Thunderbird Club

[GBassNorth]

……
on another note I had a memory that I verified the other day. The late Allen Collins used to play Firebirds, Explorers, and occasionally Strats. When he played either Firebirds or Explorers, he always had the strap over the upper rear bout of the guitar. Now that I have my own Thunderbird, I understand that was meant to counter forward flop. Do any of you do the same thing?

Yep, that’s the norm around here for those concerned with forward flop.

The finish cracking on the VP was quite a bit more extensive than the examples shown here. One crack started on the treble side, went up the neck to about the second fret and wrapped around to about an inch from the bass side second fret.
The super glue mess was just plain UGLY.
It might not have had a fractured neck but there are nicer examples out there. Anyway .............

Basses, well lets see, I'll start with one I just sold about 6 weeks ago. It is significant because I bought it in 1998 and it was my #1 (kinda, sorta, most of the time) for the last 25 years.
This bass had/has a beautiful neck but .... it was heavy. An early maple version (I think) and Ripper bodies are fairly (read huge, IMHO) large.
I felt I could no longer take it anywhere, as people always started asking questions, eyeing it ...............

The electronics were changed to a simple vol/vol/tone as I'm a simple guy and I like simple things.

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To be continued, I only have 3 basses currently and they are nice, but certainly nothing out of the ordinary.

That Ripper is BEAUTIFUL!

And some others Epi for sale

That white VP is very sought after around here, surprised it isn’t already sold. What’s the asking price and location?

 

[Instagator]

The finish cracking on the VP was quite a bit more extensive than the examples shown here. One crack started on the treble side, went up the neck to about the second fret and wrapped around to about an inch from the bass side second fret.
The super glue mess was just plain UGLY.
It might not have had a fractured neck but there are nicer examples out there. Anyway .............

Basses, well lets see, I'll start with one I just sold about 6 weeks ago. It is significant because I bought it in 1998 and it was my #1 (kinda, sorta, most of the time) for the last 25 years.
This bass had/has a beautiful neck but .... it was heavy. An early maple version (I think) and Ripper bodies are fairly (read huge, IMHO) large.
I felt I could no longer take it anywhere, as people always started asking questions, eyeing it ...............

The electronics were changed to a simple vol/vol/tone as I'm a simple guy and I like simple things.

View attachment 5125690
View attachment 5125691
View attachment 5125692
View attachment 5125699

To be continued, I only have 3 basses currently and they are nice, but certainly nothing out of the ordinary.

That one is on my most wanted list... Or maybe the G3
I'm always on the lookout for one around here.
Sweet!

 

[icefly]

What’s the asking price and location?

Location?
Brazil.

Seller's Asking Price?
If I could do an estimated calculation of the currency conversion into US$, it would be around US$ 900.
And I dare say, that it is close to the price of a new VP; IMHO he is asking for a little high amount for a used VP (according to him in excellent condition); could be $100 shorter.

 

[Jaime Poole]

I think our newest club member (@Jaime Poole) is in your neck of the woods. It’s about time we beefed up the Kentucky Contingent. I’ll remain in an Honorary capacity as a KY card holder since I lived there for about 40 years and am still a KY Colonel. So there’s at least 3 of us.

Thank you for the welcome!! What neck of the bluegrass is everyone from? I’m in the Louisville metro. Here’s a pic from Gonzofest last night we played at, I dug out my 84 Hamer

 

[MCF]

Right. I’m glad I went through several basses before overcoming my prejudices and getting a Thunderbird. It gave me the experience on both sound and feel to be able to judge a new ( to me) bass and decide it was for me.

on another note I had a memory that I verified the other day. The late Allen Collins used to play Firebirds, Explorers, and occasionally Strats. When he played either Firebirds or Explorers, he always had the strap over the upper rear bout of the guitar. Now that I have my own Thunderbird, I understand that was meant to counter forward flop. Do any of you do the same thing?

I don’t. But it’s a well known solution for some.

Gibson used to make a strap called the Slingshot. I only have one. I wish I had a couple more of them. It is a leather strap with elastic bands built in. Very comfortable and it lets me position the Thunderbird without any neck dive or forward flop. I also have 4” wide suede backed Italia leather straps. They’re very nice and they’re made in NoCal. No neck dive using them either.

