Thunderbird Club

[Gaolee]

I looked it up. Does the pedal really weigh 15 lbs?

At least that much. And it is enormous. And chrome plated. Shiny!

The oil isn't toxic as the rumors. I wouldn't drink it or rub it on my face or anything, but it is not so bad. Or so I understand. You can still get it. The tough part is dealing with a damaged or dirty anodized disk in the rotating part. Mine is dirty an makes nasty clicking noises on top of the amazing warble. That means complete disassembly, gentle cleaning with denatured alcohol and a soft pure cotton rag, and then reassembly with probably new seals and then new oil. Its work and you have to be a special kind of geek to want to do it. I am one of those geeks. So their you have it. It is in the project cue along with all kinds of othe ambitious and not so ambitious projects.

Edited for the third time to say what I want to say instead of what the computer wants me to say.

 

[Klondike]

At least that much. And it is enormous. And chrome plated. Shiny!

The oil isn't toxic as the rumors. I wouldn't drink it or rub it on my face or anything, but it is not so bad. Or so I understand. You can still get it. The tough part is dealing with a damaged or dirty anodized disk in the rotating part. Mine is dirty an makes nasty clicking noises on top of the amazing warble. That means complete disassembly, gentle cleaning with denatured alcohol and a soft pure cotton rag, and then reassembly with probably new seals and then new oil. Its work and you have to be a special kind of geek to want to do it. I am one of those geeks. So their you have it. It is in the project cue along with all kinds of othe ambitious and not so ambitious projects.

Edited for the third time to say what I want to say instead of what the computer wants me to say.

What kind of oil does that use? Are talking linseed oil, 10w40?

 

[Gaolee]

What kind of oil does that use? Are talking linseed oil, 10w40?

It's some kind of industrial oil. It probably does have some kind of toxins in it, because it's made by Union Carbide. But, there were all kinds of stories about how it was carcinogenic and a neruo-toxin and whatever all else. My understanding is that it's not so bad. But, I don't know for sure what's in it. I wear gloves when handling it just to be safe. It doesn't have any odor that I can recall, so it isn't a volatile oil or solvent. Plus, you don't use very much of it. A couple table spoons at most. If you put too much into the drum, it doesn't work as well. They are fussy to deal with and really big, but I like 'em. Fender used the technology for a while, and so did Gibson. There were probably some other manufacturers who licensed the Tel Ray patents that were the basis of those pedals.

The name Morley was a joke. The oil can echo was supposed to sound like a Leslie speaker. So, the joke was that it was smaller, so it was More-lie instead of Less-lie. Dumb, but there you have it. And I don't think it sounds like a Leslie all that much anyway. The emulators don't get it quite right, either, especially when you have it cranked up to the most outrageous, submerged burble it can make. Get that going and add wah to it, and it makes a guitar sound like the monster from 20 thousand leagues under the sea.

 

[GBassNorth]

I don't use many pedals, but when I was running two rigs on stage at the same time I occasionally put this monster in line...
Hughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere II

It does a darn good job of creating the Leslie effect and sounds very interesting when paired with a fuzz or overdrive pedal. On the down side, it's expensive, big and heavy - then again so is a Leslie speaker, and much more so.

IMHO - like most pedals, in the mix it works better with Guitar or Keyboards than Bass but still interesting and can be useful on occasions.

Here's a clip of it hooked up to keyboard and using its built in tube overdrive...

 

[kat888]

Blasphemy!

Don't really need any apart from the tuner. The compressor is to satiate my Bowie obssession.

I don't use many pedals, but when I was running two rigs on stage at the same time I occasionally put this monster in line...
Hughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere II

It does a darn good job of creating the Leslie effect and sounds very interesting when paired with a fuzz or overdrive pedal. On the down side, it's expensive, big and heavy - then again so is a Leslie speaker, and much more so.

Back when I used to think a B3 sound was essential, the Rotoshere was high on the kit list.

 

[Gaolee]

I don't use many pedals, but when I was running two rigs on stage at the same time I occasionally put this monster in line...
Hughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere II

It does a darn good job of creating the Leslie effect and sounds very interesting when paired with a fuzz or overdrive pedal. On the down side, it's expensive, big and heavy - then again so is a Leslie speaker, and much more so.

IMHO - like most pedals, in the mix it works better with Guitar or Keyboards than Bass but still interesting and can be useful on occasions.

Here's a clip of it hooked up to keyboard and using its built in tube overdrive...

That sounds pretty good, but it's not the same as an oil can.

 

[kat888]

That sounds pretty good, but it's not the same as an oil can.

The sound approaches the sublime. Perfect for live work, instead of a Leslie and a forklift.

