Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

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.

The TT is a great all around choice for getting pretty much any flavor you want out of Thunderbirds. I have that, the M6 Carbine, and the SVT. Many here also like Trace. You are well set.

You’re in NoCal? Take a look at the natural posted above that’s in Pollock Pines. The pic is a little blurry, but it looks like a nice Bicentennial at a price we haven’t seen for quite a long time.

You’ll get lots of different suggestions for strings. I’m in the stainless rounds camp. SIT Power Steels are a go to for some of us here.

 

[Engle]

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.

It doesnt sound like going to have a problem playing a Tbird Congrats and welcome!

 

[MCF]

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 recall seeing your posts about picking up the TT over in the Subway club.

Please join in here as well. Great people hang here, just like the Subway group.

The Berg is awesome. I’d pick up another one if the chance comes up. Sealed NV 610. I missed out when he did a very limited reissue run last year.

 

[TBird1958]

Ok, so I’m awaiting delivery of my FIRST Thunderbird. What I *think* is a 2019 Vintage Pro. (And first Gibby style bass I have owned)
Collective: tell me what I’m “in for”
(I will scour the site for info also)
View attachment 7206165
How are the stock Epi Tuners?

I run Roto SS 30-98 on my 4003w and those are killer for it.

What is a muscular roundwound meaty articulate string for a punchy finger style sound with these beasts? Are they better suited to larger gauges (40-105 ex)

Flats perhaps a better choice?
On other basses I like EB group 3, Cobalt, DM flats, labella LTF.

Tips to cope with the expected neck dive.
Etc :


TIA!
I’ll comeback with a NBD

Congratulations on your new Thunderbird, I think you'll find it to be a very good bass at a reasonable price, we tend to hold them in pretty high regard here. From experience I know it will sound very good with your Trace Elliott, try some SIT Power Steels with it. Let me know if you'd like to be on the club roster

 

[Ringhammer]

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:
View attachment 7206278View attachment 7206279
View attachment 7206290

I’ve got all manner of Ampeg, and the re-issue completes it. This is my rehearsal space set up:

Ampeg V2 modified to use 2 x 6550’s. Gets 72 watts to the top 4 x 8” cab. The V4B-AV is going into an SVT212AV, 100w. Using an ABY box to run both heads.

Also have:
PF-50t
PF-20t
PF-800
Venture V7
RB112


Not to mention
2 x Orange AD200B
Orange TB500
Orange 4-Stroke

And all varieties of Ampeg and Orange cabinets.

Recently sold my ‘73 SVT and ‘80’s 810e. Loved it but don’t miss it.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Congratulations on your new Thunderbird, I think you'll find it to be a very good bass at a reasonable price, we tend to hold them in pretty high regard here. From experience I know it will sound very good with your Trace Elliott, try some SIT Power Steels with it. Let me know if you'd like to be on the club roster

I will ask for a membership # when it arrives, with a NBD post, glamour shots and initial impressions.

The tally keeps going up for the Power Steels. Never tried them, perhaps it’s time.

The more I think about it: the ergonomics can’t be that different than my Meteora:

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I’ve got all manner of Ampeg, and the re-issue completes it. This is my rehearsal space set up:

View attachment 7206458

Ampeg V2 modified to use 2 x 6550’s. Gets 72 watts to the top 4 x 8” cab. The V4B-AV is going into an SVT212AV, 100w. Using an ABY box to run both heads.

Also have:
PF-50t
PF-20t
PF-800
Venture V7
RB112


Not to mention
2 x Orange AD200B
Orange TB500
Orange 4-Stroke

And all varieties of Ampeg and Orange cabinets.

Recently sold my ‘73 SVT and ‘80’s 810e. Loved it but don’t miss it.

Zoinks!

 

[/\/\3phist0]

You’re in NoCal? Take a look at the natural posted above that’s in Pollock Pines. The pic is a little blurry, but it looks like a nice Bicentennial at a price we haven’t seen for quite a long time.

I can’t fund that purchase: but would be willing to broker and reship if someone out of the area would be interested!
DM me. I’ve got a great rep, and a good eye for issues.

!!!!!oh one question I have not ascertained the answer to: do the Vintage Pro birds have a Dual Action Truss Rod?

