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Thunderbird Club

#266,161
GBassNorth said:
That would be an invalid test, too many variables.

A proper test would be a standard triangular test with three identical basses except two finished in one type of finish and one finished in a different finish. All three played back to back to a blindfolded listener who must then figure out which one sounds different. If that listener can consistently (in excess of the odds of guessing) spot the different sounding bass then there is a noticeable difference. Any test structured to spot one specific type of finish AND be able to correctly name that finish is basically setting the test up for failure by adding compound variables in the equation. Trust me I used to do this stuff for a living.

Of course that still doesn’t address the real need for a true double blind test where both the player and the listener have no idea which bass is being played. Thus avoiding the potential for the player to play slightly differently on one bass vs another. About the only way to do a true double blind triangular test would be to record a robotic arm plucking a bass held in a jig, assign a reference number to that recording and then repeat with the other two basses. Once done, the recordings would be randomly ordered and played back for a listener who would then need to spot the different sounding bass at better than the average guessing percentage.

It could all be done, but who the heck wants to do it when you know 50% of the people reading the results won’t believe it (stuck on faith based or biased opinions) and the other 50% probably have hearing issues that keep them from ever spotting a difference in the first place.

I say, pick a finish you like and rock the snot out of it, let the audience worry about how you sound in the mix.
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You are absolutely correct.
I’d be surprised if among those that believe there is an effect, we see a consensus on how a thick finish affects the tone.
 
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#266,166
TBird1958 said:
Bird, legs............

KOjbCWt.jpg


lwP3X3g.jpg
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Very happy you included the comma.
 
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#266,168
Jason Bonilla said:
Wow thanks for that info, I was under the impression that the Rex Brown was a neck through, so that’s actually something I’d have to take into consideration when I get to looking at a USA Thunderbird. I really like the black and gold aesthetic of it (minus the Rex brown graphic on the back plate :thumbsdown:) and the fact that it came with pre installed hipshot hardware, not sure if the fact that it’s set neck is a deal breaker or not, but it definitely is a let down. I mean I got the chance to play an RD artist once and it was pretty nice with the set neck, but definitely a much different neck profile than my Epi-Bird.
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There's no reason I can think of that a set neck has to have a different width or profile. I suspect that's just how the specific designs played out.
 
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#266,170
GIBrat51 said:
Yeah, 2013 was one of the very rare years when Gibson made a few lefty basses - like my lefty Thunderbird. The Sam Ash in Las Vegas - where I was living at the time - had a right handed '13 Les Paul. I can play righty long enough to tell if a bass would be one I wanted; much as I wanted the Thunderbird? I'll admit that I was... sorely tempted. But, the unfilled spot in my herd was "Gibson Thunderbird", so...:(. The next time Gibson remembered lefty bassists was in 2018. If they decided to stick with a 5-year cycle, this year should see some, too. If they run true to form, though? They will keep them a secret; you'll have to ask somebody who knows somebody... :confused:
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If only we knew somebody who knew somebody in this group...
 
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#266,175
JIO said:
The guy who recently mastered our 16 songs for the Sean Conneries upcoming CD/LP passed away. I was introduced to him by Rob Preston who recorded our songs - Gary had a space in the same building. I spent a few hours with him working on details - I learned so much from him watching him work. He was a bass player also and there's a couple songs on this link. Needless to say we got along great in the little time I spent with him. Rest In Peace Gary.

Gary Hobish | Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Vocals, Percussion
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Sorry to hear that. Condolences and prayers for all whose lives he touched.
 
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#266,176
Gaolee said:
Once you become a 'Bird person, it's hard to play anything else. At least that's how it worked for me. I have three non 'Bird shaped bass guitars. None of them gets played much. The EB-2 is semi-retired. The EB and Precision just don't leap into my hands for some reason. Especially if there's a Thunderbird around.

It doesn't happen to everyone that way.
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Me, too. Every once in a while I think about a Hagstrom or something with a special pickup in it, but so far I haven't been tempted enough to buy one.
 
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