Thunderbird Club

[dagrev]

A friend is in a band we went to see last night at Liquid Joe's in Salt Lake City. They are very good at what rhey do (mainly 80's harder stuff, Quiet Riot, Motley Crew and the like). I was watching the bass player who played an Explorer and a PJ I couldn't identify (he had a white Gibson Thunderbird that I was disappointed he didn't play, he said it was a backup). I was surprised not that he played fingerstyle and with a pick, but that it sounded very much the same. I asked him how he did it, he looked surprised and said did he didn't know.

Any idea how he did it?

View attachment 7195331

Other than rig, amp settings is the only thing that comes to mind. Meaning I can see how some settings might emphasize certain things (freqs that stand out with a pick or fingers) with the opposite being true. My tone is pretty mellow. I can hear when I use a pick, but suspect anyone 20ft or more a way might not. Conversely, I can see if a tone was bright and clanky it could maybe make things sound the same. Especially if there was a lot of string noise hitting the fretboard. All I could think of. None of which may be correct, if there is a correct.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Yeah. I believe you. I'll probably never know. There is is no way I can justify spending what they go for at this point. But frankly, what I have is perfect for me. And me being pretty much neck agnostic and having no issues with all my wide EPIs, it isn't an issue. For me. But I totally understand other impressions.

definitely one way of looking at it, for me, an investment....already got offered 500 more than I paid for the '79...

 

[dagrev]

many like to emulate the style the song was recorded with in the first place (easier to jump strings with fingers and single string 8ths or 16ths with a pick) to accurately nail the feel of the tune would be my guess... Whole Lotta Love was originally recorded with a pick where Dazed and Confused with fingers and one can hear that imho...

So true. This is why I started using a pick (8ths or 16ths). Beyond that, if I knew a song was played with a pick I would tend to do the same. But not always. Likely as much emulating a favorite player as much as anything. Leon comes to mind for me.

Now I do it if it makes things easier in some way or I just want to. Some times I play a song with fingers and another I might grab a pick. Sometimes I like hearing the pick even if I'm the only one.

 

[MCF]

Princess fingers.

Nope. Just don’t like them. Believe me I tried. Only flats I like are chromes on a MIM Pbass.

Stainless Steel rounds for the win!

 

[dagrev]

Your finger tone can really vary depending on where you strike the string (closer to bridge or neck) and how you attack the strings. He might be slapping the string as he plucks, which can do that.

Indeed. Also, I notice my index finger sounds slightly different than my middle finger. Really subtle and I only notice it when it's just me at home. Could be one harder than that other, but possibly the length of the finger and how and where it interacts with the string is just as likely I would think.

(It's OK to suggest I'm crazy at this point.)

 

[dagrev]

80 in Bako. Spring has arrived.

Just me and the dog. Wife and son went to Whittier yesterday. Father-in-law taken to ER yesterday AM. He's stable, waiting to be transferred to cardiac unit at St. Joseph's in the OC. Other than worrying, I've been dialing in the '77, playing tunes and watching Dodgers.

I hope your FIL improves. Stressful stuff for the family.

 

[dagrev]

I ditch the straps sitting down.

I'm with you. It would likely fall off and (to me), there's no point. But I have never played where I would stand and then sit for a while either. Stools make my neck hurt so I would rather stand. However, I have yet to play/rehearse in a Lazy-Boy like Chuck either. The master knows how to do it.

 

[dagrev]

Princess fingers.

You rang?

 

[dagrev]

wonder how they kept the paint from hosing the ser. no....
View attachment 7195696

Thin coats. And they could have cleaned the numbers out when refinishing it, making them less full of paint or finish to begin with.

 

[MCF]

Something pickups would help? Stealthbird?

Re the Ibby. It’s not worth messing with. It’s heavy . Luthite. I’ll give it away if anyone wants it. I got it for $200 With a Gator case that fits my Fenders. I bought it for the case….thinking I could do something about the tone. I can’t without putting money into it. At this point I don’t care.

 

[MCF]

Fortunately, I already get enough tone variation through how and where on the strings I play that my sound is varied.

Me too.

 

[Thumper]

Other than rig, amp settings is the only thing that comes to mind. Meaning I can see how some settings might emphasize certain things (freqs that stand out with a pick or fingers) with the opposite being true. My tone is pretty mellow. I can hear when I use a pick, but suspect anyone 20ft or more a way might not. Conversely, I can see if a tone was bright and clanky it could maybe

make things sound the same. Especially if there was a lot of string noise hitting the fretboard. All I could think of. None of which may be correct, if there is a correct.

That's the curious part, the guy was playing through a mini command 121p Markbass combo. They do have a low-mid and a high-mid tone knob. I call him the sledgehammer, his notes hit so hard, whether playing a Stingray, Explorer, or a PJ. Good sound man I suppose, but I also saw them play outdoors on a huge flatbed trailer, sounded pretty darn good as well. Like is often said, the player is the main ingredient.

 

[MCF]

definitely one way of looking at it, for me, an investment....already got offered 500 more than I paid for the '79...

Yeah. I could flip the ‘77 I just got and get 1k more. I spent the day restoring it to almost mint condition. Got all the hardware looking like new. Everything cleaned and polished.

But it’s staying put. I bought it to play. And it is an exceptional Thunderbird. I am in love with the tone from it.

 

[MCF]

I hope your FIL improves. Stressful stuff for the family.

Thanks Donnie.

 

[MCF]

Indeed. Also, I notice my index finger sounds slightly different than my middle finger. Really subtle and I only notice it when it's just me at home. Could be one harder than that other, but possibly the length of the finger and how and where it interacts with the string is just as likely I would think.

(It's OK to suggest I'm crazy at this point.)

I’ll have what you’re having.

 

[MCF]

You rang?
View attachment 7195714

Damn. I wish @PillO would check in. I miss him.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Yeah. I could flip the '77 I just got and get 1k more. I spent the day restoring it to almost mint condition. Got all the hardware looking like new. Everything cleaned and polished.

But it's staying put. I bought it to play. And it is an exceptional Thunderbird. I am in love with the tone from it.

Clip please....

 

[Count Bassie]

As I think about it, you make good point and one maybe one not fully intended. In a live mix subtle things like strings can either not be noticed (Ken's valid point)--or something good at home can disappear or could be over emphasized, this being less likely in my experience. I've found that how something sounds at home is almost meaningless in terms of how it will sound in a mix in a big room. (My '64 is completely uninteresting hat home. Possibly my worst sounding bass at home. But live....Monster!

Yep, I didn't get into unpacking anything, but it's all true!
There's so much happening in a live mix from other instruments and equipment to the shape and population of a space.
So, yeah.

 

[dagrev]

I'll have what you're having.

 

[MCF]

Clip please....

Give me time. I only recently got the ability to do that. Give me time. I’m shy. I don’t want to post anything here that isn’t up to par. You all have set the bar pretty high. Although many have heard me…