Thunderbird Club

[kat888]

Oops, I created a mess.

I was just trying to get an idea after the fulsome praise the 64 TB II received a post or two above mine. I know the Japanese ones mentioned have fans and I'm not likely to even see an original. I just wanted a comparison on the relativity of them to the original.
I'm a bit fascinated by the single pickup versions at the moment.

I'll crawl back into my hole now.
Enjoy Anzac Day.

I haven't been in ABH Pitt St for a while but last time there was a newer Gibson TBIV on the wall for AUD1999. Walnut isn't my thing and I didn't really give it a second look, although him indoors actually pointed it out to me again while I was messing around with an EB3. You should go to ABH and ask for a go on it.

Anything vintage is simply beyond my budget and all thoughts of possessing such instruments are banished. Besides, a custom built NRBird with a 66 Thunderbucker is hardly 'make do and mend' in my book.

 

[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?

Just following up on this. The Thunderbird sounds killer and is definitely a keeper. I rehearsed with it for the first time yesterday, doing primarily modern country material. It sounded great. I was using a nice tube amp through my keyboardist's Markbass cab and it had a tone of low-mid growl.

 

[TBird1958]

Oops, I created a mess.

I was just trying to get an idea after the fulsome praise the 64 TB II received a post or two above mine. I know the Japanese ones mentioned have fans and I'm not likely to even see an original. I just wanted a comparison on the relativity of them to the original.
I'm a bit fascinated by the single pickup versions at the moment.

I'll crawl back into my hole now.
Enjoy Anzac Day.

No mess

I didn't have much info at all when I bought my Greco and Orville, I just took the plunge - Asking questions is the nice part about this dedicated thread and group. There are some participants that actually own the basses in question and you can a real answer, not like the claptrap in the Gen. Pop. from guys that
have no experience and just like to see their own words on a screen.
Questions are always good

 

[GBassNorth]

This little Bird caught my attention a few weeks back and now I can't get it out of my mind. I really like the simple elegant lines but have never heard or played one...
Burny ZB-85 signature Norio Toshiro ( Thunderbird Bass ) See-Thru Blue
Anybody ever play a Burny Bird? Any good?

 

[veebass]

Having the bass that may have played on "The Unguarded Moment" definitely counts for something in my book!

Is that the pink paisley Telecaster featured on the video?

No it's this one. Added bonus- the least Fender sounding bass Fender ever made.

 

[vdub75]

Sooo.... I have a nickel Bridge on my nonreverse that is gonna be replaced by a babicz. I want to put the nickel Bridge onto my classic pro. I Need the flat Bridge inserts from the Gibson to go under the Babicz. Where can I get Chrome or nickel Bridge inserts for my classic pro?

Does anybody know whether the cable of the neck pickup runs thru the Bridge pickup cavity on the classic pro?

 

[Nocturnal]

This little Bird caught my attention a few weeks back and now I can't get it out of my mind. I really like the simple elegant lines but have never heard or played one...
Burny ZB-85 signature Norio Toshiro ( Thunderbird Bass ) See-Thru Blue
Anybody ever play a Burny Bird? Any good?

I was looking at that one earlier in the evening (for about the 10th time). Something about it that I like too. I have never tried a Burny but I think they are related to Fernandes. My Fernandes flipped over Bird is well made and plays great.

 

[Larry V]

^^^That sure is a nice looking 'Bird.

 

[ubernator]

People pay what they think things are worth. No reason to get worked up. I am old enough to remember when you could buy a mid 70's Fender bass for about $300. Now they are 5x that. I bought mine, a 73 Jazz for $350 in 1993.

As far as American Peavey, there was a music store in suburban Philly (Medley Music) that went our of business in the late 90's early 2000's IIRC. I stopped by to see what they had and there was a pile, and I mean pile (easily 30+) of T Series Peavey Guitars and basses on the floor. All new, no cases $15 each. I left with nothing. So when I see a T-40 bass for $450 I just figure somebody wants a Peavey they don't make anymore an is willing to pay. Nostalgia=$$.

I have gotten to the point where I realize that having a few things I really love and use, is a lot more valuable to me than lots of things with "implied worth" that I don't regularly use. YMMV.

peavey prices may have gone up on certain models like the t40, but that t40 is still a pretty respectable bass aside from the weight. I would own one eventually, but the p bass width neck, weight and $500 price tag makes it not a priority. The construction, bridge and many different sounds capable by the stock electronics is pretty impressive. But that weight.. It's worth it, I hope to get one someday, at least get a chance to try one out, they were before my time. I think they were only $350 or so in their heyday, so $450 isn't bad, but much worse than when they were under $200 all day a decade or less ago, and Furies rarely went for much over a bill. Now schmoes are trying to sell furies at $350, when they were $200 new back in the day, and everyone knew used Furies were $100. Best $100 bass on the market. Those days are over unfortunately. Well fortunately for the sellers, though the overpriced ones tend to sit a while.

