Thunderbird Club

[Nocturnal]

here....white Travis Bean...
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That was the first issue of Guitar Player magazine that I ever bought. I still have it packed away.

Long story short, I’m mostly playing Thunderbirds these days but there are a couple of my non thunderbirds that I love dearly. My Fender Telecaster Modern Player and my 1998 Warwick Thumb BO5 to name a couple. So last year I decided to make a Non Reverse Tbird using all the parts off my Fender, it came out better than expected and is now one of my most played Tbirds. It was such a success I decided to do the same with my Warwick but in a reverse body. The Wenge/wenge neck is done, the electronics are all an exact match of my Thumb bass and all the Warwick hardware has arrived. All that’s left is body routing and painting. I wasn’t able to source an Ovkangvol or Bubinga wood body, so mahogany it is. We’ll see how much that changes the sound, hopefully not too much.
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Club members are always welcome here. Plenty to eat and drink and lots of spare rooms to bunk in overnight. And of course basses galore, even a few guitars and a keyboard for those so inclined.

Let me know ASAP when you think you’ll be driving thru, you’re welcome to swing by for a visit. Better yet, plan on an over night stay at the house and we’ll have plenty of time for some amazing bass guitars (bigger selection than you’ll ever find at a Guitar Center) along with great eats and fine drinking. Would be great if Marshall could join in as well (plenty of spare bedrooms and food, no need for a hotel or restaurant). If time permits I can even set up some luthier shop visits in the area.

Who built the reverse body you are using?

 

[RedVee]

Oh....before anyone might buy some Infelds for a Thunderbird...the G is not long enough to wrap more than maybe 75%. I've made them work, but not ideal. I emailed TI in Germany and they responded, but said they didn't give that kind of specs out. (Which was odd because one can measure a new set and figure it out.) But I told the guy why I wanted to know and re told me the length and suggested Super long. They are only 100s and a lot more expensive. Why the longer set is a lighter gauge is unclear. Some aspect of Geometry maybe, IDK.

For anyone interested in Alloy 52 strings, Roto has a version. Someone else does as well, but can't recall who it. I don't recall them sounding exactly like Infelds. But it's been a while.
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DR Pure Blues have “Quantum Alloy” what ever that means. I’ve never used them but they have Victor Wooten as a reference.

PURE BLUES™ - Quantum Nickel™ Bass Strings

PURE BLUES™ Bass Strings - Quantum Nickel™ wrap wire on round core, warm nickel tone with brightness and edge of stainless steel.

www.drstrings.com

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

That was the first issue of Guitar Player magazine that I ever bought. I still have it packed away.

Who built the reverse body you are using?

and this mine..... got two months on you....crazy, I was in FL, were you in AZ? ...of course you dont have to answer that....

 

[Border]

Good evening Thunderbird loving sisters and brothers. I hope all are enjoying a relaxing holiday weekend. I am happy to report that I am six rehearsals in with a new band. We are using the name Silverwing, and playing our first show at a winery on June 27th. Looking forward to getting on stage with these folks and making some music.
Played with most of the old groups, plus a couple of kids. Always great fun.
I thought I would include a picture of my lilac, which is blooming wildly.
I hope everyone has a great relaxing Memorial Day.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I’ll let you all know. Weekend 1-3 in San Diego: loose timing for visit with Mom.
If not this visit, perhaps another.

 

[GBassNorth]

That was the first issue of Guitar Player magazine that I ever bought. I still have it packed away.

Who built the reverse body you are using?

Both the NR and the Reverse body in the pictures shown were from Rosser on eBay. A good quality bass body at a great price, but heavy. My BlingBird body was from Gluff, also on eBay and much lighter (it’s a semi hollow). I’ve gone with no pickup routs on any of them so I could route them for the pickups I was using in the locations I wanted.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

and this mine..... got two months on you....crazy, I was in FL, were you in AZ? ...of course you dont have to answer that....
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I recall all of these. I know I was reading it by 1974. I had ten or so years worth, but got rid of them in a move.

 

[dagrev]

GHS

Yes, their Progressives (exposed core). But they don't make those anymore. Correct me, but I think only their Pressurewounds are Alloy 52.

The regular Round Wound Alloy 52 strings are brighter, but wouldn't say SS bright.

 

[dagrev]

I thought the Alloy 52 might bring something special to the table, but they were just fine on that bass. On really bright basses that you want to tame a bit, I'd love to hear what you think of the standard Dunlop nickels. And they're really inexpensive.

I'll have to add those to the list of strings to try.

 

[dagrev]

Dunlop super brights are anything but, high mids galore and flexible.
The nickel are warm without being dull.

Their flats seem interesting. Modern like Chromes, but maybe more mids. Only have them on a bass a short time.

 

[dagrev]

I admire your dedication to detail!

Indeed! I want to go watch. You are also on that list as well.

 

[dagrev]

DR Pure Blues have “Quantum Alloy” what ever that means. I’ve never used them but they have Victor Wooten as a reference.

PURE BLUES™ - Quantum Nickel™ Bass Strings

PURE BLUES™ Bass Strings - Quantum Nickel™ wrap wire on round core, warm nickel tone with brightness and edge of stainless steel.

www.drstrings.com

I tried those and found them uninteresting and lacking character. Could have been D'As--or some such common string. At least in my experience on a few basses. Sold them in the CL.

 

[Engle]

read somewhere that although recoded by Wyman, the bass line idea came from Billy Preston.....

I love the music Billy Preston did with the Stones! I listen to Black and Blue regularly.

 

[Engle]

Indeed! I want to go watch. You are also on that list as well.

Come on over! There is always something going on:

 

[TBird1958]

This guy!

Love ya, buddy!

 

[BklynKen]

I'll have to add those to the list of strings to try.

I should mention that I tried a set of Boomers on the Carvin. A little warmer/darker than the Dunlops, but I found them very sort of one-dimensional. The Dunlops are more "lively." In quotes because I'm not really sure what it means. Maybe better in the mids.

 

[JJR58]

Their flats seem interesting. Modern like Chromes, but maybe more mids. Only have them on a bass a short time.

They are definitely heavy on the mids.
To my ears, the Chromes are more balanced in the mids.
Just wish they didn't feel like bridge cables.
So i went back to EBCF's.

 

[JJR58]

This guy!

Love ya, buddy!

Hey there my lovely Queen.
The feeling is sooooo mutual.

 

[Nocturnal]

and this mine..... got two months on you....crazy, I was in FL, were you in AZ? ...of course you dont have to answer that....
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Actually I was living in KY at the time. There was a music store in a town called Glasgow where my first guitar came from as well.

Both the NR and the Reverse body in the pictures shown were from Rosser on eBay. A good quality bass body at a great price, but heavy. My BlingBird body was from Gluff, also on eBay and much lighter (it’s a semi hollow). I’ve gone with no pickup routs on any of them so I could route them for the pickups I was using in the locations I wanted.

I have one of his Bird bodies but the lower horn is shaped a little differently. I am using it for the project I am planning for my granddaughter.
Did yours come with a belly contour?

 

[Stealth57]

If we could only turn back time.