Thunderbird Club

[dagrev]

I took the '06 to rehearsal. Man this thing sounds fantastic through the Ashdown ABM. While playing I couldn't help but keep thinking how great it sounded (fingers, pick, neck only). On top of that it's a dream to play--98% as good as my '64--and I may not be giving it enough due saying that. As much as I complained about how this bass sounded it's great to be able to praise it. Definitely a bass that won't go anywhere until I can't play.

 

[Gaolee]

I took the '06 to rehearsal. Man this thing sounds fantastic through the Ashdown ABM. While playing I couldn't help but keep thinking how great it sounded (fingers, pick, neck only). On top of that it's a dream to play--98% as good as my '64--and I may not be giving it enough due saying that. As much as I complained about how this bass sounded it's great to be able to praise it. Definitely a bass that won't go anywhere until I can't play.
View attachment 7144511

Maybe a little of the pixie dust that got sprinkled on my '01 found its way onto that Thunderbird, too.

 

[Engle]

Any strong opinions about Bartolini pickups?

I have a set of Bartolini Tbird pickups. One is currently in my J shaped bass. I think it sounds great.
The 3 mounting screws make it much easier to get them parallel to the strings.
One thing to keep in mind is they are in black plastic cases, but sized the same as Tbird chrome pickups.

 

[MCF]

yeah I get it, I was going by the assumption that the 60's may have been thinner than any of the BaCHs (I was only aware of two body thicknesses, guess there may have been a third) but then again, I was measuring the lower bout, not the upper horn as you mention....

Well, I’m happy to have you come out and visit it.

 

[Engle]

I'll get more info later, but for now a 60s NR body is coming my way. Planning to go to Nashville Saturday to get it from J.T. (Stapelton's Thunderbird loving bassist). He bought it as a project but doesn't have time right now and he kindly offered it to me at a good price as part of a conversation.

It's a project. Can be a little or a lot. May keep it with all it's scars and play it or do some upgrading and maybe even refinish it myself. Might even look into having it done, just don't know yet.

The stickers have been removed as well as the tuners (new one's arrive Thurs from Philly Luth). The pickups are unknown. Will stay if they sound good. If not I will likely get some of the Gibson reissues. We'll see.
The neck has a had a repair. Doesn't look pretty but seems to be working fine. (Again, may sand and play or go more in depth. Likely will do some kind of refin at some point as I'm leaning towards making it look at least halfway decent.) At some point it had Jazz pickups and has a hole from some kind of control that was under one of the stickers. That will get fixed if refined. I wonder if the neck was broken and the parts removed for other repairs or sold. Then someone fixed the neck and put the Frankenbird "back together." He bought a parchment pickguard for it, but I'm not sure if that will come with the bass or not. I'll get one if not and if this one is not original or ruined in some way. I hope to but a two piece bridge on it as well. But that depends and remains to be seen.
View attachment 7144328

Love it!

 

[BklynKen]

I have a set of Bartolini Tbird pickups. One is currently in my J shaped bass. I think it sounds great.
The 3 mounting screws make it much easier to get them parallel to the strings.
One thing to keep in mind is they are in black plastic cases, but sized the same as Tbird chrome pickups.

Does that mean they're not the same size as TB+?

 

[dagrev]

Maybe a little of the pixie dust that got sprinkled on my '01 found its way onto that Thunderbird, too.

I can't disagree. Or in the Ashdown! That seems to really make a difference. The Ampeg tube head was "acceptable" with the '06. The ABM must activate the pixie dust because the difference is huge. My Pbasses, VPs, the '64 Thunderbird do sound noticeably better (to me) through the Ampeg, however. Or I haven't figured out the ideal EQ on the Ashdown. If I ever do, I will have little problem in selling the Ampeg BH. But right now the ABM definately works magic for some basses and not as much as the Ampeg on others. For now anyway. This is not to say some of those basses don't sound good through the ABM. They do--just not as good as with the Ampeg. In fact, if I had t make a choice and get rid of one, the AMB would be staying. Very impressed with that head. I would have preferred the 300w version, but never ran across a good deal on one. My 500w is WAY more than I need--or would have ever needed when playing in rock bands. Back to work....

