Thunderbird Club

[ectoflanger]

Good morning all! I just had an epiphany- see about lowering the bridge on the Warwick BO 5 to get the action down. It worked on the Corvette.

The reason I believe it has a chance is when I first brought it into Neil, the only comment he had was whomever had previously set it up had gotten the removable bridge saddles mismatched to the strings and that it was a heavy SOB. This was in 2010 when the bass was over five years old and it seems to me that any serious warpage would have happened by then. And he never said anything about a warped neck. But he did say he didn't like Warwicks.

Later when I brought in around 2014 he said the neck looked a little odd to him around the 14th fret but ithat it probably came from the factory that way. He never actually said it was warped.

I never had an issue with an intonation but that the action had gotten high just like about every other bass I've had after sitting disused in storage- even my Rickenbacker 4003 - except for my Corvette fretless 5 whose action had gotten low enough to buzz- in that case I had to loosen the trussrod a bit.

So, I'm going to get the Thumb back out of storage and try lowering the bridge and see if there's leeway to do that- I'm guessing the previous owner or person who got the string saddles wrong may not have known to do that-

I'm hopeful- let's see what happens-

 

[GonePlaid]

some pay to play around here, different in Nashville, bands get up and do 4 hour non stop sets! Then the next one gets up and so on....in many cases the establishment pays somewhat of a fee but not always, all about tips which they all carry in big plastic paint cans they use for tip jars lol....boy do they hustle too...saw this young band get 100 bucks into the tip jar from different folks to play Freebird when someone jokingly requested it, (clearly a common occurrence) which they half azzed pulled of with one single electric guitar.....
View attachment 7432344

On one of our now long ago gigs, someone thought they'd be 'funny' and hollered out "Freebird".
So we played it.

 

[MCF]

I’m curious too.
Because I’m sure they changed throughout the years, and they probably sound different as well.
In this respect, it’d be great to see as many pick ups as possible.

I looked into it some years back when I was going to maybe buy Willy’s that Miles ended up getting. Per my research, the pickup maker changed when Fujigen began producing the pickups in-house in the early eighties. At least that’s what the internet said…

 

[GonePlaid]

I looked into it some years back when I was going to maybe buy Willy’s that Miles ended up getting. Per my research, the pickup maker changed when Fujigen began producing the pickups in-house in the early eighties. At least that’s what the internet said…

Well, then it must be accurate.

 

[GonePlaid]

I'm a "lacto, beefo, porko, poulto" vegetarian.

I humbly apologize. I left out "ovo".

 

[TBird1958]

I like the cover.

Does anyone have a picture of the back of one of the Greco Bird pickups they could share?

My '77 Greco.

 

[Nocturnal]

My '77 Greco.

Thanks V!! Different build style from the pics Jeff posted.

 

[GBassNorth]

Whichever is easiest to get to. I was just hoping that someone had a pic of one out of their bass for a comparison.

Here’s the flip side of the pickup in my 1977 Greco Tbird II…

First time I’ve had it out, a couple of interesting notes…
- Greco used a rubber spacer on the trim ring, never seen that done before, reaction with the finish has removed the gloss.
- The pads under the pickup in the cavity are solid rubber or dense foam that has hardened to a rock over time.
- All the grounding and coil connection solder joints are inside the pickup housing, only the braided lead wire is exposed.
- The pickup can is thicker than most Tbird cans a bit over 5/8” thick front to back.
- The pickup is stamped with a build date of January 28, 1976. I assumed this was a ‘77 bass, but it might be a very early ‘76

 

[Ringhammer]

enjoyed doing that for awhile but it got old....I got paid to play for the first time at 15 and liked how that felt, I can read and have a (not to boast) fairly large repertoire that I can play in most keys, that right there, is marketable.....I feel lucky to have played internationally and made a living doing it ( often in places as an "illegal alien" where I didn't speak the language) playing for celebrities, being paid to record etc.... can't really compare the two imho...I'm not a song writer, I'm a player...

To some degree, deep inside, I don’t consider myself truly a musician and bass player. This is not a dig on myself, I can definitely play it and have a level of confidence about it. But, I never took any lessons that I stuck to, I can’t read sheet or charts, and my improv skills are nonexistent. I have taught myself a few dozen cover songs over the years, but if someone starts playing, even the lost familiar of songs I would struggle to keep up if I hadn’t gone home and worked it out. The thought of stepping into a room to audition and having someone say “Just do a jam in f# major” or something like that, is terrifying.

Someone like you Chuck, is really truly a pro, and you have your choice of situations where you can get the gig.

Someone like Chuck is, as I define it, a true “musician” as are others here.

I am someone who plays music on the bass guitar.

Not being down on myself, this is just how I define it.

Bad Lemon played in Livermore last night. Small, weird venue where we set up and played in what would equate to a carport, a covered 10’ wide by 30’ long space, outside… a one hour drive to play in front of maybe 12 people. After accepting the show, only a couple days before we had to do it did I discover that it was outside and in this strange space. Had I known, we would have declined, but, I have a girl who is booking shows for both my bands and I’m glad we took it and helped her make a show. Hopefully this will lead to better ones.

