Thunderbird Club

[GBassNorth]

The E1, not the nicer Pro version. It's a hell of a bass for the money! I've wanted one of those and an Ibanez ATK for a while but I put those plans on hold after buying my Warwick Thumb

Love the sound of my Wick Thumb BO5!
Love the feel and Ergonomics of my Tbird Reverse birds.
One of these days I intend to build a Tbird that sports MEC Jazz pickups and preamp (same spec as my BO5) with the pickups in the same goofy Warwick location - killer sound! Could be the best of both worlds. Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve created a Tbird in a format completely foreign to anything Gibson/Epiphone would ever do.

 

[GBassNorth]

Just got home from a Wed night show down on the Peninsula, Menlo Park to be exact - the Guild Theater. When I lived in Burlingame many years ago I saw a movie there. It's since been converted into an intimate club that gets a lot of good music acts. Tonight it was British blues singer/guitarist Joanne Shaw Taylor. My friend Chris Kuffner (on bass) is touring with her. He lives in Nashville where JST is based. Wasn't aware of her but she's a pretty kick-ass blues artist and they put on a killer show. She introduced a song saying it was on an LP of hers playing with Joe Bonamassa - that caliber. They also had a great female drummer, a keys player from Canada and second guitarist - all top tier pro's.

View attachment 7071682
Chris & I collaborated on the design - I made the body of roasted swamp ash and SF luthier Dan Ransom made the short-scale neck maple neck with ebony fb blocks. It weighs under 7lbs. Mas Hino, NYC luthier sprayed the Pelham blue and assembled it, 6 years ago now.
View attachment 7071685
I hadn't seen Chris for years and it was awesome catching up. He's sort of a hired gun and I've seen him playing with a few touring bands coming through SF over the years; Ingrid Michelson (twice), Greg Holden Band, and A Great Big World. We went down to the green room where he introduced me to his bandmates - all really sweet people. While we were talking, a guy with a "House of Blues" hat walked up to Chris and said "what kind of bass were you playing- it sounded really good". Chris said - "funny you should ask, this guy right here made it!" He turned and introduced himself, "Hi, Joe Bonamassa". (!)... "Nice to meet you Joe".

Beautiful bass!

 

[Count Bassie]

Just got home from a Wed night show down on the Peninsula, Menlo Park to be exact - the Guild Theater. When I lived in Burlingame many years ago I saw a movie there. It's since been converted into an intimate club that gets a lot of good music acts. Tonight it was British blues singer/guitarist Joanne Shaw Taylor. My friend Chris Kuffner (on bass) is touring with her. He lives in Nashville where JST is based. Wasn't aware of her but she's a pretty kick-ass blues artist and they put on a killer show. She introduced a song saying it was on an LP of hers playing with Joe Bonamassa - that caliber. They also had a great female drummer, a keys player from Canada and second guitarist - all top tier pro's.

View attachment 7071682
Chris & I collaborated on the design - I made the body of roasted swamp ash and SF luthier Dan Ransom made the short-scale neck maple neck with ebony fb blocks. It weighs under 7lbs. Mas Hino, NYC luthier sprayed the Pelham blue and assembled it, 6 years ago now.
View attachment 7071685
I hadn't seen Chris for years and it was awesome catching up. He's sort of a hired gun and I've seen him playing with a few touring bands coming through SF over the years; Ingrid Michelson (twice), Greg Holden Band, and A Great Big World. We went down to the green room where he introduced me to his bandmates - all really sweet people. While we were talking, a guy with a "House of Blues" hat walked up to Chris and said "what kind of bass were you playing- it sounded really good". Chris said - "funny you should ask, this guy right here made it!" He turned and introduced himself, "Hi, Joe Bonamassa". (!)... "Nice to meet you Joe".

Work travels. Cool.

 

[PhR75]

He did, and Frank Zappa.

Mike Rutherford too. Used it for "I Know What I Like" when they played it live in 1977, also in studio for "One For The Vine", "Inside And Out" and "Burning Rope".

