Thunderbird Club

[Miles_ONeal]

It looks like Flagstaff is going to get several inches too.

Dear Shakespeare, AHEM.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

White pedal Wednesday! Had some GC points so scored this for a great price! In very good condition too.

Good deal!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Something I've been noticing the last couple of months or so--during some songs and often during softer parts like intros, bridges, mainly where there is no singing--I notice when playing a note and it rings out and sustains, I'm thinking I wish the note decayed quicker. I find my self about once a week or so wishing a note would fade instead of hanging out there and always recall conversations about sustain. I generally move my finger to on top of the fret to dampen it a bit so it decays a little quicker. Tonight I stuffed some foam under the DTFs on the '64 Pbass to see how I like it. In the past when I've used foam, I didn't notice much of a difference. Always sounded better at home with just me. Unfortunately a couple people couldn't make practice so we canceled so I'll have to wait. As much as anything I find it odd that I notice myself even wanting some notes to decay. An interesting and unexpected self-observation.

You can dampen notes with either hand. I use both. It’s easy to dampen a note but you can’t easily extend it so I like having the sustain there. The times I don’t want it, it’s easy to deal with.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Hard to get proper ingredients around here. No prosciutto

beer always helps....

 

[Stealth57]

beer always helps....

A universal truth. Just stock up before Ramadan starts.

 

[dagrev]

do you use effects? volume pedals can be your friends..

Good thought, and one that would work well. But I don't think I want a third pedal. But something to think about.

 

[dagrev]

You can dampen notes with either hand. I use both. It’s easy to dampen a note but you can’t easily extend it so I like having the sustain there. The times I don’t want it, it’s easy to deal with.

Well Sir, you seem to be somewhat implying my technique is wanting....if so you have addressed several problems I have at once!
I at times palm mute when playing with a pick but virtually never do with fingers. Might just need to rethink how I'm playing at those times and think more when playing.

 

[Ringhammer]

Well Sir, you seem to be somewhat implying my technique is wanting....if so you have addressed several problems I have at once!
I at times palm mute when playing with a pick but virtually never do with fingers. Might just need to rethink how I'm playing at those times and think more when playing.

I set my finger on the top of the string right at the saddle, then just just roll my finger up slowly to progressively mute/dampen the vibration of the string to make the note fade.

 

[Lammchop93]

This is probably old news to most of you here, but I was listening to the JT Cure interview on the BASSED podcast and he mentioned Gibson was developing a 1964 Thunderbird reissue bass and he was giving feedback on the prototypes. Anyone heard anything since then?

I’m really hoping for a Polaris white one.

 

[MCF]

This is probably old news to most of you here, but I was listening to the JT Cure interview on the BASSED podcast and he mentioned Gibson was developing a 1964 Thunderbird reissue bass and he was giving feedback on the prototypes. Anyone heard anything since then?

I’m really hoping for a Polaris white one.

I recall Scot insinuating something like this a year or two ago. It’s Gibson. So maybe. Maybe not. It’s clear that something is up. We’ll see if Thunderbirds are part of future plans. Or not.

 

[TBird1958]

This is probably old news to most of you here, but I was listening to the JT Cure interview on the BASSED podcast and he mentioned Gibson was developing a 1964 Thunderbird reissue bass and he was giving feedback on the prototypes. Anyone heard anything since then?

I’m really hoping for a Polaris white one.

The lack of any other basses being announced along with no more Rex Brown or Gene Simmons Birds is encouraging. I would love an authentic re-issue, complete with all of the idiosyncrasies of the original, price would not be an issue. Gibson has already made Custom Shop examples of this recently so hopefully, it's just a matter of time. As I change employers in a few months I hope to gain a bit of insight from the Gibson Rep that visits Thunder Road Guitars/The Bass Shop. Meanwhile................

Not old.

 

[Ringhammer]

Yeah, I’d find a way to buy a new “re-issue” ‘64 IV, in white (required).

 

[Lammchop93]

Yeah, I’d find a way to buy a new “re-issue” ‘64 IV, in white (required).

Same. I’m already setting money aside so I can jump whenever it’s released.

