• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Thunderbird Club

#335,001
GBassNorth said:
My favorite BondGirl song!

No Fender hate here, just a lot of love for the Tbird shape, size, fit and feel for me. Which is why I have Thunderbirds with Fender pickups in them, not to mention a NR P/J and my to be painted Jazz/Jazz equipped Reverse body ThumbDerBird.

Although I find stock Gibson and Epiphone thunderbirds capable of playing just about any genre of music I still have preferences on different pickups or a different tonal range for a given song (much like I have different string preferences for some songs). Could I make a single Tbird work for everything I play, sure, but when there are so many flavors of basses out there that sound so good why limit yourself to one.

Heck, my next build will most likely be a semi hollow body reverse with optical pickups and a midi output for some truly mind bending tone options. Just think, Riders on the Storm with a thunderbird emulating a Fender Rhodes which was originally emulating a Fender bass.
Click to expand...
We're on the same page G. I just completed this fan-fret 5'r just to have one and I've been having fun playing it.

1768584510762.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chucky Stiletti, dagrev, MCF and 4 others
#335,002
GBassNorth said:
My favorite BondGirl song!

No Fender hate here, just a lot of love for the Tbird shape, size, fit and feel for me. Which is why I have Thunderbirds with Fender pickups in them, not to mention a NR P/J and my to be painted Jazz/Jazz equipped Reverse body ThumbDerBird.

Although I find stock Gibson and Epiphone thunderbirds capable of playing just about any genre of music I still have preferences on different pickups or a different tonal range for a given song (much like I have different string preferences for some songs). Could I make a single Tbird work for everything I play, sure, but when there are so many flavors of basses out there that sound so good why limit yourself to one.

Heck, my next build will most likely be a semi hollow body reverse with optical pickups and a midi output for some truly mind bending tone options. Just think, Riders on the Storm with a thunderbird emulating a Fender Rhodes which was originally emulating a Fender bass.
Click to expand...
Someone say Rhodes? Poor thing been stuck in the closet for a couple decades. :crying:


IMG_4683.jpeg
 
  • Like
  • Wow
  • Sad
Reactions: Chucky Stiletti, dagrev, MCF and 5 others
#335,003
JIO said:
FTR - related to being a long term member this thread, (#63) I have owned and have actively played a vintage ('63) T-bird since 1974 and semi-professionally played a '64 II since '78. Currently I'm part of two (amateur) bands - and have only brought out my '64 II on rare occasions with one of them. I admit w/o apology that I don't favor my '64 II in in either band. It just isn't that versatile regardless of what anyone sez'. Point being, I l am a longer term T-bird advocate than anyone on this thread (other than Carlo...) so I have more experience playing a vintage T-bird than anyone here. (again, 'since '74) Love my '64 T-bird II, love all those who love T-birds - but it's only one bass in our world. Go with whatever works best for you regardless of brand/model.
Click to expand...
No problems brother, your love for Tbirds and all things bass is obvious.

Your preference for sound and feel has been shaped by a lifetime of playing and performing. Whatever works best for you in your stage and studio settings is what’s most important, and if that’s not a Tbird, so be it, that does not diminish your love and advocacy for thunderbirds in any way. Rock on!

PS - I know how much you like a nice Jazz sound, so I’m really looking forward to you auditioning my ThumbDerBird next week. It’s not a traditional Jazz layout but is surprisingly versatile considering the pickup spacing. We might give it a spin along with your Tomorrow Never Dies track to see how it fits in that mix.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RedVee, dagrev, MCF and 3 others
#335,004
GonePlaid said:
I got the 67 NR in 72(coming from a 66 Gibson EB-3)and after a pretty short time of getting used to its length, it became my "A" bass and the EB-3 went to its 'new' home-the closet. I'm currently using the Epi Embassy for the few gigs I'm still doing due to the NR needing fixing I can't do-or afford to have done.
I don't "hate" 7enders, but my 80 y/o hands don't deal well with any neck profile except Gibson/Epi. Even my Ibanez semi-hollow that I use(d) for a UB-y tone causes pain in my fretting hand b4 very long.
Click to expand...
Oh yah, sorry Mike - I should have known you owned/played a vintage bird longer than I have. :thumbsup: :bassist:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chucky Stiletti, RedVee, dagrev and 4 others
#335,007
GBassNorth said:
No problems brother, your love for Tbirds and all things bass is obvious.

Your preference for sound and feel has been shaped by a lifetime of playing and performing. Whatever works best for you in your stage and studio settings is what’s most important, and if that’s not a Tbird, so be it, that does not diminish your love and advocacy for thunderbirds in any way. Rock on!

