Thunderbird Club

[Engle]

My reach

is long enough that I just rest on the pickup and don’t worry about moving my thumb. Feels a bit cramped on the E while playing the A and D strings, but it works.

I don't really think about it, but when I picked up a bass earlier to try that line, I realized my thumb was on the E string.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

The Straplok screws are deeper set so I had to drill another 1/8” or so. Still plenty of wood.

Ahem

 

[MCF]

You have Family nearby, yes? Come visit them for the weekend and you can play that bass. The more I think about it, I realize that Orvilles/Epi Elitist are actually one of the best Birds out there as a starting point - I think they need a rewire and better pickups to be great.




I have no idea of the age of those, they're not all that magical to my ear. The SD pickups are really nice, any of the better quality vintage repro pickups are very similar to each other in how they sound - we're splitting some very short hairs.

Thanks for the invite V. I would love to come up for a few days. Maybe next Spring. It would be nice to be able to play through your racks of birds and concentrate on the differences between each one. And of course have a relaxing visit with you and Frank. I’ll take you to dinner and we can have a couple of your favorite martinis.

It’s my wife’s family who are up there. Her cousin John dives at the aquarium. At least I think he still does. He’s sort of a west coast Ken. I owe him and his Dad a visit. They’re in Kent. We have former neibighbors, who I babysat for when I was a kid, down in Federal way. The old man isn’t doing so well these days. He was an All American catcher at Cal Poly and took too many balls to the head before there was proper protection. I would really like to see him. Sooner rather than later. They used to visit my parents at Christmas most years, but he hasn’t been able to travel the last few years.

 

[MCF]

If it makes you feel better, I’m likely selling this in the next few months…
View attachment 7035272
…to buy a truck. Looking for a really nice early 1970’s Chevy short bed. Anyone here in the market for a near mint, low mileage, bone stock, no issues 1997 911?

I love buying from you George. But that is way out of my league.

 

[JIO]

Nearly anything goes?

I'm never surprised...

 

[TBird1958]

Thanks for the invite V. I would love to come up for a few days. Maybe next Sping. It would be nice to be able to play through your racks of birds and concentrate on the differences between each one. And of course have a relaxing visit with you and Frank. I’ll take you to dinner and we can have a couple of you favorite martinis.

It’s my wife’s family who are up there. Her cousin John dives at the aquarium. At least I think he still does. He’s sort of a west coast Ken. I owe him and his Dad a visit. They’re in Kent. We have former neibighbors, who I babysat for when I was a kid, down in Federal way. The old man isn’t doing so well these days. He was an All American catcher at Cal Poly and took too many balls to the head before there was proper protection. I would really like to see him. Sooner rather than later. They used to visit my parents at Christmas most years, but he hasn’t been able to travel the last few years.

The basses are here and await your visit! Kent and Federal Way are very close by me, just south or a little east and of course the 909 beckons us!

 

[JIO]

Already posted in the Portaflex club, but for this clubs viewing enjoyment, I’m finding this combination of bass and rig pure bliss!
View attachment 7034949

sweet

 

[MCF]

The bassline is on the D and G strings. So, the E and A are all that's left. Makes for a very fuzzy sounding speaker output.

Work on finger style, using your thumb as a mute. I

If you’re using using a pick, work on palm muting. There are plenty of vids out there on how to do it. But I’m terrible at it, so don’t look to me to show you how.

 

[RedVee]

If it makes you feel better, I’m likely selling this in the next few months…
View attachment 7035272
…to buy a truck. Looking for a really nice early 1970’s Chevy short bed. Anyone here in the market for a near mint, low mileage, bone stock, no issues 1997 911?

Like one of these?

 

[JIO]

That practically naked guy on the left looks exactly like one of the drummers we used to have back in Portland.
Scary resemblance

who knows - could be him!

 

[JIO]

Work on finger style, using your thumb as a mute. I

If you’re using using a pick, work on palm muting. There are plenty of vids out there on how to do it. But I’m terrible at it, so don’t look to me to show you how.