Not sure if Zappa played it 'though. He did have the 12-string guitar counterpart as did Kim Mitchell.

 

[Count Bassie]

Mike Rutherford too. Used it for "I Know What I Like" when they played it live in 1977, also in studio for "One For The Vine", "Inside And Out" and "Burning Rope".

Not sure if Zappa played it 'though. He did have the 12-string guitar counterpart as did Kim Mitchell.

Early days, when Zappa had his recording studio.

 

[Gaolee]

with 8 strings....

Only one Chuck, so you know the photo is accurate.

 

[Gaolee]

The E1, not the nicer Pro version. It's a hell of a bass for the money! I've wanted one of those and an Ibanez ATK for a while but I put those plans on hold after buying my Warwick Thumb

Sounds like it chose you. If a Thunderbird chooses you, it will behave and sound perfect for you. I am a little shorter but with longish arms. Nothing I ever played is as comfortable as a Thunderbird. That is what happens when one chooses you.

 

[Gaolee]

Forgot I owned a Pro IV for a bit. Only bird that didn't like me...

My Pro IV likes me well enough now that it is fretless and passive. And will be sparkly green soon. I expect MJT will ship it back to me next week or soon thereafter. It may get the dots replaced with something that matches the fingerboard soon, since I am spending a whole lot of money on it. Why stop?

For what it is worth, I think bolt-on Epiphones are outstanding. Different from a Gibson or other Epiphones, bit excellent in their own way.

 

[Ringhammer]

Just got home from a Wed night show down on the Peninsula, Menlo Park to be exact - the Guild Theater. When I lived in Burlingame many years ago I saw a movie there. It's since been converted into an intimate club that gets a lot of good music acts. Tonight it was British blues singer/guitarist Joanne Shaw Taylor. My friend Chris Kuffner (on bass) is touring with her. He lives in Nashville where JST is based. Wasn't aware of her but she's a pretty kick-ass blues artist and they put on a killer show. She introduced a song saying it was on an LP of hers playing with Joe Bonamassa - that caliber. They also had a great female drummer, a keys player from Canada and second guitarist - all top tier pro's.

View attachment 7071682
Chris & I collaborated on the design - I made the body of roasted swamp ash and SF luthier Dan Ransom made the short-scale neck maple neck with ebony fb blocks. It weighs under 7lbs. Mas Hino, NYC luthier sprayed the Pelham blue and assembled it, 6 years ago now.
View attachment 7071685
I hadn't seen Chris for years and it was awesome catching up. He's sort of a hired gun and I've seen him playing with a few touring bands coming through SF over the years; Ingrid Michelson (twice), Greg Holden Band, and A Great Big World. We went down to the green room where he introduced me to his bandmates - all really sweet people. While we were talking, a guy with a "House of Blues" hat walked up to Chris and said "what kind of bass were you playing- it sounded really good". Chris said - "funny you should ask, this guy right here made it!" He turned and introduced himself, "Hi, Joe Bonamassa". (!)... "Nice to meet you Joe".

My guitar player for Red Sun Ruins was there. I’ll ask him if he noticed the cool, unique bass being played.

As cool as it looks, and I’ll guess, sounds, my guess is his answer will be, well, no. lol.

 

[GonePlaid]

Just got home from a Wed night show down on the Peninsula, Menlo Park to be exact - the Guild Theater. When I lived in Burlingame many years ago I saw a movie there. It's since been converted into an intimate club that gets a lot of good music acts. Tonight it was British blues singer/guitarist Joanne Shaw Taylor. My friend Chris Kuffner (on bass) is touring with her. He lives in Nashville where JST is based. Wasn't aware of her but she's a pretty kick-ass blues artist and they put on a killer show. She introduced a song saying it was on an LP of hers playing with Joe Bonamassa - that caliber. They also had a great female drummer, a keys player from Canada and second guitarist - all top tier pro's.

