Thunderbird Club

[Engle]

Exactly - I started playing bass in '66 and the bass players I was drawn to then were Jack Cassidy, Tim Bogart and Jack Bruce - all prone to solo/extrapolate on bass - a departure from the typical (electric) bass-players role up to that point. So I've always had that in me (phrasing more like a guitarist who switches to bass) and even with a structured bass-line I add subtle flourishes where it works. Not gratuitous or 'busy', more lyrical.

BG plays this song*, based on the Bowie live version with Gail Ann Dorsey on bass - love, love, love her bass work - she has such a languid groove the whole song, but listen to her transitional 'flourish' at 3:13 - that's what I'm talkin' about!



"Wild Is the Wind" is a song written by Dimitri Tiomkin and Ned Washington for the 1957 film of the same name. Johnny Mathis recorded the song for the film, and it was released as a single in November 1957. His version reached the top 40 on the record charts in Billboard magazine. The songwriters were nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song in 1958.

Nina Simone first recorded "Wild Is the Wind" for the 1959 live album Nina Simone at Town Hall. In a retrospective review for AllMusic, Scott Yanow described the rendition as a "classic" version. Regarding this recording, Janovitz wrote that "there is a real sense of the Eastern European flavor of the tune. It is a minor-key affair, with a dramatic, sweeping melody." With her approach, "all hope seems lost; she sounds as mournful as she has on almost any of her recordings -- resolved that her lover is gone, yet singing to herself as if he were there."

*David Bowie recorded a version of "Wild Is the Wind" for his 1976 album Station to Station. Bowie was an admirer of Simone's style, and he was inspired to record the song after meeting her in Los Angeles in 1975. He later recalled that Simone's version "really affected [him]...[he] recorded it as an hommage to Nina. Bowie took special care with the arrangement and production of "Wild Is the Wind", committing to an emotional and romantic vocal performance modeled after Simone's which has often been cited as one of his best

I was referring to the scale tones in White Rabbit, but yeah Jack Bruce was one of the first bassists to make an impression on me with his melodic playing.

 

[Engle]

Check out Kana's tone and playing on this one:

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I was thinking of those who fed me bad information should have to support me in my time of need. You played the wisdom card so you're safe! But would love to visit sometime. Basses, BBQ, Mexican food, no bears and mountain lions... You don't have bears and mountain lions, right?

Roger, good buddy. No bears or mountain lions anywhere nearby, except possibly the zoo.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Bear Bones Studio! I see a side gig in the making. Of course Mrs. Marshall may not be having any of it. In which case he's welcome here if he needs to get that far away.

Just so he doesn’t pack bears or mountain lions.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Never bought from that seller, but I have bought from this one and his work is impeccable…

https://www.ebay.com/itm/306775647102?_skw=gluff+bass&itmmeta=01KQMN4NQWSJFB8N9T7Q6B6RDJ&hash=item476d40e37e:g:yZUAAOSwBUdoK50K&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA0GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xC%2BNK6DyQWfC8txo7qdo3EhCsYPjzlooA6qHZqBKM%2FDmQglROtFFD%2FYFYK9u0j0BSi8dWqNUrxUd125XHNdugdRZ8uwd%2FVYh4SlBSGr3RMzgrBy0iVzXGp7WCl6CUYRyTRpjo%2BZHzc%2B9rre8I5YdHhIihHyXhAnONCCGv2PMCuXLe2Cl9Sw%2BmX%2BaqOxfKll5wWcwqGWXpSKSVz31b5Xx7IyOoX4GDQo%2F6KlP4WUQOMDIhdGGN1NF8Sd%2FZniG1kNDsQ%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4rckpW9Zw

Gorgeous

 

[Count Bassie]

Gorgeous

Fretless, unlined neck on that puppy.

 

[dagrev]

Just so he doesn’t pack bears or mountain lions.

That goes without saying. But...maybe worth saying just in case.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

That goes without saying. But...maybe worth saying just in case.

Safety first.

 

[GBassNorth]

I think there's something going on. My '81 G&L with mahogony body is near the top of my basses that sound outstanding. I have no idea what flavor of mahogony, but I like it whatever it is.

I’m a believer in wood impacting the tone of a bass. How predictable and how much is certainly debatable. But after building a number of basses I’m convinced body wood type and to even a larger degree neck wood type as well as construction methods, some hardware (bridges and nuts) and obviously electronics all play a part in how a bass sounds.

Gorgeous

Fretless, unlined neck on that puppy.

