Thunderbird Club

[JJR58]

Its difficult to articulate what we like about bass/ amps sounds, but I remember being in Chuck's garage, adjusting an amp, and realizing we both go for the same tone.

 

[dagrev]

I’m ecstatic with what I’ve been able to get. I don’t have one favorite. But there are times with the SVT and sealed Berg that make me think if I could only have one…if only it wasn’t 200 pounds.

I have long been a tube person. Once I got my fist all tube head it was over. Though the ABMs are a great second option. One I could live with if needed to. But I don't, not now anyway.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

F

For those with jobs.

I heard on the radio this morning that Canva has jumped Atlassian to become the no. 1 Aussie software house. (Both Sydney companies I think).
I believe they both do a lot of business in the US.

I’ve never used Canva but we had just started with Jira tickets in my last year or so at work. Confluence was implemented in the EPO but I didn’t have anything much to do with it. Atlassian are building a new multi story building in Sydney using wooden frames as part of their eco friendly persona.

Sorry folks just thought it interesting.

have used Atlassian for years now...Jira is a household name in the Bay Area, great product, surprised more haven't adopted it yet but from what I understand, licensing can be pricey..

 

[Gaolee]

Nothing wrong with preferring GK over Ashdown. I've played a ton of house amps and always prefer GKs. And as you said, it's super easy to find a great tone with them.

I have played through an Ashdown and liked it a lot. I haven't spent time with a GK. I probably need to do that if the Carvin ever dies. It will, no doubt. The ACC stacks never will, though. That's also no doubt.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Bartolini has a new Thunderbird pickup that I'm curious about. They now have two sets. I'd love to hear a comparison. The ideal pickup for me is a TB+ with more punch, clarity, and definition, which is what the 2001s are.

4-String Vintage Gibson Original Series - T4C - Bartolini Pickups & Electronics

Deep, thick Original voice upgrade for Thunderbird basses. This is the pickup used in the Dean Demonator 4 Classic and Evil D USA Demonator 4 Ultimo Ltd Run - the signature model of Morbid Angel's bass player David "Evil D" Vincent.

bartolini.net

Active? Preamp? Barts rule...

 

[Gaolee]

Has anyone had a chance to compare all vintage style "recreation" tbird pickups: Lull, Lollar, Thunderbucker (out of production for the last while sadly), Gibson RI, etc.? curious if/what they're sonic differences are, if any at all, who's close to either originals of the 60's/to each other brand wise.

My heretic input - never mind all of those. Look for a 2001 Gibson TB+. I don't know what Gibson was doing with those, but they are a hair noisier than other TB+ pickups, but sound clearer and crisper. They have more electric blue around the edges and it's a whole lot better defined. To my ears, they sound at least as good as Thunderbuckers. I don't know exactly when they found the jar of pixie dust or when it was used up, so it's all going to be a bit of a shot in the dark. That said, I would look for pickups made sometime between 2000 and 2002, with the sweet spot being 2001.

 

[Gaolee]

There has to be a gig bag for that!

Yes. It says "Hefty" on the box it comes in, and it doubles as a place to put construction debris. You have to add your own padding.

 

[BklynKen]

I have played through an Ashdown and liked it a lot. I haven't spent time with a GK. I probably need to do that if the Carvin ever dies. It will, no doubt. The ACC stacks never will, though. That's also no doubt.

Considering our similarities in tonal taste, I think you'd really like GK.

 

[Gaolee]

I have the SD custom shops in a VP. They are supposed to be an "exact" copy of the 1960's Gibson tbird pickups. I have both and would say they are close. The Queen has all three and can provide better ears.

Replica 1960s pickups have a big consistency hurdle. That's the variability of the windings and magnets that was inherent to pickups from the 1960s. Add in the effects of age on both (probably minimal, but who knows) and you have a lot of variability in what "exact" means. I suppose that still exists because of the way 2001 pickups are different from other years of Thunderbird pickups.

