Thunderbird Club

[GonePlaid]

Speaking of Fenderbirds, I've seen these come up for a while - a good visual hybred of a Jaguar-style body with a NR T-bird'esque pg. ESP make quality guitars/basses in an affordable price range. I've seen this model posted for less, over a grand seems a bit steep. But active, string-thu, 5 bolt neck, EMG pu's, high-mass bridge and decent looking - I don't need another bass but I'd rock one. Kind'of a Fenderbird from a different angle.

ESP LTD GB-4 Bass Vintage White White Pickguard 799493274196 | eBay

Sorta cool looking, but (1), kinda steep $-wise, and (b), it ain't mahogany. Only tonewood for me.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Hey man! Good to hear from you!
Gene has not joined. I suspect he’s too busy making money somewhere else.

spending that money on lessons in Canada…

 

[GonePlaid]

Hello everyone!

Just poking my head in to say that I continue to live (well, exist anyway). Things have been a little busy. Here are the highlights:
As much as is possible, mum's estate is sorted. We are just waiting on probate so that we can dispose of her condominium.
The two companies are keeping me busy. Might even get paid soon (the life of an entrepreneur).
I got my thumb fixed last month! Arthroscopically debrided the joint (there was a lot to clear out). It is still a little tender as there were some microfractures made to try to patch up some areas with scar tissue. But range of motion and strength is coming back and I am mostly pain-free. I can play bass again but I have forgotten a bunch of songs. The songs will come back with some practice. For now, I have to adjust my playing style a bit to match what my thumb can do, but I can play!

I'm not going to go back the few pages that have probably been generated in the past 3-4 months, so what were the highlights? Does Chucky have a new car? Has Jeff made it to the West Coast? Are all the furry friends still around? Is the Queen out gigging and touring the country? Has membership exploded as people realize the awesomeness of the new NR Thunderbirds? Has Gene Simmons dropped by to hype his signature bird?

Good to 'hear' all the above.
To answer: N, Y, Most, Wet Coast, sorta, NO!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

So sorry Miles. Take the time you all need to heal.

Thanks. We will.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I am so sorry you had to go thru this Miles. We went thru it with both of my parents and it really takes a toll on you. I'm here for you if you need to talk it out.

Thanks, friend!

 

[GonePlaid]

A bit long, so fel free to jump to the end for a short summary.

Death watch for a loved one is a strange thing. On the one hand, you don’t want them to suffer. You want them free from pain and from a broken body or mind, and (if you believe in an afterlife) free to move on. At the same time, it seems ghoulish (or worse) to want them to die, to hurry up and go. And the more you love them, the harder that is to face.

In some cases (strokes, heavy sedations, major trauma, advanced aging, etc.) you look into their eyes and can’t see if anyone’s home. Or they don’t look like the eyes you remember. Or some other discontinuity, cognitive dissonance, hallucination, whatever. Are they really still there? Or is the body just carrying on, clueless that its inhabitant has left it to return to ashes and dust? Maybe you chance it and speak to them. Maybe you pour out your love, your pain, your anger, your questions. Maybe you don’t. Anything goes on death watch if no one’s watching - and sometimes regardless of who is.

On Tuesday, Dad just collapsed. He broke his femur, his pelvis, and had some spinal damage. They found heart problems and an aneurysm as well. At 95, these things are not surprising. At 95, no one’s really a candidate for major surgery - the anesthesia alone could kill you or damage the brain. And Dad had made it clear he didn’t want heroic measures to save him. So they sedated him. Occasionally he’d come out of that and recognize us, interact with as well as he could. The collapse may have been the result of a stroke, and he almost certainly had another by Wednesday afternoon.

Saturday night, after three days of death watch by family and friends, Dad died peacefully in his sleep. Sharon and I were there, along with Mom II and one of my siblings. After those who could come arrived and we had some time with him, the VA hospital staff (who have been truly wonderful) cleaned him up, and we all lined up for his Honor Walk. Someone read a short speech on behalf of the president and country honoring him for his service, then Taps was played as they took him by us on a gurney, covered with the flag representing the country he cherished.

