Thunderbird Club

[MCF]

I've seen the black CSLE before, but do not recall a burst model. I would have thought that we have found every version/model at this point, but new things continue to reveal themselves. Nice score!!

I have not seen the burst version before. Will need to ask George to run the SN. I wonder if they were a run for a specific retailer.

 

[GBassNorth]

I have not seen the burst version before. Will need to ask George to run the SN. I wonder if they were a run for a specific retailer.

Should know in a couple weeks when I get it. Remember, these things were made in China, so could just as easily be an extra special run for the black market. If it’s the real deal it’s a keeper, if it’s not but still sounds and plays good it’s a keeper, if it’s a hack job that sounds or plays poorly it’s gone. Not sure what the serial number will indicate, but here it is…

And a close up showing the LECS sticker and serial number…

I guess that’s a 2009 build in October at the DaeWon China Factory and the 126th unit to come off the line (that day? That month? That year? That type? Who knows).

 

[GBassNorth]

The elusive Black LECS with the chrome pickups. I have seen pics, but never one for sale. They also did a run with the regular Epi pickups and black hardware.

You should jump on the black bird asap. You’ll probably never see another one for sale again. Then you’ll have pretty much the entire LECS line up.

 

[TBird1958]

Irv answers the eternal question........... It's never too early for a beer.

OTOH, a good Manhattan is always welcome.

 

[TBird1958]

Blue 2sday.

 

[MCF]

You should jump on the black bird asap. You’ll probably never see another one for sale again. Then you’ll have pretty much the entire LECS line up.

Yep. Getting one to essentially complete the series has been the plan. Can’t justify it at this time though. I’m happy to have three with those pickups. It’s a fun mini collection with the blue and red Custom Shops with the standard pickups.

 

[GBassNorth]

For those so inclined, I bought a set of these dirt cheap from Amazon a few days ago and they work really really good for weighing guitars…

 

[Gaolee]

Early nineties I got in a cab at Market Street to get to SFO. I was not in a hurry. The Russian driver was crazy. Most scared I have ever been in a cab.

I was in my early 20s when I was a cabbie in NYC, so there was the whole young, dumb, fearless, and a little over-aggressive thing on top of being a cabbie. It's amazing to think of some of the things I did, driving in traffic and when there wasn't so much traffic. And got away with them. Dumb? Yeah. But consider who was doing those things. I didn't enjoy driving a cab at all. It was like getting cooked in a sardine can during the summer (no a/c) and wasn't much more fun during the winter. But it was money when there wasn't much other work to be had. Out of pure orneriness, that's been on my resume forever and will be for as long as I have a resume. Milking cows and goats isn't on my resume, but probably should be, also out of orneriness.

 

[GBassNorth]

Tbird lovers, a challenge has come up (from a die hard Fender friend) where I’ll need to mimic the sound of a specific bass playing style on a Tbird. I’m assuming it can easily be done with a proper combination of strings, on board tone settings, and technique. I’d like to get your thoughts on the path that I’m planning and any pointers from some of the players here that are more seasoned than I am.

Here’s the sound clip challenge…

Actually a pretty nice sound for this style of music, kinda Jamerson-esque but in a spacey airy ambient setting.

My plan is to use a Thunderbird equipped with Rotosound Flats or LaBella DTFlats or LaBella Black Tapes, turn the tone knob up as needed, favor the neck pickup, use a pic (that’ll be the real challenge for me) and some effective palm muting (which I’m not great at) or a string mute at the bridge. Might even try thumb playing to get that more upright feel.

Your thoughts? String choice and proper pic/mute technique seems to be the deciding factor to me. What strings and what pic would you use?

 

[Instagator]

Good cab:
View attachment 7285604
Good big cab:
View attachment 7285605

No doubt about it. 250 and three on the tree.
1967.

 

[dagrev]

Should know in a couple weeks when I get it. Remember, these things were made in China, so could just as easily be an extra special run for the black market. If it’s the real deal it’s a keeper, if it’s not but still sounds and plays good it’s a keeper, if it’s a hack job that sounds or plays poorly it’s gone. Not sure what the serial number will indicate, but here it is…

View attachment 7286519

And a close up showing the LECS sticker and serial number…
View attachment 7286518
I guess that’s a 2009 build in October at the DaeWon China Factory and the 126th unit to come off the line (that day? That month? That year? That type? Who knows).

