Thunderbird Club

[dagrev]

you are what seems like an incurable SS kinda guy as am I...convinced a lot of it has to do with that....this is one of the best sounding bass heads ever imho....
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Once I got tubes...SS didn't cut it for me like the old Peavey Mk III did. Until I got a Ash MAG as part of a trade yrs ago. I was impressed with how warm it sounded but sold it--yet never got that Ashdown sound out of my head. I even like the ABM with no tube drive at times. Just a good, punchy, but big sounding amp. The old Peavey was kind of warm like the ABMs. Kind of. More so than many SS amps I've used anyway. Interesting that the new ABMs have more mids and highs. With limited time using the 300 I've only been boosting the low (knob) a bit and that sounds good to me.

 

[Stealth57]

Once I got tubes...SS didn't cut it for me like the old Peavey Mk III did. Until I got a Ash MAG as part of a trade yrs ago. I was impressed with how warm it sounded but sold it--yet never got that Ashdown sound out of my head. I even like the ABM with no tube drive at times. Just a good, punchy, but big sounding amp. The old Peavey was kind of warm like the ABMs. Kind of. More so than many SS amps I've used anyway. Interesting that the new ABMs have more mids and highs. With limited time using the 300 I've only been boosting the low (knob) a bit and that sounds good to me.

Sunn Concert Bass is all I had for decades, granted used with a Rhodes, but when I started with bass it sounded warm and deep. Maybe the Sunn 215M cab helped. Now, when I picked up the Sunn 200S with its own 215, I could hear a difference.

 

[MCF]

I think the 70s Thunderbirds are under appreciated. That they don't sound exactly like a 60s turns many off. But they sound great (mine does, which is the only one I recall playing), just a tad softer than the 60s predecessors. Heavy is common factor. I don't think I cold play 3 45s with it or would want to. Not sure I would do 2 45s with it. Would depend on whats hurting that day....

My take is that it has come to be appreciated for what it is. It’s sad that many had their pickups swapped. I saw one listed that had some flavor of EMGs in it. Ugh!

 

[Engle]

Tried various models in different settings over the years and Mesa bass amplification plain doesn't do it for me.....love their guitar amps..

Have you played a D800+?

 

[Ringhammer]

Have you played a D800+?

As much as I’m curious about the new Mesa offering, I think I may be with Chuck in the I have tried a couple Mesa’s and not really been into them (not nearly as many as Chuck has I’m sure). I had a D800+ and I didn’t hate it, but it didn’t impress me enough to keep it. The new offering is a hybrid, but it only has one 12AT7. As a new owner of a GK Fusion 800S, I’m much more impressed with the GK than I was with the D800+. Maybe it’s the 3 12AX7’s. Or maybe, when it comes to SS, I’m just more of a GK guy vs Mesa (loved my RB800 I had in the late 80’s through 90’s). But if I’m gonna have a class D, seems like 3 tubes in the preamp is a good way to go.

Still doesn’t beat my ABM Geezer or Orange 4 stroke 500 class A/B power.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Have you played a D800+?

nah, Class D is not what I envision as "Mesa" (or any other traditional brand) bass amplification as it's a more generic (disposable) philosophy to constructing bass amps exhibiting less and less distinguishable features as designs in that sector evolve...ymmv...like cars today, in order to meet EPA guidelines they all look and perform very similarly....

 

[GBassNorth]

Thx Marshall!... interestingly, no blacks.....

The formatting on Marshall’s post made it difficult to read. Gibson made Ebony birds all four years of the Bicentennial run
1976 - 91
1977 - 301
1978 - 12
1979 - 7

The accuracy could be in question since Donny has declared his white Bicentennial was made in a year when supposedly no white birds were made, maybe his was an end of year build.

 

[TBird1958]

The number of black '79s is likely incorrect, I have heard of quite a few folks saying they have one, and I do trust that they know how to read a Gibson s/n.

That said, here are @KingFace's 6 1979 black Thunderbirds.

 

[JJR58]

nah, Class D is not what I envision as "Mesa" (or any other traditional brand) bass amplification as it's a more generic (disposable) philosophy to constructing bass amps exhibiting less and less distinguishable features as designs in that sector evolve...ymmv...like cars today, in order to meet EPA guidelines they all look and perform very similarly....

I liked the Mesa’s I had well enough.
But something was missing.

The Quilter was a really good amp.
Still, something was missing.
I was ready to just be happy with the Quilter after the whole ABM 600 debacle.
And got my money refunded.
When this came along, I just had to.
Beastly, packs the kinda punch I’ve been looking for.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Still want to get together with you sometime to test the Repop sidewinders.

Marshall " @MCF " has one and is on your way to the Palm Desert.....just sayin'...

 

[/\/\3phist0]

On the last load ( when we’re ready to move in) may take that opportunity.
or after the move .

