Thunderbird Club

[Mvf]

I have played this one. I had a week to learn it. The solo that Glenn Cormack did was more than I could pull off in a week, so we skipped it. It sure was fun. The guys I was playing with were all Bulgarian, so they would go off on some crazy 11/8 jags or whatever it is Bulgarian music does rhythmically.

Actually learning that solo might be a good wintertime project.

Played that too years ago, 30 years or so… And even learned the solo. Think I still could pull it off actually, maybe?? have to check. Now where is my EB3?

 

[Stealth57]

The bridges themselves look further back on the body on old gibsons than it is on my VP, and the bridge and tailpiece are closer to each other on vintage Gibsons.

Bridge and claw wouldn't make much difference save for break angle; however, for the same scale length, moving the bridge would affect intonation.

 

[Count Bassie]

Played my Epi CP last night through the Eden WT405>Hartke 4.5 XL. Compared to the modded Hamer w/Rickie pups and guttie-works, the 'Bird tended to sound somewhat blurry, not well defined.
Now the modded bass (heretofore referred to as "the Heckinhecker") has considerably lower output, but delivers a clean tone with clearly defined attack and sustained notes. It's got a clean attack, smooth presence, and ready low end bloom. Very clear, with some nice growl. No dirt. The 'Bird is a little blurry, and its presence is not so consistent from one area of the strings (position) to another.
I'm wondering if it's the Rotosounds going dead...
The Heckinhecker has a fairly new set of Black Beauties, the Rotos on the 'Bird are about 4 months old, and honestly not played to death at all. I've been playing the 'Hecker and the Fauxnder (different brand neck) lately, and miss the 'Bird action...
I'm also thinking about those pickups it's got, Gibson TB+. Any thoughts on those?

 

[MCF]

Since I'll be listing the Greco on Cl, do I want to scavenge the pickups?

if I scavenge, do I want to replace them with the Duncan's or the TB+?

do I have enough projects I'll just leave it as is?

Leave it intact.

 

[dagrev]

Yeah my Eagle has reverse P pickups. It makes more sense to me!

Completely I agree on reversing the P pickups. Always thought that would sound better.

 

[dagrev]

SIT Strings Power Wound 4 String Medium Light Nickel Bass NR45105L $16.99 free shipping.

No affiliation, but have bought a number of things from them. Good people. Good price if anyone wanted to try the SIT Power wounds. They had two sets and I bought one.
SIT Strings Power Wound 4 String Medium Light Nickel Bass NR45105L | Reverb

 

[Gaolee]

Played that too years ago, 30 years or so… And even learned the solo. Think I still could pull it off actually, maybe?? have to check. Now where is my EB3?

I did it on the Flamingo, so far as I got in a week. That was a crash course week. Throw together a set with the crazy Bulgarians and the go on. We pulled it off somehow.

 

[Gaolee]

Played my Epi CP last night through the Eden WT405>Hartke 4.5 XL. Compared to the modded Hamer w/Rickie pups and guttie-works, the 'Bird tended to sound somewhat blurry, not well defined.
Now the modded bass (heretofore referred to as "the Heckinhecker") has considerably lower output, but delivers a clean tone with clearly defined attack and sustained notes. It's got a clean attack, smooth presence, and ready low end bloom. Very clear, with some nice growl. No dirt. The 'Bird is a little blurry, and its presence is not so consistent from one area of the strings (position) to another.
I'm wondering if it's the Rotosounds going dead...
The Heckinhecker has a fairly new set of Black Beauties, the Rotos on the 'Bird are about 4 months old, and honestly not played to death at all. I've been playing the 'Hecker and the Fauxnder (different brand neck) lately, and miss the 'Bird action...
I'm also thinking about those pickups it's got, Gibson TB+. Any thoughts on those?

My guess is sttings. That is just a guess.

 

[BklynKen]

Played my Epi CP last night through the Eden WT405>Hartke 4.5 XL. Compared to the modded Hamer w/Rickie pups and guttie-works, the 'Bird tended to sound somewhat blurry, not well defined.
Now the modded bass (heretofore referred to as "the Heckinhecker") has considerably lower output, but delivers a clean tone with clearly defined attack and sustained notes. It's got a clean attack, smooth presence, and ready low end bloom. Very clear, with some nice growl. No dirt. The 'Bird is a little blurry, and its presence is not so consistent from one area of the strings (position) to another.
I'm wondering if it's the Rotosounds going dead...
The Heckinhecker has a fairly new set of Black Beauties, the Rotos on the 'Bird are about 4 months old, and honestly not played to death at all. I've been playing the 'Hecker and the Fauxnder (different brand neck) lately, and miss the 'Bird action...
I'm also thinking about those pickups it's got, Gibson TB+. Any thoughts on those?

How old are those Rotosounds?

 

[Count Bassie]

How old are those Rotosounds?

About 4 months, best as I can recall. It's probably time... I'm just always surprised!
Been kinda busy...

 

[Count Bassie]

Rotos are my favorite sound, but I can't afford to keep up.

 

[semiprohooker]

Rotos are my favorite sound, but I can't afford to keep up.

Cobalt flats have a pretty good edge (especially for flats) and last.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Cobalt flats have a pretty good edge (especially for flats) and last.

And last and last …

 

[TBird1958]

Rotos are my favorite sound, but I can't afford to keep up.

Ken Smith Rockmaster, they last. SIT Power Steels are similar but have more presence in the bass/lo-mids.

 

[MCF]

The new property in Termo has a power line running through the property. Plan is to just drop a line straight from the pole. We'll have to see what conditioning we can build into the system.

I assume it's PG&E. My condolences.

 

[Count Bassie]

Thanks everybody, yeah @TBird1958 I remember about those a Ken Smiths... might like those SITs though for heft in the lower mids...
Had the Cobalt Flats on the Heckinhecker, I liked them but the highs were kinda bristly. Maybe for the CP...

 

[MCF]

Thanks everybody, yeah @TBird1958 I remember about those a Ken Smiths... might like those SITs though for hefty in the lower mids...

The Power Steels are among the very small list of strings I use anymore. They are great with the Tbird+ pickups. And maybe tinker with pickup height a bit.

 

[Engle]

Well, since my amps love Chucky's garage power and hate mine, I ordered two high end Furman power conditioners. One has an MSRP of $200 and the other $500. The small Furman I have doesn't help the static and neither did the $200 unit. Waiting for a 20a to 15a plug to arrive tomorrow to test the big unit. If that doesn't work, I'm not sure what else to try.

P.S. The Furman says voltage is 123v. So, not a sag…

A line interactive UPS?

 

[Engle]

I was looking at pictures, are the bridges further back on the 60s ones?

Yes, on the VP the neck is set further out for better upper register access, so the bridge is further forward, and spaced a little more from the claw.

 

[Count Bassie]

The Power Steels are among the very small list of strings I use anymore. They are great with the Tbird+ pickups. And maybe tinker with pickup height a bit.

Probably my next string.