Thunderbird Club

[dagrev]

Beautiful bass but what is a DTF? And I'm almost afraid to ask about "ABM".

Thank you. Sounds as good or better than it looks.

DTF= Deep Talkin' Flats.
And you don't want to know about ABM!




ABM = Atomic Bass Maker

Or maybe it's Ashdown Bass Magnifier.

 

[dagrev]

So it’s definitely been too long since I had a Bird in my stable and was checking in here, but recent events may have opened up the possibility of me commissioning a custom build Bird from Low End in the next year or so.

My question for y’all is: did Gibson ever offer a Thunderbird in Pelham Blue, either in the 60’s or as a newer year production? It seems that every search I run seems to show vintage Thunderbirds in Gibson’s tobacco sunburst, which makes me think that they saved all the fun colors for the electric guitars in the 60’s!

I have a few ideas in mind for this build, so if you have any insight into Pelham Blue Thunderbirds of any year (and photos!) I’d appreciate it!

They did make them in the 60s. Uncommon, but around. Often turned green by now.
No PB from Gibson currently that I know of. That would make sense so it hasn't happened.

 

[dagrev]

Hey Thunderbirders ;-)

Silly question becouse theres for shure a Million answers and the final one will be what ever feels Right and what the Song needs.

But anyway I wan‘t to know how you Folks Blend your Pic ups and Set your Tone for xy genere/your Band you play, whats your favorite , and what you like about that Setting.

To say it’s Not about how get I Tone xy. I simple want some sort of new ideas. How other people use this beautyfull instrument.

When it comes to me I usualy Play all on Full sometimes Bridge rolled of around 50-70%
Tone between 30-100%
I Play Country, Rock’n Roll, a bit of Punk and
Classic Rock.
I play with Fingers and I think with Both Pick on Full I get the best mix of clearety and lows. Amp is usulay pretty Flat but with a touch of Drive (Ampeg Ventura SVT Setting)

Cheerz hope to hear some cool thoughts and workflows

On any Thunderbird I either have both full on or the neck only. Crazy rare for me be blend.

 

[ThaCoast]

Reverse or Non-Reverse, for those which own both variations, do you prefer one shape over the other? Why/not.

Those who own one or the other, any reason why the other hasn't landed in your realm?

I remember trying one of the Non-Rev firebirds, & remember it being weird, in the sense the body felt way big for the guitar scale. I'd imagine the bass version feels better overall. While i don't dislike the reverse Firebird/Thunderbird, i think those are fine in both. I've never had the chance to try a Non-Rev Tbird.

 

[MCF]

So it’s definitely been too long since I had a Bird in my stable and was checking in here, but recent events may have opened up the possibility of me commissioning a custom build Bird from Low End in the next year or so.

My question for y’all is: did Gibson ever offer a Thunderbird in Pelham Blue, either in the 60’s or as a newer year production? It seems that every search I run seems to show vintage Thunderbirds in Gibson’s tobacco sunburst, which makes me think that they saved all the fun colors for the electric guitars in the 60’s!

I have a few ideas in mind for this build, so if you have any insight into Pelham Blue Thunderbirds of any year (and photos!) I’d appreciate it!

Pelham Blue was a custom color for them in the 60’s. Most that remain have taken on a jade hue. There were 400 PB non-reverse reissues made for ‘13. That shade has a slight metallic sparkle to it. They currently do a faded PB in the non-reverses that they initially released in ‘21.

Pelham Blue is my favorite color.

 

[TBird1958]

 

[Engle]

Thx GEO! more of a heads up to Jeff on the Hipshot he gave me working properly.... I own a couple of 5 stringers that only leave the house for recording....I think I gig my fretless more than the fivers.....never owned a hollow body.....scared to brake one as they seem more frail than solidbodies.....ymmv of course...,

The Casady is a big sturdy beast. It's not fragile.

 

[Stealth57]

The Casady is a big sturdy beast. It's not fragile.

