Thunderbird Club

[godofthunder59]

So here it is Epiphone 60s Thunderbird number 4!

 

[Gaolee]

Yep.

I am in awe.

 

[Gaolee]

After an immediate switch to a black PG (thanks Irv), and a bit of trussrod adjustment it's playing pretty well. Sounds darn good with the Thunderbuckers (I just typo'ed that word as "Thinderbuckers". Now that would not be a good name for pickups!).

Super light at 8 lbs 5.5oz.

I'll probably be setting up in Eb, so new strings are in order. Maybe EBCF 105-50?

Honestly not crazy about the color, but $1600, with the USA Hipshot ultra lites, ThunderBucker '66's, Hipshot SuperTone bridge and all the original parts provided, I couldn't see passing it up. And all buyers guilt assuaged less than two hours after picking I up since I sold a Jazz I had actually offered as a trade to the seller a month or so ago.

View attachment 5164448

This was sold:

View attachment 5164449

…and I'm $300 ahead.

It looks great with all the chrome. If you have the original pickups, hang onto them.

 

[Gaolee]

LOL - my daughter who just moved to Nashville from SoCal sent me this text yesterday…
View attachment 5164456
…had to inform her this morning that while we were having our Hurricane we ALSO had an earthquake. LOL can't have much more fun than that in one day.

I'm sure we're just hours away from land and mud slides being reported in the Hollywood and Malibu cliff homes and I believe San Diego just had a tornado warning. Kinda sounds like we're rapidly working our way up to fire and brimstone.

The boy and the girl are in Koreatown in LA. All is well there, if a bit damp.

 

[Ringhammer]

It looks great with all the chrome. If you have the original pickups, hang onto them.

Came with all the original parts. This is the 2nd '01 I have and the pickups from the other '01 went to @BklynKen . Part of my motivation to buy this was to get a set of '01 pickups so if I ever decide to sell one of these '01's, I can revert it back to original. If one of the '01's was black I'd be set. But, getting something refinished in CA with nitro, as far as I know is not possible. And I'm not at all interested in shipping it out for refinishing. I'd probably re-fin the other '01 , the 2nd tobacco burst that I have. This new one will stay this way because of the rarity of this "natural" finish/color. And I guess it's growing on my somewhat.

 

[dagrev]

Feeling ok. Thanks. Pain meds and all….

There is a store in Costa Mesa that usually has several G&Ls in stock. We're planning to go to Newport in October so I'm hoping to check them out.

Play several if you can. I've had three L2ks and all sounded a little different.

 

[dagrev]

The old original slot screw pups and original headstock years are the best IMHO.
...Donnie, there is a difference. I originally played a friends early 1980's G&L 2000 back in 2005ish. It was bold but smooth and very well mannered, easily fit into the mix with the ability to step forward or fall back when needed. I liked it so much I bought a new 2500 Tribute, but quickly found that the pickups weren't as smooth and balanced as the originals. The Tribute (which is the Asian import version) had massively overpowering pickups that were exceptionally hot and just hammered the heck out of my amps when in active mode. In passive mode it was very much like the vintage G&L, possibly one of the best passive sounds I've ever heard come from an active/passive setup. I've considered buying a vintage one but haven't really taken the time to start the hunt.

Thanks George. Then it's not just me then. My '05 Blueburst that I sold was a little warmer than the slightly later two I have as well. That said, the '81 is just sweet in the mix. Big, MFD punchy, and can be nasty if wanted, but definitely has a creamy vintage sound to it. The '81 proves that ceramic can be warm and not cold sounding.

 

[GBassNorth]

Focus these days is known for that "Crazy prog band with the Yodeling"

But to show that they were capable of doing so much more...

Move aside, Led Zeppelin.

Every player in that band is rock solid! It's when the lead vocal opens his mouth that I cringe. I'm not slagging on the band, they really are fantastic, but IMHO if Led Zeppelin replaced Robert Plant with Weird Al Yankovic they'd sound like Focus.

The lead singer on Focus has an amazing vocal range and is incredibly talented on keys and apparently flute as well, maybe more. But his style of singing borders on comical or satire. In other words, he's perfectly capable of ruining the mood and feel of an otherwise seriously great song. Instrumentally, I love this band. Vocally, I laugh at them. Just my opinion, that and three bucks will get you a grande at Starbucks.

 

[GonePlaid]

SOLD - 2001 Gibson Thunderbird

Well, I bought this today.

and promptly sold a not-all-original '72 Jazz bass almost as soon as I got home.

Gibson Thunderbird's = 3
Epiphone VP's = 2

Fenders for sale = 3, no, 2
Rickenbacker's for sale = 1

 

[dagrev]

So here it is Epiphone 60s Thunderbird number 4!

Dude, buy a 7ender sometime! I did see an early 80s L1k up your way.... Think of it as a G&L II!

Seriously, great review as always.

 

[semiprohooker]

Every player in that band is rock solid! It's when the lead vocal opens his mouth that I cringe. I'm not slagging on the band, they really are fantastic, but IMHO if Led Zeppelin replaced Robert Plant with Weird Al Yankovic they'd sound like Focus.

The lead singer on Focus has an amazing vocal range and is incredibly talented on keys and apparently flute as well, maybe more. But his style of singing borders on comical or satire. In other words, he's perfectly capable of ruining the mood and feel of an otherwise seriously great song. Instrumentally, I love this band. Vocally, I laugh at them. Just my opinion, that and three bucks will get you a grande at Starbucks.

Does this group have a discount code at Starbucks or something???

 

[GonePlaid]

Does this group have a discount code at Starbucks or something???

Having never been in a Starbucks, I couldn't begin to tell you what things cost.

 

[MCF]

I am in awe.

You shouldn't be. Doesn't make me a better player. I'm just a hack.

 

[BklynKen]

Having never been in a Starbucks, I couldn't begin to tell you what things cost.

If you like good coffee, you're not missing anything.

 

[godofthunder59]

Dude, buy a 7ender sometime! I did see an early 80s L1k up your way.... Think of it as a G&L II!

Seriously, great review as always.

Did someone say 7ender? Gig started at 6 pm we definitely should have put the bass solo after dark when the booze kicked in.

 

[GBassNorth]

Having never been in a Starbucks, I couldn't begin to tell you what things cost.

I don't personally waste my money on over priced over roasted coffee, so I looked the price up with google.
Screen shot of what came up…

 

[GBassNorth]

If you like good coffee, you're not missing anything.

This times 1000!

 

[godofthunder59]

Does this group have a discount code at Starbucks or something???

I avoid Starbucks like the plauge or any other dailey grab money from your wallet establishment. How do you think I can afford all these basses?

 

[GonePlaid]

If you like good coffee, you're not missing anything.

My favorite coffee:
Link Removed

 

[Engle]

Good news!

The boy and the girl are in Koreatown in LA. All is well there, if a bit damp.