• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Thunderbird Club

If I'm not mistaken it's usually better to have a small bow. It provides more even action due to neck angle. But I'm not positive about it.

I've found that for the lowest action it's best to have the neck dead flat and the bridge height adjusted to accommodate the neck. Some lowering of the P/U's might be necessary as well.
 
Speaking of thunderbirds and strings:


I use the Slinky 45-105's on the Goth when I'm in one of my Silvesun Pickups phases and working on pick technique. I can get close to Nikki's tone wirh them, although I have no clue what effects she uses. A lot of players say they die within a couple of hours, but I keep 'em on for about three weeks or so. I like the tone and the price.
I'm trying the new La Bella Gold Flats on the Goth now just for an experiment. Not a good fit for that bird. Way too dull, although they do look good on it.
 
Did someone say 'guitarist voodoo'? The latest entry in my quest for Mick-Ronson-in-a-box. Would sound hot with @Gaolee's 5 watt amp.


Probably 8 watts for my favorite one - one that looks like this only rattier:

p4_uuhgiu3cr_ss.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: kat888
Probably 8 watts for my favorite one - one that looks like this only rattier:

p4_uuhgiu3cr_ss.jpg
That is WAY cool. Do you know the brand? Is it a Gretsch or Gibson? I have an old Magnatone Troubador tube amp, which used to belong to my late father. It was probably made in the late 50s but works like a charm. I think that they used to sell them through Montgomery Ward's. Someone has relaunched the brand as a boutique amp. Given the sentimental value, I am going to have them make me a new cabinet, as the old one is roached. It is rated about 15 watts give or take (and so old that it has a fuse). The clean tones still sound amazing.
tmp_10194-5vuzI-1003375864.png
 
Last edited:
That is WAY cool. Do you know the brand? Is it a Gretsch or Gibson? I have an old Magnatone Troubador tube amp, which used to belong to my late father. It was probably made in the late 50s but works like a charm. I think that they used to sell them through Montgomery Ward's. Someone has relaunched the brand as a boutique amp. Given the sentimental value, I am going to have them make me a new cabinet, as the old one is roached. It is rated about 15 watts give or take (and so old that it has a fuse). The clean tones still sound amazing.
View attachment 1081442
The little "tombstone" is a Gibson BR-9 from 1949 or so. The speaker is a field coil speaker, which means it's inefficient and can't be replaced with a normal speaker with a magnet unless you modify the amp a lot. It stays clean forever. The other ones are all five watters or so. One's a rebuilt Premier. It breaks up nicely and uses a 6v6 tube. Another is a Sano-ette Model B that looks like it was wrapped in a sheet when it was new and stored since the early 1960s. It has tremolo no matter what. I haven't opened it up to see what the tubes are. The last one is the standard issue Epiphone Valve Junior combo that's in line to be modified into who knows what after the Telebird and P-bird projects get done. The little Epi gets crunchy fast, and it has EL84 crunch instead of a singing 6V6. Yeah, I have a problem. And a patient wife, thank goodness!
 
The little "tombstone" is a Gibson BR-9 from 1949 or so. The speaker is a field coil speaker, which means it's inefficient and can't be replaced with a normal speaker with a magnet unless you modify the amp a lot. It stays clean forever. The other ones are all five watters or so. One's a rebuilt Premier. It breaks up nicely and uses a 6v6 tube. Another is a Sano-ette Model B that looks like it was wrapped in a sheet when it was new and stored since the early 1960s. It has tremolo no matter what. I haven't opened it up to see what the tubes are. The last one is the standard issue Epiphone Valve Junior combo that's in line to be modified into who knows what after the Telebird and P-bird projects get done. The little Epi gets crunchy fast, and it has EL84 crunch instead of a singing 6V6. Yeah, I have a problem. And a patient wife, thank goodness!
Wow - 1949 and Gibson? That is beyond cool. Like you, I have the infamous epi valve jr but I picked up the (used) head for around $100. As you well know, they are made to mod. I haven't done anything to mine but put in better tubes. It does provide that nice El84 crunch, when I run it through one of my cabs loaded with a 12" Eminence Red Fang (ALNICO). And 5 watts can make my ears ring if I am not careful. Like you, I have a lot of such toys but there are many worse diversions in life.:thumbsup:
 
Wow - 1949 and Gibson? That is beyond cool. Like you, I have the infamous epi valve jr but I picked up the (used) head for around $100. As you well know, they are made to mod. I haven't done anything to mine but put in better tubes. It does provide that nice El84 crunch, when I run it through one of my cabs loaded with a 12" Eminence Red Fang (ALNICO). And 5 watts can make my ears ring if I am not careful. Like you, I have a lot of such toys but there are many worse diversions in life.:thumbsup:
My Junior is a combo. I think I paid $75 for it. It was one of those "losing" eBay bids that didn't lose. Free shipping, as I recall. I got one for my son a while later for about the same price. The most expensive of the lot was the Sano-ette. It was $225 locally, if I remember right. It even has the original zip-cord and two prong plug. The cord still looks new and shiny, and the prongs on the plug don't look scuffed. I'm not sure it was ever used before I got it. It's a little cheesy as far as how it's built, but you can't have everything. There was no dust on it anywhere when I got it, and it can break up pretty nicely, too. It just doesn't crunch like the Junior. I'm kinda thinking I'll put a 12AY7 tube in the preamp spot instead of the 12AX7 one of these days. That should overdrive quicker, cause the EL84 to overdrive at lower volumes, and save my ears a little. Then there are electrical mods I want to try, but those are for when there's time.

It's endless. I need several clones just to have fun playing with all these projects and ideas, let alone do my day job.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stevis and kat888
Hi Thunderbird club! I used to own a Gibson Blackbird that I had customized quite a bit. I was wondering if anyone had seen it and if they knew where it wound up? Id love the opportunity to get back one day. Thanks!

I think after you sold it, it turned up on Craigslist for sale again. Haven't seen it since then tho. But.........do you want to sell that Ampeg 412 in the picture?? I'm in the market for a cab and that would be a great one.
 
THIS JUST IN!
My Hipshot Bridges are here. I'm giggling like a schoolgirl over here... :)

As long as you're just giggling like one........I got the dressing like a schoolgirl thing covered :roflmao:
 
So I was surfing the interweb and stumbled upon a very cool TBird style bass by Spectre.
Has anyone on here played one of these spectres?
Invalid Link Removed
LG4XCLS_800x600-HF.jpg

I have one in the quilted black stain. Solid and well made bass but the body is the thickest one I've ever seen on a Bird. Neck is very comfortable IMO. Nowhere near as heavy as you would think given the body size. I replaced the guts with dual EMG P soarpbar pickups and a HAZ clone preamp from a guy in the Spector group. Sounds like a monster!!

P1010308_zpsivklopv4.jpg

P1010305_zpswhuvx8bh.jpg