Gluff makes fantastic bass bodies. He was the body supplier for my BlingBird bass and the still in progress Alembic inspired Tbird I’m building…
Figured maple cap on a mahogany semi hollow body, Fender maple and rosewood neck (warm and very resonant)

Figured maple cap on a walnut semi hollow body, Warmoth Goncalo Alves and Macassar Ebony neck (should be clear and clean with a definite hifi focused sound)

The Tbird body he has for sale on eBay is a figured maple cap on a semi hollow Basswood body. I’d expect it to be lighter than either of mine with a strong low to low mid focus especially if fitted with a mahogany and rosewood neck. For the price you can’t go wrong with his bass bodies.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

gotta love derby and tacos.....

 

[MCF]

I'm fully aware I'm in the minority here, and everyone to their own 'bag', but I can't stand Bowie's voice. Nice bass playing by G.A.D. though.

I get it. Do you like Geddy’s voice?

Gail is great in that clip. She’s pretty faithful to George Murray’s line from the album.

 

[MCF]

Fretless, unlined neck on that puppy.

Was thinking about you the other day and hoping all is well.

 

[Count Bassie]

Was thinking about you the other day and hoping all is well.

Thanks Marshall, it's been a walk in the woods lately, to be honest. But I see a future, and that means I can navigate the present. Doing alright.
I appreciate the thought man.

 

[TBird1958]

Thanks Marshall, it's been a walk in the woods lately, to be honest. But I see a future, and that means I can navigate the present. Doing alright.
I appreciate the thought man.

You know the welcome mat is out for you should a trip to visit your daughter come up. I have a couple you can play too.

 

[Count Bassie]

You know the welcome mat is out for you should a trip to visit your daughter come up. I have a couple you can play too.

Thanks your Grace! I might just show up.

 

[BuddhaFingas]

Third practice attempt and at that dangerous point where I think I know what I'm doing.

Width is about where Im wanting. Fade density too, though harder to see on the brown paper than the cardstock.

Debating giving the body one more coat of clear first, for a bit smoother target. And Ive got two spots where the clear disrupted the metallic a bit, but there's not really a correction I can do without risking even uglier outcomes.

All part of the art of "live performance" I guess. The warts are part of the experience.

Hardest part of this will be resisting the urge to make it better by spraying more passes. Exercize in restraint.

Wish my freehand motions were smoother. Age, ugh.

 

[TBird1958]

Third practice attempt and at that dangerous point where I think I know what I'm doing.
View attachment 7486884

Width is about where Im wanting. Fade density too, though harder to see on the brown paper than the cardstock.

Debating giving the body one more coat of clear first, for a bit smoother target. And Ive got two spots where the clear disrupted the metallic a bit, but there's not really a correction I can do without risking even uglier outcomes.

All part of the art of "live performance" I guess. The warts are part of the experience.

Hardest part of this will be resisting the urge to make it better by spraying more passes. Exercize in restraint.

Wish my freehand motions were smoother. Age, ugh.

The hand motion stuff would seemingly be easy - I know it's not. Do little less than you think you need to, then give it your critical eye.

 

[JIO]

I was referring to the scale tones in White Rabbit, but yeah Jack Bruce was one of the first bassists to make an impression on me with his melodic playing.

Yes, I got the scale tones reference - go ask Alice...

 

[JIO]

I'm fully aware I'm in the minority here, and everyone to their own 'bag', but I can't stand Bowie's voice. Nice bass playing by G.A.D. though.

You may well be , but you are entitled to your own personal 'likes'/'dislikes' as we all are. There's many singers that I'd prefer to not hear even though many people love their voice. I've been a Bowie fan from "The Man Who Sold the World" LP which is still one of my fave Bowie LP's.

 

[CoughSyrup]

I'd love to learn what the group consensus is on mid-priced T-bird replacement pups. Lulls aren't available, and even if they were they'd exceed my budget. Same for Lollar and Novak.

Going for a vintage look so EMGs and other moderns pups won't do. I need more chrome in my life! The Gibson reissues seem affordable but don't have different values for neck and bridge. Is that common for Thunderbird pups? Gemini Dominators and the Mojo Pickups sets from the UK look great but with shipping and tariffs, they are at the top of my budget.

Any experience with 916 Pickups? I know the owner used to post on TB, but not lately. He's local, so it might be nice to give him my business, but not sure how the neo magnets depart from the traditional T-bird tone.

I'd very much appreciate any additional suggestions as well. Thanks in advance!