My only complaint is the sharp edge where I rest my arm. It will leave a mark after an hour or so.

 

[MCF]

So how did Greco, BaCH, and others manage to build Thunderbird copies without being sued? I also wonder how Hamer made their Standards (Flame Top Explorers) and Les Paul Junior copies without being sued. I know that Aria Pro had to withstand some lawsuits early on-

I think Greco just made ‘em until they couldn’t. Gibson wasn’t making a whole lot of Thunderbirds during the Greco era from the late seventies into the nineties. I expect they sent a C&D at some point, but afaik, never actually sued them. Or any of the other Japanese “forgers.” International trademark law is complicated. And I’m not sure how strong Gibson’s position is to be able to defend. I think they threatened BaCH with a C&D and BaCH stopped. Gibson also reportedly threatened Dingwall, Lull, and others over the years.

 

[Ringhammer]

Those who own one or the other, any reason why the other hasn't landed in your realm?

I simply do not like the looks of a NR.

I have 2021 genuine Gibson NR sets of pickups in this:

And in this (This has since been painted straight white and the DeCola pickups swapped with a setup of genuine Gibson NR pickups out of a 2021 NR):

So if there’s any audible magic to a NR, it’s in these…

 

[dagrev]

Reverse or Non-Reverse, for those which own both variations, do you prefer one shape over the other? Why/not.

Those who own one or the other, any reason why the other hasn't landed in your realm?

I remember trying one of the Non-Rev firebirds, & remember it being weird, in the sense the body felt way big for the guitar scale. I'd imagine the bass version feels better overall. While i don't dislike the reverse Firebird/Thunderbird, i think those are fine in both. I've never had the chance to try a Non-Rev Tbird.

Had a '64 Reverse since 1981/2. It feels custom made for me. The Gibson '06 feels as good. Other revereses feel normal as well tto varying degrees.
Got a '21 NR and it always feels a bit odd at first. Got a '66 NR body and restored it and it feels nothing like the current NR by Gibson. The '66 is like my '64 and feels custom made for me. Not really the same bass as the current NRs other than shape, but even the body is somewhat different and the neck it very different.

In the end it's a personal preference. I always thought the NRs were funky-cool looking.

 

[dagrev]

I simply do not like the looks of a NR.

I have 2021 genuine Gibson NR sets of pickups in this:

View attachment 7444135


And in this (This has since been painted straight white and the DeCola pickups swapped with a setup of genuine Gibson NR pickups out of a 2021 NR):
View attachment 7444136

So if there’s any audible magic to a NR, it’s in these…

That Red is stunning!

 

[JJR58]

 

[MCF]

Reverse or Non-Reverse, for those which own both variations, do you prefer one shape over the other? Why/not.

Those who own one or the other, any reason why the other hasn't landed in your realm?

I remember trying one of the Non-Rev firebirds, & remember it being weird, in the sense the body felt way big for the guitar scale. I'd imagine the bass version feels better overall. While i don't dislike the reverse Firebird/Thunderbird, i think those are fine in both. I've never had the chance to try a Non-Rev Tbird.

I like them both. But if forced to choose, I’d say Reverse. And I have no explanation as to why.

 

[Gaolee]

Hey Thunderbirders ;-)

Silly question becouse theres for shure a Million answers and the final one will be what ever feels Right and what the Song needs.

But anyway I wan‘t to know how you Folks Blend your Pic ups and Set your Tone for xy genere/your Band you play, whats your favorite , and what you like about that Setting.

To say it’s Not about how get I Tone xy. I simple want some sort of new ideas. How other people use this beautyfull instrument.

When it comes to me I usualy Play all on Full sometimes Bridge rolled of around 50-70%
Tone between 30-100%
I Play Country, Rock’n Roll, a bit of Punk and
Classic Rock.
I play with Fingers and I think with Both Pick on Full I get the best mix of clearety and lows. Amp is usulay pretty Flat but with a touch of Drive (Ampeg Ventura SVT Setting)

Cheerz hope to hear some cool thoughts and workflows

You do pretty much what I do. The bridge pickup is used to modify the sound, not be the main thing. I generally don't roll off the tone except for unusual circumstances.

