Thunderbird Club

[dagrev]

The Arrival.

O! M! G!

First off, this amp is brand new, fresh outta the box.
Came in its original packaging, footswitch and all……

All I did right now is set it flat, no overdrive engaged, no room balance, no vari-q.

It’s sounds freakin incredible through the Eich cabinet.

I think this is the first ever plug and play amp that sounds awesome right out of the box.
Having 2 tubes in the pre section is a game changer.

Later on I’ll start trying all its options along with the Empress, which is still not engaged, just in the loop.

View attachment 7318232

Sweet! That's fantastic Jeff! The more tubes the better in my book.

 

[dagrev]

Also, I expect both of you (@JJR58 and @BklynKen ) to report back on how it sounds once Jeff's tweaked things. Heck, everyone in the northeast ought to be able to tell us.

I'll post if I hear anything this side of the Mississippi.

 

[MCF]

Depends on which room I am in. Mainly I use a GK700RB 2x10 combo because its convenient. I also own the Trace RAH350SMX, a Mesa BB750, a Peavey VB2 all tube head, and an MTI era SVT that looks bad but sounds good. The only cab I have is an Aguilar GS212.

A Big Block and a Thunderbird = massive low end.

 

[dagrev]

I’m not about the volume though.
Of course I dig the headroom.
But it’s the way the amp was designed.
That power section is phat.
And the pre section is so easy to dial in a great tone.
Who knew I’d dig the Fender tone stack.
Well, with this amp……..

I played one years ago...someplace...and liked it.

 

[JJR58]

I played one years ago...someplace...and liked it.

It’s an impressive amp.
I’m very happy with it.
Looks like the Quilter won’t get much love.

 

[JJR58]

Sweet! That's fantastic Jeff! The more tubes the better in my book.

It’s a nice change compared to what I’ve been used to.

 

[dagrev]

I suddenly find myself in possession of a Gibson Thunderbird! I’ve wanted one of these for a long time, but could never find one locally for a decent price. I was in Dallas for a work event today and saw one listed on Facebook Marketplace for a price so low I could not resist ($1,200). It’s a 2014 walnut finish, which someone was kind enough to upgrade with a Babicz bridge and a Hipshot detuner. How did I do, boys?
View attachment 7318430

You done good.
Bur sleeping with it is optional.

 

[dagrev]

EBCFs are the perfect string for Thunderbirds. You get a somewhat round sound without chewing up frets-or fingers.

Assuming one's fingers don't fall off from the Plutonium 238 in those strings. PillO and I are special. But they did sounds great.

 

[dagrev]

Still nice boating weather️

I was out sailing with my dad before tonights band rehearsal! Nice to be retired

View attachment 7318620View attachment 7318621View attachment 7318622View attachment 7318623

That's fantastic!

 

[GBassNorth]

I suddenly find myself in possession of a Gibson Thunderbird! I’ve wanted one of these for a long time, but could never find one locally for a decent price. I was in Dallas for a work event today and saw one listed on Facebook Marketplace for a price so low I could not resist ($1,200). It’s a 2014 walnut finish, which someone was kind enough to upgrade with a Babicz bridge and a Hipshot detuner. How did I do, boys?
View attachment 7318430

Ya done good son!
Love the finish on that one, and being an anniversary year makes it an instant collector. EB Cobalt Flats are the bees knees with those pickups. Would also be interested to hear what rig you’re playing thru, lots of different rigs in the club and the birds seem to sound great with all of them. Welcome back to the club!

 

[dagrev]

If you feed them apples, they leave Thunderbirds alone....

They also keep coming back the next day and stand where the wife is waiting for more.

 

[TBird1958]

My old black '77.
This bass had suffered a broken headstock ( I knew that when I bought it) and had a decent repair, I played it hard through a lot of the early years of the band.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

$4,000 price drop! Still $11K.
https://reverb.com/item/87319807-gibson-thunderbird-2018-bright-cherry

 

[Ringhammer]

$4,000 price drop! Still $11K.
https://reverb.com/item/87319807-gibson-thunderbird-2018-bright-cherry

Yeah, I don’t get it…

If it belonged to Geddy or JPJ, then maybe?

 

[dagrev]

$4,000 price drop! Still $11K.
https://reverb.com/item/87319807-gibson-thunderbird-2018-bright-cherry

Another $9k drop and it enters the realistic zone.

 

[dagrev]

Yeah, I don’t get it…

If it belonged to Geddy or JPJ, then maybe?

I don't blame the guy for trying within reason, but clearly he has drastically fewer adoring fans than reside in his mind.

 

[Gaolee]

I suddenly find myself in possession of a Gibson Thunderbird! I’ve wanted one of these for a long time, but could never find one locally for a decent price. I was in Dallas for a work event today and saw one listed on Facebook Marketplace for a price so low I could not resist ($1,200). It’s a 2014 walnut finish, which someone was kind enough to upgrade with a Babicz bridge and a Hipshot detuner. How did I do, boys?
View attachment 7318430

You did great!

 

[Gaolee]

$4,000 price drop! Still $11K.
https://reverb.com/item/87319807-gibson-thunderbird-2018-bright-cherry

Yeah, but the seller is a rock star, doncha know. That makes it worth a lot, right?

They were or maybe still are a decent band. Not especially memorable from what I can hear on that video he included. I thought it was interesting that the lead guitarist was playing a white Epiphone. The bass and rhythm guitar were both Gibson. Not that it makes much difference.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

My old black '77.
This bass had suffered a broken headstock ( I knew that when I bought it) and had a decent repair, I played it hard through a lot of the early years of the band.

seems like broken headstocks are more prevalent in 60's than 70's Birds.....misconception?...,

 

[TBird1958]

seems like broken headstocks are more prevalent in 60's than 70's Birds.....misconception?...,

Just a thought, I have nothing to back this up except what would seem to be a reasonable explanation. In the '60s there were no guitar stands made that could actually support a Thunderbird and they likely got leaned up against amps etc., fell over and broke themselves. By the '70s you could at least find a stand that would support a Bird, and, there were more made as well. I don't think there's much, if any difference in the size of the neck or headstock and the construction is the same. "76s are shaped a little different in the upper bout but I think that's about it.