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

The formatting on Marshall’s post made it difficult to read. Gibson made Ebony birds all four years of the Bicentennial run
1976 - 91
1977 - 301
1978 - 12
1979 - 7

The accuracy could be in question since Donny has declared his white Bicentennial was made in a year when supposedly no white birds were made, maybe his was an end of year build.

Thx G, the spreadsheet (as Marshall said) threw me off..

 

[/\/\3phist0]

nah, Class D is not what I envision as "Mesa" (or any other traditional brand) bass amplification as it's a more generic (disposable) philosophy to constructing bass amps exhibiting less and less distinguishable features as designs in that sector evolve...ymmv...like cars today, in order to meet EPA guidelines they all look and perform very similarly....

Yeah but after lifting my SVT 48” to the top of the 2x15 this morning…
Appreciate the TT800

 

[TBird1958]

I get to use mine on a big stage tomorrow night.................

Today is a day to pack up and drive with some oysters awaiting later.

 

[dagrev]

The formatting on Marshall’s post made it difficult to read. Gibson made Ebony birds all four years of the Bicentennial run
1976 - 91
1977 - 301
1978 - 12
1979 - 7

The accuracy could be in question since Donny has declared his white Bicentennial was made in a year when supposedly no white birds were made, maybe his was an end of year build.

Or maybe mine is a unicorn Thunderbird and worth twice what I paid!

Well the last part isn't true regardless. It does have a 1976 SN. Thought/guess is they noticed something and held it up (thus the "Second" stamp), and didn't let go out the door till early the next year. A unicorn, just not a overly valuable unicorn. it seems. But if anyone is interested at $9k, I'm all ears. Less a little bit from the dermatologist...

 

[Engle]

nah, Class D is not what I envision as "Mesa" (or any other traditional brand) bass amplification as it's a more generic (disposable) philosophy to constructing bass amps exhibiting less and less distinguishable features as designs in that sector evolve...ymmv...like cars today, in order to meet EPA guidelines they all look and perform very similarly....

I understand the Class D architecture's disposable aspect, but I have two Class D amps (the other one is a GK MB200) and they are very capable tools. I compared the GK MB800 and the Mesa before I bought and I wouldn't say they are similar other than being really light for the amount of power they put out.

The distinguishing features are what I like about the D800+. The DI sounds great (switchable from mic/line and pre/post EQ), there's a mute switch, bright switch (cops the GK type high end), deep switch, voicing knob (modern to vintage), adjustable HPF, super flexible EQ , impedance switch, etc.
The controls all feel solid and have some friction so they don't move accidentally when you put it in the carrying bag.
Most importantly when I crank the gain, it reacts nicely.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I understand the Class D architecture's disposable aspect, but I have two Class D amps (the other one is a GK MB200) and they are very capable tools. I compared the GK MB800 and the Mesa before I bought and I wouldn't say they are similar other than being really light for the amount of power they put out.

The distinguishing features are what I like about the D800+. The DI sounds great (switchable from mic/line and pre/post EQ), there's a mute switch, bright switch (cops the GK type high end), deep switch, voicing knob (modern to vintage), adjustable HPF, super flexible EQ , impedance switch, etc.
The controls all feel solid and have some friction so they don't move accidentally when you put it in the carrying bag.
Most importantly when I crank the gain, it reacts nicely.

not disputing they are great tools out of the box, ones that wear with time however....completely different category (Class D) and I should have made the distinction...Si manufacturers offer Class D reference designs that many of these amps are based on so a Mesa now acts like a PF and a MarkBass and on and on....while not set in stone, a pretty common MO these days....but hey, to each their own...

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Yeah but after lifting my SVT 48” to the top of the 2x15 this morning…
Appreciate the TT800

tell me about it....herniated L4 at 33.... no fun, happiness is the day where this would work at any venue....

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Interesting.., I used a GK head once in a jam-session and was underwhelmed - amps are like basses, chosen very personally and selectively. But coming from a guy who knows amps inside out (along with being a bitchin' player!) I hope to hear one someday based on your insights. I started out on SS amps and gravitated to tube-pre & full-on tube amps later.

And thanks again for repairing my 550 Spyder - I friggin' love that amp.

Hah! Can't see it 'cause some bass-player is blocking the view! (The Makeout Room SF last month) Shot looks pretty Twin Peaks! "Judy?" ...

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Humbled G! Thank you.... I'm grateful for the masterful work you performed on my basses....
was grooving on this the other night....

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Once I got tubes...SS didn't cut it for me like the old Peavey Mk III did. Until I got an Ash MAG as part of a trade yrs ago. I was impressed with how warm it sounded but sold it--yet never got that Ashdown sound out of my head. I even like the ABM with no tube drive at times. Just a good, punchy, but big sounding amp. The old Peavey was kind of warm like the ABMs. Kind of. More so than many SS amps I've used anyway. Interesting that the new ABMs have more mids and highs. With limited time using the 300 I've only been boosting the low (knob) a bit and that sounds good to me.

the tube on my ABM500 doesn't work.....don't tell anyone....