Thunderbird Club

[dagrev]

I can't figure it out. I should post it in Luthier's corner- maybe someone else has seen this?

Good idea. Or send pics to or Ripleys Believe It Or Not Museum!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I know each of our gigging situations is unique, but our band hasn't had FOH or a sound man-'cept us-since 2015.
The only thing in the PA is vocals-no instruments. We could run instruments through my PA, but there's no need in the rooms we play in. We can't run instruments through the one guitarist's PA.(We alternate systems)
I always take a backup bass*, especially if I'm using/abusing the 67NR-in case the h.s. separates...again.
*Either the Embassy or the EB-0.
View attachment 5457507
BTW, I thought headstocks were for hitting drummers.

They're for hitting whoever needs hitting.

ELLL KABIIINNNGGG!!!! (KABONG requires using the bigged end of the weapon.)

 

[dagrev]

Sorta funny story: there's a guitarist/singer I've worked with a few times that would like to have me in the band. The only problem is that the current bass man is the guy who has the contacts and books the gigs.

Doesn't the guitar player know you have a flip phone? No reason you can't do the contacting.

 

[Stealth57]

Doesn't the guitar player know you have a flip phone? No reason you can't do the contacting.

And band photog.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Looks like it could be an overly live room. Hard to play/sound good there?

see? that's how I know you're rock the bass…..crappy room, secret being setting up the band in the corber with tight spacing and keeping the volume down….

 

[JIO]

On the topic of playing - I took a few lessons at 13 when I first got a bass but that was it. I've tried many times to self-learn reading music over my life but it never sticks. Luckily I have a good ear and enjoy figuring out bass-lines. I also have a good sense of timing. Jamming has been my laboratory for learning 'how' to play in an ensemble. And jamming with musicians that are like-minded and experienced at jamming. Being audacious when applicable and having jam-mates who allow such lets me experiment on the fly. Sometime of course things wobble, but jamming is never having to say you're sorry.., or something like that. There's always a chance of it going no-where, but when everyone connects - that's when I tap into letting go and flowing with joint experience.

Then there's learning/rehearsing songs and performing - I love crafting songs both original and covers with my bandmates; serving the song, jointly honing our overall sound - 'making music'. Playing live is another endeavor - doing what you've developed/worked on in front of an audience in a sometimes chaotic situation. (a small stage, many things going on around you, time schedule, temperature on stage, sound in the room... all the while staying focused on presenting a good performance. Sometimes it's a blur, but I always try to enjoy the experience. If it ain't fun - why do it?

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Sorta funny story: there's a guitarist/singer I've worked with a few times that would like to have me in the band. The only problem is that the current bass man is the guy who has the contacts and books the gigs.

and prolly not the player you are…

 

[Miles_ONeal]

1. There is a reason.
2. I had one lesson which consisted of a drawing of a fretboard with notes on it.
3. I know me.
Conclusion: Don't go with your feelings.

Slightly less kidding...People I have played with complement and like what I do, but I know all of my mistakes (some make me scratch my head). I hate practicing by myself, and never do it but to get a handle on a song I've never played and need to see what's going on to play it live. More flow than trying to mimic the bass part. Sometimes I like what is done, and some times I would rather play what "comes out." And, I hardly ever bother to learn a song I'm not needing to play any more. I used to put on albums and play through them (my real bass lessons), but I only do that with a song once in a while I favor and want to play along with.

But...I have every bit as much fun playing as people who are great.

You had a lesson! Ahead of me.

We all make mistakes. Even <insert favorite TBer here>.

I enjoy practicing; it's the deciding to actually do it that I hate. My current goal is to get to where I know the changes and general idea by heart. If I find things along the way I really like, I try to practice those into memory as well. Otherwise, I practice for fun, to reinforce things, and to learn. I'll go through a song 10-20 times trying different things and/or honing things. It's fun - once I get my butt in gear and strap on the bass.

ahem?

 

[Miles_ONeal]

question: On my Epi 60's the neck pickup cover screw has a sharp protrusion that catches my thumb. Honestly why are there such large rounded screws. I'm think I should just switch them around till I find one that's more smooth. But has anyone just replaced them with flat head screws?

Epi has done this since the VP first came out. It's bizarre they still do that.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Well, a couple of things get considered.
...
Room onstage, our singer is a klutz, she moves around a lot, not always gracefully - she's hit the headstock of several of my basses, so I'm careful about the '64.
...

