Birch in itself is similar in density to Alder, However I wouldn't use a whole burl for a body as it won't be as stable/strong as a straight bit of wood. What I would do is wait until it has dried down to about 11% then bandsaw a slice off the top to use as a top over a body of the wood of your choice.
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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
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- club thunderbird
Hey Thunderbird lovers,
just wanted to chime in and say I'm a fresh bass player who got an Epi T-Bird 4 Classic in White as first bass guitar ever.
The feel with the instrument is pretty comfortable, the neck is thin and accessible, quite amazingly playable to be honest.
Still got to put on new Rotosound Swing strings(5 string set) and tune it down in C.
I play in a stoner/psyche rock band and we use C tuning for all songs.
P.S.
Could anyone recommend a cheap amp setup for gigs(head+cab) on which the T-Bird would sound good for music like Kyuss, Soundgarden, that 90s heavy sound? Thread is here.
just wanted to chime in and say I'm a fresh bass player who got an Epi T-Bird 4 Classic in White as first bass guitar ever.
The feel with the instrument is pretty comfortable, the neck is thin and accessible, quite amazingly playable to be honest.
Still got to put on new Rotosound Swing strings(5 string set) and tune it down in C.
I play in a stoner/psyche rock band and we use C tuning for all songs.
P.S.
Could anyone recommend a cheap amp setup for gigs(head+cab) on which the T-Bird would sound good for music like Kyuss, Soundgarden, that 90s heavy sound? Thread is here.
I wonder how many groupies have uttered these very words?
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
If you don't mind heavy, old solid state is powerful, loud, and indestructible. I personally like the way a clean solid state amp sounds and generally use Acoustic Control equipment. That's getting harder to find and more expensive, but Peavey is out there and isn't bad at all. When those guys started, they probably didn't think as much about sound as they did about what they could get their hands on for the meager amount of money they had.
Trace Elliot is another loud and reliable old solid state amp. They sound fairly clean but that is nothing a pedal doesn't fix.
I just scored a bolt on, sunburst, w/ case for 150€.
Will I have to rout the Body for chinabuckers?
Will I have to rout the Body for chinabuckers?
I don't believe so but I'm not sure. The only difference I've heard about is how thin they are and how you need to pack the cavity to make up the difference and that depending on how high you set them, you may need a P/U ring to cover the gap.
Maybe someone who has done this can chime in?
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For amps, I'd recommend GK. They have a natural growl that suits the Thunderbird so well.
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,898
- 142,244
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
A bit of routing (with light hand tools and they should fit the Epi routs. What you'll find is that they're very thin pickups so you need to fill the routs with wood/stiff foam and use pickup rings and black plastic risers to finish properly.
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,898
- 142,244
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
I love GK!
If you'd like to be on the club roster post us some pics of your 'Bird!
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How cheap is cheap? What are your weight/size requirements? You should be able to find a second hand 810 fridge quite cheaply and it will be loud with pretty much any head. Peavey and GK are good suggestions. I'm impressed with what I've seen of the TC Electronic amps and cabs.
Disclaimer: I own/use none of the above.
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Used Ampeg 810s, Mesa 215s, Peavey 215s, etc. All fairly cheap if you're patient and don't mind something that's visually kinda beat up.
As for the head, it depends on how cheap you need. I'm picking up a beat up, used Sunn Concert Lead for a about $250 in a few days, as a backup head. Peavey Mark series heads can be had all day for cheap. Tube stuff will cost more than that, but deals are out there if you're patient. Peavey stuff will usually be the most affordable.
I think the bassists for Kyuss both used Ampeg gear, but I could be wrong.
And obviously, since you're on a budget, only look at used gear.
Old Trace head with a SansAmp VT pedal. Crusher.
Cheep... besides Peavey, Crate' s alleged best ever offering for bass, from off the St Louis Music assembly line, was the BT-350. I have one and it's a great amp. Clean, but it has a tube at the input and a Tube Gain/Drive knob, which gives you a good dose of dirt. The eq is a good deal Ampeg-like. Good amp, cheap.
I think you guys are kinda disregarding the bands' sounds he mentioned. Kyuss's bass sound doesn't bear much resemblance to Trace tones.