Looks really nice!
With Epi you are likely right on manufacturing info. If a Gibson it could mean it's a 1876, Feb 34, a wild guess as to line production number, and made in Albania.

 

[dagrev]

Yep. Getting one to essentially complete the series has been the plan. Can’t justify it at this time though. I’m happy to have three with those pickups. It’s a fun mini collection with the blue and red Custom Shops with the standard pickups.

View attachment 7286558
View attachment 7286559

That red is...

 

[dagrev]

Tbird lovers, a challenge has come up (from a die hard Fender friend) where I’ll need to mimic the sound of a specific bass playing style on a Tbird. I’m assuming it can easily be done with a proper combination of strings, on board tone settings, and technique. I’d like to get your thoughts on the path that I’m planning and any pointers from some of the players here that are more seasoned than I am.

Here’s the sound clip challenge…

Actually a pretty nice sound for this style of music, kinda Jamerson-esque but in a spacey airy ambient setting.

My plan is to use a Thunderbird equipped with Rotosound Flats or LaBella DTFlats or LaBella Black Tapes, turn the tone knob up as needed, favor the neck pickup, use a pic (that’ll be the real challenge for me) and some effective palm muting (which I’m not great at) or a string mute at the bridge. Might even try thumb playing to get that more upright feel.

Your thoughts? String choice and proper pic/mute technique seems to be the deciding factor to me. What strings and what pic would you use?

Ah, you're missing something important. You have to play it left-handed. Tone is in on the left side.

Really sounds like ML gauge DTFs or higher to me, but older/well used Roto flats can have great thump as well. I suppose with enough EQ you can make many strings sound like that, even the Nylons, but they don't seem to sound like that to me. I would maybe try a little foam as well. That sound is also in Pyramid Gold flats territory as well. But sounds more like LB (with other factors unknown).

 

[Miles_ONeal]

For those so inclined, I bought a set of these dirt cheap from Amazon a few days ago and they work really really good for weighing guitars…
View attachment 7286564

Thanks. Just ordered a pair direct from Fosmon.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Ah, you're missing something important. You have to play it left-handed. Tone is in on the left side.

Really sounds like ML gauge DTFs or higher to me, but older/well used Roto flats can have great thump as well. I suppose with enough EQ you can make many strings sound like that, even the Nylons, but they don't seem to sound like that to me. I would maybe try a little foam as well. That sound is also in Pyramid Gold flats territory as well. But sounds more like LB (with other factors unknown).

I bet the Pyramid Golds with some foam would be a great start toward that tone.

 

[GBassNorth]

Ah, you're missing something important. You have to play it left-handed. Tone is in on the left side.

Really sounds like ML gauge DTFs or higher to me, but older/well used Roto flats can have great thump as well. I suppose with enough EQ you can make many strings sound like that, even the Nylons, but they don't seem to sound like that to me. I would maybe try a little foam as well. That sound is also in Pyramid Gold flats territory as well. But sounds more like LB (with other factors unknown).

Would that be these strings…

 

[dagrev]

I bet the Pyramid Golds with some foam would be a great start toward that tone.

The other night a played an old Pbass with them through the little Ashdown RM 300 and it's headphone out and it sounded fantastic. Better than "live" with a cab! Very close to that sound, minus the muting.

 

[dagrev]

Would that be these strings…
View attachment 7286717

You likely know, but those are monster strings and the definition of stiff. I would need a millimeter of height above every fret to play those. The FL is as high as I would ever want (E-104). These will feel more like 107 or 108. The FX would feel more like a 102, but they are a little brighter. Bigger strings tend to have more beef (debatable with some), but true of LB in my experience.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

The other night a played an old Pbass with them through the little Ashdown RM 300 and it's headphone out and it sounded fantastic. Better than "live" with a cab! Very close to that sound, minus the muting.

PG Flats on a Greco were a very close second to EBCFs in terms of tone for me - despite their lack of purple silks (probably why they're second). They actually felt better - nearly smooth as wet glass. If EBCFs were not available; PGFs would be a top contender for my birds.

 

[Nocturnal]

For those so inclined, I bought a set of these dirt cheap from Amazon a few days ago and they work really really good for weighing guitars…
View attachment 7286564

I can confirm that these work very well. We mostly use them for luggage, but they seem to be pretty accurate.