View attachment 7071682
Chris & I collaborated on the design - I made the body of roasted swamp ash and SF luthier Dan Ransom made the short-scale neck maple neck with ebony fb blocks. It weighs under 7lbs. Mas Hino, NYC luthier sprayed the Pelham blue and assembled it, 6 years ago now.
View attachment 7071685
I hadn't seen Chris for years and it was awesome catching up. He's sort of a hired gun and I've seen him playing with a few touring bands coming through SF over the years; Ingrid Michelson (twice), Greg Holden Band, and A Great Big World. We went down to the green room where he introduced me to his bandmates - all really sweet people. While we were talking, a guy with a "House of Blues" hat walked up to Chris and said "what kind of bass were you playing- it sounded really good". Chris said - "funny you should ask, this guy right here made it!" He turned and introduced himself, "Hi, Joe Bonamassa". (!)... "Nice to meet you Joe".

 

[_Tay_]

Love the sound of my Wick Thumb BO5!
Love the feel and Ergonomics of my Tbird Reverse birds.
One of these days I intend to build a Tbird that sports MEC Jazz pickups and preamp (same spec as my BO5) with the pickups in the same goofy Warwick location - killer sound! Could be the best of both worlds. Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve created a Tbird in a format completely foreign to anything Gibson/Epiphone would ever do.

I coincidentally just got my first Warwick and it was an absolutely insane deal. It's a masterbuilt Dolphin Pro 1 (2017) and it is a work of art and sounds amazing! Like having some expensive antique furnature as a bass. Even better, got it for a ridiculously unbelievable low price as well! £1000 (it isn't a fake)

Would love to see a NR t bird with the MEC pups in for sure.

 

[JIO]

My guitar player for Red Sun Ruins was there. I’ll ask him if he noticed the cool, unique bass being played.

As cool as it looks, and I’ll guess, sounds, my guess is his answer will be, well, no. lol.

too true!

 

[dagrev]

Just got home from a Wed night show down on the Peninsula, Menlo Park to be exact - the Guild Theater. When I lived in Burlingame many years ago I saw a movie there. It's since been converted into an intimate club that gets a lot of good music acts. Tonight it was British blues singer/guitarist Joanne Shaw Taylor. My friend Chris Kuffner (on bass) is touring with her. He lives in Nashville where JST is based. Wasn't aware of her but she's a pretty kick-ass blues artist and they put on a killer show. She introduced a song saying it was on an LP of hers playing with Joe Bonamassa - that caliber. They also had a great female drummer, a keys player from Canada and second guitarist - all top tier pro's.

View attachment 7071682
Chris & I collaborated on the design - I made the body of roasted swamp ash and SF luthier Dan Ransom made the short-scale neck maple neck with ebony fb blocks. It weighs under 7lbs. Mas Hino, NYC luthier sprayed the Pelham blue and assembled it, 6 years ago now.
View attachment 7071685
I hadn't seen Chris for years and it was awesome catching up. He's sort of a hired gun and I've seen him playing with a few touring bands coming through SF over the years; Ingrid Michelson (twice), Greg Holden Band, and A Great Big World. We went down to the green room where he introduced me to his bandmates - all really sweet people. While we were talking, a guy with a "House of Blues" hat walked up to Chris and said "what kind of bass were you playing- it sounded really good". Chris said - "funny you should ask, this guy right here made it!" He turned and introduced himself, "Hi, Joe Bonamassa". (!)... "Nice to meet you Joe".

Cool all the way around.

 

[Mvf]

Just got home from a Wed night show down on the Peninsula, Menlo Park to be exact - the Guild Theater. When I lived in Burlingame many years ago I saw a movie there. It's since been converted into an intimate club that gets a lot of good music acts. Tonight it was British blues singer/guitarist Joanne Shaw Taylor. My friend Chris Kuffner (on bass) is touring with her. He lives in Nashville where JST is based. Wasn't aware of her but she's a pretty kick-ass blues artist and they put on a killer show. She introduced a song saying it was on an LP of hers playing with Joe Bonamassa - that caliber. They also had a great female drummer, a keys player from Canada and second guitarist - all top tier pro's.