 

[GBassNorth]

That sounds pretty good, but it's not the same as an oil can.

Yep. Like I said I'm not much on pedals but if I recall the Morley does quite a bit more than just Leslie type emulation. By comparison the H&K is a bit of a one trick pony but I like its Leslie emulation much better.

 

[Rocker47]

Anybody else have this harming with their bird? This is my 05' and I am doing a set up and new strings today and noticed the cracking of the finish. Should nine worried? I haven't played this one much as it lately as it was in desperate need of strings and some tweaking. I've never dropped it or anything crazy. I've actually babied this one more than any bass because when I got it it was a discontinued colour. Thanks again my bird peeps! (See what I did there? Birds go peep peep....) ok I'll be quiet and get back to work.

 

[Haji]

I only have my phone to see it on, but it looks like a fairly run of the mill finish crack to me. No biggie.

 

[TBird1958]

Anybody else have this harming with their bird? This is my 05' and I am doing a set up and new strings today and noticed the cracking of the finish. Should nine worried? I haven't played this one much as it lately as it was in desperate need of strings and some tweaking. I've never dropped it or anything crazy. I've actually babied this one more than any bass because when I got it it was a discontinued colour. Thanks again my bird peeps! (See what I did there? Birds go peep peep....) ok I'll be quiet and get back to work.

My first questions would be is it subject to radical changes in temperature and/or humidity? How do you typically store it?

 

[Rocker47]

My first questions would be is it subject to radical changes in temperature and/or humidity? How do you typically store it?

I'm in Edmonton(Well, just outside) so it's never been subject to harsh humidity changes. It's dry her in the summer and drier in the winter. It's always in its case when not being played or taking pics for this club. I just joined my first ever "mostly cover" band and wanted to bring this girl out for a spin as we are doing mostly 80's rock/metal. This is my favorite stuff so I figured a set up and strings and away I go. Neck was good, a tiny bit of tightening of the truss, but nothing outrageous. Thanks for the fast replies. It's just off my bench and back in it's case awaiting Tuesday's jam! I'll keep a close eye on it. Cheers!

 

[GBassNorth]

Anybody else have this harming with their bird? This is my 05' and I am doing a set up and new strings today and noticed the cracking of the finish. Should nine worried? I haven't played this one much as it lately as it was in desperate need of strings and some tweaking. I've never dropped it or anything crazy. I've actually babied this one more than any bass because when I got it it was a discontinued colour. Thanks again my bird peeps! (See what I did there? Birds go peep peep....) ok I'll be quiet and get back to work.

Looks like a bit of stress cracking in the finish. It really shouldn't be a concern from a functional standpoint, probably only an aesthetic issue. But because I've never seen another Bird stress crack in this area I'd try to figure out exactly what's causing it vs just ignoring it.

Some things to look at...
Are you using exceptionally high tension strings?
Is the bass subject to significant temperature or humidity swings or ultra dry conditions?
Do you have any lifting of the rear bridge stud inserts?
Have you or any previous owners corrected a pulled stud by using superglue vs wood glue?
Can you recall the bridge ever getting whacked hard (maybe in transit or while gigging)?
Do you know what year it was built (maybe they had a bad finish that year)?

Again, I've never seen finish stress cracking like that or as some call it "checking" or "spider webbing" on a newer (less than 15 or 20 years old) TBird bass in that area. On the bright side, in the Fender world that would be considered patina and might command a higher resale price as a road worn finish.

 

[Rocker47]

Looks like a bit of stress cracking in the finish. It really shouldn't be a concern from a functional standpoint, probably only an aesthetic issue. But because I've never seen another Bird stress crack in this area I'd try to figure out exactly what's causing it vs just ignoring it.

Some things to look at...
Are you using exceptionally high tension strings?
Is the bass subject to significant temperature or humidity swings or ultra dry conditions?
Do you have any lifting of the rear bridge stud inserts?
Have you or any previous owners corrected a pulled stud by using superglue vs wood glue?
Can you recall the bridge ever getting whacked hard (maybe in transit or while gigging)?
Do you know what year it was built (maybe they had a bad finish that year)?

Again, I've never seen finish stress cracking like that or as some call it "checking" or "spider webbing" on a newer (less than 15 or 20 years old) TBird bass in that area. On the bright side, in the Fender world that would be considered patina and might command a higher resale price as a road worn finish.

Hey, thanks for all the ideas! As far as strings I have 50-110 on it and have had those for a while. The change of humidity isn't drastic here on the plains. All my basses are stored in the same spot in the house and nothing has shown on any other. As I an the only owner of it I can vouch for where it's been. If the bridge was hit hard it was without me knowing it that's for sure. My case is mint so it wouldn't have been when it was inside it. It's a 2005 so maybe the finish is just weaker from that year? I hope it's nothing serious, but will watch over it as I will be playing it more regular now with a second band. Thank you once again. I really appreciate the insight.

