Thunderbird Club

[ectoflanger]

That's great. Very happy for you, Geoff.

I can't say I want to retire. I think about it some, but figure I will get to the point one day when I know I'm just done with it all. But at this point I don't want that to be anytime soon. My wife retired early and would be happy if I did, but I just don't have the urge to do so. I also don't want to wait so long all I can do just sit in a rocker in poor health and wait for my ticket to be called. I've got to get out West before that happens. Several times maybe.

Though I retired in 2018, in a sense I’m not, having finished a novel January 9 (my birthday and the same day I received my first Thunderbird) and in the process of editing pages 210-451. And there are music projects-

So I can appreciate your post- I might have continued in my previous profession if it weren’t for a change in leadership and subsequent paradigms which I couldn’t abide by-

 

[dagrev]

My part-time diggs over the next six months or so- not my place but a drummer brother’s of mine. Will be developing and recording original material, along with a few choice covers-

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Though my poisons for that first orientation day were these - for the title and third tracks of Haphazard Minds, rest assured that this new lady in my life will soon be joining their ranks after I upgrade her with a recently arrived Hipshot Xtender-

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Note the port light on the upper left of my TC Electronics rig and the slight curvature of the deck under the T-Bird indicating that I do indeed live on a sailboat-

Wow!

 

[dagrev]

Finally got some spare time to work on one of the home brew birds. Recall this one is a NR bird made completely out of Fender parts (except the body and pickguard). It’s an attempt to mothball the last remaining Fender I play on a regular basis, my 2012 Fender Telecaster Modern Player. Just completed the final fitment and test setup and acoustic sound check. She has nice low action, nicely aligned strings/neck/pup pole pieces and bridge. Acoustically much much better than the donor bass, all notes ring very loud and clear, balance is good and weight is manageable.
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the next step will be to finalize the pickguard pattern so I can send it off to Irv for his magic touch while Pat Wilkins has the body for finishing. Was planning on Butterscotch blonde but a bit concerned the mahogany might throw an orange tint into the mix, so I’m now leaning towards a 1970’s era bold Fender 3TSB with possibly a Tort guard just to top off the Fender product look I’m after, or maybe a vintage cherry burst.

Here’s the donor basses twin sister for comparison…
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…vintage cherry burst…
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…I was just kidding about the tort guard, it’ll most likely be black. But it’s not like Gibson hasn’t gone down that road…
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That is going to be so cool. "Fire" as the youngin's say. Vintage cherry burst has my vote, though we're not voting... The olf Fender 2Tone burst might look great as well. So many good possibilities. I heard of one guy in OR who painted one in Flamingo Pink. ...And it turned out great.

 

[dagrev]

Though I retired in 2018, in a sense I’m not, having finished a novel January 9 (my birthday and the same day I received my first Thunderbird) and in the process of editing pages 210-451. And there are music projects-

So I can appreciate your post- I might have continued in my previous profession if it weren’t for a change in leadership and subsequent paradigms which I couldn’t abide by-

Congrats on the BD and the book.

Yes, there are always externals that can help make that decision easier! I am the leadership. Come to think of it, that guy is an idiot....Maybe I should show him.

 

[dagrev]

Instead of doing the stupid thing and searching...didn't a couple of you boil or otherwise clean some rounds? Chuck and Irv, I'm thinking. Chuck mentioning boiling and Irv some kind of alcohol (not that kind Stealth), in a tube?

I've got a set I might like to try to breath a little life in before too long to see how it goes. I don't think I have any PVC around, but will coiling and boiling or soaking in something work well enough to take time to do it?

 

[WillyW]

Must admit that back in December I was tempted to drop a dime on this one-

Fender Precision 1975 Explorerbird John Entwistle - Red | Reverb

Wasn’t until much later, after seeing this vid in 1979, that I made the connection-

shag that horse poopie, we can build one them under $600. Name dropping entwhistle in the description doesn’t make it worth as much as an Alembic.

 

[MCF]

Firestone Walker?


You do. And you have an "in" in the airline industry!

