Thunderbird Club

[Miles_ONeal]

Wow I’ve been here since 2005 and this is the most info I’ve ever shared online…but since you asked. Been drinkin’ a little so Hope I don’t bore y’all!

SubHuman is a reference to all of us Humans that play and dwell within the sub or lower notes of music! We love it down here! Some don’t like it down there but that’s cool. Stay out!
I liked some of BOC but no reference.

My Avatar is a real photo of our vintage Studio sign. It was a 70’s multi-track tape studio my Band had built for rehearsing and recording. Indie music before it’s time.

We also offered affordable recording time for local and regional acts. I met and played with a lot of great, talented people. It was a crazy time in music.
Fast forward to now: I’m a retired Electronics Design Engineer and still play bass as a hobby.
I have a personal DAW home studio/ rehearsal space but COVID has caused many unforeseen changes. I still manage to play and record a few times a month with other musicians which I still enjoy.

How about you?

while I took a recording course, I’ve mainly run live sound on the side. After trying a few things, I settled on software engineering but switched to sysadmin during lean times. I’ve also repaired, modded, designed, and built tube guitar amps, again on the side.
I played mediocre guitar off and on for years, then percussion, and finally bass - less mediocrely at least.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Yes. Happy Birthday! And Anniversary!

Thanks!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Fantastic! Wishing you many more of those as well!

Thanks!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I suppose ejection seats are out of the question and considered bad form.

Too much paperwork when oxygen masks deploy.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Has anyone seen BOC lately? I saw them 1 1/2-2 years ago, it wasn't good. Every other time (4 or 5) they've been great. Seeing them again on the 29th in Las Vegas, hoping for the best!

Alas, it’s been many years.

 

[Nocturnal]

I have an Epi T-Bird Pro and want to upgrade the pickups. Are the Gibson replacements the same size? What PU’s are good sounding without breaking the bank? Mine are currently black and I want chrome on the Trans Black finish. It has a built in pre-amp but I never use it. Thanks!

Pretty sure they are the same size pickups, but I don't own this model so not 100% sure.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I have an Epi T-Bird Pro and want to upgrade the pickups. Are the Gibson replacements the same size? What PU’s are good sounding without breaking the bank? Mine are currently black and I want chrome on the Trans Black finish. It has a built in pre-amp but I never use it. Thanks!

I can’t recall if the Pro pickups are the same size as standard bird pickups. I’d measure them, then google “Thunderbird pickup dimensions”- there are a number of hits for that.

Are you after an original bird sound, a modern darker sound, or what?

 

[Thumper]

While I love the sound of the Cobalt Flats on my newest-to-me Eppi Vintage Pro, the feel, not so much (no, not Princess Fingers). They are stiff, cable feeling, even plucking near the neck. I'm a fingerstyle, Sunbeam (round core) fan, 40-100 guage by preference. Just wondering how TI Jazz flats work on Thunderbirds. I do like, and have used them on J's, P's, and a regretfully sold fretless Sukop.

 

[Gaolee]

Can we just make sure the outfit incudes full length pants and shoes

He will be wearing tights and a speedo in that superhero costume. And boots. Really tall boots.

 

[dagrev]

One of the most "optimistic" listings I've seen in a while. People are clearly free to ask what they will, but I'd love to talk with them to find the reasoning(?) behind some of the price determinations, other than just hoping to get the most.
Epiphone Thunderbird Pro IV 2000 - Sunburst | Reverb

 

[dagrev]

I have an Epi T-Bird Pro and want to upgrade the pickups. Are the Gibson replacements the same size? What PU’s are good sounding without breaking the bank? Mine are currently black and I want chrome on the Trans Black finish. It has a built in pre-amp but I never use it. Thanks!

The new Gibson pickups (from the Non-Reverse) are available and would be a good upgrade I should think.

 

[Gaolee]

As it turns out, Miles isn't the only famous Thunderbird player that has a birthday today.

Ms. Jackie Fox.

Jackie Fox is one of those absurdly smart people who is fantastic at everything. She speaks a bunch of languages and has a JD from Harvard Law School. She was going to be a mathematician before she became a bass player, at the ripe old age of 16 or so. I'm just happy to be the same species as people like her.

 

[dagrev]

while I took a recording course, I’ve mainly run live sound on the side. After trying a few things, I settled on software engineering but switched to sysadmin during lean times. I’ve also repaired, modded, designed, and built tube guitar amps, again on the side.
I played mediocre guitar off and on for years, then percussion, and finally bass - less mediocrely at least.

Why does that not seem so long ago?

 

[Stealth57]

While I love the sound of the Cobalt Flats on my newest-to-me Eppi Vintage Pro, the feel, not so much (no, not Princess Fingers). They are stiff, cable feeling, even plucking near the neck. I'm a fingerstyle, Sunbeam (round core) fan, 40-100 guage by preference. Just wondering how TI Jazz flats work on Thunderbirds. I do like, and have used them on J's, P's, and a regretfully sold fretless Sukop.

Also, look at SIT Power Flats. I have them on my VP and like them a bit better than the EBCF I have on my CP.

 

[dagrev]

Too much paperwork when oxygen masks deploy.

But the passengers would no doubt willingly pay extra for the slight inconvenience of getting rid of one inconvenience.

 

[Stealth57]

One of the most "optimistic" listings I've seen in a while. People are clearly free to ask what they will, but I've love to talk with them to find the reasoning(?) behind some of the price determinations, other than just hoping to get the most.
Epiphone Thunderbird Pro IV 2000 - Sunburst | Reverb

That guy is nuts.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[SubHuman]

while I took a recording course, I’ve mainly run live sound on the side. After trying a few things, I settled on software engineering but switched to sysadmin during lean times. I’ve also repaired, modded, designed, and built tube guitar amps, again on the side.
I played mediocre guitar off and on for years, then percussion, and finally bass - less mediocrely at least.

Sounds like an interesting journey! I tried Software Engineering but I needed more hands on and enjoyed the design work. I’m not a great bassist but can hold my own in many genres. I grew up on 60’s music so that is still my main foundation.

 

[dagrev]

While I love the sound of the Cobalt Flats on my newest-to-me Eppi Vintage Pro, the feel, not so much (no, not Princess Fingers). They are stiff, cable feeling, even plucking near the neck. I'm a fingerstyle, Sunbeam (round core) fan, 40-100 guage by preference. Just wondering how TI Jazz flats work on Thunderbirds. I do like, and have used them on J's, P's, and a regretfully sold fretless Sukop.

I don't recall if I ever tried them on a VP. Likely did. TIs sounded really good on the '76, which means they should sound good on a VP. Currently one of my VPs has GHS Flats and that sounds really good. I buy lighter gauges in flats as I don't like to work that hard. That said, I don't know if dropping the money for a new set is worth the experiment given those babies ain't cheap.

 

[dagrev]

He will be wearing tights and a speedo in that superhero costume. And boots. Really tall boots.

No offense to Miles, but evoking that image for 99.9%, no..100% of the population is just uncalled for. Unless you were thinking waders. In that case I think you may be onto something.

 

[SubHuman]

The new Gibson pickups (from the Non-Reverse) are available and would be a good upgrade I should think.

I will check them out! Pulling out my calipers to get some accurate measurements.