Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

For those in the PNW, this should be really good. I've seen Yo La Tengo 19 times and it's always great.

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So it turns out they will only be doing this the day before in Portland and that day in Seattle. I was hoping it would be a full tour. What a show! I wonder if Frank and V would let me stay in the music room for two weeks after the GTG so I can catch what should be an awesome event…

 

[dagrev]

I covet that bass, especially the bat wing! I’ve see a few at some guitar shows, but too rich for my blood.

I do enjoy it. Not many around, but not as sought after as Thunderbirds. Certainly not as much cool factor, but a good alternative if you want the tone without the "radical" Thunderbird shape.

Several years ago I saw two in Nashville that were both listed for $4k. Both were not all that nice and one had horrible action. I found mine shortly after that. Paid several hundred less and it was in far better condition to the two I saw. It sounds great, but not the same greatness of the '64 Thunderbird. Should sound almost identical.

 

[dagrev]

I wonder what that pickup is by the neck on Fred Turner's Jazz?

I'm sure it wasn't, but kind of looked like a LP guitar pickup.

I was fortunate enough to get to see them once. Goes without saying they were fantastic.

 

[dagrev]

Don't know if I've ever seen that clip, kinda rare seeing Tim Bachman on guitar! I really like their first three records a lot - "Blue Collar" is a masterpiece.

Fred and Randy look better now than they did back then, and they still can play too. RIP Tim and Rob.

Yes, when I saw them Fred and Randy were big "healthy" dudes! Basses and guitars looked little on them.

 

[dagrev]

View attachment 5359486
I suck at pictures, but there she is. The strap I have is a bit short (I'm 6'6", 320 pounds) so I was playing it higher than I would an FSO. My drummer, who's a better bass player than I am, commented that, "I don't know if it's the new bass or where you're playing it, but you're playing super tight tonight." If I could I'd go get a second one, as long as I'm getting complimented on it.

You've been ripped off. Send it back. The frets are all wonky.

Looks great. I've never played one and don't think I could. If I ever looked down I would end up in Kansas.

 

[Haji]

You've been ripped off. Send it back. The frets are all wonky.

Looks great. I've never played one and don't think I could. If I ever looked down I would end up in Kansas.

Not at all. The only difference in playability is that your hand is generally more relaxed than on a standard bass that doesn't care how much it injures the player. It takes no time at all to get used to, and the position markers on the side of the neck are right where you expect them to be. And it sounds amazing.

 

[Ringhammer]

Tone trips me up more than playability. I can adjust to most anything if it sounded great.

This.

Bring distracted thinking about my tone definitely has an effect. I notice it even more with my guitar players. Constantly looking at their pedals, amp settings, etc. The guitarist in one of my bands is not happy with the amp he has and is working hard to compensate for what it’s not giving him with pedals until he can find and afford something that will finally (hopefully) give him what he wants. But it’s becoming a problem, for at least the first three songs of the set during practice I can see the frustration he’s having. For me, I mostly have a good to great tone, but when I switch basses, some adjustments can be necessary. Always trying to get good levels, and all that.

I’ve actually been trying to make it a point to just concentrate on just playing well, especially if I am not happy with what I hear, whether it’s me or someone else. A part of practicing is playing around the distraction(s).

 

[WillyW]

Inverness Tuesday!

 

[Bent77]

This.

Bring distracted thinking about my tone definitely has an effect. I notice it even more with my guitar players. Constantly looking at their pedals, amp settings, etc. The guitarist in one of my bands is not happy with the amp he has and is working hard to compensate for what it’s not giving him with pedals until he can find and afford something that will finally (hopefully) give him what he wants. But it’s becoming a problem, for at least the first three songs of the set during practice I can see the frustration he’s having. For me, I mostly have a good to great tone, but when I switch basses, some adjustments can be necessary. Always trying to get good levels, and all that.

I’ve actually been trying to make it a point to just concentrate on just playing well, especially if I am not happy with what I hear, whether it’s me or someone else. A part of practicing is playing around the distraction(s).

I think having the right amp to start with is huge. If you’re not able to run direct in and get a good usable tone to start, then you’re pedal hunting from the start
IMO of course

 

[Ringhammer]

I think having the right amp to start with is huge. If you’re not able to run direct in and get a good usable tone to start, then you’re pedal hunting from the start
IMO of course

And it’s this thinking that empties bank accounts! lol.

I’m VERY lucky to have (and have had) amps I could have only dreamed of when I was in my late teens and twenties.

My amp that I have landed on is the Orange AD200B, with its companion 115 and sometimes the matching 210. Simple, five knobs, and plenty of good warm and deep power and all tube tone! And, while not light, still (to me, for now) manageable.

I have now set myself up with the 500w class D terror bass head and two lightweight 112’s, and this will be my small bar (or lazy gig night) rig. And as I get older, and find I don’t want to deal with moving the 65lb AD200, it’s likely to end up being my live rig for all gigs.

