Thunderbird Club

[GBassNorth]

We must be related.
Tone Twins.

Triplets.

I think Mike might be in that camp as well, except he sings lead and backup.

Anyone?


Bueller?

I can measure tomorrow if you still need data points.

I spent 1 1/2 hours playing the 2014, then cycled through the Epiphone Goth, 2019 VP, and Fenderbird J for another hour.

A couple of takeaways: First, I really like the tone of the 2014, nice weight and clarity to the notes, no plans to change anything. 2nd, it's scary how good the Epiphone Goth is, if not for the neck, it's really close to the 2014 (except it's also heavier). Also confusing, is the tone knob on the Goth works, the tone knob on the 2014, not so much. It reminds me of the tone knob on my former '76 Thunderbird, didn't do much.

Are we sure the Chinese VPs (64s), aren't using Chinabuckers? My Chinabucker loaded Fenderbird J definitely has more weight, more bass and low mids. The VP has more high mids and snarl which I love, but in all reality only use in 10-15% of my music.

I’m constantly amazed at how nice my Goth sounds with the new tone cap in it.
I know the pups in the 64 reissue (new VP) are different from the old VP. More heft and a tad less grit in the new ones. But both are quite good.

 

[dagrev]

Thunderbird Thursday

View attachment 7205017

When I see that I always feel like I need a tetanus or maybe even a rabies shot.

 

[bengi_bassgeek]

As new member an T-Bird Fan i thougt it would be a nice start for me and my Bird to say hallo here.

Cheerz Benjamin

 

[dagrev]

It’s late. I’ll put up a few pics tomorrow. Los Lobos was in town. The epitome of professional musicianship.
View attachment 7205294

Really like some of their stuff. Bet it was great.

 

[dagrev]

View attachment 7205392As new member an T-Bird Fan i thougt it would be a nice start for me and my Bird to say hallo here.

Cheerz Benjamin

Congratulations! You chose very well. Fantastic Thunderbirds.

 

[bylar13]

When I see that I always feel like I need a tetanus or maybe even a rabies shot.

I got both, just to be sure!

 

[Ringhammer]

glad you sold that, did you get the mentioned amount? yeah, pretty much Los Gatos...Gardinos is a pretty chill venue... Palo Alto this Sat, I'll give you a heads up. want to come check your bands too, ever play Santa Cruz? The Blue Lagoon has a choice stage and crowd..

Since it sold on Reverb I took a little bit of a hit, but when buying and trying and moving amps, I kind of expect that. Price that needs to be paid for this hobby of ours.

Palo Alto would have been perfect, but I’m heading out of town for a week, for a long overdue break on Saturday.

Either or both of my bands would love to play down in Santa Cruz, etc., but neither band has any connections down there with people or bands that play down that way.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

View attachment 7205392As new member an T-Bird Fan i thougt it would be a nice start for me and my Bird to say hallo here.

Cheerz Benjamin

A hearty welcome to you and your bird!

 

[TBird1958]

View attachment 7205392As new member an T-Bird Fan i thougt it would be a nice start for me and my Bird to say hallo here.

Cheerz Benjamin

Hi Benjamin,

Welcome to Talkbass and the Thunderbird Club, please feel free to join our conversation here, it's not always about Thunderbirds, so chime in. We welcome all questions as it encourages good conversation. I keep an updated list of club members, let me know if you would like me to add you - Cheers!

 

[BuddhaFingas]

I can measure tomorrow if you still need data points

I'm probably good with what I have, but never too much data

 

[GonePlaid]

I'm probably good with what I have, but never too much data

 

[GBassNorth]

View attachment 7205392As new member an T-Bird Fan i thougt it would be a nice start for me and my Bird to say hallo here.