 

[JIO]

No it's this one. Added bonus- the least Fender sounding bass Fender ever made.

Studio engineers can make any bass sound that neutral - which in this case they did.

 

[Gaolee]

Cool. I was hoping to get feedback from a seasoned Acoustic veteran! Seiiling off a few things, and it'll weigh less than what I've been hauling around...

Thanks for the reply, @Gaolee !

P.s. I'm paying $250 for it...

I don't have a clue whether that's a good price or not. Considering what it can do, and what else you can get for that much, it's a great deal if it's in decent condition. I don't follow prices of much of anything, so if there's a book value or something for 126 combos, I don't know what it is. I considered selling mine a few years ago, but whatever I could get to replace it cost more and did less. So, I did the obvious and kept it. At that rate, I'll probably get buried with it someday.

 

[Count Bassie]

I don't have a clue whether that's a good price or not. Considering what it can do, and what else you can get for that much, it's a great deal if it's in decent condition. I don't follow prices of much of anything, so if there's a book value or something for 126 combos, I don't know what it is. I considered selling mine a few years ago, but whatever I could get to replace it cost more and did less. So, I did the obvious and kept it. At that rate, I'll probably get buried with it someday.

It's in nice condition, the guy has kept good care of it. I'll post a pic and details when I get hold of it.

 

[veebass]

Studio engineers can make any bass sound that neutral - which in this case they did.

Yes, that's true.I don't know if the Telecaster Bass concerned was used in the recording. It would have needed some taming. It may have just been used in the clip.
My point was that those humbucker Telecaster Basses are the least Fender sounding basses Fender has made. The Seth Lover wide range humbucker is a monster. Much more appealing to a Gibson Bass lover like me.

 

[TBird1958]

This little Bird caught my attention a few weeks back and now I can't get it out of my mind. I really like the simple elegant lines but have never heard or played one...
Burny ZB-85 signature Norio Toshiro ( Thunderbird Bass ) See-Thru Blue
Anybody ever play a Burny Bird? Any good?

I have a Burny Thunderbird as it turns out, but not that specific model.
It's like that discussion yesterday, looks like a Thunderbird but in the true sense isn't one. Briefly, it's set neck, slightly bigger than a '76, plays nice and easy, has a volute ( yay, I got to use that in a sentence), the pots are cheap the pups aren't anything to yell about, if I keep mine it may get some Chinabuckers. It's very light and has the largest %&^*#$@ headstock ever.

Shameless hussy with bass in question.

 

[veebass]

Shameless hussy with bass in question.

Is there another type of hussy?
I like the clip as well.

 

[BklynKen]

Shameless hussy with bass in question.

How do you feel about people in the audience looking up your skirt? ;-)

 

[TBird1958]

How do you feel about people in the audience looking up your skirt? ;-)

I wasn't thrilled at first, I mean really, giving the audience a shot of my who haw isn't tops on my list. But it happens so aside from undies first, nylons or stockings second I wear these or the non sequined ones so at least I'm covered. I'm still not thrilled about it when certain members of the audience do it deliberately tho.
Sequin Briefs | Balera™

 

[BklynKen]

I wasn't thrilled at first, I mean really, giving the audience a shot of my who haw isn't tops on my list. But it happens so aside from undies first, nylons or stockings second I wear these or the non sequined ones so at least I'm covered. I'm still not thrilled about it when certain members of the audience do it deliberately tho.
Sequin Briefs | Balera™

Ah. Well-played.

 

[ProgressiveDoom]

I wasn't thrilled at first, I mean really, giving the audience a shot of my who haw isn't tops on my list. But it happens so aside from undies first, nylons or stockings second I wear these or the non sequined ones so at least I'm covered. I'm still not thrilled about it when certain members of the audience do it deliberately tho.
Sequin Briefs | Balera™

Aw come on, you rock a sweet Thunderbird!, live wildly!.

 

[PillO]

I wasn't thrilled at first, I mean really, giving the audience a shot of my who haw isn't tops on my list. But it happens so aside from undies first, nylons or stockings second I wear these or the non sequined ones so at least I'm covered. I'm still not thrilled about it when certain members of the audience do it deliberately tho.
Sequin Briefs | Balera™

Well, aren't you just giving them reason to look? It is what those in the insurance industry would call an attractive nuisance.