 

[Gaolee]

TBH, I suspect only those with fine tuned ears(not me; too many years as a kid playing way too loud without protection and attending dozens of Neil and Crazy Horse concerts, also without protection) are able to tell much difference between the various Alnico based “vintage” pickups. I can tell the difference between the Alnico and ceramic Tbird+ pickups. I can also tell that the sidewinders are different, closer to the “vintage” than the “modern” ceramic pickups. But it’s hard for me to articulate the differences that I’m hearing.

Colors!

 

[Stealth57]

Colors!

 

[Gaolee]

I used to know CorelDraw some years ago when I really only had a forty hour work week and hadn’t gone back down the bass rabbit hole. Sadly, I think it is beyond me these days. Now that I’m retired, I’m trying to get my life back. It’s a process.

I used to draw by hand, including freehand, a whole lot. I haven't put pencil to paper in years now. I'm hoping to start drawing again when I start cutting back on the day job thing.

 

[Gaolee]

For me, and I think for many, his movie The Harder They Come was an induction to Reggae. Sad to learn of his passing.

Jimmy Cliff, Jamaican reggae singer, actor and cultural icon, dies aged 81 — Guardian US

Star of The Harder They Come had hits including You Can Get It If You Really Want and I Can See Clearly Now

apple.news

I saw him play about 25 years ago. He was a headliner for the Womad festival. As good as he was, the musicians from all over the world, especially Africa, absolutely blew him, Bonnie Raitt, Los Lobos, and several other headliners out of the water. He was unique, though. Between Jimmy Cliff and Toots Hibbard, I went way down deep into a reggae rabbit hole in the late '70s and early '80s.

 

[dagrev]

Replica 1960s pickups have a big consistency hurdle. That's the variability of the windings and magnets that was inherent to pickups from the 1960s. Add in the effects of age on both (probably minimal, but who knows) and you have a lot of variability in what "exact" means. I suppose that still exists because of the way 2001 pickups are different from other years of Thunderbird pickups.

Indeed. My '64 Epi Embassy does not sound like my '64 Thunderbird with the same puckups. The Epi is more mellow.

 

[BklynKen]

Replica 1960s pickups have a big consistency hurdle. That's the variability of the windings and magnets that was inherent to pickups from the 1960s. Add in the effects of age on both (probably minimal, but who knows) and you have a lot of variability in what "exact" means. I suppose that still exists because of the way 2001 pickups are different from other years of Thunderbird pickups.

Reminds me of what Jamie Stillman from Earthquaker Devices went through replicating Wata from Boris' ELK Big Muff pedal to make the Hizumitas. I use the Hizumitas on bass for fuzz. It's great.

 

[Gaolee]

Considering our similarities in tonal taste, I think you'd really like GK.

No doubt. I suppose I should take the 2001 to somewhere that has a GK and see what happens.

 

[BklynKen]

No doubt. I suppose I should take the 2001 to somewhere that has a GK and see what happens.

Pro (Bob Gallien) tip: Crank the "Volume" knob (or Trim on the newer ones) and use "Master" for volume. And start with EQ all at noon. I rarely stray far from that.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Replica 1960s pickups have a big consistency hurdle. That's the variability of the windings and magnets that was inherent to pickups from the 1960s. Add in the effects of age on both (probably minimal, but who knows) and you have a lot of variability in what "exact" means. I suppose that still exists because of the way 2001 pickups are different from other years of Thunderbird pickups.

tweechie.....surprised at how many choices there are in such a subjective choice but then again, probably why there are so many choices.....just tell a musician it'll make them sound better....

 

[TBird1958]

Ashdown goodness!

II time!

 

[Gaolee]

tweechie.....surprised at how many choices there are in such a subjective choice but then again, probably why there are so many choices.....just tell a musician it'll make them sound better....

Kinda like the joke about how to make a whole lot of money by making some gadget that golfers will think make them play better.

The only musical device that will truly make me sound better is a talent pedal, and those are pretty hard to come by.