Thunderbird Club

[Gaolee]

Firebirds are also pretty common in blues, due to their tone (think Johnny Winther)...

I haven't seen Thunderbird players in jazz myself, but I'm pretty sure somebody else in the club will point you in that direction, as we have quite a diverse bunch of players in the club.

I used to play blues that bordered on jazz with the fretless Thunderbird. It works just fine, although there's always one kinda weird guy in the audience who spends the evening staring at you trying to figure out what he's seeing. I mostly play that stuff on the upright these days, so the fretless 'Bird doesn't get near enough exercise any more.

 

[Gaolee]

Oh yeah... anybody that sez a Gibson emmer effin' Thunderbird don't belong in the blues, get's 10 pounds of mahogany in the face!

They are a bit lighter than that, but the length makes up for it because you get great leverage when you swing. Just saying.

 

[BklynKen]

He's looking, but isn't quite ready yet.
I will say that's a great price on that 2014, and I really feel that will be a very sought after Thunderbird due to it's relative rarity. If Gibson (that's a BIG IF)
decides to make basses again we are just as likely to not see this bass given the corporate history of short production runs.

Which still makes me wonder how many left-handed models were made for 2013.

 

[Gaolee]

I've had no problem adapting but I adapted to a RIC a couple years ago so that may have helped.

I played an EB-2 for many years, and it was a typical Gibson as far as where it wanted to be. Long strap, high neck, just like a Thunderbird. Adapting to a Precision was challenging, and it feels weird for a while every time I pick it up. I do pick it up fairly regularly, but that may change when the P-Bird gets done later on this summer, I hope.

 

[TBird1958]

I used to play blues that bordered on jazz with the fretless Thunderbird. It works just fine, although there's always one kinda weird guy in the audience who spends the evening staring at you trying to figure out what he's seeing. I mostly play that stuff on the upright these days, so the fretless 'Bird doesn't get near enough exercise any more.

You know if you do come down for a visit I'll expect you to bring that Upright...........

I think Veronica needs her pic with it

 

[Gaolee]

If that's not incentive, I don't know what is!

 

[BklynKen]

and a bass that demands you to step out of the shadows and up to the front of the stage.

Only the bass? ;-)

 

[theFixer]

What an amazing story. I'll feel completly humbled if we can be a part of reviving you and turning you into a fully alive person again.

I KNEW I was in good company here. You guys are awesome!

 

[theFixer]

I used to play blues that bordered on jazz with the fretless Thunderbird. It works just fine, although there's always one kinda weird guy in the audience who spends the evening staring at you trying to figure out what he's seeing. I mostly play that stuff on the upright these days, so the fretless 'Bird doesn't get near enough exercise any more.

Ya know... I was gonna ask if Gibson made Fretless T-birds. I don't recall ever seeing one. What kind of price tag would go on a closet dwelling fretless 'bird? *<nudge nudge, wink wink>*

 

[BklynKen]

Complete disclosure... I've always loved the "T"bird. LLLOOOOONNNNGGG before I became a bass player, I was a Gibson lover and admirer of the 'bird. Selecting the "right" bass is a really big deal for me right now.

(fast forward if ya don't give a crap about the personal s#!t)

Within a span of about a year & a half... my mother lost her 20 year battle with cancer... the dead, rotting, soulless shell of what used to be my wife of 22 years, finally put her cellphone down long enough to tell me, "YOU gotta GO" (verbatim), thus forcing me out of my home, fatherhood (I have 3 beautiful daughters I would eagerly sacrifice my life for), and every element of life as I knew it (BTW... this happened about 2 months after I lost my job). I landed flat on my ass at my father's house. THAT particular part of the tail was actually GOOD news, because I was able to spend about 4 months with my father before he was diagnosed with leukemia, & died 6 weeks later. To say I was "in a slump", would be the understatement of the 21st century. I have a far better friend than anyone deserves, who gave me this, in an effort to boost my drooping soul.
View attachment 1153205
It was given to me with only one condition. I can't sell it. "It dies with you" he said. I hadn't been active in music for like, 15 years at that point. I humbly and graciously accepted his gift, but had no drive to play. This gorgeous specimen sat in it's case, untouched for about a year. A friend of mine called me up & invited me to hang out at practice with his new band. Turns out... the singer/bass player really wanted to just be a singer. We all got along well... so I jumped at the chance. I immediately spent half of that months child support payment on an Ibanez TMB-100. Within about 2 weeks... I was hooked! I was ALIVE again! I spoke to my friend that gave me the Les Paul. He was thrilled to hear about my rebirth, and granted me permission to sell/trade it for a bass... but the same rule applies to whatever bass I get. It dies with me. I have a crushed vertebrae that keeps me from working... so opportunities to get a really nice piece, don't come along often. All of this, is why I'm being so cautious, tentative, and thorough about researching basses before pulling the trigger.

Holy crap, man! That's quite a lot of lows. Glad you found a passion and are here to tell the tale.

 

[ProgressiveDoom]

Okay....Hang on here!