 

[Gaolee]

I just flad do not like the way NRs look. And I am shallow. So there you have it.

 

[GBassNorth]

Yes, kind of. Or going back. I am really digging the flats on more basses. I play bass, rarely slap or pop, dont' seek to cut through anything so flats often give me that big thick bottom with some punch that I like. And once you put falts on and love the tone, you're kind of done with strings for at least a decade on that bass. Added bonus. That and I've tried enough strings now that I know what I like and chasing strings is of less interest. Especually when I'm really satisfied with what I'm hearing. Nothing to chase at that point, just play and enjoy.

I've had flats on various basses for years. It's been >20 yrs since I was all rounds. Several years ago most basses had flats. But I had fewer basses as well. But the number of basses that have flats has been creeping higher again. Most of my Pbasses have always had flats. The '55 mostly rounds. (Some flats don't like string through, and the SIT Powerwounds sound great via the ABM.) The Cal Sunset Orange Fender P/J has never had rounds. Used GHS Pressurewounds for years. It currently has Roto flats and they sound great on it. Both J's have flats--'63 DTFs and the '71 Rotos.

One VP has rounds, the other GHS flats. The '76 and '64 Embassy Roto 66s. Black nylon's on the '06. The new Embassy "donor" bass has Stringjoy rounds and the '21 NR DM Blue Steels and does the Regenerate (the modern take on a '55 Pbass). The Redburst G&L has SIT Foundations.

Lots of great info there Donnie, thx for posting!

As you are probably aware, I just completed installing a set of vintage 1976 Bicentennial Tbird pickups and a 1976 Tbird wiring harness in one of my BaCH Tbird basses. Came out great but with EB Cobalt Pino light gauge flats has more top end focus than I want. I see you’re using Roto 66 strings on your ‘76, which I assume are stainless rounds and would also most likely be too bright for my tastes. Have you tried the Roto 66 nickels? Or is there another round wound you’d recommend for the ‘76 to darken it up a bit?

Anybody else out there with a ‘76 bird - what strings are you using?

 

[Stealth57]

Lots of great info there Donnie, thx for posting!

As you are probably aware, I just completed installing a set of vintage 1976 Bicentennial Tbird pickups and a 1976 Tbird wiring harness in one of my BaCH Tbird basses. Came out great but with EB Cobalt Pino light gauge flats has more top end focus than I want. I see you’re using Roto 66 strings on your ‘76, which I assume are stainless rounds and would also most likely be too bright for my tastes. Have you tried the Roto 66 nickels? Or is there another round wound you’d recommend for the ‘76 to darken it up a bit?

Anybody else out there with a ‘76 bird - what strings are you using?

No 76, but for low end, my experience would be La Bella black nylons, SIT Power Flat, or TI Flats (low tension). EBCF have more highs compared to the others listed.

 

[GBassNorth]

Thx GEO! more of a heads up to Jeff on the Hipshot he gave me working properly.... I own a couple of 5 stringers that only leave the house for recording....I think I gig my fretless more than the fivers.....never owned a hollow body.....scared to brake one as they seem more frail than solidbodies.....ymmv of course...,

The BlingBird is a semi hollow body and very robust. I’m with you on full hollow body basses though, just seem a bit less robust and more prone to feedback than semi hollow and solid body basses.

 

[Stealth57]

The BlingBird is a semi hollow body and very robust. I’m with you on full hollow body basses though, just seem a bit less robust and more prone to feedback than semi hollow and solid body basses.

I had issues with feedback on my acoustic/electric (piezo pickup?). Got rid of that fast. Haven't had any issues with the Casady and that is, technically, a hollow body with no center beam. Now, I wouldn't go The Who on that body.