Thunderbird Club

[JIO]

I still take kites to the ocean. They're a lot more sophisticated than the ones I had as a kid. We rented a huge house last summer at the Outer Banks, SC with my kids their spouses and we also took our 3 large dogs. I flew my nylon kite so high over the ocean and the wind was so strong I had a hard time reeling it back in.
Oh yeah it zipped straight up into the clouds in a matter of seconds. It was some great kite flying weather!

Being close to the Pacific Ocean - I've done the same here. Windy days are common there - perfect for kites. I still only use a basic kite but as kid used to make my own which were elaborately painted with long rag tails. I don't usually dwell on many nostalgic trappings from my youth - but this kite topic has definitely triggered some.

 

[Basvarken]

But how are they?

I have never heard them in real life.
But both Barfuss and Häussel have a good reputation.
Like I mentioned before, I wil try them out some day.

 

[saltymonkey]

Gibson Mod Collection Non-Reverse Thunderbird in Truly AMAZING Custom Finish "Let Freedom Bling" 2023 | Reverb

 

[JIO]

Maybe...

I've always been attracted to strong natured girls/women with short hair. Just that.

From "Wait Until Dark" 1967 - that Scott Walker did the title track for -

 

[JIO]

View attachment 5402528

Gibson Mod Collection Non-Reverse Thunderbird in Truly AMAZING Custom Finish "Let Freedom Bling" 2023 | Reverb

It's funny - in the late '60s when all young adults my age (including me) were using/incorporating the stars & stripes on our clothing, guitars/basses/ etc... we did it as a counter-cultural thing. I think that bass looks awesome but I would never own or want to be seen playing it today. It's just how far the pendulum has swung since then sadly.

 

[SubHuman]

Big shout out to @Engle and @GonePlaid. I just finished modding my Epi Pro IV with 760 PU’s and a new wiring harness, a new pickguard (same material as Mikes!) and a sweet T-Bird decal to top it off. I also found out it has a brass nut. It also has a 7 ply neck through construction in Trans Black. It looks black in low light and nice brown grain in the sunlight. The 760’s sound really good and it looks better than the original all dark design. I want to get chrome tuners too. I hope my buddies can jam a little next week!

 

[JJR58]

Big shout out to @Engle and @GonePlaid. I just finished modding my Epi Pro IV with 760 PU’s and a new wiring harness, a new pickguard (same material as Mikes!) and a sweet T-Bird decal to top it off. I also found out it has a brass nut. It also has a belly cut body and 7 ply neck through construction in Trans Black. It looks black in low light and nice brown grain in the sunlight. The 760’s sound really good and it looks better than the original all dark design. I want to get chrome tuners too. I hope my buddies can jam a little next week!
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Beautiful!

 

[MCF]

Yikes, indeed. A friend saw that happen ion Dallas, but with moving vehicles on the interstate in slow, rush hour traffic. Pre-cell phone, and several lanes over so he couldn’t get over to see if he could do anything. Traffic just kept going.

One (of several) reasons I don’t care for Texas is the Dallas Airport. An AA hub. I’ve been through there at least a dozen times. I have NEVER had an experience there meeting a connection without drama. I have sat on the tarmac there, unable to get up to use the bathroom. My niece lives in Houston, completing her PHD at Rice,. Once she finisdhed, she has vowed to never return.

 

[Ringhammer]

An "embarrassment of riches" as the saying goes - somewhere around 30; some mine, some actively for sale (on Reverb), some that will eventually go on Reverb, and some in progress. At one time I only owned one bass - my '63 II (stollen in '78) and later my '64 II. (which I still have) I don't apologize as it's part of what I am and what I do. Most were acquired for little money as "fixer-uppers". The most I've paid for a bass was for my '66 P (10 years ago this month) with absolutely no regrets. (and nowhere near what any '66 Fender bass is going for today) It's never been a "hobby" for me - it's part of me as an artist (and musician), just focused on basses instead of canvas paintings/drawings/lithographs/collages. I always felt performing as a musician was more immediate/gradifying than being a visual artist and I'm glad to focus on it in my autumn years.