Playing a Tbird seated is no problem for me with both the Reverse and NR I don’t use a strap when I’m playing sitting down.

It really all depends on your body shape and size, the strap you use, and getting used to the Tbird ergos. Some find moving the strap pin from the upper bout to the back of the neck helps. Some move the bottom pin a couple inches uo from the middle of the bottom. I just adapt to each Thunderbird as they are and don’t think about it any more.

 

[MCF]

That black PG looks sooo right on this bass.

It’s the required club pickguard for those who are fortunate enough to have a ‘15.

 

[MCF]

My daughter is a Swiftie, just quoted the little piece around the songs to her and she gives the ‘thumbs up’ to both of them. So give them a crack, can’t hurt and you might enjoy it.
Or not.
But it might get you more gigs.

Adding songs to play weddings is an adventure. I remember having to learn how to play this. Ugh.

 

[Engle]

You building a three pupper?

No, but I have a couple of projects in mind that will need those covers.

 

[Engle]

Damn, where?

Just down to Point Robert's for about 15 minutes. I get stuff shipped to my friends place.
I would have pinged you and Will if I was headed your way!

 

[MCF]

The finish cracking on the VP was quite a bit more extensive than the examples shown here. One crack started on the treble side, went up the neck to about the second fret and wrapped around to about an inch from the bass side second fret.
The super glue mess was just plain UGLY.
It might not have had a fractured neck but there are nicer examples out there. Anyway .............

Basses, well lets see, I'll start with one I just sold about 6 weeks ago. It is significant because I bought it in 1998 and it was my #1 (kinda, sorta, most of the time) for the last 25 years.
This bass had/has a beautiful neck but .... it was heavy. An early maple version (I think) and Ripper bodies are fairly (read huge, IMHO) large.
I felt I could no longer take it anywhere, as people always started asking questions, eyeing it ...............

The electronics were changed to a simple vol/vol/tone as I'm a simple guy and I like simple things.

View attachment 5125690
View attachment 5125691
View attachment 5125692
View attachment 5125699

To be continued, I only have 3 basses currently and they are nice, but certainly nothing out of the ordinary.

Very nice Ripper!

 

[Engle]

I liked mine too and I'm still a bit bummed it went down (literally).
View attachment 5125515

I wished we lived closer! I'd love to help you repair it.

 

[MCF]

A few months ago I posted this was for sale, in need of this repair; I even thought about acquiring it, but decided that I don't want to have worries at the moment.

And guess what: it's still announced to date.

I really like my EPI Blackbird.

 

[Engle]

Thank you for the welcome!! What neck of the bluegrass is everyone from? I’m in the Louisville metro. Here’s a pic from Gonzofest last night we played at, I dug out my 84 Hamer

Explorer!

 

[MCF]

And some others Epi for sale

I’d buy the Blackbird, the white VP, and even the Pro. I love the natural finish. And all come with cases. What are you waiting for Ice?


Yes. I admit I need help.

 

[MCF]

Location?
Brazil.

Seller's Asking Price?
If I could do an estimated calculation of the currency conversion into US$, it would be around US$ 900.
And I dare say, that it is close to the price of a new VP; IMHO he is asking for a little high amount for a used VP (according to him in excellent condition); could be $100 shorter.

But it does have a case. And white is no longer in production. White is becoming increasingly hard to find on the used market these days.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Freeze Spray ain’t cheap but……

It’s worth its weight in at least silver.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

frontside?…..TT..
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Dude! Get a fig leaf!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I had a Circle Jerks t-shirt for a long time. I think it wore out.

The tee shirt? Or … ?

 

[Bruce Pete]

Adding songs to play weddings is an adventure. I remember having to learn how to play this. Ugh.

Oh my gosh, that's painful!

 

[GonePlaid]

Adding songs to play weddings is an adventure. I remember having to learn how to play this. Ugh.

Yes, but.
When we were doing a lotta weddings, we'd occasionally have to learn some dumb song(first dance, other requests). Usually, it was a very simple song-2 or 3 chords-and it made people happy. Chicken Dance doesn't even have lyrics to learn. And you have it in yer back pocket if you get a(paid)*request. 'Course if you only wanna play for yerself and not please the audience...

ADDENDUM: just to be perfectly clear, I freely admit to being a musical whore.