• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Thunderbird Club

#257,264
Count Bassie said:
Eh. Anyway there was a band in Miami who won a contest sponsored by Rolling Stone Magazine- for the Worst Bar Band in America. A local outfit put together to take on the challenge, "Scraping Teeth", won. And they worked very hard at it!
I was sitting in Churchill's Hideaway with my girlfriend one night, sipping a pint, and we caught a set. We caught it alright, like a handful of forks to the face, lol! Good God, it was awful. We sat there as long as we could, my poor girl was writhing and nearly in tears when I finally agreed to go...
A bass line bad enough to elicit discomfort, even despair- now that's an endeavor I'd have to give a nod to! :laugh::crying::cautious:

Ok I'm playing... But what an opportunity for a performance-art project. :D
Click to expand...

I know/played with a woman who had a band(before knowing her) voted as the worse band in SF at that time. Fun to improvise with but doing anything cool twice? (fugidaboudit!) Here's one song that we recorded in rehearsal - a decent version of it anyway. (and never again) I was playing my Factorbird fretless at the time. Catherine played guitar & sang - and wrote the lyrics. I think it could be covered by a band today and kill.

 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Count Bassie, dagrev and GBassNorth
#257,268
PhR75 said:
Got a call to day to do a one track session on Friday with a fretless. I have a de-fretted Aria SB700 but decided to loan a friends Ibanez Soundgear as a bridge pickup sound is needed.
I have to say that if I had been playing that bass exclusively a Thunderbird or a Telecaster could feel a bit akward. Very easy to play, weighs nothing, ergonomic etc. Not my fav look wise but I've seen worse and the all-black look is very sleek. Sounds good too.
View attachment 5152745
Click to expand...

I had a Ibanez SDR 5-string and it was a very good bass in all ways - I just don't play 5-strings. I gilded it and sold it. (etched copper-leaf over black & trans red detail) I called the look on the front "Shatterburst".

upload_2023-8-9_17-11-12.jpeg
upload_2023-8-9_17-11-36.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: KaraQ, Roger W, Miles_ONeal and 7 others
#257,269
PhR75 said:
Robbie Robertson has apparently died. Rest in peace.

This wasn't the first The Band song I ever heard but was the first that made an impact. This version indeed:
Click to expand...


A unique and vital voice; writing, singing and playing. His spirit remains with the living.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Roger W, Engle, MCF and 2 others
#257,270
MCF said:
What the Fvck? Losing Danko was tough on me. Now Robbie? I so wish it was 1976 again.
Click to expand...

I only wish it was 1976 again so I could be re-introduced to my dear friend/classical double-bass player Lou who passed away earlier this year. That was the year I 1st took lessons from him. I still can't believe he's gone.

1976 - young Geo playing his late '50s King Moretone (SX-70)
upload_2023-8-9_17-20-55.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: dukeorock, Roger W, Chucky Stiletti and 7 others
#257,271
JIO said:
I only wish it was 1976 again so I could be re-introduced to my dear friend/classical double-bass player Lou who passed away earlier this year. That was the year I 1st took lessons from him. I still can't believe he's gone.

1976 - young Geo playing his late '50s King Moretone (SX-70)
View attachment 5153086
Click to expand...
It’s tough losing mentors. I was way into the Basement Tapes around that time. Then the FM Rumors album, Al Stewart’s Year of the Cat. My “Mellow Year.”
 
  • Like
Reactions: Roger W, PhR75, Engle and 4 others
#257,273
MCF said:
It’s tough losing mentors. I was way into the Basement Tapes around that time. Then the FM Rumors album, Al Stewart’s Year of the Cat. My “Mellow Year.”
Click to expand...

He started out a mentor, but we (he and Nancy) became close friends.

The Band has a few 'classic' LP's - but "The Basement Tapes" and "Songs From Big Pink" are my favorites.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Roger W, Engle, dagrev and 2 others
#257,274
PhR75 said:
Got a call to day to do a one track session on Friday with a fretless. I have a de-fretted Aria SB700 but decided to loan a friends Ibanez Soundgear as a bridge pickup sound is needed.
I have to say that if I had been playing that bass exclusively a Thunderbird or a Telecaster could feel a bit akward. Very easy to play, weighs nothing, ergonomic etc. Not my fav look wise but I've seen worse and the all-black look is very sleek. Sounds good too.
View attachment 5152745
Click to expand...
The neck looks really wide. I guess it's an illusion enhanced by not having frets.

I bet Willy is thrilled.;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Roger W, Engle, MCF and 2 others
#257,275
Stealth57 said:
Looks like some work this afternoon.

View attachment 5152866
Click to expand...
I love the Power Steels on some basses, but don't overlook their Power Wounds. They are beefy and bright for NPS. They made my '62 Jazz become a joy to play and hear. They have also earned a spot on The '64 Thunderbird. Only really special strings end up on that special bass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Roger W, GBassNorth, Chucky Stiletti and 3 others
#257,278
dagrev said:
I love the Power Steels on some basses, but don't overlook their Power Wounds. They are beefy and bright for NPS. They made my '62 Jazz become a joy to play and hear. They have also earned a spot on The '64 Thunderbird. Only really special strings end up on that special bass.
Click to expand...
The powersteels definitely brightened up the 2015. A good cleaning, oiled the finger board, made sure the ball ends were straight :p , and didn’t mess up Marshall’s setup. I left intonation for tomorrow.

When I turn a VP into a 64 IV, I’ll take your suggestion on powerwounds.
Thanks
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gaolee, Roger W, GBassNorth and 4 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back