Thunderbird Club

[JJR58]

P/J's can be ok, but a P/Bucker sounds beefier.

 

[JIO]

Hey everybody, hope this finds you all well. I have a situation I'm kinda looking for advice on:
I'm quitting my cover band, The Earthmen. We have one or two more gigs for the year, a rehearsal tonight, three new songs. I'm leaving because for the last 45 years, for the most part I've supported and built up other people's projects, and have put aside my own songwriting, creating what is in me to accomplish. It's way overdue for me to get the music that's been patiently waiting to be realized onto tape, and onto a set list for a group that I put together. This is important- when I say overdue I mean it with *a lot of emphasis*.
Would you:
1) Tell them tonight at rehearsal...
2) Call the bandleader today, well before rehearsal...
3) Wait and play the last gig, then let it out of the bag...
I don't plan on giving a lengthy explanation, I'm keeping it simple. I'll offer to stay on in case another gig comes along before they have my replacement, and help them to not sink, but they need to start auditioning.

There have been some good relationships to come of it, and we've actually gotten pretty good. I'm aware it's sorry timing- the set list has gotten interesting, among other things. There have been some annoyances too, some of which have actually pissed me off and I've butted heads, in a civil way, about it... but that's all pretty much part & parcel of being in a band I suppose. It always has been.
I just can't keep going on this way, I'm 63 and when I say overdue, I mean it from my heart. I've recently awakened to a lot of things about my life that are asking to be faced, and this is one of them. It's tied in with a lifetime of shortchanging myself, in many aspects. This is as meaningful as any of them. I'm learning to live honestly, on the table as it were. Sometimes it doesn't feel too good, but I'm carrying less baggage, and that's worth it. I don't think it's a good idea to waste any more of my time.

I'm just looking for a little wisdom on this, and no, it never gets easier no matter how long you've been at it...
Thanks for reading.

Hey Roger,
You already got some great advice. so I'll just add my thoughts.
I would call the bandleader and then discuss it at rehearsal. The fact that you are willing to stay on to cover gigs until they get a replacement is really all they can ask.

I still sub for a band I quit a few years ago. It's kinda fun to drop in and learn their new stuff, then play a gig or two.

You feel like you have some music that you need to release into the world and I'm happy to see you moving torward getting that done!

yep - the sooner the better

 

[JIO]

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For sure - Fender produced one, the Fender American Deluxe P-bass from the late '90s, but it's active. I mainly play single-coils w/both bands which fits what I want to hear. But a bucker at the bridge has more power, regardless of what the other pu is (or isn't). Definition/articulation... and beef. Music Man was the 1st to go there in the '70s. (that relative 1 pu position/location ) Never owned/played one but it was the "it" bass of that era.

 

[MCF]

Deal of the day…
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
A very good price on an excellent and rare model Eppi bird. Note the condition is listed as fair, but the pics all look pretty good, so probably worth a call to the listing GC first before hitting the buy button.

That is an excellent price. But of course misidentified. Hard to tell what the real condition is. The plastic on the back of the tuners has never been removed. At that price, I wonder about the neck. Have it shipped to store, take your wrench with you, and reject it if there’s a problem.

 

[JJR58]

This guy!

That bass! And the person who owns it!

 

[RedVee]

I like mine a lot, too. Mine is Gen 1 and doesn't have some of the improvements Ford made. It is also about 18" shorter than ideal sometimes. It does nearly everything I need, and the few things it cannot do very well, there are workarounds.

Do you get the Euro alternatives in the same class?
Renault, Peugeot, Citroen all have these practical little vans as well as the VW Caddy of course.

 

[TBird1958]

For sure - Fender produced one, the Fender American Deluxe P-bass from the late '90s, but it's active. I mainly play single-coils w/both bands which fits what I want to hear. But a bucker at the bridge has more power, regardless of what the other pu is (or isn't). Definition/articulation... and beef. Music Man was the 1st to go there in the '70s. (that relative 1 pu position/location ) Never owned/played one but it was the "it" bass of that era.

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The one on the right, I had one of those back in '79-'80 or so, I traded a '73 P bass for it. It was a nice player, much better than the P, but I never really got the tone I wanted from it. It went towards my first GK amp.

 

[dagrev]

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I seriously dig that bass.

