Thunderbird Club

[Chucky Stiletti]

JohnK did this to his BaCH, only made it a lot better!

Bach T-Bird Bass (homestead.com)

that thread inspired me and mine!! didn’t know about BaCHs before finding that thread…is he a member?..,

 

[BklynKen]

This is a great photo!

Jeff is a great photographer.

 

[MCF]

Put the money down and spin the wheel. Used basses are always a gamble.

I picked up the used GC “mystery Epi” at my local today. It arrived to Cali from Mass yesterday. Well packed. Can’t argue with $23 shipping. But the tax…ugh.

It had to have been owned by a clueless guitar player. Strings cut way too short. I think they’re DA tapes. Very expensive strings. Why in the world would someone do this ?

1.5 nut.

I doubt it is the original nut. Epi nuts are usually black. This one appears to be a Tusq.

I’m pretty sure it is TV silver. Sort of a translucent paint job with a lot of grain showing.

Interesting setup. And no, it is not intonated. I’m hesitant to remove the silks to get them off the saddles for fear of ruining a $50+ set of strings.

I tuned it up and played it. Aside from terrible intonation, it plays great. I need to straighten the neck. See if I can actually use the strings for awhile…more to come.

 

[GBassNorth]

Put the money down and spin the wheel. Used basses are always a gamble.

I picked up the used GC “mystery Epi” at my local today. It arrived to Cali from Mass yesterday. Well packed. Can’t argue with $23 shipping. But the tax…ugh.

It had to have been owned by a clueless guitar player. Strings cut way too short. I think they’re DA tapes. Very expensive strings. Why in the world would someone do this ?
View attachment 5069999

1.5 nut. View attachment 5069998

I doubt it is the original nut. Epi nuts are usually black. This one appears to be a Tusq.

I’m pretty sure it is TV silver. Sort of a translucent paint job with a lot of grain showing.
View attachment 5070015 View attachment 5070015
View attachment 5070016
View attachment 5070017 View attachment 5070021

Interesting setup. And no, it is not intonated. I’m hesitant to remove the silks to get them off the saddles for fear of ruining a $50+ set of strings.View attachment 5070026

I tuned it up and played it. Aside from terrible intonation, it plays great. I need to straighten the neck. See if I can actually use the strings for awhile…more to come.

Nice!
Looks like D’Addario Black Tapes. I haven’t tried those.

 

[TBird1958]

that thread inspired me and mine!! didn’t know about BaCHs before finding that thread…is he a member?..,

I don’t know if he still is, I don’t think so.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Jeff is a great photographer.

Yep. I follow him on IG. Some killer work.

 

[Ringhammer]

Epi nuts are usually black.

My (I think) 2017 white VP and just purchased 2022 black VP both have white (ahem) nuts.

 

[RedVee]

Yep. I follow him on IG. Some killer work.

Agree.

 

[bobyoung53]

The more I read on these YBA200’s, the more it sounds like it may not be the amp for me. Looks like it’s big on distortion/drive, but not so great on good clean low end. Sounds like it’s might be a lot like a V4B, and I’ve found after owning a couple, the V4B isn’t for me. Plus, if the one advertised isn’t a “-2” model, it means I will need to have work done on it eventually, since I would want it to be as best as it can be.

I did read that changing one or both of the 12ax7’s out for 12at7’s could clean it up some.

Anyone have an opinion, and better yet, experience with these amps, I’d love to hear it.

I’m certainly still curious about it. I thought I had a serious buyer for a P-bass I have listed, which would make the choice easier (I just buy it and if I found I eventually didn’t like it, I’d re-list it and be in no rush to re-sell), but I’m getting the sense he’s going to be another CL flake, so the smarter side of me will need to not spend the money on it, even at such a good price.

The best tube amp going (by far) for good clean low end is an SVT, at least in my opinion. It's on their calling card. I know nothing about Peavey's or those newer Trainors but SVT's are much louder and cleaner than V4-B's. They punch.

 

[MCF]

I had JohnK do a belly cut on my Bach II to make it closer to an original one, in my mind it was a good mod as it gets the bass to a state more like an original, and some of the Bach's did come with one. Won't be adding a second pickup though, happy with just one!

My BaCH II has a belly cut.