For sure - using both hands to mute strings not played is a must, especially when recording. I've done it for so long I don't have to think about it. I'd start out concentrating on one hand at a time until it is instinctual.

 

[MCF]

How many of those have you gone through? Purdy...Marshall, it's BLUE!

Talk about dreams…it’s a very cool car.

 

[MCF]

For sure - using both hands to mute strings not played is a must, especially when recording. I've done it for so long I don't have to think about it. I'd start out concentrating on one hand at a time until it is instinctual.

I’ve always played with the movable thumb, resting it on the strings. To me, it’s so natural. It’s how I learned and never even think about it. I think it’s also easier on the wrist, because the hand is in a natural relaxed position. At least for me.

 

[MCF]

Since it blue...I know a guy out your way.

I can’t afford the divorce it would cause.

 

[MCF]

Love my Orville!
View attachment 7035301

Nice! It’ll be awhile for me. Again. I have one bass to pick up and then I’ll be on hiatus for awhile. Just got the estimate for the bear break in repairs and to bear proof the place. Let’s just say it’s a couple of bicentennials worth. At this rate, I’ll have to keep working until @Gaolee retires.

 

[JIO]

If it makes you feel better, I’m likely selling this in the next few months…
View attachment 7035272
…to buy a truck. Looking for a really nice early 1970’s Chevy short bed. Anyone here in the market for a near mint, low mileage, bone stock, no issues 1997 911?

I owned 3 pu trucks over the years -

1952 International Harvester 3/4 ton - not mine but exactly like it.

'67 Chevy - again, not mine but mostly the same. Mine was in much better shape & no white wheels or grill/headlight surrounds. Blue w/white top.

'86 Toyota Ext-Cab/extended bed... a great little pu. This is a standard but same blacked front end.

It was red, no graphics and an extended bed - like this - but in much better shape. More like above pic -

 

[MCF]

Red Sun Ruin last night at Winters' Tavern - they rocked (to a packed house!)

Pic's thanks to my Pacifica friend Rick Reese - check out his ongoing blog on Bay Area and otherwise music - Rick Rees from The Non-Writer <[email protected]> Rick is a metal and prog guy and helps keep me straight on the nuances of rock, hard rock, metal (in its many varieties) and haunts Winters' to discover cool obscure bands that play there from all over the world. I missed it but last weekend Dick Dales son Jimmy played there with the drummer & bass-player who played with his dad before he passed away. Rick said he thought he was actually a better guitar player than his father! His vid below -

View attachment 7035306 View attachment 7035307 View attachment 7035308

Way to go @Ringhammer! Congratulations on what was no doubt a great show.

Dick Dale was a pioneer. He, Hank Marvin, and Link Wray invented a genre that expanded the boundaries of the instrument. It makes sense that his son is better than he was. And he’s no doubt smiling down on every show junior plays.

 

[Gaolee]

Nice! It’ll be awhile for me. Again. I have one bass to pick up and then I’ll be on hiatus for awhile. Just got the estimate for the bear break in repairs and to bear proof the place. Let’s just say it’s a couple of bicentennials worth. At this rate, I’ll have to keep working until @Gaolee retires.

I sure am sorry to hear that.

 

[MCF]

That post got tapped a couple of times, but you definitely have to remain aware of it. My other band will be there next Sunday during FogFest and that place can get crazy during that, it will be a 7ender on the menu that day!

I was hoping to make that event. But as I mentioned awhile back, that is usually the weekend of my son’s and mine annual fall fly fishing trip to Bishop/Mammoth. We usually start at Twin Lakes, hit Hot Creek and the Upper Owens, and end it with the evening hatch at Weir Pond. The seasons are changing quickly up there this year and we don’t want to put it off. Next time.

 

[MCF]

I sure am sorry to hear that.

It’s all good Will. So long as we have our health, right?