Thunderbird Club

[Miles_ONeal]

Always liked that song, did you (or anyone else here) know that 3 of the guys went on to be in a band called Starz.

From Wiki

• Genre Shift: Unlike the soft rock of Looking Glass, Starz was a hard rock/power pop band often compared to a mix of Aerosmith and KISS.
• Management: They were managed by Bill Aucoin (who also managed KISS) and signed to Capitol Records.
• Major Hits: Their most recognizable radio hit was 1977's "Cherry Baby".
• Legacy: Despite never reaching "superstar" status, they are cited as a major influence on 80s glam metal bands like Mötley Crüe, Poison, and Guns N' Roses.

Same bassist, Pieter Sweval, I saw Starz in 1976 at The Kingdom in Seattle. they, along with Jeff Beck opened for Aerosmith.
Nobody knows it, but this a fun song from them, still good bass playing too.

I'd forgotten all about this song. They got occasional airplay on a couple of stations in Atlanta at the time.
I don't recall if I knew the Looking Glass connection.

 

[Gaolee]

The point? Just because.

Exactly. Why do I have an ACC 360 in the basement to use as a practice amp? Why do I have a 360 reissue that I haul out for the occasional show?

Because.

They are paid for, work great, and I have room. Neither has been turned up much since I got them.

 

[Gaolee]

Do you colour coordinate with the drum kit?

Are bears Catholic? This is our queen you are talking about.

 

[dagrev]

Our mash up of All Along the Watchtower from last night. Think Hendrix/U2...this was our first take on this song.

Dropbox

Love it! Y'all did great.
I know it's a practice recording and maybe it was my speakers, but it seemed like the vocals were setting on top of the song/mix instead in the song, if that makes any sense. Not meant to be a criticism but an observation. I don't know if the band's practice mix would get transferred to live or not.

 

[dagrev]

working on this for tonight....smooth, nifty bass line...

Cool! That's a fantastic song.

 

[dagrev]

Always liked that song, did you (or anyone else here) know that 3 of the guys went on to be in a band called Starz.

From Wiki

• Genre Shift: Unlike the soft rock of Looking Glass, Starz was a hard rock/power pop band often compared to a mix of Aerosmith and KISS.
• Management: They were managed by Bill Aucoin (who also managed KISS) and signed to Capitol Records.
• Major Hits: Their most recognizable radio hit was 1977's "Cherry Baby".
• Legacy: Despite never reaching "superstar" status, they are cited as a major influence on 80s glam metal bands like Mötley Crüe, Poison, and Guns N' Roses.

Same bassist, Pieter Sweval, I saw Starz in 1976 at The Kingdom in Seattle. they, along with Jeff Beck opened for Aerosmith.
Nobody knows it, but this a fun song from them, still good bass playing too.

Sure didn't know that.

 

[Stealth57]

Love it! Y'all did great.
I know it's a practice recording and maybe it was my speakers, but it seemed like the vocals were setting on top of the song/mix instead in the song, if that makes any sense. Not meant to be a criticism but an observation. I don't know if the band's practice mix would get transferred to live or not.

The mastering was done with studio monitors, so it depends on the frequency response of your speakers. The monitors I use are neutral across highs and lows. No idea how it all sounds through a PA or with our individual amps.

 

[GBassNorth]

This is going to sound a bit sacrilegious, but I really like the mods on that vintage bird. I’m a huge Alembic fan and love most of their stuff.

BUT, Truth be told, none of the claimed Alembic parts on that bass are actually Alembic parts. They are brass versions kind of in the same vein as Alembic would do, but that bridge and hard tail and the control knobs and cavity cover and the tree of life inlay aren’t even close to Alembic designs other than being brass.

At one point I considered doing an an Alembic bird in a series one configuration (two pickups and a dummy coil) but the cost was completely prohibitive (well north of $5000 for just the Alembic electronic parts, not including any bridge, nut, tuners, neck or inlay or body). IIRC I calculated my cost at somewhere around $8000 for the finished bass that I might be able to sell for half that price at best.

I still might try building an Alembic bird but I’d have to be really creative on sourcing or fabricating the parts needed to do it justice.

Well, that was yesterday.
Today I was able to secure what appears to be a complete Alembic electronics package (pickups, controls, preamp and wiring harness) at a reasonable price. Once it arrives it’ll all go in a Goth test mule to ensure everything works as intended before I carve up the final resting place for these Alembic guts…

At this point I’m leaning towards black hardware vs the standard Alembic gold/brass stuff. I already have some Gotoh Batwing tuners, now I just need to find an Alembic-ish looking bridge and hard tail.

