Thunderbird Club

[RedVee]

For 'taking them down' a peg, that might be functional. Good, simple idea- my favorite kind that I don't think of! Thanks @RedVee

Thanks. I actually picked that up from @Dadagoboi

 

[Count Bassie]

Even black contact paper will work depending how sweaty your fingers get.

Our electrician where I work gave me some flat-black gaffer's tape but I haven't used it yet. I'm concerned the edges will "leak" a little of the tape's adhesive, and stick me up when playing. It is cloth, after all...

The contact paper is interesting. Don't get too sweaty, no...

 

[rodv66]

Since I've been here... you guys have opened your vault of knowledge and experience to me, and I have been reaching in & grabbing as much of it as I can. I have little to offer in return, except for an extensive catalog of mistakes, bad decisions, missed opportunities, and a fairly thorough understanding that we only get to go around once. Everyone in this forum with whom I've interacted, has my support and admiration. If there is anything I can do or say that will help keep any of you from derailing or otherwise pissin' away the one life you have...I will consider it a massive victory. With the exception of my three beautiful daughters... the last 15 - 20 years of my life has turned to dust, and means nothing. Though it's awesome beyond description, to have passion and purpose again... 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!

Well, if you have three kids, then the past 22 years of your life have been blessed more than you think. It is hard to look at what is good in your life when a long term relationship ends. It is painful and does suck, but just have to get through the stages of grief and be stronger than you think you can be.

 

[Dadagoboi]

Our electrician where I work gave me some flat-black gaffer's tape but I haven't used it yet. I'm concerned the edges will "leak" a little of the tape's adhesive, and stick me up when playing. It is cloth, after all...

The contact paper is interesting. Don't get too sweaty, no...

It will definitely work for a 'five foot bass'.

Hell, Ronnie Lane did his entire H-22 white pick guard back in the day.

I used BWB plastic on my 'tribute'. That was before I knew he used contact paper.

 

[MCF]

There is that stigma attached to any item with a label stating "Made in China". I was pretty pleased at the overall finish and sound quality of my Epi Bird as I stood at the counter making the deal. When I got home and had more time to study it I found a small oval sticker that read "Made in China", then I got scared. I had been studying Chinese counterfeits on Youtube for some time and now I thought I had been ripped off and was starting to freak out, I thought I had a candy coated piece of . After playing it for an amount of time I thought how could that be?, am I just wrong about this?. It was when I started monkeying around under the control panel and switching pickups out for upgrades that I realized it was not made of particle board after all. Its been a solid champ, China did good by me and Im impressed.

I was an early adopter of iPhone and iPad. I've upgraded from time to time over the years. All are made in China. I've never had an issue with the quality of the hardware. First rate.

I've had one Chinese bass, a Squire Affinity P J. Overall, that bass plays and sounds
fine. But the neck came with the frets virtually unfinished above the twelfth fret. I fixed it myself, but it would have been nice not to have had to mess with it. For whatever reason, the neck is very sustible to weather changes. Not a big deal to me since I use that bass to switch electronics/pickups in and out of and used it to teach myself how to repair chips in the finish. I've setup probably a dozen or so Squire basses over the last several months for "friends." I've had at least three come back to me because the necks just don't do well with weather changes.

I've never had an issue re humity change with my Ibenez (Cort Korea), my MIM Fenders, or my
Gibson.

 

[Dadagoboi]

Well, if you have three kids, then the past 22 years of your life have been blessed more than you think. It is hard to look at what is good in your life when a long term relationship ends. It is painful and does suck, but just have to get through the stages of grief and be stronger than you think you can be.

Yeah, in 23 years you may be lucky enough to have a total prostatectomy like I did Monday along with double hernia surgery. Life just gets better and better!

 

[Korladis]

Busy week of work and rehearsals. Used my T-bird at the Caravan last night. Bought the Gizmotron, but haven't put it on yet.

 

[RedVee]

Actually I have my eye on a goth right now but it would be a mail order purchase so no opportunity to try before I buy. With that in mind, how would a Goth compare to my Gold Anniversary Gibson Bird?
Are they voiced the same?
I know the Goth is bolt on, does it weigh a lot more than my golden bird? Neck dive?
It's made in China, is that an issue?
Any particular watch outs with the Goth?

FWIW - I played one in a GC about 5 years ago and that was what turned me on to the TBird world. I remember loving the sound and feel but I don't actually recall many of the specifics, so any comparative info would be of great help.

