Thunderbird Club

[GonePlaid]

I don't recall Jeff cooking any bacon at my house, regardless, I like it limp and flavorful, if it cracks into flying fragments when you cut or bite into it = Eeewww.

Try deep frying bacon. Crisp-y, not 'hard' and not limp, and not greasy.

 

[GonePlaid]

BTW - the UPS guy just dropped off a care package…
View attachment 7072801View attachment 7072802View attachment 7072803
…a beautifully custom built 2009 Tom Petersson Tbird finished in Mary Kaye White over Swamp Ash with a very unique pickup placement dictated by Tom. Sounds wonderful, plays very nicely and is well under 8 pounds. Still getting it all lined out but so far looks like a keeper.

 

[MCF]

You might have found a degree of commonality between your 1990’s basses - the Babicz bridge.

I have that bridge on one of my birds and found it very difficult to get the proper string angle break while the spacer plate was in place. I took the plate out and that forced the saddle cams to be turned up at a higher angle from the body thereby increasing the break angle. The worst offender was the E string, which was nearly a flat run from the ball end across the saddle, not good if you like a low action and no fret buzz.

It might be worth a try to remove the spacer plate from the least effected of the three basses to see if it’s enough to make a difference (note, you’ll need to do a full new set up if you do this). If it solves the problem on that bass then try it on the next best bass to see if it works there, and if so, do the same on the worst offender.

I would hazard a guess that there are very few luthiers out there that are truly familiar with how a Babicz bridge works, let alone a three point. So you might not be getting all the love out of your bridge that’s possible. It’s a very good bridge but I personally like the Hipshot a bit better.

@Ringhammer as George said, if you are using the spacer on the ‘99, try removing it. And as V says, try a lighter gauge E string.

Unlike George, I prefer the Babicz to the Hipshot. I’ve never had good luck getting low enough action with one.

 

[MCF]

I appreciate you guys taking the time to listen and give some feedback. I'll leave that one as is

Just listened. Good decision. Oftentimes, less is more. I love your playing on it Irv.

 

[MCF]

I thought that’s what any leftover pot was for.

Actually, I don’t like my bacon extra crispy, if I wanted bacon bits for my salad I’ll buy some. I like my bacon cooked to the point you can still tie it in a knot if you want to.

When I lived in the dorm in Edinburgh, it seemed like they passed it over a flame and called it done.

 

[Engle]

Just listened. Good decision. Oftentimes, less is more. I love your playing on it Irv.

Thank Marshall! I'll share one with a lot "more" during the guitar solo soon. Alex is working on mixes.

 

[Engle]

This is a great Rick Beato interview w/guitarist Mike Stern. I saw him with Miles in the early '90s (he talks about that time) and followed his playing w/Jaco in the '80s. Not a bass player, but as I'm a Miles & Jaco fan - very interesting/informative. He talks about his shoulder/hand injury (43:10) which struck a chord for me with my (ongoing) left wrist injury and I totally agree with his assessment as a musician - do the best you can do with what you got. Very inspiring.

Watched that the other day. Love his spirit!

 

[Engle]

Cool.

Take a listen to Stone Cold.
One thing with these guys JB (and his band) can really play, and Jimmy can really sing. Bluesy song, slower than Lazy.

Edit to add link

Great vocals!

 

[fatmarris]

Can I join the club?

 

[Stealth57]

Can I join the club?View attachment 7073286

How's the neck dive?

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Can I join the club?View attachment 7073286

With a styrofoam bass?

 

[fatmarris]

Woah woah woah lol it’s just a mock up I’ll have it completed soon maybe this winter.. it will be a one piece mahogany body at some point

I do actually have one I’ve been playing around on for the last 10yrs or so

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

If you have a gig going on Fri or Sat of next week let me know and I’ll be there. If I come up I can bring the Lull and a couple of other interesting basses, maybe even a B18 fliptop if there’s room in the car and if you have a few spare hours to hang. Maybe Geo or others can join as well.

With JMB and Elsa at Severinos in Aptos on Fri 15, 7pm downbeat...Come up!....

 

[JJR58]

Woah woah woah lol it’s just a mock up I’ll have it completed soon maybe this winter.. it will be a one piece mahogany body at some point View attachment 7073288
I do actually have one I’ve been playing around on for the last 10yrs or so

Don’t think I’ve ever seen a tail piece used with a HipShot before.
Cool Bird.

 

[Ringhammer]

George said, if you are using the spacer on the ‘99, try removing it. And as V says, try a lighter gauge E string.

Not using the spacer. And had the same issue with a 105 round set (currently a 105 EBCF). I could try a 100 round but I never go that light with rounds, as I’d think they’d be to floppy and even allow more buzz?

 

[fatmarris]

Don’t think I’ve ever seen a tail piece used with a HipShot before.
Cool Bird.

It was a trial at understanding string feel ran it like that for a couple years the spacing isn’t exact but it achieved the goal

 

[Count Bassie]

I posted the above remark twice, I thought, and it was still on deck. Oh well.
You cats are all a bunch of busy bees as usual! Very good...
No T bird news, but I'm swapping my Cassady for a Bass VI next week. I think I'm a solid-body guy, but need some new musical angles. I've been playing fretless, and that's my new favorite- it may be time for an NR fretless in the new year. But the Bass VI may well serve for recording, and might be something for an original project. Maybe a duo with just drums- like Jon Spencer's Blues Explosion or Flat Duo Jets, only bass-centered.
S'tinkin...

Bass VI didn't go through. I'm no hurry. The fretless is keeping me interested...

 

[GonePlaid]

Gig last night(Friday). American Legion, 6-10(our only 4 hour gig). We usually get out a little early, but apparently these folks had nowhere else to go. Played the 67NR. Didn't use it on our gig last Saturday-weird access. Always my favorite; gonna get all the 'goodness' outta them-thar EBCFs.

 

[Ringhammer]

Going all Fender today (HERESY!!). Sometimes I just need to be reminded how awesome Thunderbirds are, so gonna play some non-humbucker equipped basses today!

We start at 3pm for anyone in the Bay Area today. Probably playing outdoor, looks like a perfect day for it!

 

[RedVee]

Great vocals!

Last one. This time a Sam n Dave cover, Jimmy Barnes & John Farnham (or Barnesy & Farnesy as they were jokingly billed at times).

Barnesy starts off then Farnesy’s competitive spirit kicks in. Yes, real whiskey was consumed. Third guy is Jimmy’s Brother in Law, Diesel. Great guitarist himself and he adds some vocals at the end.

This is the official video, there are some live performance videos around as well.