 

[Engle]

Does that mean they're not the same size as TB+?

That's correct.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Well, I’m happy to have you come out and visit it.

if I sent you the calipers would you know what to do?......better yet!.....

Digital Caliper H-7352 - ULINE

Easily measure tubes, pipes and precision parts. Take inside, outside and depth measurements. Large LCD screen displays millimeters, decimal and fractional inches. Stainless steel construction. Auto shut off saves battery. Coin cell battery included.

www.uline.com

 

[GBassNorth]

Any strong opinions about Bartolini pickups?

I have them in several basses and love them. I find they go particularly well with active preamps like Aguilar and East. My FrankenGoth Tbird has a set of Bart humbuckers sized to be pretty much a drop in for the Epiphone Goth pickups, and I’m currently in the parts acquisition stage for a new Tbird build that’s inspired by my Warwick Thumb bass using two Bart Jazz type pickups down near the bridge.

Generally speaking I find Barts to be a bit on the warm side on the bottom end and rich, crisp and full on the top end.

I took the '06 to rehearsal. Man this thing sounds fantastic through the Ashdown ABM. While playing I couldn't help but keep thinking how great it sounded (fingers, pick, neck only). On top of that it's a dream to play--98% as good as my '64--and I may not be giving it enough due saying that. As much as I complained about how this bass sounded it's great to be able to praise it. Definitely a bass that won't go anywhere until I can't play.
View attachment 7144511

Sometimes some basses just need to find their amp soulmate to come alive. I have a Spector Euro like that. Bought it on line and was sorely disappointed when I plugged it into my SVT VR. Was pretty much ready to send it back or sell it until I plugged it into my Thunderfunk amp. Suddenly it became one of my best sounding basses. Sounds like your ‘06 has found its match in the Ashdown. Might be interesting to find an Ashdown emulation pedal to see if it works well with the Ampeg amp so you don’t have to switch back and forth.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I have them in several basses and love them. I find they go particularly well with active preamps like Aguilar and East. My FrankenGoth Tbird has a set of Bart humbuckers sized to be pretty much a drop in for the Epiphone Goth pickups, and I’m currently in the parts acquisition stage for a new Tbird build that’s inspired by my Warwick Thumb bass using two Bart Jazz type pickups down near the bridge.

Generally speaking I find Barts to be a bit on the warm side on the bottom end and rich, crisp and full on the top end.

Sometimes some basses just need to find their amp soulmate to come alive. I have a Spector Euro like that. Bought it on line and was sorely disappointed when I plugged it into my SVT VR. Was pretty much ready to send it back or sell it until I plugged it into my Thunderfunk amp. Suddenly it became one of my best sounding basses. Sounds like your ‘06 has found its match in the Ashdown. Might be interesting to find an Ashdown emulation pedal to see if it works well with the Ampeg amp so you don’t have to switch back and forth.

I prefer ss amps with ceramic magnet pickups...

 

[BklynKen]

I prefer ss amps with ceramic magnet pickups...

Hell yeah. I find TB+ through GK a fantastic combination. I play at rehearsal, and recorded through, the B-15, but it's not my preferred tone. The BL loves it, maybe because it's his amp. And he plays an '80s Japanese Fender Jazz Bass Special. But every time I use my 800RB pre into an amp's FX Return, I get compliments.

 

[GBassNorth]

Thinking back on all the chatter a few days ago in this club (about a 1000 posts ago) about guitar picks of choice for playing our basses. I am reminded of how much I love the sound of a Tbird with a pick but have never been able to pull it off due to arthritis pain that sets in after only a few minutes of pick playing. Has anyone here ever tried this pick type on a bass? Really meant for guitar but looks interesting and might solve my pick pain problem. Your thoughts…

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[GBassNorth]

I prefer ss amps with ceramic magnet pickups...