View attachment 7071682
Chris & I collaborated on the design - I made the body of roasted swamp ash and SF luthier Dan Ransom made the short-scale neck maple neck with ebony fb blocks. It weighs under 7lbs. Mas Hino, NYC luthier sprayed the Pelham blue and assembled it, 6 years ago now.
View attachment 7071685
I hadn't seen Chris for years and it was awesome catching up. He's sort of a hired gun and I've seen him playing with a few touring bands coming through SF over the years; Ingrid Michelson (twice), Greg Holden Band, and A Great Big World. We went down to the green room where he introduced me to his bandmates - all really sweet people. While we were talking, a guy with a "House of Blues" hat walked up to Chris and said "what kind of bass were you playing- it sounded really good". Chris said - "funny you should ask, this guy right here made it!" He turned and introduced himself, "Hi, Joe Bonamassa". (!)... "Nice to meet you Joe".

I saw Joanne Shaw Taylor this summer at Puistoblues (annually recurring blues festival in Finland). She put up an amazing show and she also did the same song introduction about Joe Bonamassa
Looking at the pics it seems she had the same guitar player and keyboard player and the superb drummer with her.

 

[JIO]

I saw Joanne Shaw Taylor this summer at Puistoblues (annually recurring blues festival in Finland). She put up an amazing show and she also did the same song introduction about Joe Bonamassa
Looking at the pics it seems she had the same guitar player and keyboard player and the superb drummer with her.
View attachment 7071938View attachment 7071939View attachment 7071940

Cool! Yes, all the same except for Chris. Sounds like he was brought on for her current tour, which Chis said is at the 1/2 way point. They are in Sacramento tonight and Napa tomorrow.

 

[voosies]

Love the sound of my Wick Thumb BO5!
Love the feel and Ergonomics of my Tbird Reverse birds.
One of these days I intend to build a Tbird that sports MEC Jazz pickups and preamp (same spec as my BO5) with the pickups in the same goofy Warwick location - killer sound! Could be the best of both worlds. Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve created a Tbird in a format completely foreign to anything Gibson/Epiphone would ever do.

A Tbird Thumb sounds like a masterpiece. I love my Thumb NT5, it sounds incredible, but it's not the most balanced bass ever crafted. There is some neck dive, not horrific, but not non-existent.

 

[GonePlaid]

Cool! Yes, all the same except for Chris. Sounds like he was brought on for her current tour, which Chis said is at the 1/2 way point. They are in Sacramento tonight and Napa tomorrow.

Interesting how especially the Brits have taken our uniquely American genre of music and sell it back to us.

 

[JIO]

Interesting how especially the Brits have taken our uniquely American genre of music and sell it back to us.

Word - and a long history of doing so! The early '60s "British Invasion" was basically UK bands regurgitating Mississippi Delta blues! The Beatles were somewhat the exception focusing on British Skiffle, '50s US R&R and (American) country over (black) blues. Once the Brits re-introduced blues to America - young US bands/artists picked up the torch. I watched a doc on The Rolling Stones and Brian Jones (who started the band) left because he wanted it to continue to be blues-oriented and Keith and Mick were taking the band in other directions. That and drugs...

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Word - and a long history of doing so! The early '60s "British Invasion" was basically UK bands regurgitating Mississippi Delta blues! The Beatles were somewhat the exception focusing on British Skiffle, '50s US R&R and (American) country over (black) blues. Once the Brits re-introduced blues to America - young US bands/artists picked up the torch. I watched a doc on The Rolling Stones and Brian Jones (who started the band) left because he wanted it to continue to be blues-oriented and Keith and Mick were taking the band in other directions. That and drugs...

A lot of people have no idea the Stones started out doing blues covers like so many other bands.

 

[JIO]

A lot of people have no idea the Stones started out doing blues covers like so many other bands.

Most all of the early British Invasion bands didn't play original music. It wasn't until the mid '60s that that started happening.