First the Thunderbird.
It'll be rare because it was only made with that bridge, switching and pickup set for a short time (and likely not in great numbers) and Gibson isn't making any Thunderbirds at all any more. It's not really recognized as rare yet but I have a feeling that one it will be.

Yes, that's me in my avatar.
I see that you've been a member for a short time here and since this is your first visit with us here, I'll explain that I am a Drag Queen, I enjoy being dressed somewhat outrageously, and have found that it's a great thrill to go out and make music with my band. We've been doing it for more than 12 years now, it's one of my life's great joys. The folks that frequent this part of the forum are kind enough to let me be their Queen, says a lot about them, they' re all just the finest in my book.
I'm certain that I'd enjoy meeting you (as I would any and all of the fine folks here) but I'll understand if I'm not quite what you thought at first.

Here's me large size

If you click on the links in my sig there's some nice YouTube stuff.

@TBird1958 you are awesome and you run this Thunderbird Club like a finely tuned machine, welcoming to everyone and a great wealth of knowledge. Although I have 3 other basses that I have posted in their respectful threads I never visit those threads again as the camaraderie pales in comparison to our club and no one in those other clubs has ever invited me in as a member. Im good with that, I spend all of my time here anyway. This is where the action is. This is where the answers are. This is where the Thunderbird people reside. Everything cool about TB is right here!. All hail the Queen!.

 

[theFixer]

Holy crap, man! That's quite a lot of lows. Glad you found a passion and are here to tell the tale.

Thanks man. If somebody told me they were glad I was still around about 5 months ago... I would've shoved my fist down their throat. In fact... the only reason I'm here today, is because I'd learned that the children of a parent who committed suicide, were 80% more likely to do it themselves. I couldn't be responsible for that, so I spent about 2 years involuntarily existing in some kinda miserable, meaningless, directionless, grey, purgatory. There were times when I would go for a week or 2 without stepping outside my apartment. I was rippin' through a half gallon of vodka every 2 days, never knowing what time it was, what day of the week it was, or even what month it was. It got to the point where I just quit, cuz I was tired of it & it didn't seem to "help" any more. When I sat down & started learning bass lines... I had purpose. It was like I'd been lost in the desert all that time, & finally found and endless supply of ice cold water! A couple weeks later, I was given my first song for which, to write a bass line. Forgive me for sounding like a cliche emo... but I felt my soul take in its first breath in longer than I can remember. I started thinking thoughts and feeling things I hadn't felt since I got my first drum set at age 15. I've transformed from a guy who's only wish was to cease to exist, to a guy who's afraid that he won't be able to accomplish what he wants before he dies. For me, the bass is real, and will be with me as long as I'm physically capable.

 

[Count Bassie]

...Kickass vintage tone, and a bass that demands you to step out of the shadows and up to the front of the stage.

Maybe I need me some of those Lulls... hmm...

 

[Count Bassie]

Thanks man. If somebody told me they were glad I was still around about 5 months ago... I would've shoved my fist down their throat. In fact... the only reason I'm here today, is because I'd learned that the children of a parent who committed suicide, were 80% more likely to do it themselves. I couldn't be responsible for that, so I spent about 2 years involuntarily existing in some kinda miserable, meaningless, directionless, grey, purgatory. There were times when I would go for a week or 2 without stepping outside my apartment. I was rippin' through a half gallon of vodka every 2 days, never knowing what time it was, what day of the week it was, or even what month it was. It got to the point where I just quit, cuz I was tired of it & it didn't seem to "help" any more. When I sat down & started learning bass lines... I had purpose. It was like I'd been lost in the desert all that time, & finally found and endless supply of ice cold water! A couple weeks later, I was given my first song for which, to write a bass line. Forgive me for sounding like a cliche emo... but I felt my soul take in its first breath in longer than I can remember. I started thinking thoughts and feeling things I hadn't felt since I got my first drum set at age 15. I've transformed from a guy who's only wish was to cease to exist, to a guy who's afraid that he won't be able to accomplish what he wants before he dies. For me, the bass is real, and will be with me as long as I'm physically capable.

The day I quit playing it'll be because I'm at a funeral. Love your story, sorry you have it to tell. But hey. Here you are. Good deal.

 

[MCF]

Thanks man. If somebody told me they were glad I was still around about 5 months ago... I would've shoved my fist down their throat. In fact... the only reason I'm here today, is because I'd learned that the children of a parent who committed suicide, were 80% more likely to do it themselves. I couldn't be responsible for that, so I spent better part of 2 years involuntarily existing in some kinda miserable, meaningless, directionless, grey, purgatory. There were times when I would go for a week or 2 without stepping outside my apartment. I was rippin' through a half gallon of vodka every 2 days, never knowing what time it was, what day of the week it was, or even what month it was. It got to the point where I just quit, cuz I was tired of it & it didn't seem to "help" any more. When I sat down & started learning bass lines... I had purpose. It was like I'd been lost in the desert all that time, & finally found and endless supply of ice cold water! A couple weeks later, I was given my first song for which, to write a bass line. Forgive me for sounding like a cliche emo... but I felt my soul take in its first breath in longer than I can remember. I started thinking thoughts and feeling things I hadn't felt since I got my first drum set at age 15. I've transformed from a guy who's only wish was to cease to exist, to a guy who's afraid that he won't be able to accomplish what he wants before he dies. For me, the bass is real, and will be with me as long as I'm physically capable.