 

[Korladis]

You should have bonus points for the tone pot bypass.

Yes.

So glad I ditched the tone control on my bird.

Thinking on putting a Model One in the sweet spot.

On the subject of pup mods, I wonder if it's possible to get my bird to get a little more RIC character? Not to be heretical, but some of the recordings I did with Plan 9 we're on a RIC, and the character is very distinguishable. I also like it...

I have thunderbuckers in mine, and a series/parallel modification (which was apparently difficult for my tech to do, because thunderbuckers aren't made to do that), as well as the tone pot replaced with a pickup switch.

In series mode, the tone is not dissimilar from my main tone on my Rickenbackers (I usually use the bridge pickup only, which I have positioned for maximum output).

In parallel mode, the neck pickup only is kinda like the tone I get from just the neck pickup of my Rickenbackers (I use this setting for quieter parts).

Don't really need any apart from the tuner. The compressor is to satiate my Bowie obsession.



Back when I used to think a B3 sound was essential, the Rotoshere was high on the kit list.

But what about dirt, and wah, and fuzz?

 

[kat888]

@Sartori 'But what about dirt, and wah, and fuzz?'

I found four of these bottle things in my amp - 6550-something...? They look quite clean, but sound surprisingly dirty. For fuzz, sometimes the cats sit on the top vent ... and when the older one doesn't know where his sister is he makes a 'waaahhhhhhhhhh' noise.

6550s

• kat888
• Feb 18, 2017

 

[D.M.N.]

So I wound the knobs on the GK to noon (I never do that!) and carefully played a bit, it was so &%^$#*( loud, but no feedback at all, I was within four feet of the speakers. I did blow on the pickup with the treble all the way up and hear it. I thought about checking the outside of the house to see if I'd blown any of the siding off.

I just went and did the same with my Greco TB II straight into the MB Fusion 500 and a single Neo 212ii, with almost identical effect. All fine, if you can call a fire breathing monster fine. No squealing etc, but very, very loud loud.

I did have a squealing experience last time I gigged the TB II through the Fusion 550 and both Neo212iis and ran it through my pedal board (between the bass and the input of my Stroborack which sits before the amp in the signal train of that rig). It seemed to stop when I kicked off the MXR Chorus. I just assumed it was something in the Chorus settings that didn't like the high output of the Greco. I hadn't looked into it further, but I have rehearsal tomorrow and will see if I can get it to do it again.

Does sound as though your pickup is microphonic.

Yeah, sort of what I thought. Guess I'll need to replace it, because I gotsta have my treble and volume. I also finally adjusted the pickup height to bring its output in line with my other basses, though guess that doesn't matter much now! I'm thinking of going with the Thunderbucker '63, what are people's experiences with the different Thunderbucker models?


Also, there's a Greco T-II for sale down in Tacoma...I'm kinda thinking about trying to trade a Sunn 200s for it. I don't need two...but.........

 

[Korladis]

@Sartori 'But what about dirt, and wah, and fuzz?'

I found four of these bottle things in my amp - 6550-something...? They look quite clean, but sound surprisingly dirty. For fuzz, sometimes the cats sit on the top vent ... and when the older one doesn't know where his sister is he makes a 'waaahhhhhhhhhh' noise.

6550s

• kat888
• Feb 18, 2017

Ew, cats.

I also use a tube amp, and get most of my dirt from it. But I also have a fuzz pedal, for extra distortion.

 

[veebass]

Yeah, sort of what I thought. Guess I'll need to replace it, because I gotsta have my treble and volume. I also finally adjusted the pickup height to bring its output in line with my other basses, though guess that doesn't matter much now! I'm thinking of going with the Thunderbucker '63, what are people's experiences with the different Thunderbucker models?


Also, there's a Greco T-II for sale down in Tacoma...I'm kinda thinking about trying to trade a Sunn 200s for it. I don't need two...but.........

What can the harm be in having two?
I ran mine at volume with pedals etc today at rehearsal- no problem. Not sure why it did it once.

 

[hillerup]

Yeah, sort of what I thought. Guess I'll need to replace it, because I gotsta have my treble and volume. I also finally adjusted the pickup height to bring its output in line with my other basses, though guess that doesn't matter much now! I'm thinking of going with the Thunderbucker '63, what are people's experiences with the different Thunderbucker models?


Also, there's a Greco T-II for sale down in Tacoma...I'm kinda thinking about trying to trade a Sunn 200s for it. I don't need two...but.........

Why not try wax potting your pickup first before spending money on a Thunderbucker?