Thunderbird Club

[Haji]

Gig-mobile
View attachment 5462999 View attachment 5463000

I wish I had that. And it has to be the panel version.

 

[JJR58]

I always venture in here through the side door of "Your News Feed", because if you don't keep up you're lost!
Hey, question... I got me one of these:
View attachment 5463133

MTI era (Japanese) SVT and PR410HLF.
The GK is backup, but
not necessary...
The total weight of this amplifier is about 220 lbs. It's awesome, but getting it in and out of here:

View attachment 5463134

View attachment 5463135

Is really kind of a lot of work when you're just trying to have some fun.
The CP is great through it, as is the Heckinhecker. But, I'm starting to cave to the idea of smaller, lighter, efficient. I was never unhappy playing through anything I've had, truth be told! I just think that maybe it's time to do things that make life a little bit easier, a little less work when it's not really time for that.
I'm kinda bumming, this is a gorgeous amp. Just kinda venting a bit, still turning it over in that hot mental skillet that is my mind.

If I had my way.
I’d get this.
Many reasons why I can’t.
One, but not main reason it’s in the San Fran area.

 

[GonePlaid]

If I had my way.
I’d get this.
Many reasons why I can’t.
One, but not main reason it’s in the San Fran area.

View attachment 5463154

And what might the other rea$on be?

 

[Haji]

I'm going to start looking for another Tbird, maybe to keep in B standard or C standard tuning. We have a few songs with a low B and C. I may have just gotten lucky with my first Epi Tbird 60's. They changed out the tuners to Hipshot Ultralites so there's no neck dive at all, and it came with a tune-o-matic. What other things should I look for, or avoid? And are there other Tbird type basses I should consider (like the Schecter Ultra or ESP Phoenix)?

ESP makes a great bass. The LTD is pretty good, too. If you can find one to check out, the Dingwall D Roc Standard is amazing. There's some things about it that aren't traditionally TBird, but it's the modern bird taken to its best form.

 

[JJR58]

And what might the other rea$on be?

That’s another reason, but I could sell off what I have. But shipping
But I’d love that 180 watts of old Fender tube goodness.

 

[GonePlaid]

One is not enough, that's for sure. Other types vary and really depends on what you want it to sound like. The Epi VP/60s/64 are great basses and very similar in tone to the originals from the 1960s. My favorite Thunderbird after my old '64. For me, other Epi's and even Gibsons don't sound as good and not what I'm used to hearing. That's just me. I've had the '64 sound stuck in my head for decades, and for good reason. Others here who have them can testify that the Grecos are tone monsters. That and a BaCH would interest me--the others, not so much. Just a personal preference.

Well...One IS enuff-for me. I honestly don't think I could find another bass I'd like better-or as well. Maybe a custom made NR II, but it would have to have a neck identical to the 67NR-but w/o the headstock 'boo-boo'(add a volute?), have the bridge and claw set-up, be just the right finish[I have a color in mind*], and be affordable....

Yeah. That's gonna happen.

*this color(Emberglow)coincidentally on a 66 Thunderbird(missed it by that much)

 

[dagrev]

I always venture in here through the side door of "Your News Feed", because if you don't keep up you're lost!
Hey, question... I got me one of these:
View attachment 5463133

MTI era (Japanese) SVT and PR410HLF.
The GK is backup, but
not necessary...
The total weight of this amplifier is about 220 lbs. It's awesome, but getting it in and out of here:

View attachment 5463134

View attachment 5463135

Is really kind of a lot of work when you're just trying to have some fun.
The CP is great through it, as is the Heckinhecker. But, I'm starting to cave to the idea of smaller, lighter, efficient. I was never unhappy playing through anything I've had, truth be told! I just think that maybe it's time to do things that make life a little bit easier, a little less work when it's not really time for that.
I'm kinda bumming, this is a gorgeous amp. Just kinda venting a bit, still turning it over in that hot mental skillet that is my mind.

Smaller equipment, or......






Bigger hauler

More seriously. I get it. If I was having to take my Ampeg V4-BH tube head and Ampeg Heritage 410 in and out a lot, I would likely considering something else. Maybe. Just would depend on how often I guess.

 

[Count Bassie]

Smaller equipment, or......






Bigger hauler

More seriously. I get it. If I was having to take my Ampeg V4-BH tube head and Ampeg Heritage 410 in and out a lot, I would likely considering something else. Maybe. Just would depend on how often I guess.

Gigging pretty regular... Although with a decent topper on the bed of my truck it could continue to work out. Wouldn't have to lift it into the backseat of my pickup cab... Been using a section of wooden pump jack pole to ramp it up onto the seat with.
Kinda like being at work.

 

[BklynKen]

Gigging pretty regular... Although with a decent topper on the bed of my truck it could continue to work out. Wouldn't have to lift it into the backseat of my pickup cab... Been using a section of wooden pump jack pole to ramp it up onto the seat with.
Kinda like being at work.

GK has various combos that could suit your needs if you like the GK head you have. The 210s and 212s are in the 40 lb. area. Those should be plenty loud for any gig you do.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

TBirds in Agra….

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

If I had my way.
I’d get this.
Many reasons why I can’t.
One, but not main reason it’s in the San Fran area.

View attachment 5463154

looks like one of Dave’s…he wanted to brake that Studio combo into a head and separate cab…

 

[MCF]

I am very happy with modern Gibson Thunderbirds. The 3-point bridge isn't as bad as it's made out to be, although I have swapped them for Babicz bridges for shallowness reasons because I think they look better. Modern Gibsons don't neck dive, and if you have any hint of neck dive, you can swap out the tuners with Ultralights. I have three of them, a 1991, a 2001, and a 2015. Each is very good in its own way.