 

[MCF]

Good evening Thunderbird loving sisters and brothers. I hope all of you have had a good weekend, and are enjoying a relaxing Sunday evening. I haven't been around much, as the new job is keeping me crazy busy. Happy to be able to write a bit of a gig report. We played last night at a club downtown. It is the fourth time we have played there, and we have been well received each time. Most of the evening we played as Cat Herd, and played everything from Muddy Waters and Little Walter, to Bowie and Santana. We also played a few pieces as Safar, and had a lovely and talented belly dancer join us. The crowd loved her, and she is great to perform with any time. I used an older 5 string P with flats that proved pretty much indestructible. I was happy to debut my new cab. I bought a very light 2X12 cab from a place called GR Bass. So far, very happy with the sound, and amazed each time I pick it up. Thinking about a new amp to go with it, as I have been using a little 15 watt Ashdown tube head, and it is usually all the way up before long. The gentleman who I bought the cab through, discussed the perils of running an amp wide open. As I usually play through an old B15 at home, wondering if the 50 watt Ampeg tube amp might be a good portable solution for me. Decided with the gigs we are getting as Cat Herd, new lighter gear is in order.
I hope all are doing well. I still regret not being able to attend the get together in late July. I hope everyone is enjoying the change of seasons. Take care and stay well.

The carbon cabinet GR’s are intriguing. I have never seen one, much less heard one. But they seem to punch way above their weight. At under 26 pounds, and an advertised 700 watts handling capability, they should certainly be capable in many situations. They’ve been a bit hard to get here for awhile, but it looks like Chuck Levins is a dealer now. Congrats on you new cab!

 

[MCF]

@Engle made me some more custom pickguards, mostly for my upcoming MusicMaster/mini J project, but also some alternative choices for my existing MusicMaster/mini J snd Mustang/mini P.

Also, a much needed improvement over the pg that came on my Gibson EB. I bought this thinking it would be white with just a tinge of cream/yellow (the pics of it were all taken outside so it looked much less yellow), and white and tortoise works for me. But this thing is pale yellow and the stock tortoise (not even close to real looking) just looks horrible on it.

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Irv made a black one and now I can tolerate the color, until such time that I send it out to paint. Since it comes as a nitro finish, I’ll have to send it to MJT to have re-done in a black, white, or possibly super dark Sherwood green.

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I don’t think I want to go poly, since this didn’t come with the candy shell thick paint, I’d like to keep it as intended, even if a different color.

That looks really nice with the black pickguard.

 

[JIO]

The one on the right, I had one of those back in '79-'80 or so, I traded a '73 P bass for it. It was a nice player, much better than the P, but I never really got the tone I wanted from it. It went towards my first GK amp.

Never was attracted to a Stingray. (bass) Tony Levin played the snot out of his... but stop pointing at me!

 

[MCF]

Do you get the Euro alternatives in the same class?
Renault, Peugeot, Citroen all have these practical little vans as well as the VW Caddy of course.

Nope. The last gasp for Renault here was 30 years ago. But they may return in a couple years. Likely available through Nissan dealers.

 

[dagrev]

Never was attracted to a Stingray. (bass) Tony Levin played the snot out of his... but don't point at me!

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Mine played wonderfully, just never sounded as good as when others played them. It found a new home.

 

[RedVee]

Nope. The last gasp for Renault here was 30 years ago. But they may return in a couple years. Likely available through Nissan dealers.

We get all those although Citroen have just announced they will leave our market (they have been here since 1923!).

I was surprised at how many “white vans” of this and larger sizes are in London - they are everywhere - fewer but still common in France and Ireland.

Vauxhall/Opel and Toyota also run copies of the Peugeot and Nissan have a similar entry to the Renault.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

three point love……so dig how these things look floating like that……awesome design..

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Mine played wonderfully, just never sounded as good as when others played them. It found a new home.

I like them, played a red one for years, great slap instruments….Lenny agrees….

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

For sure - Fender produced one, the Fender American Deluxe P-bass from the late '90s, but it's active. I mainly play single-coils w/both bands which fits what I want to hear. But a bucker at the bridge has more power, regardless of what the other pu is (or isn't). Definition/articulation... and beef. Music Man was the 1st to go there in the '70s. (that relative 1 pu position/location ) Never owned/played one but it was the "it" bass of that era.

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is that P yours?

 

[JIO]

I like them, played a red one for years, great slap instruments….Lenny agrees….

Without a doubt great sounding basses in the right hands - Pino made his fretless sing!

is that P yours?

No, my only bucker P is this one -

 

[Count Bassie]

That Stingray is sweet.

 

[Border]

The carbon cabinet GR’s are intriguing. I have never seen one, much less heard one. But they seem to punch way above their weight. At under 26 pounds, and an advertised 700 watts handling capability, they should certainly be capable in many situations. They’ve been a bit hard to get here for awhile, but it looks like Chuck Levins is a dealer now. Congrats on you new cab!

Good evening. I am still learning what this new cabinet can do. So far, I am very happy with it. I like the sound, although this is the first 2X12 I have ever used. It wasn't cheap, and took about three weeks to arrive, but so has exceeded my expectations. I am looking for a new and to go with it. GR makes what look like nice amps, but I love tubes. Still looking and checking new amps out online.