 

[bobyoung53]

I was asked to be the house bassist for a jam night at the local legion last night. It's good that there is a safe space for people of varying abilities to get up on a stage, but there some pretty funny moments.
This guy started Brown Eyed Girl on his acoustic at breakneck speed (think Ramones live maybe 180 bpm?)
I think he would have slowed down on his own, but the drummer and I dutifully kept it there the whole way through. It kind of works until you get to the shalalala part

I love being house bassist at jams,.......well most of the time.

 

[MCF]

Nice!
Looks like D’Addario Black Tapes. I haven’t tried those.

Neither have I. Pretty sure that is what they are. They make this one sound very different from my other Epi LE Custom Shops. Closest that comes to mind without changing any of my amp settings is the sound of McCartney’s Hofner. If I end up keeping them on it, maybe this will be my Beatle Bass.

 

[Ringhammer]

The best tube amp going (by far) for good clean low end is an SVT, at least in my opinion. It's on their calling card. I know nothing about Peavey's or those newer Trainors but SVT's are much louder and cleaner than V4-B's. They punch.

And I do have a very good condition 1973 SVT, which is parked on a late ‘80’s 810e, and lives at one rehearsal space. I will say, the 200w Orange and it OBC115 cabinet is a fantastic sounding amp too. Plenty of volume and great tone for anything I need it for, and quite a bit more portable.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

From the few tube amps I’ve owned and or played through.
The only 2 that seem to do what you’ve described are Geo’s B-15, and the Mesa 400+.

love these….BADAZZ….too bad they are so rare and can be expensive……unique, very intuitive (unlike SVT imho) voicing….
Trace Elliot Hexa Valve Bass Amp | Reverb

 

[TBird1958]

While I was away a small package has arrived. "Good things", as they say come in small packages.

 

[bobyoung53]

And I do have a very good condition 1973 SVT, which is parked on a late ‘80’s 810e, and lives at one rehearsal space. I will say, the 200w Orange and it OBC115 cabinet is a fantastic sounding amp too. Plenty of volume and great tone for anything I need it for, and quite a bit more portable.

"Well, there ya go" I have a 200 watt Marshall Major which is a little bit lighter than an SVT, about 5 lbs I think, but an even bigger PITA to carry, one tranny is on one end and the other is in the middle, at least SVT's are balanced. I still drag it around though anyway, sounds great and looks cool.

 

[GonePlaid]

Working the frets on my '89 last night.
We did pretty well for our first two shows as what is basically a new band, no trainwrecks, onstage sound was cack on Friday (FOH was fine) so it was a lot more work than usual as all I could really hear clearly was myself and the drums. We showed up early on Saturday and worked with the sound guy to get a better monitor mix and that helped immensely.
I used my Trace Elliott GP7SM250 and SWR 6x10 cab, honestly I think its the best live sound I've ever had, the was about 1/3 up and really has nice grind to it with that nice lo mid bump. Three basses made the trip, Lull, '89 Gibson and VP with Gibson pickups, I didn't use the Lull at all this time out, used the VP for the first two sets on Friday and finished with the '89. I have to say playing live and a bit loud those Gibson pickups really sound very good, totally solid, great for a lot of the material we do and still sounded nice when I used the Hipshot to go to low D for a couple songs, the VP was really a solid player, the only downside to it for me is that the neck is bit bigger than a like, switching to the '89 Gibson was pure bliss for my left hand, and well, the Lull pickups sounded really good too.
Playing 6 hours over two nights after not playing at all for more than 3 years was a real test for me, I managed, but not without paying a price, my body is sore and both hands ached quite a lot on Saturday morning, a couple doses of Advil really helped, same thing today too, being 64 is a Bitch.

Wait'll you hit 77-and 78 in August. (maybe)

 

[Ringhammer]

Are all VP’s made in Indonesia?
I picked up a brand new black VP yesterday, the serial number begins with “22”, has the “Made in Indonesia” sticker on it. The used white one I got a few weeks ago, serial number begins with “17” didn’t have any indication of where it was made. I had assumed China.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

While I was away a small package has arrived. "Good things", as they say come in small packages.

 

[Stealth57]

Are all VP’s made in Indonesia?
I picked up a brand new black VP yesterday, the serial number begins with “22”, has the “Made in Indonesia” sticker on it. The used white one I got a few weeks ago, serial number begins with “17” didn’t have any indication of where it was made. I had assumed China.

My 2014 CP and 2021 VP are marked Indonesia. I think only the IV bolt on is China.