I plan to! It's a cross-bike, a type I've never owned or ridden. Very similar to a road-bike, but with a slightly higher bottom-bracket, wider tyres and center-pull brakes. It's an "antique" (from '06) but in like new condition. A modern version would be all carbon (this one is aluminum/carbon), have disc-brakes, 26 gears (mine has 20) and electronic shifting... and cost close to 10k... This one is nowhere near that price.

Yeah, bike prices been bat-$poopie crazy for the last couple of years. I'll still be keeping my '13 aloooominum frame for a while and continue putting my money on valuables like pedals, strings and tubes and related accessories like basses and amps .

What do you call that bird?

A FenderBird: Thunderbird body and Fender neck. In my case, I use Jazz necks, but John Entwhistle, who basically invented the concept, used Precision necks exclusively, AFAIK. I don't have big hands, so Jazz necks are more comfortable. I have a 2nd FenderBird on the way, also with a Fender Aerodyne neck, but with an Epi Goth body refinn'd white, while keeping the black logo. I've owned various Gibson and Epiphone Birds in the last 6 years and that longer neck is tough for me to play. On the other hand, I can't NOT have a Thunderbird, so FenderBirds are the logical compromise.

Love that bass!

Thx Irv .

 

[GonePlaid]

Why do you torture yourself by staying with someone either incapable/unwilling to adapt to other musical genres? I truly don't understand it...

Most of the time it's fun. I like playing out and watching our audience enjoying themselves. And there isn't much call for 77 y/o bass players.

 

[dagrev]

Nice! You tried the Power Steels on the '64 and didn't like them as much? Too bright?

They were brighter than I was used to--but not too bright or harsh by any means. They just seemed to lack something in the mids that added some punch that I was used to hearing as I recall. These had been played so they had settled in by that time. At some point I will likely put a set on again until they fade just for another flavor. They were in no way dissatisfying, there are just two strings that sound a tiny percent better to my ear and for my purposes. I don't recall if you mentioned you tried the Power Wounds of late or not, but if you can find a set cheap it may be worth giving them a try. Don't let this sway you, but in some ways that have that good tonal characteristics of Boomers--full and punchy.

 

[Thumper]

Most of the time it's fun. I like playing out and watching our audience enjoying themselves. And there isn't much call for 77 y/o bass players.

You're my hero, I hope I'm still gigging in 7 years. Why don't we chip in and help a brother out and gift whatever to get him into that Ultralight Epi Embassy? This isn't charity, it's appreciation. I'm in for $20 if you PM me your PayPal.

 

[GonePlaid]

You're my hero, I hope I'm still gigging in 7 years. Why don't we chip in and help a brother out and gift whatever to get him into that Ultralight Epi Embassy? This isn't charity, it's appreciation. I'm in for $20 if you PM me your PayPal.

Thanks for the thought. I can afford it, but I've come to the realization that my 'collection' of 4(67 NR TBird, Les Paul 5er, Ibanez semi-hollow, and Epi EB-0[backup])is sufficient. I might spring for the Embassy just so I can stop risking further damage to the 'Bird.

 

[dagrev]

I have a chance to score one of these(see pic)for ~1/4 the price of a 2021 NR. IIRC, a coupla y'all have one. My obvious question: how's the neck compared to a 60s 'Bird?
View attachment 4907491

I bought one of those a few months back as a donor bass for a NR build I was planning (before the NR body supplier bailed on me). I hated to scavenge parts off it because it looked and played so nice. The neck had the best action I’ve ever achieved on any bass I’ve ever owned. The overall sound was a bit darker and mellower than my VP bird, but still very good (I think it’s wired differently). IIRC the bass was a bit neck heavy but overall lighter than my VP. Anything at or around $300 for a used one is a fair price.

The only watch out I’m aware of on these basses is there was one model year where the bridge was placed incorrectly and it was difficult to intonate the E string. I think mine might have been from that year. I was able to intonate with no problem, but had very little room left to move the E string saddle if I needed it. Here’s the model I had…
View attachment 4907524

Here’s the husk, it’s for sale dirt cheap to club members that might be interested. PM me if interested.
View attachment 4907525
That dark spot near the bridge is a reflection of the camera, the finish on this bass is in very good condition.

Someone please correct me on this, but I think the neck is going to be bigger and wider. Even the VPs are slightly larger.

They are darker less punchy, no doubt due to the neck pickup being closer to the neck that the 60s positions.

 

[JJR58]

Someone please correct me on this, but I think the neck is going to be bigger and wider. Even the VPs are slightly larger.

They are darker less punchy, no doubt due to the neck pickup being closer to the neck that the 60s positions.

I've tried one in the past, to me, the neck is huge.

 

[dagrev]

And there isn't much call for 77 y/o bass players.

That's a serious mistake. I know a killer 77 y/o player who can keep up with the best of them. Even sings a little.

 

[dagrev]

I've tried one in the past, to me, the neck is huge.

Thanks, Jeff. I thought that was the case but didn't want to be dogmatic.

 

[BklynKen]

They were brighter than I was used to--but not too bright or harsh by any means. They just seemed to lack something in the mids that added some punch that I was used to hearing as I recall. These had been played so they had settled in by that time. At some point I will likely put a set on again until they fade just for another flavor. They were in no way dissatisfying, there are just two strings that sound a tiny percent better to my ear and for my purposes. I don't recall if you mentioned you tried the Power Wounds of late or not, but if you can find a set cheap it may be worth giving them a try. Don't let this sway you, but in some ways that have that good tonal characteristics of Boomers--full and punchy.

I've never tried the Power Wounds. Not really interested in nickel. I'm looking to try out the Fusion Wound Stainless, which should be a little brighter than the Power Steel.