Thunderbird Club

[wolfkeller]

Slick!

It's a set neck Tokai I put in TB+ pups moved output jack and added a kill switch as well as a Gibson TR decal and flush mount strap locks. . Oah, wrapped the pg in black leather (of course). I have a 3 point for it, just haven't gotten around to have it installed. This one is an early 90s Korean i got in nearly unplayed condition. The later Chinese basses a not nearly as good very hard to find let alone pry off someone my new Gibson will replace this Plays awesome.

 

[wolfkeller]

Forgot, very nice '76 bird decal from Larry.

 

[wolfkeller]

It's a set neck Tokai I put in TB+ pups moved output jack and added a kill switch as well as a Gibson TR decal and flush mount strap locks. . Oah, wrapped the pg in black leather (of course). I have a 3 point for it, just haven't gotten around to have it installed. This one is an early 90s Korean i got in nearly unplayed condition. The later Chinese basses a not nearly as good very hard to find let alone pry off someone my new Gibson will replace this Plays awesome.

Sorry, the one in the group shot is a tokai, same with the blackbird. The single pic is a Dillion. Nice basses, crap hardware and massively neck heavy with a ball bar neck. I reshaped the headstock and moved the tuners added emg 35p&j with a custom made Spector haz mini clone and a Schaller roller bridge. Did the paint too.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

It's a set neck Tokai I put in TB+ pups moved output jack and added a kill switch as well as a Gibson TR decal and flush mount strap locks. . Oah, wrapped the pg in black leather (of course). I have a 3 point for it, just haven't gotten around to have it installed. This one is an early 90s Korean i got in nearly unplayed condition. The later Chinese basses a not nearly as good very hard to find let alone pry off someone my new Gibson will replace this Plays awesome.

Think we're talking about 2 different one's. I was talking about the black with white stripe Hamer

 

[wolfkeller]

Think we're talking about 2 different one's. I was talking about the black with white stripe Hamer

Yeah sorry. That "Hamer" is actually this Dillon. I redid it to look like Nikki's Hamer

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Yeah sorry. That "Hamer" is actually this Dillon. I redid it to look like Nikki's HamerView attachment 1091431

oh.... dam.... ya "slight custom"

 

[Nocturnal]

Really digging that Hamer. Custom done or factory stripes?

I just missed out on a B&W striped Hamer FBIV right after I bought my black one. I want one of those bad!!! I ended up with a second one with a sunburst finish so it is all good. Definitely want one of the striped ones some day.

 

[ubernator]

You might check guitar center. The 2015s are still up on their site. They were clearing them out at over 50% off, which is how I got mine. Not sure if they are still doing it.

I think @Gaolee was spot on in describing pups. They are thunderous. I don't tend to use the coil tapping but it is a nice tone-shaping feature.

I remember that sale. $799 was not even close to being within my reach, and at the time I did not know I needed one yet. Good thing the epiphones work well enough.

Pulled my Epiphone Blackbird out of storage last week. Left my other Tbird there though.

I forgot how much of a great bass it is, haven't played it in well over a year. Maybe close to 2? It's got a real nice sound to it, and I've always kept it tuned DGCF. The flat black finish has worn really nicely as well. I might have to post some more pictures of it.

It needs some TLC though, the Dean Markley Nikki Sixx strings are almost 4 years old, the nut is cracked and there's something wrong with the jack, the cable always comes out. It's really annoying when playing.

No need for a number, I got into this club early (#32)

View attachment 1091170

Easy fix, just bend the tip spring/arm in a bit.

Victoria BC appeals, well apart from the 8 month winters. The likelihood is we'll end up going further up towards cyclone (hurricane) country. More even climate year round without the 45C days. Then maybe I'll be able to build that studio.

"The western desert lives and breathes, at forty five degrees!" Name that tune

 

[EdO.]

There is actually 2 available at Sam Ash in Long Island. I'd probably jump on one of them if I had the dough.

