Thunderbird Club

[ThaCoast]

I really really do love this club...

It's pretty cool we can have all these familiar conversations between us which are not always bass related.

It's also great to see the concern for each others well being, that's being displayed here - like we're one big family of sorts...

This makes for a very enjoyable reading that I look forward to read every day, and much different from some of the other clubs here on TB.

It's cause we are one huge crazy family . Our love for thunderbirds is what united us, & along the way, we've each talked about gigs in different places. Which brought up drinks or events we've personally had. It's like a huge family dinner talking about the things we've done over the past years, funny stories and just good laughs all round.

 

[Mikaelbass]

Well.....It is happening again...for the third time....I am gonna buy a thunderbird.

I had a JMJ pelham blue thunderbird...sold it (stupid stoner mistake, lesson learnt)
I had a nikki sixx thunderbird, awesome bass, but it never felt "mine"

Went into the guitar store today, three thunderbirds on the wall, two 2014 and a 2013.

I played them in order, started with the 2014 walnut (natural?). Oh wow!! it felt amazing, set up was great and apparently just out of the box, although the strings were a bit lifeless it's playability and tone were undeniable. Alright, onto the next one, a 201# subburst thunderbird. Woah this one was a bit heavier. Plugged it in and immidiately could hear and feel a difference, it didnt play quite as nice and the action was not as good even though it clearly had fresh strings on it. But the tone was snorty to the point that even with a light fingerstyle it would not leave, the low end was not as thumpy, round, or big. Okay....next....a 2014 cherry tbird....better than the sunburst....but not quite as good as the walnut....it did not give the same instant "hey!"

I played my bands hard groove rock tunes on the walnut bass again which it sang to. Then I pulled both pickups up on max, rolled the tone back a bit, palm muted with a pick and played le femme d'argent by air and boy was I surprised!!! Clear, warm and thumpy with all the definition a bass player needs.

This third and hopefully final attempt at using a thunderbird is meant to be the "dark" brother to my two 4003's. What strings would people suggest? In the past I used sadowsky blue label and chromes, both were good. But I am looking for big fundamental with enough grind and overtones to see me through the mix. I was thinking DR sunbeams or circle K balanced set.

Excited!!!!

But I gotta sell my rick 4004ci to do it

 

[hillerup]

Well.....It is happening again...for the third time....I am gonna buy a thunderbird.

I had a JMJ pelham blue thunderbird...sold it (stupid stoner mistake, lesson learnt)
I had a nikki sixx thunderbird, awesome bass, but it never felt "mine"

Went into the guitar store today, three thunderbirds on the wall, two 2014 and a 2013.

I played them in order, started with the 2014 walnut (natural?). Oh wow!! it felt amazing, set up was great and apparently just out of the box, although the strings were a bit lifeless it's playability and tone were undeniable. Alright, onto the next one, a 201# subburst thunderbird. Woah this one was a bit heavier. Plugged it in and immidiately could hear and feel a difference, it didnt play quite as nice and the action was not as good even though it clearly had fresh strings on it. But the tone was snorty to the point that even with a light fingerstyle it would not leave, the low end was not as thumpy, round, or big. Okay....next....a 2014 cherry tbird....better than the sunburst....but not quite as good as the walnut....it did not give the same instant "hey!"

I played my bands hard groove rock tunes on the walnut bass again which it sang to. Then I pulled both pickups up on max, rolled the tone back a bit, palm muted with a pick and played le femme d'argent by air and boy was I surprised!!! Clear, warm and thumpy with all the definition a bass player needs.

This third and hopefully final attempt at using a thunderbird is meant to be the "dark" brother to my two 4003's. What strings would people suggest? In the past I used sadowsky blue label and chromes, both were good. But I am looking for big fundamental with enough grind and overtones to see me through the mix. I was thinking DR sunbeams or circle K balanced set.

Excited!!!!

But I gotta sell my rick 4004ci to do it

Good luck with your purchase - it sounds like you found the right bass for you!

Don't forget to upload pictures when you purchase it, and apply for membership on the best club on TB (if you're not already a member)...

 

[TBird1958]

It's cause we are one huge crazy family . Our love for thunderbirds is what united us, & along the way, we've each talked about gigs in different places. Which brought up drinks or events we've personally had. It's like a huge family dinner talking about the things we've done over the past years, funny stories and just good laughs all round.

Nicely put Andii, everybody here makes this place something special, we don't have to be in any sort of competition with other clubs. We're fortunate in having Scott and Carlo as regular visitors too, they're really knowledgable guys!

 

[mistergoats]

Nicely put Andii, everybody here makes this place something special, we don't have to be in any sort of competition with other clubs. We're fortunate in having Scott and Carlo as regular visitors too, they're really knowledgable guys!

I know I'm pretty new here, but I'm quite fond of you lot. There's so much less bitter arguing / superiority complexes in this club. Thanks for being awesome. Keep it up.

 

[Larry V]

Agreed, Geoffypants. Agreed!

 

[mistergoats]

This third and hopefully final attempt at using a thunderbird is meant to be the "dark" brother to my two 4003's. What strings would people suggest? In the past I used sadowsky blue label and chromes, both were good. But I am looking for big fundamental with enough grind and overtones to see me through the mix. I was thinking DR sunbeams or circle K balanced set.

Sweet! I like the look of the walnut one. It's amazing that playing three different birds you get three different feels. I knew when I played mine on a Friday that I would be back on Tuesday (Monday was stat holiday) to buy it. I wanted to clear it with my wife, and all she said was "I'm honestly surprised it's not in this bed with us right now."

As for your strings, I know I should pay WAY more attention to strings, but I string mine up with 55-110 Ernie Ball Power Slinkys. Just an old habit. I've never really even tried different strings on it. I'll be curious to hear your findings. Congrats!