Money? None. And if there was any, we give it to her because she’s doing the booking and social media promotion for both of my bands for free, because, simply, she “Loves doing it”

Ultimately it was fun, so I don’t regret doing it.

My point is, even though there’s no money, and not necessarily many people coming out (always hoping that will change and more will come), for a soon to be 60 year old guy who is an average, adequate, and hopefully somewhat entertaining bass guitar instrument player, at least for now I’m glad I can simply get out and make music. And, for now, I get to play the style of music that I love (Bad Lemon-hard blues based rock, and Red Sun Ruins-harder, heavier, and maybe somewhat eclectic rock/metal).

 

[Stealth57]

To some degree, deep inside, I don’t consider myself truly a musician and bass player. This is not a dig on myself, I can definitely play it and have a level of confidence about it. But, I never took any lessons that I stuck to, I can’t read sheet or charts, and my improv skills are nonexistent. I have taught myself a few dozen cover songs over the years, but if someone starts playing, even the lost familiar of songs I would struggle to keep up if I hadn’t gone home and worked it out. The thought of stepping into a room to audition and having someone say “Just do a jam in f# major” or something like that, is terrifying.

Someone like you Chuck, is really truly a pro, and you have your choice of situations where you can get the gig.

Bad Lemon played in Livermore last night. Small, weird venue where we set up and played in what would equate to a carport, a covered 10’ wide by 30’ long space, outside… a one hour drive to play in front of maybe 12 people. After accepting the show, only a couple days before we had to do it did I discover that it was outside and in this strange space. Had I known, we would have declined, but, I have a girl who is booking shows for both my bands and I’m glad we took it and helped her make a show. Hopefully this will lead to better ones.

Money? None. And if there was any, we give it to her because she’s doing the booking and social media promotion for both of my bands for free, because, simply, she “Loves doing it”

Ultimately it was fun, so I don’t regret doing it.

My point is, even though there’s no money, and not necessarily many people coming out (always hoping that will change and more will come), for a soon to be 60 year old guy who is an average, adequate, and hopefully somewhat entertaining bass guitar instrument player, at least for now I’m glad I can simply get out and make music. And, for now, I get to play the style of music that I love (Bad Lemon-hard blues based rock, and Red Sun Ruins-harder, heavier, and maybe somewhat eclectic rock/metal).

If I wasn't half a world away, I would have been there. Weird or not. I do need to pickup the Mesa from Geo when I get back, so will be looking at who's playing in the city and kill a couple of birds (so to speak).

 

[Nocturnal]

Here’s the flip side of the pickup in my 1977 Greco Tbird II…
View attachment 7432430
First time I’ve had it out, a couple of interesting notes…
- Greco used a rubber spacer on the trim ring, never seen that done before, reaction with the finish has removed the gloss.
- The pads under the pickup in the cavity are solid rubber or dense foam that has hardened to a rock over time.
- All the grounding and coil connection solder joints are inside the pickup housing, only the braided lead wire is exposed.
- The pickup can is thicker than most Tbird cans a bit over 5/8” thick front to back.
- The pickup is stamped with a build date of January 28, 1976. I assumed this was a ‘77 bass, but it might be a very early ‘76

Thank you George!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Yes. The live versions are massively better. I never thought the early albums sounded all that great, overall. Not to mention on the live album is the best version of Crossroads that exists.

Take the beginning of Freebird. The live version on piano is amazing.

I really like the studio albums, but loved the band live. They just went for it, a bunch of gifted musicians and forces of nature who gelled into a musical, emotional tour de force.

 

[ectoflanger]

Was doing morning stretches before going to the gym when I noticed something cool about the 4 inch wide Richter 4 strap I bought to replace another that had begun shedding trim material everywhere and making a mess-

Don't remember what I had it on before but it was nice to be able to quickly adjust to the Precision to lower it a bit- and I notice that the lower strap section had five different holes to choose from before having to change the anchor point-

I later purchased a 4.5 inch wide Levy's strap to accommodate my truly heavy basses- the Bubinga bodied Warwicks, which even the four string Corvette is heavy. I remember thinking Good Lord! as I carried it the 50 yards or so from my space in the parking garage to the condo entrance-

But the Levy is a bit lacking in quick change points - having merely two- Still it's a great strap, and a bit longer than the Richter. But thus far length hasn't been issue for me, even with my G2 Thunderbird.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

some pay to play around here, different in Nashville, bands get up and do 4 hour non stop sets! Then the next one gets up and so on....in many cases the establishment pays somewhat of a fee but not always, all about tips which they all carry in big plastic paint cans they use for tip jars lol....boy do they hustle too...saw this young band get 100 bucks into the tip jar from different folks to play Freebird when someone jokingly requested it, (clearly a common occurrence) which they half azzed pulled of with one single electric guitar.....
View attachment 7432344

The singers could do rhythm guitar and keys noises.

