Thunderbird Club

[GBassNorth]

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

Nice Hamer! Always loved the zebra finish on the explorer style body.

I lived in Northern KY (Villa Hills, Kenton County area) for just shy of 40 years while working in Cincinnati. My wife and daughter were both very active riders in various horseback competitions (saddle seat, dressage, hunter jump) so we spent a lot of time in the Lexington, Louisville, Shelbyville areas, and I was very much into shooting competition so we also spent a lot of time in the Owenton and Knob Creek areas. Beautiful state, lots to do and see. I need to get back there someday to visit all the old stomping grounds.

 

[Syd Rayne]

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

 

[MCF]

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...

It is. And you’re right about pleasing the audience. G to C back and forth. Then near the end A to D, finishing with A# to D#. When we had to play it, it was a relatively new (believe it or not) song. That’s how I learned it. Using occasional approach notes. Maybe I’ll work on it in your honor this weekend Mike.

 

[dagrev]

Good evening Thunderbird loving sisters and brothers, and a late happy Friday. Glad to report I am back among the living, after a second bout with covid. Not certain if I picked it up at the Gorge, or somewhere else, but crashed and burned Monday, and only began to feel like myself today. I am guessing the anti virals had a hand in getting me back on my feet. Great to feel up to picking up an instrument again, great to feel like getting out of a chair and moving about for that matter. I am happy to report the return of the old drummer to the cover band I am in (the 8 Tracks Rewound). He was there when I first joined about 8 years ago, and I am happy to have him back. We picked up a gig in a couple weeks playing a party being thrown by a local wedding shop. Need to learn some much newer, more modern material that a younger audience would expect, particularly for a wedding. They discussed a variety of songs, after meeting with the folks from the shop, who requested, among others, Lover and Sparks Fly by Taylor Swift. Hard to imagine our band covering these, but I always enjoy learning new music. It should be a very interesting gig, and could lead to other wedding or party gigs, so we are going to give it our best. Any advice on either of those Swift songs would be greatly appreciated.
I hope everyone stays well, and has a great weekend.
Border.

Glad you're doing better!

 

[dagrev]

although we’ve made significant advances in magnetics….500w (left) 50W (right)….
View attachment 5125527
it’s still amazing that in well over a century we have not devised a cooler way to reproduce audio….
View attachment 5125528

Frame looks way improved as well.

 

[dagrev]

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?

Did you say Allen Collins???

 

[GBassNorth]

View attachment 5125885

Hey, at least we aren’t in the Double Bass club talking about playing your upright with proper slap technique, or the Warwick Club discussing the pros and cons of frequently waxing your wood.

 

[dagrev]

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

SW part of Louisville.

 

[Nocturnal]

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

I lived in Kentucky for 4 years in a small town called Edmonton. I visited Lexington and Edmonton last year and had forgotten how pretty the area can be.
I also have a red Hamer Blitz, but yours looks like the metallic red, which I prefer.

 

[MCF]

SW part of Louisville.

You guys need to set up a play date.

 

[Hondapunk]

Hmmm I wonder if mine was in the final run. Same notice on AMS . Maybe Gibson will do a reissue . Or maybe Epiphone is gonna bump it up to the inspired by Gibson range like the guitar. I'm glad I got one .

 

[GonePlaid]

It is. And you’re right about pleasing the audience. G to C back and forth. Then near the end A to D, finishing with A# to D#. When we had to play it, it was a relatively new (believe it or not) song. That’s how I learned it. Using occasional approach notes. Maybe I’ll work on it in your honor this weekend Mike.

Yeah, I used to love playing simple [stuff] like that at parties and such. Didn't hafta think. Gave me time to scope out the 'scenery'.

 

[TBird1958]

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!

You have some days scheduled in Seattle during August so I'll get all the basses and big amp together in the basement, perhaps Will @Gaolee can bring some more and an amp as well. There's a reasonable bar at the house and lots of good food in nearby Burien.

 

[MCF]

You have some days scheduled in Seattle during August so I'll get all the basses and big amp together in the basement, perhaps Will @Gaolee can bring some more and an amp as well. There's a reasonable bar at the house and lots of good food in nearby Burien.

I am really looking forward to hopefully going up for a GTG there next summer V.