Dad, you were a good father, husband, brother, son, friend, teacher, researcher, chemist, leader, and citizen. You were a true patriot, a survivor, a POW who deserved far more honor. We love you and miss you already. Don’t rest in peace. Have a blast. Those last three days before you passed were hard, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

(Dad had been declining for a couple of years. Both the last two times I visited, I told him goodbye in my heart and head, so everything since was bonus levels.)

TL;DR
Dad passed away the other night. Several of us were with him. I’m doing OK, AFAICT; ask me after I’m not busy supporting others through the process. Some are having a harder time, especially Mom II. Most of us have great support groups, and we have each other.

Both of my folks passed at home, Dad in 05, Mom in 06, long b4 I got on here to talk about it. Take time to process it all.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

A bit long, so fel free to jump to the end for a short summary.

Death watch for a loved one is a strange thing. On the one hand, you don’t want them to suffer. You want them free from pain and from a broken body or mind, and (if you believe in an afterlife) free to move on. At the same time, it seems ghoulish (or worse) to want them to die, to hurry up and go. And the more you love them, the harder that is to face.

In some cases (strokes, heavy sedations, major trauma, advanced aging, etc.) you look into their eyes and can’t see if anyone’s home. Or they don’t look like the eyes you remember. Or some other discontinuity, cognitive dissonance, hallucination, whatever. Are they really still there? Or is the body just carrying on, clueless that its inhabitant has left it to return to ashes and dust? Maybe you chance it and speak to them. Maybe you pour out your love, your pain, your anger, your questions. Maybe you don’t. Anything goes on death watch if no one’s watching - and sometimes regardless of who is.

On Tuesday, Dad just collapsed. He broke his femur, his pelvis, and had some spinal damage. They found heart problems and an aneurysm as well. At 95, these things are not surprising. At 95, no one’s really a candidate for major surgery - the anesthesia alone could kill you or damage the brain. And Dad had made it clear he didn’t want heroic measures to save him. So they sedated him. Occasionally he’d come out of that and recognize us, interact with as well as he could. The collapse may have been the result of a stroke, and he almost certainly had another by Wednesday afternoon.

Saturday night, after three days of death watch by family and friends, Dad died peacefully in his sleep. Sharon and I were there, along with Mom II and one of my siblings. After those who could come arrived and we had some time with him, the VA hospital staff (who have been truly wonderful) cleaned him up, and we all lined up for his Honor Walk. Someone read a short speech on behalf of the president and country honoring him for his service, then Taps was played as they took him by us on a gurney, covered with the flag representing the country he cherished.

Dad, you were a good father, husband, brother, son, friend, teacher, researcher, chemist, leader, and citizen. You were a true patriot, a survivor, a POW who deserved far more honor. We love you and miss you already. Don’t rest in peace. Have a blast. Those last three days before you passed were hard, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

(Dad had been declining for a couple of years. Both the last two times I visited, I told him goodbye in my heart and head, so everything since was bonus levels.)

TL;DR
Dad passed away the other night. Several of us were with him. I’m doing OK, AFAICT; ask me after I’m not busy supporting others through the process. Some are having a harder time, especially Mom II. Most of us have great support groups, and we have each other.

Deepest condolences to you and Sharon my friend. Sounds like he did and saw a whole lot making a beautiful family his contribution to all of us…

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Both of my folks passed at home, Dad in 05, Mom in 06, long b4 I got on here to talk about it. Take time to process it all.