My BIGGEST battle with tone is and has always been finding a way to get the notes on the D/G strings on my FSO’s have some umph behind them. Some are fine, but some just don’t have it, and it seems pickups and or string choices only have a minimal effect. It’s virtually not a problem on my through neck basses (Thunderbirds and Rickenbackers). Yet another reason to just play ‘birds….

 

[WillyW]

I think having the right amp to start with is huge. If you’re not able to run direct in and get a good usable tone to start, then you’re pedal hunting from the start
IMO of course

I just love my Genz-Benz 9.2 shuttle AND my Yorkville XC808 cab. lightweight head, and heavy ass, cumbersome cab...

Lazy rig is my Ampeg BA210 combo

I have a metric shitload of pedals, but a phaser and OC-2 are the only must haves, but not necessarily need to be turned on...

 

[Engle]

View attachment 5359486
I suck at pictures, but there she is. The strap I have is a bit short (I'm 6'6", 320 pounds) so I was playing it higher than I would an FSO. My drummer, who's a better bass player than I am, commented that, "I don't know if it's the new bass or where you're playing it, but you're playing super tight tonight." If I could I'd go get a second one, as long as I'm getting complimented on it.

Congrats! those are nice!

 

[Engle]

This.

Bring distracted thinking about my tone definitely has an effect. I notice it even more with my guitar players. Constantly looking at their pedals, amp settings, etc. The guitarist in one of my bands is not happy with the amp he has and is working hard to compensate for what it’s not giving him with pedals until he can find and afford something that will finally (hopefully) give him what he wants. But it’s becoming a problem, for at least the first three songs of the set during practice I can see the frustration he’s having. For me, I mostly have a good to great tone, but when I switch basses, some adjustments can be necessary. Always trying to get good levels, and all that.

I’ve actually been trying to make it a point to just concentrate on just playing well, especially if I am not happy with what I hear, whether it’s me or someone else. A part of practicing is playing around the distraction(s).

I'm going to in ears with my cover band. If I can't hear myself well enough, I dig in and my right hand inevitably gets tired. Then I'm not having fun.
Same thing happens with my voice.

 

[Ringhammer]

View attachment 5359486
I suck at pictures, but there she is. The strap I have is a bit short (I'm 6'6", 320 pounds) so I was playing it higher than I would an FSO. My drummer, who's a better bass player than I am, commented that, "I don't know if it's the new bass or where you're playing it, but you're playing super tight tonight." If I could I'd go get a second one, as long as I'm getting complimented on it.

I’ve got some of these super long 65” straps I’m looking to sell:

Notice the solid brass hardware and strong leather-like ends?!

 

[TBird1958]

View attachment 5359486
I suck at pictures, but there she is. The strap I have is a bit short (I'm 6'6", 320 pounds) so I was playing it higher than I would an FSO. My drummer, who's a better bass player than I am, commented that, "I don't know if it's the new bass or where you're playing it, but you're playing super tight tonight." If I could I'd go get a second one, as long as I'm getting complimented on it.

Congratulations, it's beautiful!

 

[GonePlaid]

Well, as we know, the dealers are still offering these and they haven’t appeared on the site for some time. Although SW has it on backorder status right now. They had them in stock around the holidays.
Epiphone Thunderbird E1 Bass Guitar - Vintage Sunburst

Someone say E-1?(Grumman E-1b Tracer)

 

[GonePlaid]

This.

Bring distracted thinking about my tone definitely has an effect. I notice it even more with my guitar players. Constantly looking at their pedals, amp settings, etc. The guitarist in one of my bands is not happy with the amp he has and is working hard to compensate for what it’s not giving him with pedals until he can find and afford something that will finally (hopefully) give him what he wants. But it’s becoming a problem, for at least the first three songs of the set during practice I can see the frustration he’s having. For me, I mostly have a good to great tone, but when I switch basses, some adjustments can be necessary. Always trying to get good levels, and all that.

I’ve actually been trying to make it a point to just concentrate on just playing well, especially if I am not happy with what I hear, whether it’s me or someone else. A part of practicing is playing around the distraction(s).

Almost all of the places we play are 'short' on "stage" space, so I only bring one bass in. My backup(in case of h.s. detachment)stays-buried-in the gigmobile.

 

[GonePlaid]

I think having the right amp to start with is huge. If you’re not able to run direct in and get a good usable tone to start, then you’re pedal hunting from the start
IMO of course

Agreed.

 

[GonePlaid]

I'm going to in ears with my cover band. If I can't hear myself well enough, I dig in and my right hand inevitably gets tired. Then I'm not having fun.
Same thing happens with my voice.

I already have in-ears. They're called Hearing Aids.

 

[WillyW]

I already have in-ears. They're called Hearing Aids.

What?