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Thunderbird Club

#235,921
Finally downloaded some groovy pics from my J1 B-day TSC's show at Winters'.

upload_2023-1-25_20-44-29.jpeg


upload_2023-1-25_20-46-26.jpeg
 
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#235,923
bobyoung53 said:
Isn't that what I posted? If not my mistake. :laugh: Yes, I did, not sure what happened, it's there now, must be more TB gremlins? Ginger was a very good songwriter, he wrote almost as many Cream tunes as Jack, write four I think on Wheels of Fire which is my favorite..
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It showed "I'm So Glad" video to me. Strange.

But all good, now we're on a same page. :)
 
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#235,925
GBassNorth said:
Geo - looks like a fun band, how’s that hand doing?
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The Sean Conneries is a fun band! I constantly feel lucky to be creatively associated with Paul, Kirstin & Zach. (and as friends!)

Thanks for asking G - incrementally better, which is what my Dr. said would be the case when he removed the carpal tunnel release surgery stitches. He said it would take a whole year before 'near' full recovery. I've been able to rehearse/play shows which also has to do with adapting my left-hand technique by being more efficient with how I play. Which includes less notes - more focus/emphasis on maximizing each note's service to the song.

Also have been back on my (road) bike (bicycle - not back on the VFR yet) which was the hardest thing to deal with. (7 months - the longest time I've been off the road bike - ever) Shifting with my left hand is still difficult, but I've learned how to support those shifts and minimize needing to shift. Left hand strength is returning, I just need to be patient and am thankful it's not worse.

We all need to deal with one sort of age-related issue or another - it's just the way it is. It's not going to stop me from doing the things I love and so far has kept me healthy. No one should ever underestimate the importance of following your heart/making every second count. Life is too short to do otherwise.
 
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#235,927
JIO said:
The Sean Conneries is a fun band! I constantly feel lucky to be creatively associated with Paul, Kirstin & Zach. (and as friends!)

Thanks for asking G - incrementally better, which is what my Dr. said would be the case when he removed the carpal tunnel release surgery stitches. He said it would take a whole year before 'near' full recovery. I've been able to rehearse/play shows which also has to do with adapting my left-hand technique by being more efficient with how I play. Which includes less notes - more focus/emphasis on maximizing each note's service to the song.

Also have been back on my (road) bike (bicycle - not back on the VFR yet) which was the hardest thing to deal with. (7 months - the longest time I've been off the road bike - ever) Shifting with my left hand is still difficult, but I've learned how to support those shifts and minimize needing to shift. Left hand strength is returning, I just need to be patient and am thankful it's not worse.

We all need to deal with one sort of age-related issue or another - it's just the way it is. It's not going to stop me from doing the things I love and so far has kept me healthy. No one should ever underestimate the importance of following your heart/making every second count. Life is too short to do otherwise.
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Good news and wise words! Rock on!
 
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#235,933
bobyoung53 said:
They are deep but I get a pretty aggressive sound with Roto Swing Bass RS66's, I think they're a little more polite sounding than a Precision but to me anyway they can cover the same territory. I do think the pickup placement emphasises the lows.
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dagrev said:
You seem to be experiencing what I did. I my opinion, it's largely the location of the neck pickup. Your observation is correct that a typical Pbass is going to have more/fuller mids than the new NRs. True of my '64 as well with both pickups on, but less so with just the neck. The original 60s versions were closer to the pickup location on a Pbass. I've never measured, but sure looks that way. This does create a more full/mid, less hollow tone. One thing you can do is move the pickup back a little. Would require a new pick guard, that can be addressed, at least around here. But it's possible to find some pickups that simply have more mids. But I think the pickups are good in the NR, just hindered by being in the non-60s (the locations that put Thunderbirds on the sonic map and into history). As I've lamented before, once you are used to the original which is thicker and more full in the mids, that location change is not simply a lateral move. Not that people don't like it or get good tone. Mine sounds great at home. It's live in a big room with other instruments going on when it's noticeable. This is why a suggested a live setting which is the real test.

Having said all that, don't give up. They are great basses. I'm happy with the tone I'm now getting. Happy as the '64 or even a Epi Vintage Pro? No, but still happy and I enjoy playing it. I will say my Genzler 4 On The Floor Overdrive does add some compression and the breakup/overdrive really helps fill in some mids very nicely.
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GBassNorth said:
Don’t give up on the string change route too early. I switched to SIT Power Steels Stainless rounds and have been very happy with how much it has opened up the pickups. I found Cobalt flats to be too center scooped and Boomers to be too boomy on the bottom end.


This!


The new NR neck pickup is about a half pickup width closer to the neck than the VP and vintage birds. This will give it an inherently warmer and less aggressive sound than the VP or vintage birds.

In my book, it’s still in the P bass category on the bottom end but a bit shy in the mids. The right string selection and pick playing should close a lot of that gap. Or for about a hundred bucks, the neck pickup could be bumped an inch or so South and a new pickguard purchased. @godofthunder59 did just that to one of his and he seems happy with the results. He might even have a pickguard template already made up for that job.
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godofthunder59 said:
I'm pretty pleased with the mods! View attachment 4947678
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Thanks for the insights! I'll try the SITs first. Not too keen on messing with the hardware just yet, but I'd like to hear more about moving the pickup, @godofthunder59 - do you have a template? Is there any routing involved? And where do I find a pickguard without a hole, or better yet - with a hole for the pickup in that position?

I practised with my other band last night with a different amp (Verellen Kalaloch), and it was a much better fit. In that setting I usually play my EB-2014, and the NR sounded much closer to that, albeit still a bit scooped. One thing I noticed was that the output is seemingly even higher than my EB-2014 (and that is possibly the hottest bass I've ever tried), driving the input to distortion when hitting the lowest strings hard.

I have already adjusted the pickup a few millimetres higher (which will account for some of the excessive hotness), but there's still more than enough room for the strings to move freely even when I hit as hard as I can without injuring myself or the bass. These pickups are as hot as anything!

I already play (too) hard with a pick, so that's covered.

And for the record: I'm not giving up. I love the NR, and I'm certain that I'll get where I want at some point. Strings, EQ, pickup placement, there's still a lot of uncovered ground. Thanks again for taking the time to share your tips. It's very much appreciated!
 
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#235,935
SubHuman said:
I really like the T-Bird headstock because it's ornate as well as just looks cool.
I saw this '30's Martin headstock and was blown away how much it looks like a Fender.
View attachment 4946706

BTW...that's 1830. Now Martin's have one of the simplest flat-top, headstock designs.
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That's got to be a hassle to repair if it breaks...
 
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#235,937
Engle said:
I think these could be 70s pickups, but I maybe Barts are usually that pattern.
Couldn’t find any documentation on them.
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Any Bart Tbird replacement pickups I have seen always had the 3 screw hole pattern instead of 2. The holes are more like the pattern on regular Epi soapbar pickups than Gibson, including Bicentennial models. I am not saying they never make/made them with 2 holes, but I have never seen them. Always thought it was odd.
 
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#235,938
GonePlaid said:
Sorta Thunderbird related: I put a new set of SIT Power Flats on my Epi Embassy(I have a set on my TBird and like them). They're a bit less expensive-OK, cheaper-than the EBCFs(which I still love)but have very similar tone and, for those to whom it matters, no cobalt. I highly* recommend them. Plus, PURPLE SILKS!
View attachment 4948299
*no, I'm not high. did just finish a nice porter though
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Grrrreeeat. Another string calling. Just not sure where I would put them at the moment.




"a nice porter" as in singular? Need to update that or going to stick with the singular? :smug:
 
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