Thanks, I will. Alas, this ain’t my first rodeo.
The worst was Dad’s mom. She was up there, but there was no warning. Dad called to tell me as I was literally starting to the front door to catch a flight to the UK for work. I couldn’t back out at that point. I spent half the flight under a blanket “to filter out the cigarette smoke” - which was true, but the bigger reason was to quietly cry. I was gone for ten days, so of course missed the funeral. This was before cell phones, so I didn’t feel I could spend a lot of time on the phone with family or my support group. Thankfully I was there with an awesome co-worker who knew London and the surrounding area, and we did lots of touristy stuff in our spare time. Work demanded my attention, and I do a lot of subconscious processing, so the trip was actually fun. But the flight there was horrible. (The flight back was a trip for other reasons, keeping me distracted.)

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Deepest condolences to you and Sharon my friend. Sounds like he did and saw a whole lot making a beautiful family his contribution to all of us…

Thank you, Chuck. He certainly did.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

As always, y’all rock. Go, THUNDERBIRD CLUB!

 

[TBird1958]

Hello everyone!

Just poking my head in to say that I continue to live (well, exist anyway). Things have been a little busy. Here are the highlights:
As much as is possible, mum's estate is sorted. We are just waiting on probate so that we can dispose of her condominium.
The two companies are keeping me busy. Might even get paid soon (the life of an entrepreneur).
I got my thumb fixed last month! Arthroscopically debrided the joint (there was a lot to clear out). It is still a little tender as there were some microfractures made to try to patch up some areas with scar tissue. But range of motion and strength is coming back and I am mostly pain-free. I can play bass again but I have forgotten a bunch of songs. The songs will come back with some practice. For now, I have to adjust my playing style a bit to match what my thumb can do, but I can play!

I'm not going to go back the few pages that have probably been generated in the past 3-4 months, so what were the highlights? Does Chucky have a new car? Has Jeff made it to the West Coast? Are all the furry friends still around? Is the Queen out gigging and touring the country? Has membership exploded as people realize the awesomeness of the new NR Thunderbirds? Has Gene Simmons dropped by to hype his signature bird?

You've been missed! Thank you for coming by and I hope you'll visit more as time allows.
Jeff did make it to the West Coast - again! He will next year as well as the club is planning on have a GTG in Seattle ( no date yet) for 2024. I am finally out playing again, the trials of keeping a band going are driving me nuts though, I haven't related half of the total B.S. here.......Ain't nobody got time for that much drama.
Be well!

 

[TBird1958]

A bit long, so fel free to jump to the end for a short summary.

Death watch for a loved one is a strange thing. On the one hand, you don’t want them to suffer. You want them free from pain and from a broken body or mind, and (if you believe in an afterlife) free to move on. At the same time, it seems ghoulish (or worse) to want them to die, to hurry up and go. And the more you love them, the harder that is to face.

In some cases (strokes, heavy sedations, major trauma, advanced aging, etc.) you look into their eyes and can’t see if anyone’s home. Or they don’t look like the eyes you remember. Or some other discontinuity, cognitive dissonance, hallucination, whatever. Are they really still there? Or is the body just carrying on, clueless that its inhabitant has left it to return to ashes and dust? Maybe you chance it and speak to them. Maybe you pour out your love, your pain, your anger, your questions. Maybe you don’t. Anything goes on death watch if no one’s watching - and sometimes regardless of who is.

On Tuesday, Dad just collapsed. He broke his femur, his pelvis, and had some spinal damage. They found heart problems and an aneurysm as well. At 95, these things are not surprising. At 95, no one’s really a candidate for major surgery - the anesthesia alone could kill you or damage the brain. And Dad had made it clear he didn’t want heroic measures to save him. So they sedated him. Occasionally he’d come out of that and recognize us, interact with as well as he could. The collapse may have been the result of a stroke, and he almost certainly had another by Wednesday afternoon.

Saturday night, after three days of death watch by family and friends, Dad died peacefully in his sleep. Sharon and I were there, along with Mom II and one of my siblings. After those who could come arrived and we had some time with him, the VA hospital staff (who have been truly wonderful) cleaned him up, and we all lined up for his Honor Walk. Someone read a short speech on behalf of the president and country honoring him for his service, then Taps was played as they took him by us on a gurney, covered with the flag representing the country he cherished.