Wow. I am so happy you are on the road to recovery. Depression is one of our greatest health problems. It is a real disease and one of the few that medications and appropriate counseling are truly effective combating.

If you are so inclined, read Springsteen's autobiography, Born to Run. He doesn't open up about everything in the book, but the chronicalling of his decades long battle with depression is heartfelt, heartwrenching and very informative.

Fix, you're not alone. Now go let a Bird find you. As I posted somewhere above, the ergonomics can be a bit of an adjustment, but getting accustomed to them happens pretty quick. And there is nothing cooler than slinging a Bird and making great sounds.

 

[Count Bassie]

Okay....Hang on here!

First the Thunderbird.
It'll be rare because it was only made with that bridge, switching and pickup set for a short time (and likely not in great numbers) and Gibson isn't making any Thunderbirds at all any more. It's not really recognized as rare yet but I have a feeling that one it will be.

Yes, that's me in my avatar.
I see that you've been a member for a short time here and since this is your first visit with us here, I'll explain that I am a Drag Queen, I enjoy being dressed somewhat outrageously, and have found that it's a great thrill to go out and make music with my band. We've been doing it for more than 12 years now, it's one of my life's great joys. The folks that frequent this part of the forum are kind enough to let me be their Queen, says a lot about them, they' re all just the finest in my book.
I'm certain that I'd enjoy meeting you (as I would any and all of the fine folks here) but I'll understand if I'm not quite what you thought at first.

Here's me large size

If you click on the links in my sig there's some nice YouTube stuff.

We love our Queen...

 

[Gaolee]

Ya know... I was gonna ask if Gibson made Fretless T-birds. I don't recall ever seeing one. What kind of price tag would go on a closet dwelling fretless 'bird? *<nudge nudge, wink wink>*

I dunno if it would ever get sold. I do play it sometimes, and defretting another one seems kinda silly. But I'll think about that question.

 

[Gaolee]

Thanks man. If somebody told me they were glad I was still around about 5 months ago... I would've shoved my fist down their throat. In fact... the only reason I'm here today, is because I'd learned that the children of a parent who committed suicide, were 80% more likely to do it themselves. I couldn't be responsible for that, so I spent about 2 years involuntarily existing in some kinda miserable, meaningless, directionless, grey, purgatory. There were times when I would go for a week or 2 without stepping outside my apartment. I was rippin' through a half gallon of vodka every 2 days, never knowing what time it was, what day of the week it was, or even what month it was. It got to the point where I just quit, cuz I was tired of it & it didn't seem to "help" any more. When I sat down & started learning bass lines... I had purpose. It was like I'd been lost in the desert all that time, & finally found and endless supply of ice cold water! A couple weeks later, I was given my first song for which, to write a bass line. Forgive me for sounding like a cliche emo... but I felt my soul take in its first breath in longer than I can remember. I started thinking thoughts and feeling things I hadn't felt since I got my first drum set at age 15. I've transformed from a guy who's only wish was to cease to exist, to a guy who's afraid that he won't be able to accomplish what he wants before he dies. For me, the bass is real, and will be with me as long as I'm physically capable.

Apparently, you CAN play the blues. I'm glad you are here to play 'em.

 

[theFixer]

Wow. I am so happy you are on the road to recovery. Depression is one of our greatest health problems. It is a real disease and one of the few that medications and appropriate counseling are truly effective combating.

If you are so inclined, read Springsteen's autobiography, Born to Run. He doesn't open up about everything in the book, but the chronicalling of his decades long battle with depression is heartfelt, heartwrenching and very informative.

Fix, you're not alone. Now go let a Bird find you. As I posted somewhere above, the ergonomics can be a bit of an adjustment, but getting accustomed to them happens pretty quick. And there is nothing cooler than slinging a Bird and making great sounds.

Depression & anxiety issues plagued my mother for most of her life, so I come by it honestly. I've been riding' that snake for more years than I can remember. Making music again, has done more for me than any pill or doctor ever could!

I've said it before & I'll say it again... the people in this forum... man... you guys are the BEST!!! I may have to go get a 'bird on principal alone!

 

[ProgressiveDoom]

Depression & anxiety issues plagued my mother for most of her life, so I come by it honestly. I've been riding' that snake for more years than I can remember. Making music again, has done more for me than any pill or doctor ever could!

I've said it before & I'll say it again... the people in this forum... man... you guys are the BEST!!! I may have to go get a 'bird on principal alone!

For real Dude, you came to the right place and hey.....you cant get any lower unless your rockin' a bird and thats a low most bass players strive for that they may never find.....unless or until a Bird finds them first. If they are lucky enough.