Thunderbird Club

[dagrev]

We had a Halloween get together at practice, for some reason, nobody could figure out my what my costume was, any guesses? Oh well, nice shot of my number 1 bass. The Eppi Vintage Pro with cobalt flats has been getting a lot of play lately, it's moved into the #2 spot.
View attachment 5253369

Dusty Hill on Crack?

Love that bass, BTW.

 

[MCF]

Well, I sat down to play the 2015 the other day and saw a perfectly round hole on the front edge of the lower, front horn. Lying on the ground was the matching piece of finish. Air bubble pop? Who knows as it wasn’t touched, just sitting safely in the rack. That part the bass is towards the back of the rack so no one could have hit it or dropped something on it. Good thing I remembered previous comments from the luthier group. Can hardly see the repair.

View attachment 5253357

Nice job! I’ll swing by with mine when I come up and maybe you can show me how to fix mine where the finish was damaged when the bottom strap pin popped out (it’s only visible when there isn’t a strap on it, it isn’t all that bad).

 

[MCF]

Used thin CA to wick the glue under the chip to hold it down. Once dry, I built up thick black CA over the top. When that was dry I planed it down with a razor with a curled over edge (strike the edge at angle on hard metal). The outer edges of the razor have a single layer of Scotch tape to make sure not to go too deep. Then sand the area with dry 600 and 1000 grit followed by wet 1500 and 2000. Final step is to polish with three progressively finer car polishes. Not 100% perfect but unless you stuck your nose on it, you wouldn’t notice.

You followed the StewMac video.

 

[Stealth57]

I've used CA (super-glue) to do those sorts of repairs. You just have to be careful as sometimes it can fog paint due to the heat of curing. Do you get your CA glues from Stew-Mac?

I've had good luck with Star Bond from Amazon. I have thin clear, thick clear, medium thick in white, black, and dark brown. The white is less opaque than it should be.

 

[Stealth57]

You followed the StewMac video.

Might have been. The video I saw over a year ago was filling chips in an acoustic guitar. The other comments that filled in my knowledge gaps were from the luthiers' group on TB.

 

[JIO]

I have given up on compressors completely. I tried them for a while and never found one I liked or settings that worked very well and didn't foul me up. That experiment is over.

My BOSS pedal is simple and improves my sound. I had a more sophisticated MXR compressor (that some people like) and like you I couldn't get it to work for me so I sold it..

 

[MCF]

Might have been. The video I saw over a year ago was filling chips in an acoustic guitar. The other comments that filled in my knowledge gaps were from the luthiers' group on TB.

Yep that’s the vid.

I’d like to start following the luthier stuff. But between here and the Mesa group it’s hard enough to keep up.

 

[JIO]

Yep that’s the vid.

I’d like to start following the luthier stuff. But between here and the Mesa group it’s hard enough to keep up.

I'm one of the regulars on the Luthiers Corner - a great resource.

 

[Roger W]

I’m expecting delivery of a newish burgundy NR on Monday. A Sweetwater demo. I sold 5 basses and probably will sell two more in January. I’ll probably give the 60th Anniversary Jazz to charity since the truss rod is close to maxed out and it would be unethical to sell it. And that will mean 3: 2012 Reverse, 2012 G3, and the NR.

 

[MCF]

I have given up on compressors completely. I tried them for a while and never found one I liked or settings that worked very well and didn't foul me up. That experiment is over.

I don’t use a compressor per se. I just rely on the amp voicing and can voicing sand eq. The Mesa TT800 has a symmetry control knob for the power section. Adjusting it seems to wort sort of like a compressor. I’m still learning about everything that beast of an amp does.

 

[PillO]

We had a Halloween get together at practice, for some reason, nobody could figure out my what my costume was, any guesses? Oh well, nice shot of my number 1 bass. The Eppi Vintage Pro with cobalt flats has been getting a lot of play lately, it's moved into the #2 spot.
View attachment 5253369

They couldn't figure out your costume because @Chucky Stiletti is one that, outside of this club, is pretty obscure...

 

[PillO]

I have given up on compressors completely. I tried them for a while and never found one I liked or settings that worked very well and didn't foul me up. That experiment is over.

My BOSS pedal is simple and improves my sound. I had a more sophisticated MXR compressor (that some people like) and like you I couldn't get it to work for me so I sold it..