 

[Gaolee]

Something I've been noticing the last couple of months or so--during some songs and often during softer parts like intros, bridges, mainly where there is no singing--I notice when playing a note and it rings out and sustains, I'm thinking I wish the note decayed quicker. I find my self about once a week or so wishing a note would fade instead of hanging out there and always recall conversations about sustain. I generally move my finger to on top of the fret to dampen it a bit so it decays a little quicker. Tonight I stuffed some foam under the DTFs on the '64 Pbass to see how I like it. In the past when I've used foam, I didn't notice much of a difference. Always sounded better at home with just me. Unfortunately a couple people couldn't make practice so we canceled so I'll have to wait. As much as anything I find it odd that I notice myself even wanting some notes to decay. An interesting and unexpected self-observation.

I mute strings with both hands, depending on what's going on. At one point, I played a Precision most of the time. It had dead flats on it and I used a piece of foam to make it even deader. The foam went under the bridge ashtray. It was perfect for a thumpy sound. With other strings, it would rip your face off, but at the time I didn't need that sound. I liked that bass a lot. I should probably pull it out of its case and play it. It's got an aircraft carrier deck for a fretboard. It's about as different from a Thunderbird as you can get.

 

[Gaolee]

The lack of any other basses being announced along with no more Rex Brown or Gene Simmons Birds is encouraging. I would love an authentic re-issue, complete with all of the idiosyncrasies of the original, price would not be an issue. Gibson has already made Custom Shop examples of this recently so hopefully, it's just a matter of time. As I change employers in a few months I hope to gain a bit of insight from the Gibson Rep that visits Thunder Road Guitars/The Bass Shop. Meanwhile................

Not old.

I didn't know the Gibson custom shop would make a II like that. If they would paint it a color, my cheap ass might loosen up a bit. Now I'm getting GAS for a Thunderbird that isn't an orange Lull. Jeez!

 

[Gaolee]

Yeah, I’d find a way to buy a new “re-issue” ‘64 IV, in white (required).

White/cream would work. How hard could that be?

 

[dagrev]

This is probably old news to most of you here, but I was listening to the JT Cure interview on the BASSED podcast and he mentioned Gibson was developing a 1964 Thunderbird reissue bass and he was giving feedback on the prototypes. Anyone heard anything since then?

I’m really hoping for a Polaris white one.

Don't hold your breath. JT told me back in '23 he went by Gibson Custom Shop one day and they mentioned they were working on one and he got to play it the prototype. Nothing from Gibson since. Maybe there's some business "logic" that makes you sit on a great idea and not seek to make some money from your RD, etc. Word was it was going to be pricey. Likely trying to figure out how they can get "Les Paul Bass" into the name.

 

[MCF]

The lack of any other basses being announced along with no more Rex Brown or Gene Simmons Birds is encouraging. I would love an authentic re-issue, complete with all of the idiosyncrasies of the original, price would not be an issue. Gibson has already made Custom Shop examples of this recently so hopefully, it's just a matter of time. As I change employers in a few months I hope to gain a bit of insight from the Gibson Rep that visits Thunder Road Guitars/The Bass Shop. Meanwhile................

Not old.

It better have a through neck. The price will be an issue for me. I’m guessing they’ll tee it high and let it fly at something over 3K if they decide to do it.

 

[Lammchop93]

Don't hold your breath. JT told me back in '23 he went by Gibson Custom Shop one day and they mentioned they were working on one and he got to play it the prototype. Nothing from Gibson since. Maybe there's some business "logic" that makes you sit on a great idea and not seek to make some money from your RD, etc. Word was it was going to be pricey. Likely trying to figure out how they can get "Les Paul Bass" into the name.

I know the new mark morton signature Les Paul took 2 years to hit the market after prototypes were being built, so who knows. Bass definitely takes a back seat at Gibson, which is unfortunate. They are missing a good revenue opportunity if they do it right.

 

[MCF]

Yeah, I’d find a way to buy a new “re-issue” ‘64 IV, in white (required).

They sort of have some of us by the you know whats. I won’t spend what it’ll take for a real one.