 

[Reservoir Dog]

I just put a set of roto 66 ,105-45 on my spector euro4, wow, that bass is too lively for those . It has the solid maple body . I might try to swap them to my bird and see how they sound . I am a fan of rotosounds but its the first time I put them on that bass. I have d'addarios on the bird now and they sound pretty darn good. BTW , a late happy birthday Mark

 

[awilkie84]

I know I'm pretty new here, but I'm quite fond of you lot. There's so much less bitter arguing / superiority complexes in this club. Thanks for being awesome. Keep it up.

Agreed. You should see what goes on in some of the other clubs here. Well, actually, no. You don't want to. It's bad.

 

[Larry V]

...and the 2012 Goth makes three!

Right out of the box, the cardboard kind, I tuned her up and the fret buzz was horrible. A few minutes worth of truss rod and bridge adjustment and she's playing clean.

It appears to have some cheapie round wounds on her that I'll have to swap to either GHS 3060, black nylon tape wounds or D'Addario flat wound Chromes. Probable going to go with the Chromes since I like their sound on my 5 string.

Anyway, pretty happy with my "snipe" off eBay.

Going to wait till winter before getting into the Ibby-bird mashup if I do it at all. This thing is pretty nice and I wanted to do the project with more of a basket case.

Thanks again, jd56hawk!

 

[Haji]

What strings would people suggest?

Mikelbass, I usually use Dean Markley Blue Steels, but the band I recently joined plays most of the songs in drop C. Medium gauge strings tuned down that far, to me, was just too rubbery. I was looking for a stiffer feeling string that had a strong fundamental, and that allowed the growl of my Goth 'Bird, TBurt (yeah, I'm geek enough to name my basses), to fill up the bottom end. I strung it with Dunlop Heavy Cores (Heaviest gauge; I should have probably gone with "Heavier" instead of "Heaviest"; that low string is HUGE at .120. "Heavier" is a .115) I've been very, very pleased with them and they're lasting quite well. They're not loaded with harmonics and overtones, but that fundamental is just GREATNESS.

 

[jd56hawk]

View attachment 476445

...and the 2012 Goth makes three!

Right out of the box, the cardboard kind, I tuned her up and the fret buzz was horrible. A few minutes worth of truss rod and bridge adjustment and she's playing clean.

It appears to have some cheapie round wounds on her that I'll have to swap to either GHS 3060, black nylon tape wounds or D'Addario flat wound Chromes. Probable going to go with the Chromes since I like their sound on my 5 string.

Anyway, pretty happy with my "snipe" off eBay.

Going to wait till winter before getting into the Ibby-bird mashup if I do it at all. This thing is pretty nice and I wanted to do the project with more of a basket case.

Thanks again, jd56hawk!

You're welcome.
Looks good, especially next to the other two.
I was actually thinking about getting the chrome pickguard for mine and simply putting a thin sheet of red plastic or something similar behind the cutout after having so much trouble getting a red T-bird decal.

 

[Larry V]

I was actually thinking about getting the chrome pickguard for mine and simply putting a thin sheet of red plastic or something similar behind the cutout after having so much trouble getting a red T-bird decal.

I'm actually ready to order more vinyls. I can order some red ones and I'll send you a couple, gratis if you'd like. I need to get more dull gold, shiny gold and black. I'll order a half dozen red and see how they do. Do you mind waiting till I get them in?

 

[fjadams]

I'm actually ready to order more vinyls. I can order some red ones and I'll send you a couple, gratis if you'd like. I need to get more dull gold, shiny gold and black. I'll order a half dozen red and see how they do. Do you mind waiting till I get them in?

Where do you get them at? I've looked all over and can't find any.

I'd be willing to pay for a black and a silver. I have a new project in mind and I'll need one color or the other.

 

[hillerup]

I'm actually ready to order more vinyls. I can order some red ones and I'll send you a couple, gratis if you'd like. I need to get more dull gold, shiny gold and black. I'll order a half dozen red and see how they do. Do you mind waiting till I get them in?

This wouldn't by any chance be you, would it?:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thunderbird...078?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item1c3c9405de

It seems that the seller is running low on the exact same 3 colors as you...

 

[Larry V]

I can neither confirm nor deny but I bet he's a really nice guy since he's into TBirds.

 

[tomshepp]

Black and Gold looks good!

 

[jd56hawk]

I'm actually ready to order more vinyls. I can order some red ones and I'll send you a couple, gratis if you'd like. I need to get more dull gold, shiny gold and black. I'll order a half dozen red and see how they do. Do you mind waiting till I get them in?

Thanks, but that's not necessary…I already have an extra one that I can't use.
Nice of you, though.

 

[godofthunder59]

Thought you guys might get a kick out of this. My beat '66 Thunderbird II and my Hiwatt DR201 paired with a Hiwatt 2150. Aside from my band Knight Patrol I do the occasional sub gig. This past Sunday I filled the bass slot for local legends Wilkes Booth, known for their over the top presentation. The set list was full of classic rock and metal classics so no rehearsal just show up play and get paid. I had a riot just winging it. Pretty sloppy but it felt good at the time. The sound is very guitar heavy I would have liked to be more up in the mix but hey I'm just subbing. Doing my best Jim Lea at around 1:30. As always my headstock is in the picture more than I am.

 

[hillerup]

I can neither confirm nor deny but I bet he's a really nice guy since he's into TBirds.

I'm pretty sure he's a very nice guy... He even has the same initials as you and live in Michigan...

Anyway, now that you have a Goth for comparison to the Gibsons - Would you happen to know if those blank T-bird pickguards that he sells on Ebay fit the Epi as well as the Gibby?