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Thunderbird Club
- Thread starter TBird1958
- Start date
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- club thunderbird
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,894
- 142,211
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
It's difficult to quantify the rewards of playing, sometimes it really is about the money ( I do like getting paid!), but sometimes it's about the show.
We played to about 700 on the pier in Pt Angeles last summer, it was very gratifying to have that many people come see "my" band, I probably would have done the show for free, basically I did, as they pay covered some of the hotel, lavish cocktails and raw oysters. There are other shows (usually local) when I don't get paid much, if anything and I have a great time, the $$$ don't even come into question. The rewards are not always equal.
I can't believe this was 14 years ago, the guy we have on drums just nailed Roger Taylor's parts, thus I could attempt to do John Taylor some justice, we were on it that night. Note the T-4 with both bridge and pickup covers in place.
Happy Thunderbird Thursday!
I had the multitrack running last night. It sounded a bit sparse with just bass drums & guitar, but there were some good moments.
It's difficult to quantify the rewards of playing, sometimes it really is about the money ( I do like getting paid!), but sometimes it's about the show.
We played to about 700 on the pier in Pt Angeles last summer, it was very gratifying to have that many people come see "my" band, I probably would have done the show for free, basically I did, as they pay covered some of the hotel, lavish cocktails and raw oysters. There are other shows (usually local) when I don't get paid much, if anything and I have a great time, the $$$ don't even come into question. The rewards are not always equal.
I can't believe this was 14 years ago, the guy we have on drums just nailed Roger Taylor's parts, thus I could attempt to do John Taylor some justice, we were on it that night. Note the T-4 with both bridge and pickup covers in place.
Happy Thunderbird Thursday!
cool stuff! always dug that guitarist....
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,894
- 142,211
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Yes, she was a very tasteful player, knew when to do what, a skill a lot of guitarists don't possess. She worked for Microsoft early on and retired at 36.
For all you NR types. Seems even rarer that it’s a II
https://reverb.com/item/94266783-gi...are&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=94266783
https://reverb.com/item/94266783-gi...are&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=94266783
More than I paid for my 64, by quite a bit.
pretty sweet, wonder if that crack is actually a repair, mine looks identical.....
It's difficult to quantify the rewards of playing, sometimes it really is about the money ( I do like getting paid!), but sometimes it's about the show.
We played to about 700 on the pier in Pt Angeles last summer, it was very gratifying to have that many people come see "my" band, I probably would have done the show for free, basically I did, as they pay covered some of the hotel, lavish cocktails and raw oysters. There are other shows (usually local) when I don't get paid much, if anything and I have a great time, the $$$ don't even come into question. The rewards are not always equal.
I can't believe this was 14 years ago, the guy we have on drums just nailed Roger Taylor's parts, thus I could attempt to do John Taylor some justice, we were on it that night. Note the T-4 with both bridge and pickup covers in place.
Happy Thunderbird Thursday!
"...it was a drive-by birding..."
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
- 221,962
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I hear you Rich. It's all the dedication/preparation/rehearsing all for what seems like very little return. As someone who, like you, is currently playing w/2 bands, I think it's singularly your decision/call. Both bands I play with have done shows of varied attendance over the years. Of course the more the better but regardless, playing live is a skill that needs repeating & rinsing if you are serious. It's the closest you get to being a professional. Meaning, the goal is to entertain - to deliver a good show, to not embarrass yourself... to have fun
Consider everything involved with preparing for a gig. Doing it numerous times allows you to hone the routine so that the playing part is your reward. At least that's how I square it. Get the rest automatic & efficient - then do what all those rehearsals have been about!So definitely not counting on money. Yes, I expect to get paid as it is a 'service' (bar/tavern example) but luckily we aren't "professionals" who primarily play for the money. (kinda' true if you're honest) It takes up a lot of your life, I get that. I was the same about bike racing - it dominated my life for over 25yrs. Now I simply love riding my bike, racing/training days are behind me. Do what you feel is justified on a level that works to stay happy. Life's short...