Once I finish with the Goth test mule it will get repurposed into an EB Goth Bass (EBGB). The stock Goth pickups will be removed and a 1960 EB Bass Mudbucker and wiring harness will be installed. I’ve always loved the sound of the old pre 1970’s EB basses. Hopefully this will get me close to that sound but in a Thunderbird package.

 

[RedVee]

Always liked that song, did you (or anyone else here) know that 3 of the guys went on to be in a band called Starz.

From Wiki

• Genre Shift: Unlike the soft rock of Looking Glass, Starz was a hard rock/power pop band often compared to a mix of Aerosmith and KISS.
• Management: They were managed by Bill Aucoin (who also managed KISS) and signed to Capitol Records.
• Major Hits: Their most recognizable radio hit was 1977's "Cherry Baby".
• Legacy: Despite never reaching "superstar" status, they are cited as a major influence on 80s glam metal bands like Mötley Crüe, Poison, and Guns N' Roses.

Same bassist, Pieter Sweval, I saw Starz in 1976 at The Kingdom in Seattle. they, along with Jeff Beck opened for Aerosmith.
Nobody knows it, but this a fun song from them, still good bass playing too.

Starz? We had Stars

 

[Nocturnal]

Always liked that song, did you (or anyone else here) know that 3 of the guys went on to be in a band called Starz.

From Wiki

• Genre Shift: Unlike the soft rock of Looking Glass, Starz was a hard rock/power pop band often compared to a mix of Aerosmith and KISS.
• Management: They were managed by Bill Aucoin (who also managed KISS) and signed to Capitol Records.
• Major Hits: Their most recognizable radio hit was 1977's "Cherry Baby".
• Legacy: Despite never reaching "superstar" status, they are cited as a major influence on 80s glam metal bands like Mötley Crüe, Poison, and Guns N' Roses.

Same bassist, Pieter Sweval, I saw Starz in 1976 at The Kingdom in Seattle. they, along with Jeff Beck opened for Aerosmith.
Nobody knows it, but this a fun song from them, still good bass playing too.

I knew some of Starz history. The singer is also Pop singer/actor Rex Smith's brother, but Starz was 1000% cooler. We covered this song the last time I played out, just as Covid was kicking in. Lyrics wouldn't fly today.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Let's do this!.....

 

[MCF]

Always liked that song, did you (or anyone else here) know that 3 of the guys went on to be in a band called Starz.

From Wiki

• Genre Shift: Unlike the soft rock of Looking Glass, Starz was a hard rock/power pop band often compared to a mix of Aerosmith and KISS.
• Management: They were managed by Bill Aucoin (who also managed KISS) and signed to Capitol Records.
• Major Hits: Their most recognizable radio hit was 1977's "Cherry Baby".
• Legacy: Despite never reaching "superstar" status, they are cited as a major influence on 80s glam metal bands like Mötley Crüe, Poison, and Guns N' Roses.

Same bassist, Pieter Sweval, I saw Starz in 1976 at The Kingdom in Seattle. they, along with Jeff Beck opened for Aerosmith.
Nobody knows it, but this a fun song from them, still good bass playing too.

Got me on that one. Surprised I don’t know them or it.

 

[MCF]

I'd forgotten all about this song. They got occasional airplay on a couple of stations in Atlanta at the time.
I don't recall if I knew the Looking Glass connection.

I don’t recall anything in SoCal. Could have, but nothing I recall.

 

[MCF]

Let's do this!.....
View attachment 7481618View attachment 7481619

You got a bass or two to have them spray while they’re at it? Pick up a bolt-on, have them spray it, and add a racing stripe. It would be a cool prop at car shows….

 

[Stealth57]

OK, someone has got to know. Talking about my forearm getting creased by my JC, I was looking for a 6" terry sweat band. Wow, that isn't so easy. Not that there aren't a lot, just that their so called "one size fits all" means pencil arms. My forearms aren't Mr. Olympia, but even at 9-10" nothing fits. Anybody have a source?

 

[MCF]

OK, someone has got to know. Talking about my forearm getting creased by my JC, I was looking for a 6" terry sweat band. Wow, that isn't so easy. Not that there aren't a lot, just that their so called "one size fits all" means pencil arms. My forearms aren't Mr. Olympia, but even at 9-10" nothing fits. Anybody have a source?

Sorry. My arms are normal. The cheapo 6 inch three pack from Amazon works great.

 

[Stealth57]

Sorry. My arms are normal. The cheapo 6 inch three pack from Amazon works great.

Started there but don’t go past my wrist.

 

[MCF]

Started there but don’t go past my wrist.

Uh, well, never mind.

 

[RedVee]

Does Popeye have a merch store?

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

You got a bass or two to have them spray while they’re at it? Pick up a bolt-on, have them spray it, and add a racing stripe. It would be a cool prop at car shows….

that's a great idea M!