 

[Engle]

To some degree, deep inside, I don’t consider myself truly a musician and bass player. This is not a dig on myself, I can definitely play it and have a level of confidence about it. But, I never took any lessons that I stuck to, I can’t read sheet or charts, and my improv skills are nonexistent. I have taught myself a few dozen cover songs over the years, but if someone starts playing, even the lost familiar of songs I would struggle to keep up if I hadn’t gone home and worked it out. The thought of stepping into a room to audition and having someone say “Just do a jam in f# major” or something like that, is terrifying.

Someone like you Chuck, is really truly a pro, and you have your choice of situations where you can get the gig.

Someone like Chuck is, as I define it, a true “musician” as are others here.

I am someone who plays music on the bass guitar.

Not being down on myself, this is just how I define it.

Bad Lemon played in Livermore last night. Small, weird venue where we set up and played in what would equate to a carport, a covered 10’ wide by 30’ long space, outside… a one hour drive to play in front of maybe 12 people. After accepting the show, only a couple days before we had to do it did I discover that it was outside and in this strange space. Had I known, we would have declined, but, I have a girl who is booking shows for both my bands and I’m glad we took it and helped her make a show. Hopefully this will lead to better ones.

Money? None. And if there was any, we give it to her because she’s doing the booking and social media promotion for both of my bands for free, because, simply, she “Loves doing it”

Ultimately it was fun, so I don’t regret doing it.

My point is, even though there’s no money, and not necessarily many people coming out (always hoping that will change and more will come), for a soon to be 60 year old guy who is an average, adequate, and hopefully somewhat entertaining bass guitar instrument player, at least for now I’m glad I can simply get out and make music. And, for now, I get to play the style of music that I love (Bad Lemon-hard blues based rock, and Red Sun Ruins-harder, heavier, and maybe somewhat eclectic rock/metal).

You are a musician! Consider there is no music in a room, and then you make musical waves in the air. To people that can't play that's like magic!
There are many different types of musicians and it's not a competition. I also feel inadequate at times. The other night the guitarist said let's do a reggae Lydian jam, and he starts playing.......ummmm I would have to look up what that means!
I listened to the the tonality of what he was playing and tried to incorporate the different notes he was using - the stuff that didn't sound like the typical major/minor blues rock. I didn't come up with anything great, but maybe I learned a bit

Also, because you are into hard rock / heavy stuff, you have developed a feel for how to place notes (and get tones) that fit the music you play. Don't discount that.
I've run across players that can sight read, and know theory, but ask them to play something heavy or groovy...
They play the notes, but it's missing something.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I looked into it some years back when I was going to maybe buy Willy’s that Miles ended up getting. Per my research, the pickup maker changed when Fujigen began producing the pickups in-house in the early eighties. At least that’s what the internet said…

IIRC, they bought the pickup maker or its machinery, so the pickups were produced the same way, just not as an external mfr.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Happy birthday, @LowEndLobster !

Happy Valentines Day to all who celebrate.

 

[Ringhammer]

You are a musician! Consider there is no music in a room, and then you make musical waves in the air. To people that can't play that's like magic!
There are many different types of musicians and it's not a competition. I also feel inadequate at times. The other night the guitarist said let's do a reggae Lydian jam, and he starts playing.......ummmm I would have to look up what that means!
I listened to the the tonality of what he was playing and tried to incorporate the different notes he was using - the stuff that didn't sound like the typical major/minor blues rock. I didn't come up with anything great, but maybe I learned a bit

Also, because you are into hard rock / heavy stuff, you have developed a feel for how to place notes (and get tones) that fit the music you play. Don't discount that.
I've run across players that can sight read, and know theory, but ask them to play something heavy or groovy...
They play the notes, but it's missing something.

I added an edit to my original post:

“Someone like Chuck is, as I define it, a true “musician” as are others here.

I am someone who plays music on the bass guitar.

Not being down on myself, this is just how I define it.”

Appreciate what you said though.

 

[ectoflanger]

Happy birthday, @LowEndLobster !

Happy Valentines Day to all who celebrate.

It's Valentines Day? I forgot all about it- at least I'll know to start early if I want to do some fine dining-

 

[Engle]

Was doing morning stretches before going to the gym when I noticed something cool about the 4 inch wide Richter 4 strap I bought to replace another that had begun shedding trim material everywhere and making a mess-

Don't remember what I had it on before but it was nice to be able to quickly adjust to the Precision to lower it a bit- and I notice that the lower strap section had five different holes to choose from before having to change the anchor point-

View attachment 7432515

I later purchased a 4.5 inch wide Levy's strap to accommodate my truly heavy basses- the Bubinga bodied Warwicks, which even the four string Corvette is heavy. I remember thinking Good Lord! as I carried it the 50 yards or so from my space in the parking garage to the condo entrance-

View attachment 7432525

But the Levy is a bit lacking in quick change points - having merely two- Still it's a great strap, and a bit longer than the Richter. But thus far length hasn't been issue for me, even with my G2 Thunderbird.

I have a 4.5 thick padded Levys strap. It works for heavy basses, but I find it gets in the way if it's on a bass at home.