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Thunderbird Club

#32,462
MCF said:
Well, I knew Buck a little, having met and talked to him at his Crystal Palace several times and a few times at the Seven Oaks Country Club in Bako. He was a good guy. Gave a lot to his community. Most of it anonymously. He mentored several up and comers. He was a bit crazy, but not off the wall crazy. Best fiddle player I ever heard. He was a very talented writer. Heck, the Beatles covered two of his songs. He quit wearing Nudies years before he passed away. But yep, he sure looked good in one. RIP Buck. You are missed.
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What an amazing story! No matter how big he got... he always exuded that genuine, "nice guy everyday" kinda vibe. Like if your car battery died in a parking lot somewhere, he'd give you a jump & a smile. Famous people these days, just don't seem to have that for the most part. It was a sad day when Don Rich died. He and his music were never the same again.
 
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#32,466
GBassNorth said:
I like this Gold Top even better. Never actually played one though. Anybody know if they're any good?
RAINBOW MUSIC | CONTACT SALES REPRESENTATIVE
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I owned one a short while, it was very light weight compared to most, they've got huge necks as well.
But the tone, nice and crunchy.
It was huge!
I loved it, but I let it go. Lot of music buddies I had at the time were pissed that I had traded it off.
 
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#32,469
GBassNorth said:
I like this Gold Top even better. Never actually played one though. Anybody know if they're any good?
RAINBOW MUSIC | CONTACT SALES REPRESENTATIVE
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That bass is a FINE piece! Show room condition, with one exception. The gloss on the back of the neck has been stripped from the N/B joint, to the base of the headstock. It looks to have been done professionally (or at least by someone who knows wood finishing). There's no damage to the neck at all.
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If anybody is interested in it... I'll be happy to help however I can. It's a GREAT deal!
Granted... I haven't had the exposure that y'all have... but to me, the neck profile felt quite similar to that of the Korean Epi 'bird. Narrow at the nut (1.5"), but kinda thick & rounded. The body is surprisingly larger that that of the Les Paul guitar, and there's NO way this thing weighs any less than 12 pounds! Unfortunately... I already deleted all the pics I took accept for these 2.
 

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#32,470
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#32,471
silky smoove said:
Does anyone have a good source for Gibson style reflector knobs that will fit on smooth shaft EMG pots like the ones found on the Geezer signature pickups? I bought a set from Allparts and the hole diameter is too small to fit on the shaft.
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By "reflector knobs", I'll make the assumption that you're talking about their Top Hats (a favorite of mine. I put 'em on everything!). Unfortunately... I've only ever seen them with knurled post holes.
 
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#32,472
silky smoove said:
Does anyone have a good source for Gibson style reflector knobs that will fit on smooth shaft EMG pots like the ones found on the Geezer signature pickups? I bought a set from Allparts and the hole diameter is too small to fit on the shaft.
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I carefully reamed out a couple for one of my basses. I was having the same issue with the shaft size (thin ice with that line around here) and widened the openings. So far they have stayed put. But, if you find any that fit the EMG posts please share a link.
 
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#32,473
theFixer said:
What an amazing story! No matter how big he got... he always exuded that genuine, "nice guy everyday" kinda vibe. Like if your car battery died in a parking lot somewhere, he'd give you a jump & a smile. Famous people these days, just don't seem to have that for the most part. It was a sad day when Don Rich died. He and his music were never the same again.
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And Buck was. Bako revered him (and Merle who could be a little testy at times, but was always professional and accommodating).

As for Don Rich, his accident was a big story when he died. Such a talent to die at such a young age. That was before I really appreciated Buck and the Buckaroos. I was like 16 and in high school on the central coast. I remember Rich's accident, because it happened near Morro Bay, which was an hour north of where I grew up. It was only several years later that I realized what a tragic loss to music his death was. He was an extremely gifted and influential guitarist.
 
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#32,476
JJR58 said:
Oh I hear ya bro about what works for you.
In the past, I hadn't had much experience with Thunderbirds at all.
The love was rekindled when I remembered playing a friends original '63-64?, from his private collection, this was back in Portalnd Oregon around 2003.
He said take your time and enjoy, meaning in his store.
I had never played anything quite like that bass before. And unplugged, it was the meanest sounding angry piano I've ever heard. Just so open and growly sounding without being plugged in. And it was a feather weight, it was in the area of 7.5 pds. Then once I started coming here the rest is history.
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Accept No Substitutes!:laugh:
 
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#32,478
theFixer said:
...starting over at 47 years old, just sux. No matter what life hands you... ALWAYS keep music in your hearts, and basses in your hands!:bassist:
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I can relate. Don't let it suck... like Bowie sings in that tune "Kooks", on Hunky Dory: "all that happened in your past happened in your mind, only in your mind..."

Reinvent yourself, use the best that you have left in you as your foundation. Build something you love and can live with. That's it man.

And I agree with you about Carlo's axes. I need a nice, kickin' axe and he's also on my list. So far I've got $60 socked away. Talk to you in a year!
 
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#32,480
MCF said:
And Buck was. Bako revered him (and Merle who could be a little testy at times, but was always professional and accommodating).

As for Don Rich, his accident was a big story when he died. Such a talent to die at such a young age. That was before I really appreciated Buck and the Buckaroos. I was like 16 and in high school on the central coast. I remember Rich's accident, because it happened near Morro Bay, which was an hour north of where I grew up. It was only several years later that I realized what a tragic loss to music his death was. He was an extremely gifted and influential guitarist.
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It was later in life when I learned a more thorough appreciation of the Owens/Rich duo. I grew up in a rural farming area, the, the son of a factory worker. We listened to both kinds of music... Country AND Western! The thing that sticks in my mind the most since childhood, was their vocal harmonies. Those 2 did it like no others before or since. It was like one singer with 2 voices! Don's accident was in '74, and Buck never spoke about it until an interview in the 1990s. "He was like a brother, a son, and a best friend. Something I never said before, maybe I couldn't, but I think my music life ended when he died. Oh yeah, I carried on and I existed, but the real joy and love, the real lightning and thunder is gone forever."
 
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