Like the idea of the Col tapping though.
I think that bass looks so cool!

Sort of a sexual attraction IMO. The looks are what get your attention initially. Once you get the nuances of depth of character and attitude it's that heat that makes them so damn tough to ignore.

 

[MCF]

You might check guitar center. The 2015s are still up on their site. They were clearing them out at over 50% off, which is how I got mine. Not sure if they are still doing it.

I think @Gaolee was spot on in describing pups. They are thunderous. I don't tend to use the coil tapping but it is a nice tone-shaping feature.

Ditto. Gaolee's post is spot on. The pickups are hot. It takes some fiddling to find the exact tone you're after, but once you find the settings and get pickup height dialed in, the 2015 is a wonderful bird. The Babicz bridge is great. No worries about inserts pulling up with the even tension distribution. The neck is wonderful. GC dropped them down to $1199, then $1099 during the summer of 2015. That's when I lucked into mine and joined the club. Now they list it at $2209. There's one on reverb for $1099 with case in very good condition from a Sam Ash in New Jersey. Average used price seems to be $1500 these days. I can't say enough about how much I love mine.

 

[RedVee]

I remember that sale. $799 was not even close to being within my reach, and at the time I did not know I needed one yet. Good thing the epiphones work well enough.


Easy fix, just bend the tip spring/arm in a bit.



"The western desert lives and breathes, at forty five degrees!" Name that tune

Beds are Burning. I hope to see the Oils in November

 

[kat888]

"The western desert lives and breathes, at forty five degrees!" Name that tune

The problem is it's not just the Western Desert which is 45 degrees these days.

I'll admit I checked before answering here but my first thought was correct:

 

[MCF]

I put 'em in cases temporarily because I need to build a hanger wall. Stands were taking up too much room.

Same issue here. For the time being, I maintaintain a studio apartment in NoCal where I spend 4 to 5 nights a week. Six basses on stands. Haven't tripped yet...knock on wood. I'm too cheap to hang 'em; I know that if I do, there goes the deposit.

 

[wolfkeller]

I just missed out on a B&W striped Hamer FBIV right after I bought my black one. I want one of those bad!!! I ended up with a second one with a sunburst finish so it is all good. Definitely want one of the striped ones some day.

Have it painted! Man I played HELL trying to measure the striped just perfect and it would not work. My wife walked over and eyeballed it, BAM!

 

[wolfkeller]

Wow, quite a collection. What's the Black Bird?

That is also an early 90s Tokai made to look like a blackbird. Filled pot holes, straight wired pickups to kill switch. Painted flat black, Larry made be a clear pg and had a decal made. 3 point, Nikki Sixx owned Gibson pickups, Opti grab and iron cross inlay decals....Best of the flock sound wise

 

[MCF]

Beds are Burning. I hope to see the Oils in November

Haven't seen them in like 25 years. Glad to know they're still at it. I love Aussie music.

 

[kat888]

Haven't seen them in like 25 years. Glad to know they're still at it. I love Aussie music.

Don't mind the Oils but I'm more into the Radio Birdman/New Christs family of bands.

 

[Silas Stingy]

Just dropping by to say thanks for the earlier advice from several here on which Tbird to go for.
It took a while, but I picked up a used mint condition Epi Classic Pro.
This is a hell of a lot of bass for the money, absolutely fantastic finish on it, and the neck is so playable even before I've done a set up. I have a feeling this bass is going to be fun.

 

[Nocturnal]

Have it painted! Man I played HELL trying to measure the striped just perfect and it would not work. My wife walked over and eyeballed it, BAM!

My wife seems to have that "eye" as well. She just visually gets things right. Almost never needs a level when she hangs something on the wall. When I check it with a level after it's almost always perfectly level.

 

[JJR58]

Sort of a sexual attraction IMO. The looks are what get your attention initially. Once you get the nuances of depth of character and attitude it's that heat that makes them so damn tough to ignore.

There is much truth in that.
Those Birds have a way of luring you in.