Thunderbird Club

[TBird1958]

When I was last up to Lull's to pick up my EB-3 I chatted with Spencer about George's TP-4, and he was very much like his father in that he took the time to
speak with me there in his office for about 15 minutes or so. I have to say that he's got something about him, kindness, confidence and more, an impressive young man.

 

[dagrev]

Bassless allegations.

 

[Nocturnal]

Yes, I use the Optima Gold plated studio strings and love them. Not cheap by any means, but they last about 3 or 4 times longer than my nickel strings, so it’s about a wash. Shop around on the price, it varies greatly.

I currently have them on the BlingBird, the Lull, and a Fender build I did. Been using them for about 15 years now (multiple sets).

Solid bottom, not flabby, punchy low mids, smooth high mids, tame but true top end, less sizzle and clank than most SS rounds. Not boomy, very well balanced across the set. Overall a tad warmer than most nickels. Tension feels a bit higher than average but shouldn’t require any major truss adjustment. They are gold plated and don’t chip or flake and are kind to frets and fretting fingers. Not sticky like Black Beauties or Dragon Skins.

Sometimes they leave a hint of oxidation on my fingers if I play for a long time or get real sweaty. Visually they are stunning, so I do use them to dress a bass up, but they do deliver in spades on sound as well. They look great on basses with gold hardware. When they go dead they go quick. If you go through a set of nickels in 3 months these will last you a year or two. I tried boiling a set that had gone dead and it was a total failure, don’t bother. I don’t slap or pic so no first hand knowledge there but I’d assume they would work great with a pic, might be a bit too warm for slappers.

I need to get a set for my 2013 50th Anniversary Bird. I keep forgetting about them.

 

[MCF]

Reverb has a couple originals, 215-249 dollars , ouch

Considering how few seem to be out there, and the prices people are paying for the limited supply of vintage Thunderbirds that have survived, that is relatively cheap. Not that I would pay that myself as I don’t have, and probably never will have, a 60’s Thunderbird.

 

[MCF]

When I was last up to Lull's to pick up my EB-3 I chatted with Spencer about George's TP-4, and he was very much like his father in that he took the time to
speak with me there in his office for about 15 minutes or so. I have to say that he's got something about him, kindness, confidence and more, an impressive young man.

Kindness, compassion, and respect. I come across people his age a lot. And I am frequently impressed. My son is about his age. You all would like him.

 

[Engle]

I still do math in my head on occasion just to keep htat ability in case it's needed. Which it sometimes is.

Same here. It's good to exercise your brain

 

[sleddogn]

Oh wow fkn legend!

Are you sure?

me a legend?, you must have been talking to the local ladies i'm seeing.

 

[GBassNorth]

When I was last up to Lull's to pick up my EB-3 I chatted with Spencer about George's TP-4, and he was very much like his father in that he took the time to
speak with me there in his office for about 15 minutes or so. I have to say that he's got something about him, kindness, confidence and more, an impressive young man.

Loving the TP4

What did Spencer have to say about it?

 

[GBassNorth]

I need to get a set for my 2013 50th Anniversary Bird. I keep forgetting about them.

Dang, I forgot I have a set on that bass as well. Really good fit with the TB+ pickups….

 

[dagrev]

Kindness, compassion, and respect. I come across people his age a lot. And I am frequently impressed. My son is about his age. You all would like him.

I'm certain we would if he's anything at all like his "old man," as the saying goes.

 

[dagrev]

Same here. It's good to exercise your brain

Charles Spurgeon (famous British minister) used to do algebra in his head to relax. I have found Thunderbirds and basses, tinkering with the vehicles....pretty much anything but algebra to be a better option for me.

 

[MCF]

Same here. It's good to exercise your brain

Frankly, I can add numbers in a column faster than I can on the calc on the phone or iPad.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Loving the TP4
View attachment 7143381
What did Spencer have to say about it?

what a stunner....can't wait to hear that thing....

 

[Bent77]

I have in the past seen some Repro bridge and pickup covers on ebay, not recently. Originals are stupid expensive of course - which makes no sense
at all because most players will just remove them.
I love them....even if they do get in the way sometimes.

This is a Repro bridge cover, it also serves to keep my bass player maestro (Chuck) friend from palm muting when he plays my bass much better than I can.

There she is. My purple lover…

 

[Engle]

Charles Spurgeon (famous British minister) used to do algebra in his head to relax. I have found Thunderbirds and basses, tinkering with the vehicles....pretty much anything but algebra to be a better option for me.

It's mostly basic arithmetic I'm doing in my head, not algebra!

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

the skinny BaCHs rule.....this thing turned out to be quite the workhorse....

 

[AllieCat]

the skinny BaCHs rule.....this thing turned out to be quite the workhorse....
View attachment 7143464

it's beautiful

 

[Engle]

the skinny BaCHs rule.....this thing turned out to be quite the workhorse....
View attachment 7143464

1 1/4" thick?
Once it warms up enough to work outside, I'm going to thin my Bach.

 

[TBird1958]

Loving the TP4
View attachment 7143381
What did Spencer have to say about it?

He (Spencer) knew that bass was at The Bass Shop, and that it had been sold, and as we discussed the T4 he said very few had been made, like 4 or 5 total, that black one up on Reverb a little while back was a singular example. With 105 total made, any Lull Bird is going to be rare, but one that Mike made will
be even more so - I'd hang onto that beauty! I'm looking forward to seeing it in person at the next GTG, may bring mine so we can get a shot of them together.

 

[Nocturnal]

1 1/4" thick?
Once it warms up enough to work outside, I'm going to thin my Bach.

AHEM!!