Thunderbird Club

[TBird1958]

I picked up this Thunderbird Pro IV a couple weeks ago.


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Nice score, IIRC they came in this clear finish, also a good potential bass to modify. let me know if you'd like a club number

 

[Thumper]

Spot on if I were going for an all around player. But in this case I’m specifically targeting one end of the tone spectrum - the bottom end grunt. And this layout with these particular pickups delivers it in spades. Much more than any passive bass I have and more than many of my active basses. I have plenty of birds with pups in the sweet spots, so don’t really need any more of those.

I've got one of these basses, and it really isn't as muddy as the original Telecaster Bass, it has a very pleasant and focused bass tone, and can get a good mid tone. I only quit playing it because it weighs 10 lbs, but I really like what it offers.

 

[GBassNorth]

you should start making/selling basses….got good taste..

Thx for the compliment. But to be honest I gave up building basses for sale, not nearly enough profit considering the time invested. Now I just build em for my own enjoyment, usually focusing on something with features that I can’t get on a manufactured bass and don’t want to pay to have custom built. Like my bass playing, it’s just a hobby at this point and will most likely stay that way.

 

[GBassNorth]

It's a very crowded market...

…full of starving artists.

 

[JIO]

All good points. To be honest I go back and forth on the sharp/crisp/clean bass sound vs the deep/dark/creamy bass sound but tend to favor the slightly darker stuff along with neck pickup position more often than not. Being a less than mediocre bass player that plays by ear I always find it comical to pick up one of my darker (less defined) basses like the Goth or this Tele and work through figuring out the approximate bass line on a given song, thinking I’ve about got it. Then picking up my Dingwall or Alembic and knowing that when I play that same song I’m gonna find a bunch of the notes I was playing on the darker less defined bass were close but not correct.

Don't get me wrong - I love big phat deep pillowy bass in the right circumstances. The advent of electric basses made this possible. You could have deep sonorous double-bass in a symphonic setting - but only an electric bass with a neck-hugging pu though a 15" or better yet 18" tube-amp driven speaker (or 8x10 Ampeg fridge) can deliver that saturation level of bass. In terms of application - reggae always comes to mind discussing BASS. (and don't forget - Fender JAZZ bass) Dark is good, articulation is good, clang is good - it all comes down to servicing the song/style of music.

Listen to the introduction to this exquisite Gòrecki symphony (headphones at full volume are recommended for the full effect) ... be ready to shed tears.

 

[GBassNorth]

I've got one of these basses, and it really isn't as muddy as the original Telecaster Bass, it has a very pleasant and focused bass tone, and can get a good mid tone. I only quit playing it because it weighs 10 lbs, but I really like what it offers.

They are stinking heavy. But they do sound great to me. Unfortunately, my new build isn’t going to address the heavy part because my goal is to use every possible original component. I think it’ll be in the high nines, hopefully not much if any over ten pounds, but it is what it is.

 

[JIO]

…full of starving artists.

I'm not starving by any means - but I'm one of many artists throwing in down.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I like yours better. Orange is the new black.

I’m just not as fond of the 1970’s hood snorkel. I like the cam head hood on yours better!

thanks guys! only redeeming quality to the snorkel is functionality George, otherwise totally with you…

 

[JIO]

They are stinking heavy. But they do sound great to me. Unfortunately, my new build isn’t going to address the heavy part because my goal is to use every possible original component. I think it’ll be in the high nines, hopefully not much if any over ten pounds, but it is what it is.

I personally can't justify a heavy instrument regardless of those who discount the weight deficit. Chambering/lightening will help keep weight down where it can be implemented.

 

[GBassNorth]

Don't get me wrong - I love big phat deep pillowy bass in the right circumstances. The advent of electric basses made this possible. You could have deep sonorous double-bass in a symphonic setting - but only an electric bass with a neck-hugging pu though a 15" or better yet 18" tube-amp driven speaker (or 8x10 Ampeg fridge) can deliver that saturation level of bass. In terms of application - reggae always comes to mind discussing BASS. (and don't forget - Fender JAZZ bass) Dark is good, articulation is good, clang is good - it all comes down to servicing the song/style of music.

Listen to the introduction to this exquisite Gòrecki symphony (headphones are recommended for the full effect) ... be ready to shed tears.

Will do later tonight.
If I can make it to the GTG I’m very much looking forward to sitting back and listening to how some of my basses sound when played by somebody that really knows how to play and can run them through their paces. I think the BlingBird is different enough that folks might want to give it a spin. The Dingwall has all the potential to be a phenomenal bass in the right hands and in the right mix and also has a very different very forward modern sound. Then there’s the current build ThunderCaster that I think will open some eyes and ears with how bold it sounds, again not a bass for every occasion but certainly a superb weapon for a specific battle. Hope I can make it, would be great to see everybody.