I cant help with the comparison part. I will say that I scoffed at the whole Goth aesthetic, and was deadset certain that the only T'Bird worth two bob was a neck through, and they should be 1.5" at neck.

Then I spotted a Goth on Gumtree not that far away, but not close. Not expensive. Anyway, I watched it for weeks and it was still sitting there. Possibly because he had taken the strings off for storage. So I took a gamble and sent an offer which was accepted. Arranged for a work colleague to collect it for me.
Got it with the bridge in a plastic bag.

Looked it over, and it seemed really well but together. Not heavy but with a certain heft to it. Scratched my head and put it together as best I could, put some DR High Beams on that I happened to have spare. Plugged it in, and oh... that's the sound I like! Deep voiced. Plays well except I found the action a little higher than I'd prefer, but very usable. Searched for the serial number and found that it was a reconditioned factory second, which concerned me a little.

Now? Well I can't imagine getting rid of this. I now love the look of The 'Goth Bird'. I love not having dots on the fretboard, I love the XII. I don't care in the least that it is bolt on, and the wide (not thick though) neck has not been an issue in use.
I'm sure the pickups are low rent compared to more expensive models, but they suit me fine.

I'm very pleased with my Chinese Goth, factory second or not.

 

[PillO]

I would love to be able to hear magical words that could make the last couple years of my life just, go away. Much of it has, and more of it will... but my daughters, as wonderful as they are, and as much as I love them... are a constant reminder that I gave away 22 years of my one time around, to someone who placed no value in it at all. IMHO... that is one of the biggest failures that can ever be committed. It doesn't have anything to do with who's right or wrong. It has to do with putting 100% of yourself into that which matters the most to you, and having it amount to jack friggin' squat. I desperately wish it was just "all in my head"... but that's just a fantasy. This is as real as it gets.

My marriage broke down 6 years ago. If had known then what I know now, I would have dodged that bullet. But, once you are in the path and can't avoid it, you take the hit, deal with it and move on.

So, I got a great daughter out of it. I now have the time and means to take up a number of hobbies that would have been off limits (or at least on the bitch list) before - I kayak regularly during summer, I ski regularly in winter, and last year I decided to start learning music and have acquired a series of basses. All activities I share with my daughter. There is no way I am letting the ex continue to control my life. It is freedom. And the freedom is great as I have seen the alternative.

 

[PillO]

Yeah, in 23 years you may be lucky enough to have a total prostatectomy like I did Monday along with double hernia surgery. Life just gets better and better!

Can't bring myself to like that post. I feel for you.

 

[rodv66]

So, I have major audition for an original band here in Jersey that has their stuff together and really great music, following, and high quality gigs.
My current band is on standby because the singer has gone almost completely deaf in one ear. Luckily, not cancer or a tumor, but has no idea when or if he can ever sing again. So, I'm looking at options. I was trying to decide what bass to bring and choices are

Gibson 2007 thunderbird
Epiphone thunderbird, with EMGs. No idea of year, got in an estate sale
Rickenbacker 4001, 1971
2016 Fender Steve Harris P bass.

I asked my wife to listen to each, because she is very practical and has an incredible ability to see little details that I often miss.

She watched two of their vids on youtube first to get their sound and then I played each for her.
Results
Fender had too much treble, even though she said it was the loudest, she really hates it.
Gibson, thought had too much growl.
Rickenbacker, she really liked.
Epiphone was her favorite. She said it had a deep punch and clear tone. Also said it fit the mix for their songs best. She also said birds really looked like what a rock band should have.
The funniest thing is that the Epiphone was by far the cheapest. It was the only one stringed with Dunlop strings designed for drop D tuning and these guys play drop D. The Gibson had them, but repair shop changed the nut and put on regular strings. My set of drop downs for that are in the mail, and not sure if the regular strings give off some distortion due to being rubbery. No matter, I was surprised. Thought the Gibson or Fender would get picked.

 

[RedVee]

Well my bad. I was thinking Matchbox was an Owens tune because I heard him play it several times. It isn't. It's a song Carl Perkins recorded but didn't write. And in researching it, Buck didn't write Act Naturally. I always assumed he did. That doesn' lessen my admiration for Buck as a performer or writer. But the record should be straight.

Ok, well I thought Buck Owens wrote Act Naturally as well.

Trying to get my little group to add this. But we seem to be disintegrating ATM. Haven't played at all in 2017, and the guitarist (and PA owner) just quit, and another mbr is stepping down for pregnancy reasons, so I assume her husband will go with her.
Add to that we have just been informed of some new (but reasonable) conditions to meet as we play under the auspices of St Vinnies.
Meeting on our future this week.