 

[Border]

Great to hear from you Border! Glad you’re feeling better. And if you had to get Covid, while this most recent strain is the s*its, I understand it is not as bad as others.

I can’t sleep so I’ll chime in.

I found your Facebook page. And your website. Update the band pic on the Facebook page please. You need to be holding your beautiful NR, not some FSO.

I’m glad to see you have a female singer. I listened to your vids. She can handle the Taylor Swift songs you mentioned. I’m the father of a Swiftie and am somewhat familiar with her music. A lot of it isn’t my cup of tea. But some of her stuff is outstanding. Taylor is a prolific and very talented songwriter and if you go through her songs, you’ll probably find yourself liking some of them. Especially her more recent stuff with Aaron Dessner of the National.

Lover. This is is a slow pop love song. Probably the bride and groom’s first dance. It’s a simple song to play and learn. The bass just follows along playing the root notes. It’s a song you can learn with Chordify and watching YouTube vids.

Sparks Fly. This is an upbeat Country Pop song. Not my cup of tea at all. But it could be fun to play and will have people dancing. Again, very simple to play. The bass just plays roots with a fifth here and there. I think your singer can do a good job with it from what I heard of her on that Facebook video. Chordify and YouTube are your friends. Maybe get a Taylor Swift Songbook.

Your band bills itself as a classic rock band. If you want to play weddings, ask 20 to 35 year olds, women mostly, what they like to dance to at weddings and learn some of those songs. Whether you like them or not. For reference, Lover came out in 2019. It’s not exactly classic rock.

The 2024 Best Coast Thunderbird GTG is shaping up to happen next summer in Seattle. Hope you can make it over and play some Thunderbirds. Maybe through the ACC 360s in Will’s basement!

Hey MCF, thank you for the kind words and good advice. I appreciate both. I agree, both the website and Facebook page are long overdue for an update. Fortunately one of my band mates is much more computer literate than myself, is going to take care it. Our lead singer is great, and she has steel in her veins. I don't believe she has much formal training, but great natural talent, and should handle the Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus songs well. I appreciate your thoughts on both songs, and I have been looking at some videos on these this morning. It is surprising how different folks approach these songs.
I definitely will do all I can to attend the get together next summer. I have both family and friends on the west side, so there is always a place to stay.
I will post a song list and pictures of the gig.
Take care and have a great weekend.

 

[Instagator]

I lived in Kentucky for 4 years in a small town called Edmonton. I visited Lexington and Edmonton last year and had forgotten how pretty the area can be.
I also have a red Hamer Blitz, but yours looks like the metallic red, which I prefer.

watch out for those pointy red things..they can put your eye out!

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

1. 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.

   yeah we charge (sometimes up to 100 bucks a pop) for those…..whore sounds about right…. we played a wedding in a barn once where everyone got pretty sauced….. the father of the bride offered us what he paid us for the whole gig to do an extra set….we accepted……felt a little slimy about that but got over it pretty quick….

 

[Border]

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.

Thanks Renee, I appreciate the response. The songs are starting to grow on me, and it will be good for all of us to try something new.
Take care and stay well.

 

[MCF]

New string Day! Arrived yesterday.

I’ll be busy this weekend. Jason at Fret Nation has the SIT Power Steels at $15.95. Get ‘em while you can. And he tied Prime, where I ordered a couple sets he didn’t have from, with his free USPS delivery. Can’t beat that.

Hey MCF, thank you for the kind words and good advice. I appreciate both. I agree, both the website and Facebook page are long overdue for an update. Fortunately one of my band mates is much more computer literate than myself, is going to take care it. Our lead singer is great, and she has steel in her veins. I don't believe she has much formal training, but great natural talent, and should handle the Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus songs well. I appreciate your thoughts on both songs, and I have been looking at some videos on these this morning. It is surprising how different folks approach these songs.
I definitely will do all I can to attend the get together next summer. I have both family and friends on the west side, so there is always a place to stay.
I will post a song list and pictures of the gig.
Take care and have a great weekend.

Great! Keep in touch my friend.

 

[icefly]

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.

If I had to choose, it would be White Vintage Pro or Natural Oil Pro.

By the way, Natural Oil finish, has some kind of lacquer, varnish?