 

[JIO]

thanks guys! only redeeming quality to the snorkel is functionality George, otherwise totally with you…
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I'm just tired of "black" as the symbol of "bad-ass" ... yawn. And racing-stripes rule.

 

[JJR58]

Will do later tonight.
If I can make it to the GTG I’m very much looking forward to sitting back and listening to how some of my basses sound when played by somebody that really knows how to play and can run them through their paces. I think the BlingBird is different enough that folks might want to give it a spin. The Dingwall has all the potential to be a phenomenal bass in the right hands and in the right mix and also has a very different very forward modern sound. Then there’s the current build ThunderCaster that I think will open some eyes and ears with how bold it sounds, again not a bass for every occasion but certainly a superb weapon for a specific battle. Hope I can make it, would be great to see everybody.

It would just be great if you both can make it up.

 

[JIO]

Will do later tonight.
If I can make it to the GTG I’m very much looking forward to sitting back and listening to how some of my basses sound when played by somebody that really knows how to play and can run them through their paces. I think the BlingBird is different enough that folks might want to give it a spin. The Dingwall has all the potential to be a phenomenal bass in the right hands and in the right mix and also has a very different very forward modern sound. Then there’s the current build ThunderCaster that I think will open some eyes and ears with how bold it sounds, again not a bass for every occasion but certainly a superb weapon for a specific battle. Hope I can make it, would be great to see everybody.

It's completely personal when one 'clicks' with an instrument. It's not like you 'try' to like it - you instantly know it's exceptional (or not) the second you start playing it. Chucky's '71 J is a good example - after sorting it, the second I started playing it/hearing it - I knew it was a winner. I've not played a lot of new/newer basses so maybe they would blow my skirt up too... but when I play a bass and it sounds that good - it's good. And I'm not being conceited - other seasoned/experienced/pro players confirm what I feel by playing the same bass.

If you can attend the GTG, and I hope you can - I look forward to playing your creations. I've always found that hearing my basses played by other bass-players lets me really "hear" that bass -

 

[KaraQ]

(almost) two Thunderbirds for Twos-day?

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

It's completely personal when one 'clicks' with an instrument. It's not like you 'try' to like it - you instantly know it's exceptional (or not) the second you start playing it. Chucky's '71 J is a good example - after sorting it, the second I started playing it/hearing it - I knew it was a winner. I've not played a lot of new/newer basses so maybe they would blow my skirt up too... but when I play a bass and it sounds that good - it's good. And I'm not being conceited - other seasoned/experienced/pro players confirm what I feel by playing the same bass.

If you can attend the GTG, and I hope you can - I look forward to playing your creations. I've always found that hearing my basses played by other bass-players lets me really "hear" that bass -

same goes for your 66P, it took all but 3 seconds…..

 

[MCF]

(almost) two Thunderbirds for Twos-day?

View attachment 5072073

I see Willy was over.

 

[Stealth57]

I'm just tired of "black" as the symbol of "bad-ass" ... yawn. And racing-stripes rule.

Cobra colors are always in fashion.

 

[Thumper]

I personally can't justify a heavy instrument regardless of those who discount the weight deficit. Chambering/lightening will help keep weight down where it can be implemented.

View attachment 5072023 View attachment 5072028

My thoughts exactly. I took it to a luthier to see about having it lightened, he said he couldn't remove enough wood to make a big difference. I have a better luthier now, he's currently putting together a Fenderbird with EB PUPs and VTVT and coil taps for me, maybe I'll get his opinion...

 

[RedVee]

Wikipedia has a lot of good info. But doesnt really cover all models.

Maybe pick a couple of interest and someone here can fill you in.

Gibson has Reverses & Non Reverses (NR) issued in the 60s, 77-79, then modern 90s? on Reverses plus a couple of runs of NRs, plus an Anniversary model with way different pickups. Also some Studio models and a run of Short Scale models.

Then you have Greco and Orville Japanese TBirds.

Epiphone have Tbird IV, Goth, LE Tbird IV they are all bolt on neck I think. Then they have a Gibson clone called the Classic Pro (CP) and a “modern” active Bird called the Pro IV & V, next they have the Vintage Pro (VP) with hotter, vintage voiced pickups which is now called the 60’s model or some such thing.

Plus other brands have Tbird shaped basses.

 

[KaraQ]

I see Willy was over.

You mean the Pro 4 with no frets? It's never had any installed, yet.

Someday, I may actually start work on that project......