Why not swap sides with the keys/guitar players?

 

[SubHuman]

Some of the lower frets have the strangest wear pattern/geometry I've ever seen. They are lower between the string paths.
But the gouges from the strings are underneath the strings where expected.
View attachment 5457659

I'll be refretting anyway. No point trying to get those level!

I wonder if the previous bass player was trying a BB King vibrato technique on a bass? This could cause the extra fret wear.


Just a guess!

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Didn't know they made this colour Thunderbird
(Canadian price)

 

[MCF]

Hi all,
Just wanted to share my Epi 60's. I got it last September, but had not played it much till I took to a rehearsal two weeks ago. It killed! Strung with DR Hi Beams it's crunchy low tone is fantastic. Thinking about getting another one.

Congratulations! Stainless steel and Thunderbirds are great together IMO.

 

[MCF]

If the instrument cables had come with two right angle plugs I'd have bought some. But I finally gave up and bought some RA adapters, so I'll be trying CAR Pig Hogs before long.

AMS seems to run good sales on them. Check there.

 

[SubHuman]

Didn't know they made this colour Thunderbird
(Canadian price)
View attachment 5457755

Those purple metal flake TB's are super cool. It really clashes with that mustard yellow Embassy!

 

[Engle]

Indeed. I am completely confident no one would laugh at my playing if I were hopefully able to make it one day. We all know we are at different places and had more or less opportunity and experience to be/get better. But the love shared is playing bass (Thunderbirds in particular), and not having to play them well. Not to say I wouldn't feel self-conscious. I have never liked playing in front of people I know. Like playing at church. The know me and will see me many times again. Nameless faces in a crowd I will likely never see much less know creates less anxiety for me.

The GTG last summer was a surreal experience for me. It is a little strange at first to meet friends you have only chatted with online, but that passes quickly.
Nobody was judging anyone's playing.
For me trying to think of different things to play was a challenge

 

[JJR58]

The GTG last summer was a surreal experience for me. It is a little strange at first to meet friends you have only chatted with online, but that passes quickly.
Nobody was judging anyone's playing.
For me trying to think of different things to play was a challenge

Ha! I hear ya on the playing thing Irv.

 

[BklynKen]

I will add that I am aware of how incredibly fortunate I am to be in not one, but two good bands that, I believe, must consider me at least a "good" player. In neither case would these guys tolerate a crappy player.

I'm with you on that. I think key is to always try to play with better players than you. It will make you a better player.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

The GTG last summer was a surreal experience for me. It is a little strange at first to meet friends you have only chatted with online, but that passes quickly.
Nobody was judging anyone's playing.
For me trying to think of different things to play was a challenge

I wouldn't worry, there are so many folks out there that play all kinds of splashy, "impressive" stuff like taps, and slap pop and all that jazz who cannot hold down a basic 4/4 or even consistent 8th notes…

 

[MCF]

On the topic of playing - I took a few lessons at 13 when I first got a bass but that was it. I've tried many times to self-learn reading music over my life but it never sticks. Luckily I have a good ear and enjoy figuring out bass-lines. I also have a good sense of timing. Jamming has been my laboratory for learning 'how' to play in an ensemble. And jamming with musicians that are like-minded and experienced at jamming. Being audacious when applicable and having jam-mates who allow such lets me experiment on the fly. Sometime of course things wobble, but jamming is never having to say you're sorry.., or something like that. There's always a chance of it going no-where, but when everyone connects - that's when I tap into letting go and flowing with joint experience.

Then there's learning/rehearsing songs and performing - I love crafting songs both original and covers with my bandmates; serving the song, jointly honing our overall sound - 'making music'. Playing live is another endeavor - doing what you've developed/worked on in front of an audience in a sometimes chaotic situation. (a small stage, many things going on around you, time schedule, temperature on stage, sound in the room... all the while staying focused on presenting a good performance. Sometimes it's a blur, but I always try to enjoy the experience. If it ain't fun - why do it?

I started with piano lessons at five. I learned to sight read and basic theory. It served me well when I was in bands back in the day. When I restarted playing ten/eleven years ago, my ability to sight read was missing. I don't spend enough time or work on it consistently enough to be fully competent with it now. I'm vowing to change that.