Thunderbird Club

[JJR58]

Ok, how many cigarettes?

And Scotch

 

[dagrev]

do you recall if Walker played that tune with fingers or pick?...

I don't recall ever seeing him play with a pick.

He was/is a fantastic player. Really had some great and unique playing--but was mostly buried under the guitars.... After BF did studio work as I recall and some new music from time to time. I read a couple interviews with him, and he has to be one of the most level-headed, humble people around. Someone you would love to spend time with.

Knew LS guys from before either were "known." Grew up with some I believe, kind of like some of Molly Hatchet. Jax was crazy full of talent. I think he played on some of there early demos. Could be wrong, but recall he played with them early on some. He later played on Street Survivors on this cut. Medlock sang backup as well. With Skynyrd you could hear his playing more.


Horrible video but here's Train Train live.

 

[dagrev]

@JIO, if you don't know Blackfoot, I can't wait to hear your thoughts on Highway Star. A great song, very challenging to play for all concerned. We're trying to pull it off as a 3 piece band. It features dueling guitars and a killer bass line. Heck, it was a challenge when we were a 4 piece band.

This (Highway Song), not Highway Star (Point Blank)? This is one of those songs I recall the first time I heard in on the radio and was struck but the haunting feel of it. Was a fan ever since. How it picks up and gets going was a bonus.

 

[TBird1958]

The band has a few weeks off, time to take the tube amp downstairs!

 

[Engle]

Sweat and poly are a problem for me. But don’t tell her.

Not sweaty enough!

 

[PaperbackRyder]

SO on my Epi bird, how far should I move the strap button at the tail end, in order to keep the body from falling away?
Right now I am running the strap over the bout.

 

[Engle]

Turns out our second baseman (geezer league) is the bassist for a touring LS tribute band. I said he has to play a Thunderbird. He does, an 89. They play a gig in Hollister in early 2026. I need to get the dates.

I had to read that a few times. At first I thought your band has two bass players and the other guy is a Geezer Butler level player

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

This (Highway Song), not Highway Star (Point Blank)? This is one of those songs I recall the first time I heard in on the radio and was struck but the haunting feel of it. Was a fan ever since. How it picks up and gets going was a bonus.

seems like to qualify as a serious Southern Rock band you needed a rock anthem with dueling guitars at the end such as "Dreams", "Green Grass", "Freebird "..

 

[TBird1958]

SO on my Epi bird, how far should I move the strap button at the tail end, in order to keep the body from falling away?
Right now I am running the strap over the bout.

I don't have a measurement for you but you can see that it's well north of the centerline on my '64. I would add another strap pin.

 

[Stealth57]

I don't have a measurement for you but you can see that it's well north of the centerline on my '64. I would add another strap pin.

My 64 is about the same. Maybe 1.5" north of center.

 

[TBird1958]

That sure is in nice shape, Dave. Much better than mine.

 

[Stealth57]

That sure is in nice shape, Dave. Much better than mine.

Thanks. I can't wait to allow you pro player types to take a shot at it. @JIO already did at Winter's. I bought it at a "reasonable" price by today's standards as it was advertised as a neck repair. I can't really see it and neither could Geo. So, either a mistake on an estate sale or a really top notch repair. She is a beauty for 61 years old. The OHSC is in good shape too, though I wouldn't use it for transport.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

doesn't get much better than grilled smoked provolone (scamorza).....

 

[Albert Ross]

Hah! Never heard of this band, not that that means anything. Fingers-style for sure. Fun song to rock. It brings to mind one of my favorite bands from Tempe Arizona - The Meat Puppets with Chis Kirkwood on bass. They started off in the early '80s on SST as thrash-punk, turned the corner to melodic Indi-rock ala Grateful Dead and the whole time referenced bands like Blue Oyster Cult and never left their inherantly southern rock roots.




I love this song - killer bass-line also ... Chris Kirkwood is an awesome, underrated bass player.

Always loved the Meat Puppets. I got to see them play live in a tiny club in Albuquerque many years ago.

 

[Count Bassie]

I'm probably in the minority of Thunderbird players who plays fingerstyle only. I tried using a felt pick in '68 when I first started (Vox Delta IV/Vox Kensington amp). It didn't stick. Tried again in mid '80s ( '76 Thunderbird/Lab Series amp) it worked for a few songs, but again, didn't stick. I mess with them now and again, but just don't care for the tic tac sound. Now I just use the Steel Leather for my 2014 Thunderbird to tighten up the tone. Everything is fingers only. The only song I think it would benefit is Train Train by Blackfoot, but while we mess with it once in a while, it never makes it on to a set list.

I play just about all fingers too. I use a pick on 1, maybe 2 tunes but I've got a mess of Dunlop 1mm nylon that I've drilled holes in so I can keep a grip on them, lol. But mostly I've got a bunch of little black picks full of holes.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

WW....

 

[TBird1958]

WW!

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

never liked how a Bird feels using the behind the heel strap button....need it up close to feel the body vibrate....

 

[Nocturnal]

SO on my Epi bird, how far should I move the strap button at the tail end, in order to keep the body from falling away?
Right now I am running the strap over the bout.

On my BlackBird it is about 3 inches up the tail from the standard location. That might be a bit far for some people. Might be able to see it in this photo (they are recessed Dunlop's)

 

[dagrev]

seems like to qualify as a serious Southern Rock band you needed a rock anthem with dueling guitars at the end such as "Dreams", "Green Grass", "Freebird "..

Yes. Freebird was around long before it was on the record came out, but can't help but wonder if Whipping Post wasn't a template for those start slow end fast songs. Whipping Post came out, then Stairway To Heaven a couple years later, then Freebird, but they had been playing it for years. I"m sure there were others before Whipping Post, but several from LS recall the Allman's playing at their HS dance. Last was Gator Country from Molly Hatchet. Same pattern.