Well that's not suppose to happen. Sound guy walk away?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
- Start date
-
- Tags
- club thunderbird
Happy Easter to all who observe. I haven't been able to score a bunny suit yet, maybe next year. 
Sweet rig!
Ampeg have their own thing: you dig it or don’t.
Used to own a 68 V4 (with reverb tank guitar head) killer head.
I lucked across a deal last year 1400 for a pristine 2014 50th Anniversary Heritage SVT. ( two non master circuits 1969 “Blue Line” and mid-1970s Magnavox-era circuits in one amp, DI and Speakon)
Pairing with a Kappalite loaded LabSeries L4
(950w 4Ohm Center Slot ported, Wider freqency range and louder, lighter and smaller than an 810)
And an Ampeg BXT 115-4 (300w 4Ohm)
Would love a 212AV as a pairing, great cab.
The L4 empty was 100 (400 for the Kappas)
The BXT 125 with a free Trace Elliot GP7 150
Welcome to thunder road:
Last edited:
Congrats! VPs are fantastic basses. Best Thunderbird since the 60s (anywhere near that price range). I have a '64 Thunderbird and it's very close to the original in tone. So I bought two VPs. They are or can be a little shy in the lows. This can be easily addressed if your amp has a knob labeled "Bass" or you have a naturally big fat amp like Ampeg. The shyness in the lows is more noticeable if your amp or cab is naturally lacking in those or is a little more flat sounding than some amps/cabs. Also more noticeable if you are playing at home. In a big room in a mix that changes things as the low end can expand nicely. At home everything will sound thinner.
As for strings...depends on what you want. VP pickups are as friendly with any type of string as any bass I have.
Bright: Rotos or better SIT Power Steels. One VP has the SITs. Sounds fantastic. They also have great lows.
More lows but with great mids for aggression (if wanted): GHS Boomers. SIT Power Wounds (NPS) are great.
Big and fat with punch: Flats work great on VPs. One of mine has GHS Precision flats. Likely one of the best options is Ernie Ball Colbalt Flats. But a good many will sound great. They tend to sound "kind of" like rounds.
Neck dive: 3" or so seude backed strap. Often longer than for a Pbass. It's a preference many prefer. But it you get it too low your right arm can cease to help with balance. This is a must in my opinion. Some get Thunderbirds and don't take (or ignore) this step and needlessly complain when there is an easy fix.
Enjoy your fantastic Epi!
Happy Easter as well to those inclined.Happy Easter to all who observe. I haven't been able to score a bunny suit yet, maybe next year.
Your VP will be just fine with the SVT.
Likewise to all.Happy Easter to all who observe. I haven't been able to score a bunny suit yet, maybe next year.
At least you're equipped for birthdays...
I have an arctic white 2017 Epiphone VP. When I go it (for a really good deal, under $350 it had old strings on it and it sounded like a $350 bass. I put some Tomastik-Infeld “PowerBass” strings on it and I could tell, they were the perfect string for that bass, awesome sound, just the right tension, purple silks! It still wears that same set for a couple years now and they still sound great. That bass gets used semi-frequently and it is one of two basses I leave at one of my rehearsal spaces. I highly recommend trying these strings.
Powerbass E-Bass Guitar Archives - Thomastik-Infeld
shop.thomastik-infeld.com
They are not cheap, but they make your budget priced Epiphone sound as good as any Gibson.
Yeah, I hate to say it but my dad could be standing there just out of frame… and yes, he has a red C6 2010 Grand Sport Corvette..
Yeah. Maybe not the greatest idea. But at that volume no harm no foul.
Yep. Way under market value. If I hadn’t just got one I’d be on the road heading up there in a heartbeat.
The first rig I played was a 67 EB-3>7ender Super Reverb in a(acoustic)piano, drums, bass combo. Volumes low.
IIRC, new young girlfriend. He’ll be back.
Well well. You’re in for many more. Congratulations! They ten to breed. I went from one to sixteen in ten years. You’re in for a ride with amazing humbucker tone offered up by a variety of pickup options. That beautiful Ebony is a great start!
Thanks for the tips!
The string suggestions are food for thought.
Good to know that it’s close to the vintage of TB tone base I’m seeking.
My Rigs will suffice I think.
Mesa TT
SVT
Trace
Cabs 2x15 1x15 and the tiny wonder of the world PJB C-8
Especially thanks for the neck dive tip(s)
I use a 4” glove leather extra long Levy’s so I think I may be good there: I helped tremendously when I borrowed an 80’s explorer bass. Works well with my self made Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird. Slung loww (I’ve got long arms) and at 6’3” it may be to my advantage.
Sound guy also plays bass. The leader loves bass (got excited when he saw “you have two Thunderbirds!”) one of the vocalists is also a bassist, as it turns out.
Congrats on the new Bird!!
Nice combination with the Berg!
I’ve been rocking Mesas for decades, (400+, Carbine, Titan v12, D800, WD, TT)
Just stepped from a WD to a TT
I had SVTs in the 80’s couldn’t pass on that 50th Anniversary !
Ampeg has a special sumthin to be sure.
I didn’t mention this was a multi-church Good Friday service. At least 4 of the 7 musicians were worship leaders from their churches. Incredible group of musicians. Everything just gelled from the start. I got to do this last year because we were between worship pastors and I was coordinating things, and got invited back this year.
Bonus points: Nashville number charts. I’m hoping we start using those at our church.
