Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

Yes. Not autobiographical! It was imagined as a soundtrack for a film sequence and the inspiration came from a story in Neil Young's "Shakey" book about a guy the call "The Doctor". It was more about a drug bust and a murder but same kind of vibes.

I have a friend who makes animations so maybe I'll have a video for it someday.

Been a long time since I read that book. I’ll look that part up and reread it.

 

[Engle]

That's cold.

Well it was right there in front of me.

 

[Engle]

My newest learning curve.
Welcome to ME, O Hipshot Bass Extender...

View attachment 4967447

I've just never quite been comfortable with these, but it's my mission now. It really opens up some doors for new approaches to patterns and melodies, and ways to get them done.
Got one on the Classic Pro too- both of my regular players. Time to master it.

I’ve got one on my Pbass with Labellas, but it’s pretty easy to hit the pedal tuner and sometimes I’m going down to Eb, sometimes to D.

 

[Engle]

Hah! We do such for ourselves and are lucky if anyone ever notices.

Having said this - I saw Richard's band (Bad Lemons) play at Winters' in Pacifica last weekend and his guitarist was wearing a WEM t-shirt. I'd never met Richard and guessed that guy was in the next band so as he passed in front of me I said "Watkins" (WEM= Watkins Electronic Music) and he was 'shocked' - stating "no-one has ever made that connection!" I asked him if he was Richard, and he said no, and went and grabbed Richard to meet me. I met Richard and stayed for their set - he rocked his T-bird to great effect (a trio) and it was a good set. He also played in the 3rd band - but I had to leave before they came on.

I need to go to more shows!

 

[Engle]

My newest learning curve.
Welcome to ME, O Hipshot Bass Extender...

View attachment 4967447

I've just never quite been comfortable with these, but it's my mission now. It really opens up some doors for new approaches to patterns and melodies, and ways to get them done.
Got one on the Classic Pro too- both of my regular players. Time to master it.

Good pic BTW
It forces your brain to think about what the actual notes you are playing (Instead of just playing a pattern) which is good for your musicality.

 

[stlrocker]

National in original case. Museum piece. Is it worth much?

View attachment 4967228

I have one very similar, but different details. Same body and pickguard shape.

Mine came to me as just a body with the paint half removed. I made a neck for it. Made it a medium scale (was originally short scale). Added the lipstick pickup and three switches and string through.

It's a great player. Very lightweight. Small body feels good.

 

[dagrev]

@dagrev, have you compared the original Embassy pickup locations to the new version? Or to the Vintage Pro T-Bird's?
Does the original Embassy have the mislocated bridge (=too far back) like the originsl T-Bird?

I don't have a new Embassy for a good comparison. I have seen that the neck pickup on the new Epi is closer to the neck than the VP and also the '64.

 

[MCF]

National in original case. Museum piece. Is it worth much?

View attachment 4967228

I have the exact same Sears Silvertone 1490. Circa 1970. Last I checked about five years ago, about $400.00 probably more now. Need to see the headstock if it has the SR disc on it. That’s the original bridge cover. Adds value.

 

[MCF]

Asking $450 and says not a single flaw anywhere on the finish.

That’s a good price. Buy it. The bridge is crap though. Two saddles. Intonation is very difficult.

 

[Stealth57]

That’s a good price. Buy it. The bridge is crap though. Two saddles. Intonation is very difficult.

Enabler. And it’s not even a Thunderbird.

 

[MCF]

Enabler. And it’s not even a Thunderbird.

It’s the only bass with tort that I own.

 

[Stealth57]

I have the exact same Sears Silvertone 1490. Circa 1970. Last I checked about five years ago, about $400.00 probably more now. Need to see the headstock if it has the SR disc on it. That’s the original bridge cover. Adds value.

Naked headstock

 

[Count Bassie]

Good pic BTW
It forces your brain to think about what the actual notes you are playing (Instead of just playing a pattern) which is good for your musicality.

Thanks, that 'dumb phone' of mine has a pretty good camera in it.
And yes, I love this thing. Now that I've finally decided to use it, it's opening my head right up. I can FEEL the new neural pathways forming... And the script for a DIY horror movie along with...

 

[JIO]

My newest learning curve.
Welcome to ME, O Hipshot Bass Extender...

View attachment 4967447

I've just never quite been comfortable with these, but it's my mission now. It really opens up some doors for new approaches to patterns and melodies, and ways to get them done.
Got one on the Classic Pro too- both of my regular players. Time to master it.

I just sent an email to Hipshot to see if they would convert my Gotoh Reso-lite tuner that is on my Bass IV. Apparently they used to offer that tuner as an "x-tended" unit but according to their website - Gotoh isn't making that tuner anymore (news to me!) so they don't offer it anymore. I'm hoping they can convert a tuner I send to them. I have had them convert a few of my bass-tuners (of different types) to their "x-tended" platform - it's a very useful device for on-the-fly drop de-tuning. Only system that does it better is Phil Kubicki's Ex-Factor 'drop-D', which doesn't require transcribing on-the-fly.