Good words. I do like being on stage. I do like playing songs I’ve had a hand in writing. It seems like lately it’s just been really difficult to get people out. Not that they don’t want to come, just coincidentally the schedules don’t work. Playing a ways away from our base, I was hoping the few acquaintances I have out that way might be able to make it. Now, I’m hoping for a win with it being a local place where regulars go.I hear you Rich. It's all the dedication/preparation/rehearsing all for what seems like very little return. As someone who, like you, is currently playing w/2 bands, I think it's singularly your decision/call. Both bands I play with have done shows of varied attendance over the years. Of course the more the better but regardless, playing live is a skill that needs repeating & rinsing if you are serious. It's the closest you get to being a professional. Meaning, the goal is to entertain - to deliver a good show, to not embarrass yourself... to have fun
So definitely not counting on money. Yes, I expect to get paid as it is a 'service' (bar/tavern example) but luckily we aren't "professionals" who primarily play for the money. (kinda' true if you're honest) It takes up a lot of your life, I get that. I was the same about bike racing - it dominated my life for over 25yrs. Now I simply love riding my bike, racing/training days are behind me. Do what you feel is justified on a level that works to stay happy. Life's short...
Between both bands, I’ve got 3 shows coming in Feb, and 1 (so far) in March. Maybe things will pick up.
Red Sun Ruins’ cover of CSN&Y’s “Ohio” will be played on Radio 107.7 “the Bone” on February 7th sometime between 10pm and midnight, one week before it’s released on all the platforms. So that’s good too.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
- 221,962
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
All good Rich - count your blessings as they say. I play solely for the creative experience and I'm fortunate enough to be able to have that happen in my life. (then & now) Related to being an artist, for me it's also about recording our efforts - creating a document/a record. We'll eventually stop - the record continues. Again - in that regard it's rubbing shoulders with professionals. (as serious amateurs) I refer to "amateur"/"professional" only as a distinction of "monetary life goal". An amateur can be just as serious a musician as a pro - I've know both and we're all on the same page about music at the end of the day.
So concentrate on the things you love about playing in a band/playing live and strive to deliver the best performance whenever you play live. If one person in that room has a positive experience because of what your band played - you've been successful.
Last edited:
godofthunder59
Life is short, buy the bass.
- Feb 19, 2006
- 9,057
- 38,405
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Cataldo Basses, Whirlwind products, Thunderbucker pickups
So I see we are talking Reverse vs Nonreverse. Way back in the early 70s when I started my bass journey after cycling through Hofners and my beloved Ibanez Destroyer that Thunderbirds were for me unfortunately they were priced out of reach. The Bicentennials hit the market while I was working at the House of Guitars and I was able to get one for $365 brand new. Unfortunately the 76 didn't sound like a Thunderbird but a neutered Jazz bass and the bridge pickup was microphonic and squealed like a stuck pig, so it became a backup and I sodiered on with the Destroyer. Then one day in '78 picked up a used Nonreverse at the HOG and plugged it in and there was the sound I was looking for! It was big, long and frankly no where near as good looking as a reverse but the sound! The access to the upper register cinched it.
These days I have about 40 odd Thunderbirds of various stripes both reverse and Nonreverse. I still prefer a Nonreverse to the reverse mainly for upper register access, the Vintage Pro solved that to some degree. I need to get some good group shots of the collection. I tossed in a pic of the Ibanez Destroyer winter of 76.
These days I have about 40 odd Thunderbirds of various stripes both reverse and Nonreverse. I still prefer a Nonreverse to the reverse mainly for upper register access, the Vintage Pro solved that to some degree. I need to get some good group shots of the collection. I tossed in a pic of the Ibanez Destroyer winter of 76.
godofthunder59
Life is short, buy the bass.
- Feb 19, 2006
- 9,057
- 38,405
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Cataldo Basses, Whirlwind products, Thunderbucker pickups
Here's a poor group shot of some of my birds. Note the KISS hat, from the 77 Buffalo NY show.
Cool! That’s my birthday! And one of my favorite Neil songs. I’ll have to find out how to stream the station, put it on the calendar, and set an alarm…
From what I recall was the feel (rubbery IIRC) and tone.
But your Hondo is just a Reverse.
Cool stuff and journey.
I've had my Reverse since '81 maybe '82, but always thought the NRs I saw Leon play was funky cool. And hard to see or play in person. Never played one till I got the '66 NR project. Nothing I don't love about it. Original pups would be nice, and maybe one day I'll run across some. In the meantime I have a great looking, great sounding NR. Just wish I wasn't 62 before my first encounter.