Yep Firestone Walker.

 

[MCF]

Another brew my guitarist friend shared with me were some 20 oz plus dark offerings by the Russian River folks- talk about bubbly ambrosia!

We have a lot of great boutique breweries here. Although too many have shut down the last few years.

 

[MCF]

Instead of doing the stupid thing and searching...didn't a couple of you boil or otherwise clean some rounds? Chuck and Irv, I'm thinking. Chuck mentioning boiling and Irv some kind of alcohol (not that kind Stealth), in a tube?

I've got a set I might like to try to breath a little life in before too long to see how it goes. I don't think I have any PVC around, but will coiling and boiling or soaking in something work well enough to take time to do it?

Not worth the effort. Unless you’re desperate. JMO. Take it with a grain of salt. Or two. My time is worth a minimum $200/hr. The strings I use are $16 - $22 a set. Life is short. Support your favorite string manufacturer and dealer and keep plenty of fresh packs around.

 

[MCF]

I still need to try Pliny the Younger. Interesting thing is that you can get Russian River beers in Philadelphia.

I’m not an IPA guy. But for those who are, this local is supposedly world renowned for theirs. I believe they are available on a limited basis in some New York and other big city specialty stores.
https://www.kernriverbrewing.com/

 

[MCF]

Didn’t I make you an Oatmeal Stout?

You did. And it is delicious. I woulda drank more had I hung around another day. Many thanks my friend.

 

[MCF]

Oh yes it does. And I've got a drysuit and a semidry.

I think I’ve mentioned it, but my wife’s second cousin (or whatever the degree is) dives at the Seattle aquarium. He actually lives pretty close to V I think.

 

[MCF]

Retiring in July, I’ve put my notice in. Even better, I’m taking Long Service leave from Easter.

Im just over it all.

Wow! Awesome news Geoff! Congratulations!

 

[SubHuman]

retirement kinda sounds good……
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why they call it Silicon Valley….
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Nice office view! I worked all of my life for my retirement and it’s the Best thing I ever did.
My wife just recently retired too so we’re both free as birds!

 

[RedVee]

Though I retired in 2018, in a sense I’m not, having finished a novel January 9 (my birthday and the same day I received my first Thunderbird) and in the process of editing pages 210-451. And there are music projects-

So I can appreciate your post- I might have continued in my previous profession if it weren’t for a change in leadership and subsequent paradigms which I couldn’t abide by-

HB for the 9th. Mine is the 12th.
Grandkid still has 6 more days to be a January Bub

 

[MCF]

Congrats! Best career move I ever made (way back in 2012 when I was 55). And that’s coming from a person that loved his job.
My advice to everyone, retire as soon as you can financially afford to. You’ll add years of quality time to you and your loved ones lives.

In 2015, I was looking to 2022 as the year. Then the wind shifted in 2016. I have no clue when I’ll be able to retire. I’ll just leave it at that.

 

[SubHuman]

Thanks George.

My theory is that I don’t know if I have 10 years life left (or 10 months or 10 days)… so time to stop work while I’m well enough and active enough to enjoy it.

My Dad retired at 62 and did some stuff but by 65 he had a bad cancer. Of the remaining 17 years he had far too many of them that were a trial rather than a joy.

(I turned 62 a couple of weeks ago. So born in 62, retire at 62 has a nice symmetry to it).

RedVee glad to hear that for you! I went through a very similar situation with my Dad and realized back then that I needed to set myself up for retirement and enjoy the fruits of my labor. I personally think it has added years to my life…God willing!

 

[MCF]

We didn’t get them but I remember hearing that the Monza had a 350 available.
We had one here racing in the (highly modified) Sports Sedan class and winning… a lot.

I saw a Monza on the weekend and was struck by how small it looked.

You had to lift the engine to change plugs in the Monza. Great design. Not.

 

[SubHuman]

If one engine is good Three is better! That is one sick car!

 

[GonePlaid]

This one..........
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It's only money, just "add to cart"


I will say that I think basses Mike built will go up in value in the future.

etc.