I currently have 29, with one for sale. Sometimes I feel bad about having so many. Not as eclectic a collection as I believe @JIO has, but it’s all the type I like, mostly P an J basses, but in a variety, such as four are fretless (1 Jazz lined 1 Precision rosewood, 1 Precision maple, 1 Jazz ebony), three are short scale (2 custom P’s with Mustang necks, 1 custom Jazz with a MusicMaster neck), some of the P’s have a second P pickup added at the bridge, then there are two Rics, 1 is a 5’er. Then of course my seven Thunderbirds (plus the one that’s for sale). Lots of other basses don’t interest me solely based on the aesthetic, and with the collection I have I get the sounds I want, and ALL of them are the best looking basses there are (to me, which is what counts. If others agree, then bonus!)

 

[Stealth57]

I currently have 29, with one for sale. Sometimes I feel bad about having so many. Not as eclectic a collection as I believe @JIO has, but it’s all the type I like, mostly P an J basses, but in a variety, such as four are fretless (1 Jazz lined 1 Precision rosewood, 1 Precision maple, 1 Jazz ebony), three are short scale (2 custom P’s with Mustang necks, 1 custom Jazz with a MusicMaster neck), some of the P’s have a second P pickup added at the bridge, then there are two Rics, 1 is a 5’er. Then of course my seven Thunderbirds (plus the one that’s for sale). Lots of other basses don’t interest me solely based on the aesthetic, and with the collection I have I get the sounds I want, and ALL of them are the best looking basses there are (to me, which is what counts. If others agree, then bonus!)

You must have been hiding a lot.

 

[MCF]

They don't know yet but Dallas is actually in Oklahoma. We gave it to Oklahoma without them knowing.

Surprisingly, we have plenty of relatives on the wife’s side in Oklahoma. And even more surprising, they agree with us on most political issues. The younger ones are leaving. The’ll come here or to Madison or go to Boston.

 

[MCF]

Just look up Butterfly Boucher.
Lot of her stuff on iTunes and Spotify.
She’s been a fav of mine for a long time.
As far as her music, which I love….
…..ymmv.

I will Jeff.

 

[SubHuman]

View attachment 5402528

Gibson Mod Collection Non-Reverse Thunderbird in Truly AMAZING Custom Finish "Let Freedom Bling" 2023 | Reverb

I can see ZZ Top rockin’ that axe! Dusty Hill had some crazy basses and that would fit right in! We lost a great player!

 

[MCF]

Maybe...

Intrigued. Rabbit hole time.

 

[MCF]

I currently have 29, with one for sale. Sometimes I feel bad about having so many. Not as eclectic a collection as I believe @JIO has, but it’s all the type I like, mostly P an J basses, but in a variety, such as four are fretless (1 Jazz lined 1 Precision rosewood, 1 Precision maple, 1 Jazz ebony), three are short scale (2 custom P’s with Mustang necks, 1 custom Jazz with a MusicMaster neck), some of the P’s have a second P pickup added at the bridge, then there are two Rics, 1 is a 5’er. Then of course my seven Thunderbirds (plus the one that’s for sale). Lots of other basses don’t interest me solely based on the aesthetic, and with the collection I have I get the sounds I want, and ALL of them are the best looking basses there are (to me, which is what counts. If others agree, then bonus!)

You may have figured out, we’re a lot alike.

 

[SubHuman]

@WillyW what strings did you ship on my Inverness Green NR? Are those Pyramids?

I really like the feel and tone. I want to put a set on my Epi Pro IV. Any other users here use Pyramids?

 

[JIO]

Big shout out to @Engle and @GonePlaid. I just finished modding my Epi Pro IV with 760 PU’s and a new wiring harness, a new pickguard (same material as Mikes!) and a sweet T-Bird decal to top it off. I also found out it has a brass nut. It also has a 7 ply neck through construction in Trans Black. It looks black in low light and nice brown grain in the sunlight. The 760’s sound really good and it looks better than the original all dark design. I want to get chrome tuners too. I hope my buddies can jam a little next week!
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looks good on black -

 

[SubHuman]

looks good on black -

Thanks! That means a lot coming from the Master!

 

[Ringhammer]

You must have been hiding a lot.

You walked past 5 of them in the living room, 5 more were hanging in the garage, 2 others are in my office, and all the rest are in cases in the garage.

 

[JIO]

Thanks! That means a lot coming from the Master!

err... master of what I'd have to reply... That style of material has a strong visual personality, so allowing it to profess itself against a neutral (in this case black) format/foundation "shows it off".