Cheerz Benjamin

I had no idea Pete Townshend played bass, much less a Tbird!
Cool photo, welcome to the club! Rock her in good health.
Cheers
BTW - love your cap! Always looking for a good cap supplier, where did you get yours? Best I found in the US so far…

Shop

Shop our wide selection today. Boston Scally is your source for the best selection of authentic, stylish flat scally caps directly from Boston.

www.bostonscally.com

Great selection, top quality lots of different styles and interesting special runs like my Grateful Dead cap.

 

[Engle]

I spent 1 1/2 hours playing the 2014, then cycled through the Epiphone Goth, 2019 VP, and Fenderbird J for another hour.

A couple of takeaways: First, I really like the tone of the 2014, nice weight and clarity to the notes, no plans to change anything. 2nd, it's scary how good the Epiphone Goth is, if not for the neck, it's really close to the 2014 (except it's also heavier). Also confusing, is the tone knob on the Goth works, the tone knob on the 2014, not so much. It reminds me of the tone knob on my former '76 Thunderbird, didn't do much.

Are we sure the Chinese VPs (64s), aren't using Chinabuckers? My Chinabucker loaded Fenderbird J definitely has more weight, more bass and low mids. The VP has more high mids and snarl which I love, but in all reality only use in 10-15% of my music.

Are the new Probuckers really Chinabuckers? It wouldn't surprise me.
Are all Chinabuckers identical? Pretty hard to say, but I wouldn't criticize Chinese manufacturers for being inconsistent in their pickup builds...

I would like to think Probuckers are built to an Epiphone spec, but it's more likely the pickups meet a minimum spec.
My guess is the Probucker stickers are just part of the branding that's specified when Epiphone orders a run of instruments.

 

[Engle]

Thanks much, compadre. Very very helpful to know there is consistency across brands and models, but also exceptions.

Combined with Tbird1958's info, a range arises.

I have to figure out target thickness so I can pick tuners and start shaping and sanding.

How thick is it now? I can't say I've ever had an issue with a tuner not having the range to work with a particular headstock thickness. Maybe I've just been lucky

17 VP 16mm / 18mm
91 Orville 15mm / 16.5mm

 

[Stealth57]

@Miles_ONeal I found your 64 Thunderbird. Only $4,500.

 

[Thumper]

Tone control on Gibson Thunderbird, how useful is yours? Neither my '76, nor my 2014 have/had a useful tone control, luck of the draw? The tone control on my Goth, and to a lesser extent my 2 VPs perform as expected. My Fenderbird J and P tone controls work well (CTS pots and .047uf caps).

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Tone control on Gibson Thunderbird, how useful is yours? Neither my '76, nor my 2014 have/had a useful tone control, luck of the draw? The tone control on my Goth, and to a lesser extent my 2 VPs perform as expected. My Fenderbird J and P tone controls work well (CTS pots and .047uf caps).

the one on my 79 does not seem broken but doesn't seems to do much.....oh well, who cares lol...

 

[Thumper]

the one on my 79 does not seem broken but doesn't seems to do much.....oh well, who cares lol...

You're right, of course. I don't plan on modifying or changing anything in the tone circuit, my question was more curiosity than anything else.

I really like what I'm getting out of the 2014!

 

[Stealth57]

the one on my 79 does not seem broken but doesn't seems to do much.....oh well, who cares lol...

Ditto on my 64 II.

 

[GBassNorth]

@Chucky Stiletti
Here’s the Fretless 66 tribute sound samples you requested. I just did a quick 20 second recording in each setting. I was watching a Bond film last night so I had this song stuck in my head.
First recording is as I would normally play it - neck vol full on and tone full up, bridge vol full on and tone full off, master vol at 50%

Second recording - higher key and fewer strokes to emphasize fretless effect - bridge vol full on and tone full up as you requested neck off, master at 50%

Third recording - same key and settings as the last but slowed down to further emphasize fretless effect

Fourth recording - same key and speed but the neck vol on full and neck tone on max, bridge vol on full and tone on max, master at 50%

Again, all fingers and right hand over the neck pup, still no side dots or fret markers of any kind so please excuse the lack of precision (this ain’t a P bass).