Thunderbird Club

[GonePlaid]

Anymore I just don't find myself wanting a 5 string, that may in part be driven by the band, but even in my leisure time playing the bass I don't find myself drawn to music that requires a fiver - I'm turning into an old coot!

My LPB2/5 rarely leaves the case. Could be a great 5er for someone...
When I do play it. I use the B string as an extended thumb rest until I "need" a low Eb, D, or Db. Main problem is that, like all Les Paul's, It's a heavy SOB.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Awesome lineup! Jeff Beck played both Gibson & Fender as many famous guitarist have. Whatever allowed him to fully express himself.

apparently in his later years he didn't even take a guitar on tour and favored renting the axe he would play that eve from a local music store....loved his Les Paul tone with BBA...

 

[JIO]

apparently in his later years he didn't even take a guitar on tour and favored renting the axe he would play that eve from a local music store....loved his Les Paul tone with BBA...

Once again proves it's the player, not the guitar.

 

[GonePlaid]

 

[TBird1958]

This showed up in my Reverb feed today:

https://reverb.com/item/86305979-gibson-fenderbird-1976-buck-owens-metalflake?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=ad&utm_campaign=US-DABA-PROS-Sales-Guitars-Q32024-BAU-NA&utm_content=MaxValue-Purchase-NBAExclusions-BAU-Guitars&utm_term=DABA-Aug2024-NextGearObsession-Evergreen2&utm_id=120219425864250456&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1-uysmsHxuQNfOa0ww95mrncxutedHeSJDH2QXOqLPEwsdYwYVcHl3P3w_aem_zgMFz57olTGxDop88oMfyQView attachment 7112217

I think it's a little under value at 4k, I'd be at 5.
It's simply stunning in person.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I think it's a little under value at 4k, I'd be at 5.
It's simply stunning in person.

beautiful bass, only 7enderbird with a maple fb at the GTG (I think) wish I had played it through one your rigs...

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Eclectic reading too!

“An Introduction to Electromagnetic Compatibility” has helped my Thunderbird pickups to have healthier, happier marriages!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I think it's a little under value at 4k, I'd be at 5.
It's simply stunning in person.

That it is!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

This showed up in my Reverb feed today:

https://reverb.com/item/86305979-gibson-fenderbird-1976-buck-owens-metalflake?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=ad&utm_campaign=US-DABA-PROS-Sales-Guitars-Q32024-BAU-NA&utm_content=MaxValue-Purchase-NBAExclusions-BAU-Guitars&utm_term=DABA-Aug2024-NextGearObsession-Evergreen2&utm_id=120219425864250456&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1-uysmsHxuQNfOa0ww95mrncxutedHeSJDH2QXOqLPEwsdYwYVcHl3P3w_aem_zgMFz57olTGxDop88oMfyQView attachment 7112217

You haven’t bought it yet?

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

“An Introduction to Electromagnetic Compatibility” has helped my Thunderbird pickups to have healthier, happier marriages!

lol, clearly that one belongs in the coooking section...

 

[JJR58]

Not that I have tried very hard, but whenever I play a 5 string at some point I end up playing on the B string when I should be on the E.
So I just use a Drop tuner, or tune down.

Me trying to play a 5er is like trying to play a lefty.

 

[JJR58]

This showed up in my Reverb feed today:

https://reverb.com/item/86305979-gibson-fenderbird-1976-buck-owens-metalflake?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=ad&utm_campaign=US-DABA-PROS-Sales-Guitars-Q32024-BAU-NA&utm_content=MaxValue-Purchase-NBAExclusions-BAU-Guitars&utm_term=DABA-Aug2024-NextGearObsession-Evergreen2&utm_id=120219425864250456&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1-uysmsHxuQNfOa0ww95mrncxutedHeSJDH2QXOqLPEwsdYwYVcHl3P3w_aem_zgMFz57olTGxDop88oMfyQView attachment 7112217

 

[RedVee]

My only fiver right now is the Breedlove acoustic. I haven’t had any issues when playing it. Maybe because of my moving thumb/anchor technique? An electric fiver will be added soon. Very soon.

I’ve only tried a few 5’s so this is far from an expert opinion.
But the only one I felt comfortable with was a Stingray 5er - it was nice.
The others, an Ibanez and something else I can’t recall… we’re just off putting. I think the Ibanez strings were very close together - too much so for me from memory.

 

[PhR75]

I’ve only tried a few 5’s so this is far from an expert opinion.
But the only one I felt comfortable with was a Stingray 5er - it was nice.
The others, an Ibanez and something else I can’t recall… we’re just off putting. I think the Ibanez strings were very close together - too much so for me from memory.

Same here...
The Stingray 5 was great, as was the fretless Wal 5 I tried a few months ago (and which made me lose my sleep for weeks...).
My friend has two old Yamaha BB5000 basses and while great, the string spacing is too tight for me. His Nathan East model 5-string is much better in that department but to me the BB5000 is a much better looking instrument.
His Modulus Quantum 5 felt great playing wise.


Still I've managed without the 5. Drop-D tuning is handy and I sometimes dabble with the Jannick Top cello tuning (C-G-D-A) but that of course makes things so different I wouldn't dare to take it to a normal gig.

 

[RedVee]

Happy New Year from Sydney, Australia

 

[dagrev]

Way out of my price range.

Sell a couple cows. Just how many cows does a good bass cost these days anyway?

 

[dagrev]

It's a mental challenge for sure! I go drop D for a few 80's songs and if I don't practice them enough before a gig, it's not automatic...
Last night I figured out that the C4 pedal will get me down to B, using a sub voice. I might try that for Everybody wants to Rule the World as it's easier to play D on the A string cleanly, compared to open dropped D.

I really should try it at some point. Yet I've never been playing a song and thought I needed a drop D and or concluded, "Well, that didn't sound good on a 4 stringer." My lack of understanding for sure. They exist for a reason. For playing written music as written, I can see it. I did like the B on my 5er at times. Just not enough to justify keeping it which kept me buying another bass. I really do need to watch some videos on it though.

 

[dagrev]

Happy New Year from Sydney, Australia

Just gotta brag about crossing the line first do ya?

Happy New Year, mate!

 

[dagrev]

Me trying to play a 5er is like trying to play a lefty.

I had one for a few years. Haven't had one for likely 10 or more. Picked one up a while back and it was a disaster. Literally don't think I could have played a song I knew on the spot. Just having that extra string threw my senses of playing off because I kept feeling it even if avoiding it. The spacing was too tight as well which didn't help.

 

[dagrev]

I’ve only tried a few 5’s so this is far from an expert opinion.
But the only one I felt comfortable with was a Stingray 5er - it was nice.
The others, an Ibanez and something else I can’t recall… we’re just off putting. I think the Ibanez strings were very close together - too much so for me from memory.

Yes, I agree with you. The Stingray 5er is nice and was hat I had.