Thunderbird Club

[Count Bassie]

This is a bit late, last 4 days doing annual spring yard work. Received the 2014 Heritage Cherry Thunderbird Monday, and spent 45 minutes with it. Initial impressions, well crafted, light, 9.5/10 condition, no dings, dents, etc. Some slight imperfections, primarily several on the side of the fretboard under the clear finish, reminding me of tiny, invisible bbs. Beautiful mahogany grain very visible under the finish.

The tone was pretty much what I expected, somewhat deep, chocolate with nice definition, it may growl, but doubt it's capable of snarl. Surprisingly, at least 4 useable tones available. This is one of my few basses where I really like the neck pickup soloed, very nice Pbass but with character thing. But I'm glad it has 2 pickups because I like the bridge pickup dialed in as well. Slightly backing off the neck really gets a melted fudge gooey chocolate, very useful.

The headstock is small, and my fingers bump into other tuners while tuning.

It's a very cool bass with more cojones than my VPs. In fact it may replace them, as I think it's ballsier, and I can see where it would also be useful for a few pick songs.

Is it better than my Chinabucker loaded Fenderbird J? Time will tell, they're both dead sexy. I'll most likely use both, 1 set each.

Buyer's remorse? Absolutely not, it may be in my top 3 (Fenderbird J, Dingwall SJ4XXX, Dingwall SJ5XXX, 2014 Gibson Thunderbird the frontrunners). It's going to get gigged for sure! 2 thumbs up.

Are you the guy who described a particular Mesa amp as like a chocolate covered pretzel with a bourbon center?

 

[Thumper]

These first. Definitely.

Ok, I'll order some up.

 

[MCF]

Ok, I'll order some up.

They’re affordable, last a long time, and are great with Tbird+ pickups. Ken and I swear by them. I believe Veronica has a similar opinion.

 

[dagrev]

I would love a bowling ball blue one. But I don't need it at all. I spend most of my time on the '15, the '21 NR, the '05 Studio, the BaCHs, and now the '77. Each are distinctly different. All play great. The Epi '64 would likely just be a very pretty piece of wall art for me.

Have I lost my senses?

Don't ask Dave's daughter. We know what she thinks of him.

 

[Stealth57]

Don't ask Dave's daughter. We know what she thinks of him.

 

[dagrev]

Watched a Thomann YT video last night and they demoed about 8-10 strings. Well done. One set that shocked me was Exilir. One of the few strings I've never tried or even been interested in. ON the TV Sony sound system they sounded impressive. Good mids and very full. All were played on a Jazz. Anyone ever try them?

 

[Engle]

My IV neck, narrowed to 1.5 nut, planed board, refretted, added big aluminum side dots and reapplied tung oil finish.

 

[Ringhammer]

Watched a Thomann YT video last night and they demoed about 8-10 strings. Well done. One set that shocked me was Exilir. One of the few strings I've never tried or even been interested in. ON the TV Sony sound system they sounded impressive. Good mids and very full. All were played on a Jazz. Anyone ever try them?

Elixir strings are coated, and while I thought they sounded OK, I did not at all like the way they felt, and they are on the more expensive side.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Don't ask Dave's daughter. We know what she thinks of him.

His daughter and I need to meet just to mess with his head.

 

[Stealth57]

His daughter and I need to meet just to mess with his head.

Good luck with that. My head is at the 100% messed up stage. You, on the other hand, would be fresh meat to put under the microscope.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Good luck with that. My head is at the 100% messed up stage. You, on the other hand, would be fresh meat to put under the microscope.

That's cool. Mine's at least at 1,000% and I love it here.

 

[dagrev]

Elixir strings are coated, and while I thought they sounded OK, I did not at all like the way they felt, and they are on the more expensive side.

Thanks. The only coated string I tried was DR Dragon Skins. Came with a bass. Sounded pretty good as I recall and I'm not sure I would have known they were coated. I don't really recall an odd feeling.

 

[dagrev]

His daughter and I need to meet just to mess with his head.

PPV! Club members get a discount, right?

 

[dagrev]

Good luck with that. My head is at the 100% messed up stage. You, on the other hand, would be fresh meat to put under the microscope.

Note to self: Don't say anything if ever around your daughter.

Oh, that's can be a symptom of several things as well.

It's a no win situation.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Note to self: Don't say anything if ever around your daughter.

Oh, that's can be a symptom of several things as well.

It's a no win situation.

Or a win-win, depending on your perspective.

 

[GonePlaid]

I'm talking real tour. On a bus, occasionally planes. Roadie and everything. Kick off around DC, finale on the west coast[0], then one back home. We get to see your smiling face on the cover of the Rolling Stone![1] That's what managers are for.

0. Time it right and you play Coachella!
1. Or at least on the cover of Moss Ain't So Bad!

At least 2 of the other guys wouldn't be able to be away that long. And I don't fly. Appreciate the idea though.

 

[GonePlaid]

Measure twice, cut once!

I thought it was the other way 'round.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

TBirds anyone?.....had forgotten how good 70's Birds play and sound......Greco worried...

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I thought it was the other way 'round.

For a lot of people, yes.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

TBirds anyone?.....had forgotten how good 70's Birds play and sound......Greco worried...
View attachment 7201341

I played my Thunderbucker VP this morning. I had a Greco there just in case, but never thought about it except during setup and teardown. Who even am I?