Very insightful as usual Chuck! I never made that connection before but you just might be onto something there. Wondering out loud, what is it about ceramic magnets that make them a better fit for SS amps?

 

[Stealth57]

Thinking back on all the chatter a few days ago in this club (about a 1000 posts ago) about guitar picks of choice for playing our basses. I am reminded of how much I love the sound of a Tbird with a pick but have never been able to pull it off due to arthritis pain that sets in after only a few minutes of pick playing. Has anyone here ever tried this pick type on a bass? Really meant for guitar but looks interesting and might solve my pick pain problem. Your thoughts…

Pardon Our Interruption...

is that to give a pick sound when playing finger style? Or just some punk rock jewelry?

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Very insightful as usual Chuck! I never made that connection before but you just might be onto something there. Wondering out loud, what is it about ceramic magnets that make them a better fit for SS amps?

I believe they may be flatter in response possibly highlighting the more broadband response of DC (direct coupled, no OTP) amps...but then again, it could be something completely different....maybe even subjective...

 

[BklynKen]

Thinking back on all the chatter a few days ago in this club (about a 1000 posts ago) about guitar picks of choice for playing our basses. I am reminded of how much I love the sound of a Tbird with a pick but have never been able to pull it off due to arthritis pain that sets in after only a few minutes of pick playing. Has anyone here ever tried this pick type on a bass? Really meant for guitar but looks interesting and might solve my pick pain problem. Your thoughts…

Pardon Our Interruption...

You'd probably be replacing strings very often if you used metal on metal like that.

 

[GBassNorth]

is that to give a pick sound when playing finger style? Or just some punk rock jewelry?

I think the concept comes from Flamenco guitar playing where acomplished players pick with all five fingers (finger nails I assume) simultaneously. I was thinking of using one or two at a time if it would even work.

You'd probably be replacing strings very often if you used metal on metal like that.

Good point, that and potential pickup surface scratching and even potential bass finish damage if not used over a guard.

 

[BklynKen]

Good point, that and potential pickup surface scratching and even potential bass finish damage if not used over a guard.

Find one of these if you want a pick-like attack. You can still find them pretty easily even though they're no longer made.

Steel Leather Attack Expander for Bass | STEEL LEATHER | Electro-Harmonix

Dedicated attack expander allows your bass to cut through any live performance with razor’s edge control. Adjustable attack bleeds bite with suede. | STEEL LEATHER

shop.ehx.com

 

[dagrev]

I have them in several basses and love them. I find they go particularly well with active preamps like Aguilar and East. My FrankenGoth Tbird has a set of Bart humbuckers sized to be pretty much a drop in for the Epiphone Goth pickups, and I’m currently in the parts acquisition stage for a new Tbird build that’s inspired by my Warwick Thumb bass using two Bart Jazz type pickups down near the bridge.

Generally speaking I find Barts to be a bit on the warm side on the bottom end and rich, crisp and full on the top end.

Sometimes some basses just need to find their amp soulmate to come alive. I have a Spector Euro like that. Bought it on line and was sorely disappointed when I plugged it into my SVT VR. Was pretty much ready to send it back or sell it until I plugged it into my Thunderfunk amp. Suddenly it became one of my best sounding basses. Sounds like your ‘06 has found its match in the Ashdown. Might be interesting to find an Ashdown emulation pedal to see if it works well with the Ampeg amp so you don’t have to switch back and forth.

And what, have a perfectly logical reason to get rid of an amp? Are you crazy? I don't mind having more gear than I need.
However, an Ampeg pedal for the Ashdown might be something to consider. Just don't think all those tubes can be faked. There is some depth those heads have. But you have me thinking.....