If you want a baseball bat neck, then an early Epiphone bolt-on gets you that. The pickups are wooly sounding, but those are very good in their own way. If you get one with the upper strap button on the vestigial upper horn, it will neck dive badly. Relocate the strap button to the heel of the neck and that problem is solved.

I don't know much about other Thunderbird Shaped Objects. There's plenty of others with knowledge about those around here.

@Rattfink I agree with this. I don’t think Gibsons can be beat. Or Epis, including the standard IV and the Goths. Best value for money of any basses made. The Gibson 2015 with DeCola tapped pickups is my favorite bass of all time.

If you can find a BaCH, they’re wonderful. But very rare. You will probably want to swap out the Artec pickups. Also, look at Grecos. I have played both of George’s. His one from the seventies is awesome. And there are Orville’s which are Japanese Gibsons.

George has a very rare Dingwall D-Dird. I think it is wonderful. But they only made about 50 before Gibson sent a cease and desist. Hence the D-Rock. I just can’t past how those look. I am very shallow. To me, a Thunderbird shaped object needs to look like an original Gibson reverse or non-reverse.

 

[dagrev]

Gigging pretty regular... Although with a decent topper on the bed of my truck it could continue to work out. Wouldn't have to lift it into the backseat of my pickup cab... Been using a section of wooden pump jack pole to ramp it up onto the seat with.
Kinda like being at work.

I used to get a Peavey 215 in the back of a '76 Cordoba. How I did it amazes and baffles me now. Construction tools in the trunk and the Mk III in the front seat.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

@Rattfink I agree with this. I don’t think Gibsons can be beat. Or Epis, including the standard IV and the Goths. Best value for money of any basses made. The Gibson 2015 with DeCola tapped pickups is my favorite bass of all time.

If you can find a BaCH, they’re wonderful. But very rare. You will probably want to swap out the Artec pickups. Also, look at Grecos. I have played both of George’s. His one from the seventies is awesome. And there are Orville’s which are Japanese Gibsons.

George has a very rare Dingwall D-Dird. I think it is wonderful. But they only made about 50 before Gibson sent a cease and desist. Hence the D-Rock. I just can’t past how those look. I am very shallow. To me, a Thunderbird shaped object needs to look like an original Gibson reverse or non-reverse.

thought we weren’t supposed to rave about BaCHs……

 

[GonePlaid]

GK has various combos that could suit your needs if you like the GK head you have. The 210s and 212s are in the 40 lb. area. Those should be plenty loud for any gig you do.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[MCF]

I always venture in here through the side door of "Your News Feed", because if you don't keep up you're lost!
Hey, question... I got me one of these:
View attachment 5463133

MTI era (Japanese) SVT and PR410HLF.
The GK is backup, but
not necessary...
The total weight of this amplifier is about 220 lbs. It's awesome, but getting it in and out of here:

View attachment 5463134

View attachment 5463135

Is really kind of a lot of work when you're just trying to have some fun.
The CP is great through it, as is the Heckinhecker. But, I'm starting to cave to the idea of smaller, lighter, efficient. I was never unhappy playing through anything I've had, truth be told! I just think that maybe it's time to do things that make life a little bit easier, a little less work when it's not really time for that.
I'm kinda bumming, this is a gorgeous amp. Just kinda venting a bit, still turning it over in that hot mental skillet that is my mind.

Roger. SVTs are awesome. I have one. It weighs a ton.

I posted yesterday about a Mesa TT800 for sale by a friend over in the Mesa Club. If you can swing it, you get a two channel amp. One channel is based on the Mesa 400+ tube head (Fender tone stack). The other is close to the Subway D800+, but the preamp is tubes. That channel can come can come close to the Peg tone. It can also come fairly close to the M6 Carbine tone. Around seven pounds. 800 legit watts. Built in variable HPF and other assorted accoutrements.

Just Sayin’. Class D amps have come a long way.

 

[BklynKen]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

That's just a cab, but it's a start!

 

[TBird1958]

I always venture in here through the side door of "Your News Feed", because if you don't keep up you're lost!
Hey, question... I got me one of these:
View attachment 5463133

MTI era (Japanese) SVT and PR410HLF.
The GK is backup, but
not necessary...
The total weight of this amplifier is about 220 lbs. It's awesome, but getting it in and out of here:

View attachment 5463134

View attachment 5463135

Is really kind of a lot of work when you're just trying to have some fun.
The CP is great through it, as is the Heckinhecker. But, I'm starting to cave to the idea of smaller, lighter, efficient. I was never unhappy playing through anything I've had, truth be told! I just think that maybe it's time to do things that make life a little bit easier, a little less work when it's not really time for that.
I'm kinda bumming, this is a gorgeous amp. Just kinda venting a bit, still turning it over in that hot mental skillet that is my mind.

I think this would try the patience of husband..........Much less his back, and he's pretty sturdy!
Just looking at it makes my spine feel like rusty gate hinges.

 

[TBird1958]

I'm going to start looking for another Tbird, maybe to keep in B standard or C standard tuning. We have a few songs with a low B and C. I may have just gotten lucky with my first Epi Tbird 60's. They changed out the tuners to Hipshot Ultralites so there's no neck dive at all, and it came with a tune-o-matic. What other things should I look for, or avoid? And are there other Tbird type basses I should consider (like the Schecter Ultra or ESP Phoenix)?

There used to be few choices out there, now there's many - Play a bunch, Gibson, Epi, old, new........
I find most all of them to be beautiful, sexy Sirens that call my name, I give in to them all too often.

 

[Gaolee]

Frank wouldn't enjoy horsing around a 361 Power Plus cabinet very much, then.