Dad, you were a good father, husband, brother, son, friend, teacher, researcher, chemist, leader, and citizen. You were a true patriot, a survivor, a POW who deserved far more honor. We love you and miss you already. Don’t rest in peace. Have a blast. Those last three days before you passed were hard, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

(Dad had been declining for a couple of years. Both the last two times I visited, I told him goodbye in my heart and head, so everything since was bonus levels.)

TL;DR
Dad passed away the other night. Several of us were with him. I’m doing OK, AFAICT; ask me after I’m not busy supporting others through the process. Some are having a harder time, especially Mom II. Most of us have great support groups (and I include y’all in mine), and we have each other.

Miles, sincere condolences to you and Sharon from Frank and I, we wish you comfort in this time of grief.

 

[TBird1958]

A little something from New York showed up today.

Thanks @BklynKen !

 

[JIO]

A bit long, so fel free to jump to the end for a short summary.

Death watch for a loved one is a strange thing. On the one hand, you don’t want them to suffer. You want them free from pain and from a broken body or mind, and (if you believe in an afterlife) free to move on. At the same time, it seems ghoulish (or worse) to want them to die, to hurry up and go. And the more you love them, the harder that is to face.

In some cases (strokes, heavy sedations, major trauma, advanced aging, etc.) you look into their eyes and can’t see if anyone’s home. Or they don’t look like the eyes you remember. Or some other discontinuity, cognitive dissonance, hallucination, whatever. Are they really still there? Or is the body just carrying on, clueless that its inhabitant has left it to return to ashes and dust? Maybe you chance it and speak to them. Maybe you pour out your love, your pain, your anger, your questions. Maybe you don’t. Anything goes on death watch if no one’s watching - and sometimes regardless of who is.

On Tuesday, Dad just collapsed. He broke his femur, his pelvis, and had some spinal damage. They found heart problems and an aneurysm as well. At 95, these things are not surprising. At 95, no one’s really a candidate for major surgery - the anesthesia alone could kill you or damage the brain. And Dad had made it clear he didn’t want heroic measures to save him. So they sedated him. Occasionally he’d come out of that and recognize us, interact with as well as he could. The collapse may have been the result of a stroke, and he almost certainly had another by Wednesday afternoon.

Saturday night, after three days of death watch by family and friends, Dad died peacefully in his sleep. Sharon and I were there, along with Mom II and one of my siblings. After those who could come arrived and we had some time with him, the VA hospital staff (who have been truly wonderful) cleaned him up, and we all lined up for his Honor Walk. Someone read a short speech on behalf of the president and country honoring him for his service, then Taps was played as they took him by us on a gurney, covered with the flag representing the country he cherished.

Dad, you were a good father, husband, brother, son, friend, teacher, researcher, chemist, leader, and citizen. You were a true patriot, a survivor, a POW who deserved far more honor. We love you and miss you already. Don’t rest in peace. Have a blast. Those last three days before you passed were hard, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

(Dad had been declining for a couple of years. Both the last two times I visited, I told him goodbye in my heart and head, so everything since was bonus levels.)

TL;DR
Dad passed away the other night. Several of us were with him. I’m doing OK, AFAICT; ask me after I’m not busy supporting others through the process. Some are having a harder time, especially Mom II. Most of us have great support groups (and I include y’all in mine), and we have each other.

Best Miles - my folks passed away many years ago w/o warning (probably best way to go, but too soon) ... it's always hard.

 

[Stealth57]

A little something from New York showed up today.

Thanks @BklynKen !

Crazy looking picks.

 

[stlrocker]

View attachment 5222137

Lobby Lloyd’s band between The Aztecs and Rose Tattoo. Good stuff.

I was just listening to coloured balls yesterday, as well as a little bit of the angels.

Big fan of rose tattoo, skyhooks etc. I don't think a lot of that stuff ever got a lot of attention in America, but I sure like it.