PS - I know how much you like a nice Jazz sound, so I’m really looking forward to you auditioning my ThumbDerBird next week. It’s not a traditional Jazz layout but is surprisingly versatile considering the pickup spacing. We might give it a spin along with your Tomorrow Never Dies track to see how it fits in that mix.
Click to expand...
I'm totally looking forward to hangin' with you G and playing the basses you've built/acquired since I last visited. Way better than going to a music store! :bassist:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chucky Stiletti, RedVee, MCF and 3 others
#335,008
Ya'll inspired me to pick up my J yesterday, a beauty, assembled with top notch components, and great playing/sounding J bass. Nope, it's just never going to beat out my white VP for home practice, and will never see a gig. Nice bass though.

I am passively looking for an Explorer bass, just need to figure out which one to target. It seems the 80's with alder body are heavier, the 2000's are Korina with longer scale, and the Eppies are supposedly good basses, but the prices are pretty high.

Not much talk on Talkbass or on-line comparing them though. So if anyone has any input, or can point me to an article I'd appreciate it.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, Engle, TBird1958 and 3 others
#335,011
GBassNorth said:
My favorite BondGirl song!

No Fender hate here, just a lot of love for the Tbird shape, size, fit and feel for me. Which is why I have Thunderbirds with Fender pickups in them, not to mention a NR P/J and my to be painted Jazz/Jazz equipped Reverse body ThumbDerBird.

Although I find stock Gibson and Epiphone thunderbirds capable of playing just about any genre of music I still have preferences on different pickups or a different tonal range for a given song (much like I have different string preferences for some songs). Could I make a single Tbird work for everything I play, sure, but when there are so many flavors of basses out there that sound so good why limit yourself to one.

Heck, my next build will most likely be a semi hollow body reverse with optical pickups and a midi output for some truly mind bending tone options. Just think, Riders on the Storm with a thunderbird emulating a Fender Rhodes which was originally emulating a Fender bass.
Click to expand...
Why limit yourself to one? Two reasons: (1) I found exactly what I was listening for with my NR + EBCFs, (B) $-the lack thereof. Mufunzalo.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JJR58, RedVee, dagrev and 4 others
#335,014
JIO said:
We're on the same page G. I just completed this fan-fret 5'r just to have one and I've been having fun playing it.

View attachment 7410813
Click to expand...
Very retro contemporary design. Maybe the way the picture is taken, but those frets don’t look fanned to my eye. Is it also a headless bass? If so, you really need to magnetically attach a removable dummy Tbird headstock that can pop off on que just to mess with the Tbird haters out there. ;)
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: RedVee, Engle, dagrev and 4 others
#335,016
Count Bassie said:
Yeah. He's a good guy though, although last time I saw him was... 1988 or 89.
He used to do work for Ingwe Malmsteen, Larry was his #1 guitar tech.
Click to expand...
I totally forgot. There's a guy ~1 1/2 miles from me. I had him do a little work on my LP 5er.:facepalm: Still don't have the $$$ though.:(
 
  • Like
  • Sad
Reactions: Chucky Stiletti, RedVee, Engle and 4 others
#335,019
Thumper said:
Ya'll inspired me to pick up my J yesterday, a beautiful, assembled with top notch components, and great playing/sounding J bass. Nope, it's just never going to beat out my white VP for home practice, and will never see a gig. Nice bass though.

I am passively looking for a Destroyer bass, just need to figure out which one to target. It seems the 80's with alder body are heavier, the 2000's are Korina with longer scale, and the Eppies are supposedly good basses, but the prices are pretty high.

Not much talk on Talkbass or on-line comparing them though. So if anyone has any input, or can point t me to an article I'd appreciate it.
Click to expand...
I’m passively looking for a destroyer as well.
These days I’m just buying local instead of online. (I should be selling)😆
While I was looking this one came up.
It will still poke your eye out 😉
Cheers!
IMG_7868.jpeg
IMG_7858.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: JJR58, Chucky Stiletti, RedVee and 12 others
#335,020
GBassNorth said:
I’ve been casually looking for a Fender Bass Rhodes to pair with my Ampeg B18 flip top. You ought to try that one with your flip top.
Click to expand...
The Rhodes Bass is just a low section of the piano. I don't think it sounds 'bass-y' enuff. My Rheem* Kee Bass sounds a lot bassier. (It gets about as much use as Dave's piano-namely none)
0715182326-00.jpg
This is the same thing as used in DEVO's "Whip It". But the sound when he 'fingers' it is NOT from the Kee Bass.

*Yes, the AC people.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JJR58, Chucky Stiletti, RedVee and 8 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back