Thunderbird Club

[RedVee]

When I turn it off? Honestly I never considered it but non of my basses make a sound when I flip the switch and I'm running a LOUD GK 2001 into 2 8x10s. I always test at home first. For example, this one I reversed a wire somewhere cuz I get sound if I tap on the switch. It's only 3 wires.

Ok, that's good.

 

[Haji]

The glory days of guitar stores was a different era for sure. I was in San Diego in the 80's, when there were a lot of cool independent stores like American Dream Music and Muzik Muzik, where I bought my second bass (an 87 Charvel 2B). Ol' Mike Fenton always had cool, rare, and hard to find stuff. Back then, in the mid 80's through early 90's, you could buy a Pedulla Buzz at Guitar Center, and their Hollywood store had EVERYTHING. even the street that store was on (perhaps Hollywood Blvd? I don't recall exactly anymore...) was a good mile on both sides of guitar and drum stores. There was a bass only store near there but it couldn't stay open. San Diego has Bass San Diego now, so some things have gotten better.

 

[rodv66]

The glory days of guitar stores was a different era for sure. I was in San Diego in the 80's, when there were a lot of cool independent stores like American Dream Music and Muzik Muzik, where I bought my second bass (an 87 Charvel 2B). Ol' Mike Fenton always had cool, rare, and hard to find stuff. Back then, in the mid 80's through early 90's, you could buy a Pedulla Buzz at Guitar Center, and their Hollywood store had EVERYTHING. even the street that store was on (perhaps Hollywood Blvd? I don't recall exactly anymore...) was a good mile on both sides of guitar and drum stores. There was a bass only store near there but it couldn't stay open. San Diego has Bass San Diego now, so some things have gotten better.

Dying breed in central NJ as well. NJ Guitar and Bass Center is one of the few holdouts.

 

[kat888]

Ironically we have more sheep than NZ, less per head though.

I believe the Poms make the sheep shagging jobs about Aussies (Bazza Mackenzie movie era anyway).

The English direct most of their sheep shagging jibes at the Welsh and Scots.

I recall during a test match in SAF, when Warnie was in his pomp, one of the locals waving a 'love ewe' sex toy around, with 'Shane Warne's Girlfriend' written on it.

 

[kat888]

Anyone here give your bird a name?

My Bird with the Chinabuckers is the 'Chinabird'. The one building at the moment is NR41KB, aka KatBird, aka 'the red one'.

My mapleglo Ric was known as the 'perfect blonde' although these days, that finish looks more like flat pack veneer furniture to me.

 

[vdub75]

would you prefer chinabuckers or TBHZs? soundwise!

 

[kat888]

would you prefer chinabuckers or TBHZs? soundwise!

Asking me? Or @wolfkeller?

The Chinabuckers were a good price, the EMG pickups are nosebleed expensive in Australia. I'd only want to spend that sort of money on Thunderbuckers or similar high end reproduction pups.

 

[vdub75]

talking to the whole lot :-D

EMGs are 80€ per pickup, Chinabuckers are 60€, Thunderbuckers are ~250€ shipped + Import stuff... so...

 

[marko57]

Sitting here in the Warwick RI Guitar Center, in the bass section. There is nothing at all inspiring here, to my sensibilities. Some SUB basses, a few Fenders, a mess of Squires, a few other cheap things you see around all over the place now... And a 32" scale Hagstrom HB-4, used, for $349, with a very poorly cut pick guard. China... Bummer.

I dunno, maybe someone else would be pumped, but I'm just decidedly underwhelmed.

Nothing to see here, move along...

Sounds exactly like the Nashua GC.

 

[marko57]

Wait - a guitarist with a bit of an attitude?!! Really?

Actually, our previous guitarist was the total opposite, no attitude at all. Unfortunately, had to leave for family reasons.
So in comes Mr. Attitude who yes, was the posterchild for the stereotype.

 

[marko57]

The English direct most of their sheep shagging jibes at the Welsh and Scots.

I recall during a test match in SAF, when Warnie was in his pomp, one of the locals waving a 'love ewe' sex toy around, with 'Shane Warne's Girlfriend' written on it.

Right! Hence the old Scots standby: Why do the Scots wear kilts? Because the sheep can hear a zipper!

 

[Haji]

EMG's sound like EMG's. I happen to love that sound, so that's a positive for me. In pickups the differences to the player can be gigantic, but all sound the same to the audience. If you've got the money for the TBuckers, get 'em; they're excellent. In my opinion the chinabuckers are a good value but rank last in tone. In the end you gotta make your ears happy so use that as the measuring stick.

 

[Klondike]

MY spector? Where?

At Players Guitar. Sild it to a guy named Mike?

 

[Klondike]

Fantastic player. My main band then, and now, is Thin Lizzy but I always had an ear for different stuff. I could listen to Sabbath, Dio era only, and then put on a Ultravox disc and follow that up with Marillion and then Sweet. Country is the only genre I didn't like then and don't like now.

Disco! Disco turns my head in circles! But the bass lines were increadable. Disco is such a duality for me, I hate it and I love it!

 

[Klondike]

Right! Hence the old Scots standby: Why do the Scots wear kilts? Because the sheep can hear a zipper!

OMG you guys a killin me! That is so funny!!! Amd I have a lit of Scot in me. Maybe now isnt the time to say that - zip

 

[Gaolee]

[looks at feet]

OK, so 'fess up. What is it?

 

[wolfkeller]

At Players Guitar. Sild it to a guy named Mike?

Was it the black/gold one?

 

[Gaolee]

Usually it's - "the red bass" or, "the white bass" or, "the black or brown or gold bass"... although my bandmates really liked when I brought the T-bird (the way it sounded in the mix) which isn't any of those colours. (well, it's sorta in the brown camp) I think it was referred to as, "that other bass".

My 'Birds are named the years they were made, except the 2001. It was called "rude" by a band leader, so it's now the rude bass instead of the '01. And the fretless 'Bird is the fretless. That's as close to personification as they get.

 

[wolfkeller]

Ok all better now. Ground wire had come off, all quiet now.

 

[LiquidMidnight]

I've pretty much been a five-string player exclusively for the past 16 or so years. I've always dug the Thunderbird thing. I waited years to find some killer deal on a Studio V or a Lull T5. But it just started to seem like five-string Thunderbirds were becoming unicorns, going up in price rather than down, so I just bit the bullet and picked up a Studio V. Please forgive my crappy camera skills.

I haven't played it through a full rig (will next time at rehearsal), but it sounds pretty cool through my headphones. Only think I don't seem to dig is the front strap button placement. It currently has Ernie Ball strap buttons. I've expiremented with a locking strap as well as some Dunlop strap locks I have. The bass seems to lean forward, which I don't really dig. I'm thinking of just putting a strap button in the traditional location. I don't dig drilling holes into a bass, but I think I'd rather deal with a little potential neck dive rather than the bass leaning away from me. Any thoughts on that?