I don’t use a compressor per se. I just rely on the amp voicing and can voicing sand eq. The Mesa TT800 has a symmetry control knob for the power section. Adjusting it seems to wort sort of like a compressor. I’m still learning about everything that beast of an amp does.

Based on all the raves out in gen pop, I tried a compressor, but couldn't find a way to make it work for me and so gave up. And then I got the YBA 100 and one of two things happened. Either my playing suddenly improved or the natural compression of tubes gave me that nice even tone. I'm thinking that it was probably a bit of each... Well probably 90% of one and 10% the other...

 

[Miles_ONeal]

This was a fantastic time View attachment 5253133View attachment 5253134

Sure looks like it!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

My ‘birds and Orange AD200B through just the one OBC 115 are very impressive sounding, and when I add the 210, it’s better (to me) than my SVT/810. The good old USA GE6550’s and now Mullard 12ax7’s in it don’t hurt either.

I just bet they don't!

 

[Nocturnal]

Used thin CA to wick the glue under the chip to hold it down. Once dry, I built up thick black CA over the top. When that was dry I planed it down with a razor with a curled over edge (strike the edge at angle on hard metal). The outer edges of the razor have a single layer of Scotch tape to make sure not to go too deep. Then sand the area with dry 600 and 1000 grit followed by wet 1500 and 2000. Final step is to polish with three progressively finer car polishes. Not 100% perfect but unless you stuck your nose on it, you wouldn’t notice.

I've used that method on a couple chip repairs on a couple of basses. Worked real well for me. I think it was the Stew-Mac video where I learned about it.

 

[Ringhammer]

Hey Ring- That was great--and I confess to not being into Metal (and related) fan. It just never scratched an itch I had, but I did like this. Very well done. Classy touch with the R/T shirt as well!

Thanks. What makes this band different from other heavy bands I’ve been a part of is, it worked out that we ended up with three very good vocalists and, although the song /video isn’t one that either of the other guys sings on, many of the other songs have good harmony parts from either or both of the other guys. The lead guitarist sings lead on a number of our songs and the rhythm guitarist sings lead on one so far. A new release that will be up in December features two lead vocal parts where the drummer does the verses and the lead guitar player is doing the choruses, while the rhythm guitarist adds harmonies here and there in both the verses and the chorus. Since we ended up with not one, not two, but three good vocalists, we are really working more towards writing to that strength.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Beat it and paint it black!

If not for leslie's inimitable guitar tone and playing, I'd have heard this as a cover by a completely different band until just after 3:00. After that it sounded more like Mountain. Easily the most different version I've heard by Leslie. Alas, of the early Mountain members, only Corky is still with us. I'd be in a band with him any day - not that he'd want me as a bass player. So under-rated.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Hey folks, I'm reviewing the Clifton Thunderbird bass, and let's just say, it's been an interesting experience. As a tech journalist and a bass enthusiast, I always look forward to trying out new gear, but this one... well, it's a bit of a letdown.

I'm using my new setup with the Ampeg SCR-DI. The Clifton Thunderbird had the potential to be a solid choice for entry level bassists, but unfortunately, it falls short in several areas.

There are quite a few aspects that Clifton could have done better. I'll be going into detail about what works and what doesn't with this bass. Whether you're considering buying it or just curious about it, this review should give you a clear picture of what to expect.

(Clifton Guitars is a local Philippine brand)

For $200US, I'd be amazed if it didn't have a plastic nut. 1.68" is a wide nut. Bummer about the bridge, but then again, now it has a Supertone and is still cheaper than the entry level Epi - although those don't tend to have fret issues.

I liked the sounds I heard, though these speakers were a bit limiting. Seems like it has decent sustain?

Good review!

 

[JIO]

Beat it and paint it black!

If not for leslie's inimitable guitar tone and playing, I'd have heard this as a cover by a completely different band until just after 3:00. After that it sounded more like Mountain. Easily the most different version I've heard by Leslie. Alas, of the early Mountain members, only Corky is still with us. I'd be in a band with him any day - not that he'd want me as a bass player. So under-rated.

...and a chick magnet

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I have given up on compressors completely. I tried them for a while and never found one I liked or settings that worked very well and didn't foul me up. That experiment is over.

I'd had to learn to use compression in a recording course years ago, although I didn't get nearly enough time with one. When I wanted one for bass, I went with the MXR. The LEDs are really handy, and the controls just made sense to me. It used to be always on, now it's usually on.