I want to continue, so I guess I may have to step forward a bit.

 

[theFixer]

It will definitely work for a 'five foot bass'.

Hell, Ronnie Lane did his entire H-22 white pick guard back in the day.

I used BWB plastic on my 'tribute'. That was before I knew he used contact paper.

<*RESPECT*>

 

[theFixer]

Yeah, in 23 years you may be lucky enough to have a total prostatectomy like I did Monday along with double hernia surgery. Life just gets better and better!

woohoo! Dare to dream!

 

[JIO]

It will definitely work for a 'five foot bass'.

Hell, Ronnie Lane did his entire H-22 white pick guard back in the day.

I used BWB plastic on my 'tribute'. That was before I knew he used contact paper.

I love those basses stock but the blk/wht/blk pg looks awesome! Very Batman! Also love Ronnie Lane & the Small Faces.

 

[Dadagoboi]

Can't bring myself to like that post. I feel for you.

I'm doing fine, off all pain meds the day after surgery. I'll be good as new in a month.

My dad died from prostate cancer, I knew it was coming for me, been getting checked for years. This year's biopsy was a six on the Gleason scale with a slight spread from last year so I knew it was time to act. Three days before the scheduled prostatectomy I decided to have the 35 year old hernias done too since I'd be under the anesthesia anyway. Otherwise I would have gone to my grave with them, like my 89 year old grandfather, Cataldo, did.

Pain is inevitable, suffering optional. I'm looking forward to the next 70 years.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

So, I have major audition for an original band here in Jersey that has their stuff together and really great music, following, and high quality gigs.
My current band is on standby because the singer has gone almost completely deaf in one ear. Luckily, not cancer or a tumor, but has no idea when or if he can ever sing again. So, I'm looking at options. I was trying to decide what bass to bring and choices are

Gibson 2007 thunderbird
Epiphone thunderbird, with EMGs. No idea of year, got in an estate sale
Rickenbacker 4001, 1971
2016 Fender Steve Harris P bass.

I asked my wife to listen to each, because she is very practical and has an incredible ability to see little details that I often miss.

She watched two of their vids on youtube first to get their sound and then I played each for her.
Results
Fender had too much treble, even though she said it was the loudest, she really hates it.
Gibson, thought had too much growl.
Rickenbacker, she really liked.
Epiphone was her favorite. She said it had a deep punch and clear tone. Also said it fit the mix for their songs best. She also said birds really looked like what a rock band should have.
The funniest thing is that the Epiphone was by far the cheapest. It was the only one stringed with Dunlop strings designed for drop D tuning and these guys play drop D. The Gibson had them, but repair shop changed the nut and put on regular strings. My set of drop downs for that are in the mail, and not sure if the regular strings give off some distortion due to being rubbery. No matter, I was surprised. Thought the Gibson or Fender would get picked.

I would use the Gibson or the Ric, Fender would be a close 3rd. Just incase the band does have the "made in China" stigma. That's my opinion not having heard your basses

 

[MCF]

Yeah, in 23 years you may be lucky enough to have a total prostatectomy like I did Monday along with double hernia surgery. Life just gets better and better!

Ouch. Here's to a speedy recovery. I'm praying your labs came back with findings that will put your mind at ease. Getting old is a b***h. I've been there and totally relate.

 

[Session1969]

First... I want you to know that I appreciate you.

Second... I would love to be able to hear magical words that could make the last couple years of my life just, go away. Much of it has, and more of it will... but my daughters, as wonderful as they are, and as much as I love them... are a constant reminder that I gave away 22 years of my one time around, to someone who placed no value in it at all. IMHO... that is one of the biggest failures that can ever be committed. It doesn't have anything to do with who's right or wrong. It has to do with putting 100% of yourself into that which matters the most to you, and having it amount to jack friggin' squat. I desperately wish it was just "all in my head"... but that's just a fantasy. This is as real as it gets.

Third... I'm working on the reinvention. Finding the bass, was both the gasoline and the match. My fire is burning, and I'll be dead before I ever let it go out. I'm building a different me than I've ever known... and this guy plans on doing' some smilin'!

Thanks man.

So, you got children out of it and you're complaining ?! Not all of us get that, even.

 

[Dadagoboi]

Ouch. Here's to a speedy recovery. I'm praying your labs came back with findings that will put your mind at ease. Getting old is a b***h. I've been there and totally relate.

Thanks. I'll find out Tuesday but am pretty certain there was no metastasis.