 

[Stealth57]

I can’t fund that purchase: but would be willing to broker and reship if someone out of the area would be interested!
DM me. I’ve got a great rep, and a good eye for issues.

!!!!!oh one question I have not ascertained the answer to: do the Vintage Pro birds have a Dual Action Truss Rod?

Single rod but it moves both ways.

 

[Stealth57]

I better get back to Amman. Looks like the grandsons are going Bedouin

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Congratulations on your new Thunderbird, I think you'll find it to be a very good bass at a reasonable price, we tend to hold them in pretty high regard here. From experience I know it will sound very good with your Trace Elliott, try some SIT Power Steels with it. Let me know if you'd like to be on the club roster

Since you seem to be the leader of the flock:
Could you indulge a question to share your experience?

Some bases of other types seem to respond “better” to heavier gauges others lighter (My 4003 loves really light strings, my Warwick Dolphin LOVED heavy gauges: both neck through like the ‘bird)

Much has to do with the pickups to be sure, that said:
The Ric seemed “deader” and lacked strong mids with RS66, better with RS35’s but is a mix cutting lazer beam of midrange punch with the Roto SS 30-98’s — yeah surprised me too.
The Dolphin woke up with rich harmonics with DR DDT 135 (5 string set) again surprised!

So: the question: with the neck through variant of the TB with the vintage ProBuckers:
Heavy gauge or light gets the best responsiveness out of the TB recipe?

I want to have new strings in hand when the Bird lands in my hands.

Two brand / types are leading
EB cobalts (know them love them)
And Power Steels ( I’ve tried and liked other SIT strings)


Heavy, or Light?

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Single rod but it moves both ways.

Thanks, that is dual action!

 

[TBird1958]

Since you seem to be the leader of the flock:
Could you indulge a question to share your experience?

Some bases of other types seem to respond “better” to heavier gauges others lighter (My 4003 loves really light strings, my Warwick Dolphin LOVED heavy gauges: both neck through like the ‘bird)

Much has to do with the pickups to be sure, that said:
The Ric seemed “deader” and lacked strong mids with RS66, better with RS35’s but is a mix cutting lazer beam of midrange punch with the Roto SS 30-98’s — yeah surprised me too.
The Dolphin woke up with rich harmonics with DR DDT 135 (5 string set) again surprised!

So: the question: with the neck through variant of the TB with the vintage producers:
Heavy gauge or light gets the best responsiveness out of the TB recipe?

I want to have new strings in hand when the Bird lands in my hands.

Two brand / types are leading
EB cobalts (know them love them)
And Power Steels ( I’ve tried and liked other SIT strings)


Heavy, or Light?

I don't have a sound clip of an Epi VP with SITs unfortunately, but I would say that they are lo-mid and mid focuses strings and they compliment the VPs pickups well. If you want more mid focus Ken Smith Rockmasters are a good choice, both respond well to a pick, which basically ignites Thunderbird pickups - highly recommended!

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

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:
View attachment 7206278View attachment 7206279
View attachment 7206290

that LabSeries box ought to get some attention around here, 8x10?

 

[dagrev]

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.

That explains it. There's the reason that mistake happened.

 

[Stealth57]

That explains it. There's the reason that mistake happened.

Same situation where we are playing 4/28. Very disturbing to clearly hear the bass through the PA

 

[dagrev]

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.

Cool!


I've looked at the Nashville system no telling how many times. I suppose once you get it it's easier. To me it's less work to just go find the chords in the right key. However, when you can't get that, I can see where it would be helpful. Otherwise it seems like more work than printing or having the correct chord chart. I'm possibly missing something. If I were needing to constantly change keys I would buy one of fancy quantum physics boxes that changes the universe so it sounds like you're playing in another key.

 

[dagrev]

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..

One TI string I haven't tried. One commonality with them is is they all last a really long time. And cost a lot, so there are two.

 

[dagrev]

It doesnt sound like going to have a problem playing a Tbird Congrats and welcome!

Yes, once he buys some decent amps and cabs.

 

[dagrev]

I better get back to Amman. Looks like the grandsons are going Bedouin

View attachment 7206534View attachment 7206535

Great. Now they will want Camels to ride when they visit you. You might need to move to Oz. They have plenty.