Thunderbird Club

[JJR58]

We used to hang out at the main music store in Santa Barbara when I was in high school. No one wanted a new 12 pound 70’s 7ender bass. The Teles and Strats were popular though. A pre-CBS, and even “transition” years basses were the ticket.

Thing is. They all weren’t heavy.
But yeah, the heavy ones didn’t fly out the door.
For me. As far as most bass companies go.
They all have their duds. In all years.

 

[Haji]

Yep. My soon to be retirement house is in the Las Padres National Forest, twenty miles due west from the I5/Frazier Park exit. California born and bred. I’m sitting here now, procrastinating, until I go outside to do more tree trimming/fire clearing. New gig with a clampdown starts Friday. Enjoying a few days of peace and quiet, communing with the bears, coyotes, mountain lions, birds and squirrels. Expect to see the deer in the fall. I have the SVT rig up here in the basement, some of my Thunderbirds. A lot of my cd’s and vinyl in the loft. I love it. Come on by when you get a chance Haji. I’ve got cold Negra Modelo.

Nice! Congrats! That's beautiful country up there. I am from San Diego but have been up that way a number of times. I still need to get back to CA again; it's been three years. I'll be near Phoenix for Christmas to get out of Tennessee winter for a bit, but it's not the same as being in CA.

 

[Ringhammer]

That is the plan. Hope to be in possession of one in July.

Looks like a very good deal:

https://reverb.com/item/82601781-gi...are&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=82601781

…but of course it’s probably too soon still for you.

 

[Engle]

Hmm. OK, I never claimed to have any class, and I didn't like my SVT. I've also never stayed in a Holiday Inn Express(do those still exist?).
And I've never held a P bass.

Interesting that you've never even held a Pbass! You might like them, especially one with a J neck.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

We used to hang out at the main music store in Santa Barbara when I was in high school. No one wanted a new 12 pound 70’s 7ender bass. The Teles and Strats were popular though. A pre-CBS, and even “transition” years basses were the ticket.

Even 10-15 years ago you’d be hard pressed to get $1500-2000 for a 70’s 7ender!

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

I get it. But my SVT VR rig with the Berg NV610 is pretty sweet. Might change your mind if you fly out for a weekend to visit.

Don’t tempt me!

 

[MCF]

Hmm. OK, I never claimed to have any class, and I didn't like my SVT. I've also never stayed in a Holiday Inn Express(do those still exist?).
And I've never held a P bass.

They exist. And are ok.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

I clearly remember seeing posts here on TalkBass from people claiming they wouldn't take a 70's 7ender even if you paid them. Willing to bet there are several of those people that have gone on to own said 70's basses since making that proclamation.

Oh definitely!
People like that are funny, they just go with the trends.

 

[GBassNorth]

I am looking for a couple of pots and seem to be getting the run around from the normal sources. What I am looking for are CTS (or equivalent quality) 250k, linear taper, solid (long - 3/4") shaft. Allparts keeps sending me links to split shaft, Sweetwater said they don't have anything like that, the CTS website is difficult to search...

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I get all mine off of eBay (various sellers). They come in from all over the world but the pricing with shipping isn’t any worse than Allparts or stewmac.

 

[SubHuman]

Interesting that you've never even held a Pbass! You might like them, especially one with a J neck.

I've always had a P Bass in my arsenal. I had a J (with Tort) many years ago and wish I wouldn't have sold it but I never replaced it. I like a variation of Bass tones. I have to admit my NR T-Bird is my favorite now...thanks to Willy!

 

[MCF]

Understanding our Willy would probably ruin a lot of things. Best to just enjoy the bafflement.

I do. A lot. He has great taste in what he likes. But he is really missing out with his anti-prog stance.

 

[dagrev]

Izzy says hi! She is recovering well and eating her normal diet.

View attachment 5469239

I must have missed some pages. Best wishes, Izzy!

 

[MCF]

Me:

Played through at two least SVTs - liked them, but not mine.
Stayed at several Holiday Inn Express, Marysville, WA and Hollister, CA.
Used to own a '73 P Bass, it was Ash with a Maple neck - kept it for about a year, 1979.

I am one of those "Classy Broads"

Cheers V! I’m enjoying a day of leisure too. It got way hot to work outside so I’m heading to the basement to straighten things up and enjoy some shed time with the SVT rig. Probably the shorty, the ‘13 NR and the Epi Blackbird.

 

[SubHuman]

Now this is how you sell a guitar. Put it in front of a trash heap so it looks better...Ha!

 

[LostJohnny]

I already had a sunburst Thunderbird, but I always kind of craved a white one, and they seem to be one of the rarer "standard" colors, so when I had a little extra money and one popped up on the market, how could I say no?

There's just something very classic about a white Tbird, IMO...

 

[TBird1958]

Cheers V! I’m enjoying a day of leisure too. It got way hot to work outside so I’m heading to the basement to straighten things up and enjoy some shedtime with the SVT rig. Probably the shorty, the ‘13 NR and the Epi Blackbird.

Oh, I'm at work for a few minutes yet, going to cut out early though, my old friend Blair is in town visiting from DFW, were going to catch up with a couple other guys for drinks/dinner and model trains tonight.

 

[TBird1958]

I already had a sunburst Thunderbird, but I always kind of craved a white one, and they seem to be one of the rarer "standard" colors, so when I had a little extra money and one popped up on the market, how could I say no?

View attachment 5470432

There's just something very classic about a white Tbird, IMO...
View attachment 5470434 View attachment 5470435

Nothing quite like a White Thunderbird onstage - you'll be noticed!
Great score, that looks like brand new, let me know if you'd like a club number - be welcome here!

 

[GBassNorth]

Those Antigua BaCH's look great.

…Antigua… sorry, I just threw up a little in my mouth. I detest that color (especially when it turns baby green with age).

 

[JIO]

agreed, but even 2 bass side/3 treble side bugs me. 3/2 is (to me) perfect:

View attachment 5470112

The Ric 5 is really the only 5 I have ever cared for. For me, the string spacing is just right, and this one does a good job of sounding like a Ric, once I found the right string set. Happy accident, I was having trouble liking this bass. Pro setup, the factory Ric strings(45,55,75,105, the std 4-string Ric set, plus a random 128, I think), but just not liking it. I decided maybe some flats could be cool, maybe a bit stiffer string for the slightly shorter scale could help. So I had ordered an EBCF set for it, but, by my own mistake when ordering, ended up with the EB Cobalt rounds. So I put them on, and there it was, all of the sudden, it was perfect! Nice ringing Ric-like tone, better string tension, just better.

 

[Gaolee]

Oh definitely!
People like that are funny, they just go with the trends.

I haven't ever owned a '70s Fender. I do own about a 2010 Precision and an outstanding and highly revised 1985 Squier Bullet, the Zombiecaster. I guess those don't count.