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Thunderbird Club

#299,163
dagrev said:
Y'all have graciously put up with my whining about the '06 Thunderbird. (The LaBella Black Nylons Chuck recommended were a huge help once on.) So you are way overdue for some praise other than that which has already been given to it. I used it last night with the ABM. I was speechless how, not good, but fantastic it sounded. It was like sonic sex you never want to end (but always does). I was really astounded by how good it sounded. Tube gain full (breaking up but not distorted), upper sliders up just a bit and Wow! Sounded great with fingers or pick. The bottom doesn't drop much with that bass when using a pick, but still sound like a using a pick. I did use the Sonic Maximizer about half the time. It in no way needed it, but I did prefer it being on. Didn't even use my Genzler which is virtually on all the time. It wasn't '64 Thunderbird good, but nothing is. Not only do I want to play it because it feels so great, now I want to hear it as well. One off's can be...one offs, but if the next use is anything like that from last night....wow!


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That’s great news! :thumbsup:
 
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#299,165
dagrev said:
I used to play at about 1/2-3/4 volume on most basses. That way if mid song or set guitars mysteriously got louder I had room to grow. Fortunately, most of the time I have played with good players who didn't keep falling for "I need to be louder" thing and end up in a volume urinating contest.
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One of the quirks of the 67 is that volume on the neck pup has to be full(volume on superfluous pup always at 0). On the Embassy I can set the volume ~80% and have headroom.
 
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#299,168
GonePlaid said:
One of the quirks of the 67 is that volume on the neck pup has to be full(volume on superfluous pup always at 0). On the Embassy I can set the volume ~80% and have headroom.
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Offer still stands: Two (fully functional) VPs for the crippled, and old Thunderbird. How on earth can you stand to play that thing?:smug:
 
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#299,170
RedVee said:
That’s great news! :thumbsup:
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Indeed. I was tried of being frustrated with nice basses not sounding any better than just decent. Meaning the NR and the '55. Making the '06 Thunderbird sound better was a bonus. I need to take the NR and do some work there now that I am getting used to and familiar with the Ashdown. It's increase is tone goodness went way up, but not as much as the '55 or even the '06.
 
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#299,172
dagrev said:
:thumbsup: I have never seen a Spyder in person as far as I know. I'm pretty I'd want one! (Which I do not need at all.)
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It was a short-lived, sorta rare model in retrospect. After owning my late '90s Mesa M2000 650w twin-tube, tube/fet amp (very sophisticated and also sorta rare) I wanted something simple/straight-forward for live shows. The (used) 550 Spyder fit what I wanted; two-tube pre, 550w, simple controls and Ashdowns 'warm'/vintage tone. Chucky sorted it for me after it failed in the middle of a gig - and it's been going strong ever since. For live shows - it can do no wrong. I use the M2000 as my rehearsal-space amp through a Carvin 1x18 and it also delivers every time. The amp/rig I really didn't "need" is also very special - same era Ashdown "Little Bastard" tube amp and EICH 1x15 ported cab. About as 'boutique' as I ever have gotten...

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#299,175
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#299,178
dagrev said:
Indeed. I was tried of being frustrated with nice basses not sounding any better than just decent. Meaning the NR and the '55. Making the '06 Thunderbird sound better was a bonus. I need to take the NR and do some work there now that I am getting used to and familiar with the Ashdown. It's increase is tone goodness went way up, but not as much as the '55 or even the '06.
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So the Ampeg is becoming the backup ?
 
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#299,179
JIO said:
It was a short-lived, sorta rare model in retrospect. After owning my late '90s Mesa M2000 650w twin-tube, tube/fet amp (very sophisticated and also sorta rare) I wanted something simple/straight-forward for live shows. The (used) 550 Spyder fit what I wanted; two-tube pre, 550w, simple controls and Ashdowns 'warm'/vintage tone. Chucky sorted it for me after it failed in the middle of a gig - and it's been going strong ever since. For live shows - it can do no wrong. I use the M2000 as my rehearsal-space amp through a Carvin 1x18 and it also delivers every time. The amp/rig I really didn't "need" is also very special - same era Ashdown "Little Bastard" tube amp and EICH 1x15 ported cab. About as 'boutique' as I ever have gotten...

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I was seriously considering those when I decided I wanted all tube amps. Have you giged the LB much? Did it keep up OK in terms of volume? I can't imagine you all play beyond tasteful levels, so it seems the LB might work live.
 
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