 

[JIO]

Sorta cool looking, but (1), kinda steep $-wise, and (b), it ain't mahogany. Only tonewood for me.

If a bit cheaper it is probably a nice sounding bass regardless of wood. My ESP/GrassRoots Bass IV (not even sure what the body wood is) is an awesome sounding bass. I'm happy with the way all the tone-woods sound.

 

[stlrocker]

Just put some fresh strings on my '86 ESP (not LTD) series 400 jazz Bass. Sounding good. It's been my daily driver recently. sitting out on the stand, plugged in to the practice amp in the living room.

Learned a few songs from Michael Jackson on it today and one James Brown. Those are some fun ones.

 

[RedVee]

Love the look of the Gotoh batwings. Hipshot Ovals are cool too.

Is that what the Tbird y shaped ones are called? Bat wings? I can get onboard with that.

 

[GBassNorth]

A bit long, so fel free to jump to the end for a short summary.

Death watch for a loved one is a strange thing. On the one hand, you don’t want them to suffer. You want them free from pain and from a broken body or mind, and (if you believe in an afterlife) free to move on. At the same time, it seems ghoulish (or worse) to want them to die, to hurry up and go. And the more you love them, the harder that is to face.

In some cases (strokes, heavy sedations, major trauma, advanced aging, etc.) you look into their eyes and can’t see if anyone’s home. Or they don’t look like the eyes you remember. Or some other discontinuity, cognitive dissonance, hallucination, whatever. Are they really still there? Or is the body just carrying on, clueless that its inhabitant has left it to return to ashes and dust? Maybe you chance it and speak to them. Maybe you pour out your love, your pain, your anger, your questions. Maybe you don’t. Anything goes on death watch if no one’s watching - and sometimes regardless of who is.

On Tuesday, Dad just collapsed. He broke his femur, his pelvis, and had some spinal damage. They found heart problems and an aneurysm as well. At 95, these things are not surprising. At 95, no one’s really a candidate for major surgery - the anesthesia alone could kill you or damage the brain. And Dad had made it clear he didn’t want heroic measures to save him. So they sedated him. Occasionally he’d come out of that and recognize us, interact with as well as he could. The collapse may have been the result of a stroke, and he almost certainly had another by Wednesday afternoon.

Saturday night, after three days of death watch by family and friends, Dad died peacefully in his sleep. Sharon and I were there, along with Mom II and one of my siblings. After those who could come arrived and we had some time with him, the VA hospital staff (who have been truly wonderful) cleaned him up, and we all lined up for his Honor Walk. Someone read a short speech on behalf of the president and country honoring him for his service, then Taps was played as they took him by us on a gurney, covered with the flag representing the country he cherished.

Dad, you were a good father, husband, brother, son, friend, teacher, researcher, chemist, leader, and citizen. You were a true patriot, a survivor, a POW who deserved far more honor. We love you and miss you already. Don’t rest in peace. Have a blast. Those last three days before you passed were hard, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

(Dad had been declining for a couple of years. Both the last two times I visited, I told him goodbye in my heart and head, so everything since was bonus levels.)

TL;DR
Dad passed away the other night. Several of us were with him. I’m doing OK, AFAICT; ask me after I’m not busy supporting others through the process. Some are having a harder time, especially Mom II. Most of us have great support groups (and I include y’all in mine), and we have each other.

Miles, I’m so very sorry for your loss. Processing it all and dealing with the incredible void all while having to get affairs in order is an emotionally draining experience (as I’m finding with my wife’s departure). There are no words that will make it better, but surrounding yourself with friends and family will help you and Sharon pull through the tough times ahead. Just know that you have many many friends in this club (myself included) that are here for you and have broad shoulders to lean on. My deepest sympathies are with you and your family as are my prayers, love and any support you may need. Dad sounds like an amazing man who led an amazing life and gifted all of us an amazing child to share our musical, literary and other interests with, hang in there and focus as best you can on all the blessings he brought to you and others in his life.