 

[Ringhammer]

Hah! We do such for ourselves and are lucky if anyone ever notices.

Having said this - I saw Richard's band (Bad Lemons) play at Winters' in Pacifica last weekend and his guitarist was wearing a WEM t-shirt. I'd never met Richard and guessed that guy was in the next band so as he passed in front of me I said "Watkins" (WEM= Watkins Electronic Music) and he was 'shocked' - stating "no-one has ever made that connection!" I asked him if he was Richard, and he said no, and went and grabbed Richard to meet me. I met Richard and stayed for their set - he rocked his T-bird to great effect (a trio) and it was a good set. He also played in the 3rd band - but I had to leave before they came on.

Thanks JIO! Yeah, my guitarist in Bad Lemon is very well versed in many things vintage. He’s been playing and in bands since the late ‘70’s, from back in Cincinnati where he came out here from. I met him in the early ‘90’s, when my band at the time was looking for a guitarist, and he joined up. That went on for about a year, then when he quit, I tapped out of that band as well. We put together a project and recorded some good stuff, but it never really got beyond that. Drifted apart for about a decade, then re-connected back in about 2010. Then about 8 years ago, a repeat, an earlier incarnation of Bad Lemon (named Heavy Crown) needed a guitar player, so I got him to join up, and we started playing music together again. I’m lucky to be playing with him, very talented guy. He’s also a painter
( https://www.mikedavisfineart.com/ ), and owns a tattoo shop, Everlasting Tattoo, in SF.

I really liked playing the Thunderbird, first time playing it live. I’m definitely in the market for another now. Want one for my other band for our Eb standard songs.

Was really good to meet you last week, I’m definitely coming out to see you soon, keep me posted on your gigs!

 

[JIO]

Naked headstock

View attachment 4967490

Zero-fret, very common then. If there are no residual holes - it might have had a decal or stick-on "badge". Sears contracted from Japan and the US - Danelectro.

 

[Gaolee]

Her voice... I don't know how to describe it... Heavy, viscous, winding down like an expensive toy... and luxurious...

Lots of maroon. Not much but pure maroon.

 

[Gaolee]

My newest learning curve.
Welcome to ME, O Hipshot Bass Extender...

View attachment 4967447

I've just never quite been comfortable with these, but it's my mission now. It really opens up some doors for new approaches to patterns and melodies, and ways to get them done.
Got one on the Classic Pro too- both of my regular players. Time to master it.

I love 'em. My usual use for them is a final low note for songs in D. I don't usually leave it downtuned because my fingers are hard to retrain a step up on the E string. It sure is fun to flip it down and shake the floor to end a song, though. Twisting a tuner also works and is fun, but I like the xtender better.

 

[GonePlaid]

I love 'em. My usual use for them is a final low note for songs in D. I don't usually leave it downtuned because my fingers are hard to retrain a step up on the E string. It sure is fun to flip it down and shake the floor to end a song, though.

That's pretty much what I would use one for. That and Eb for big band situations. In fact those are the only 2 notes below E that I play on my 5er.

 

[JIO]

Thanks JIO! Yeah, my guitarist in Bad Lemon is very well versed in many things vintage. He’s been playing and in bands since the late ‘70’s, from back in Cincinnati where he came out here from. I met him in the early ‘90’s, when my band at the time was looking for a guitarist, and he joined up. That went on for about a year, then when he quit, I tapped out of that band as well. We put together a project and recorded some good stuff, but it never really got beyond that. Drifted apart for about a decade, then re-connected back in about 2010. Then about 8 years ago, a repeat, an earlier incarnation of Bad Lemon (named Heavy Crown) needed a guitar player, so I got him to join up, and we started playing music together again. I’m lucky to be playing with him, very talented guy. He’s also a painter
( https://www.mikedavisfineart.com/ ), and owns a tattoo shop, Everlasting Tattoo, in SF.

I really liked playing the Thunderbird, first time playing it live. I’m definitely in the market for another now. Want one for my other band for our Eb standard songs.

Was really good to meet you last week, I’m definitely coming out to see you soon, keep me posted on your gigs!

Ditto - I'll be with Cherie Lebow's Bond Girl on Thursday Feb 23rd [8:30-11:30pm] in Sausalito at The No Name Bar, and at the Hotel Utah/SF on Sunday Feb 26th [7-10pm] with my band The Sean Conneries, and TSC's will be at Thee Parkside/SF on Sunday March 12th [4-7pm], possibly with Bond Girl.

Hope to see you at one of those upcoming shows!